The year 2004 was quite an interesting one in regard to pre-Tribulation events spoken of by Christ for the end-time. We experienced flooding in the Philippines, droughts in parts of the United States and Africa, starvation and genocide in the Sudan, hurricanes in Florida, earthquakes in diverse places, and — to top off the year — a huge earthquake and subsequent tsunamis causing over 150,000 fatalities in South-East Asia. We also heard of continual conflicts, terrorist attacks and bombings in Israel, Iraq, and other parts of the world.

What can we expect for 2005? Unfortunately, more of the same, according to what the Bible says, and possibly even in increasing and progressively worse proportions, as we approach the final stages of Satan’s rule over this earth.

We must always bear in mind the truth and reality that Satan is the present ruler over this world. As outlined in Matthew 4:8-9, Satan offered the kingdoms of this world to Christ, if He would bow down and worship him. He could not have offered them to Christ, if they were not his to give. You will notice that Christ did not challenge this issue. We also know that Satan deceives the whole world (Revelation 12:9) — that is the reason why most don’t recognize the fact about who really rules over this earth.

Unfortunately, all those curses which we experienced in 2004 are the result of disobedience to God and His laws. They are the direct result of sin.

The recent earthquake in Asia is nothing compared to what we will encounter going forward. Yet, man’s general attitude will continue to be one of defiance. Let us notice this prophecy in Revelation 6:12-14: “I looked when he opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake… Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.”

It is hard for us to imagine the magnitude of an earthquake that will move every mountain and island out of its place. Still, we don’t find that man will repent. Rather, they will try to hide themselves from God (verses 15-16), as Adam and Eve tried to do, after they had sinned.

Further events are described in Revelation 16:18-21, talking about another great earthquake; in fact, it will be such “a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth” (verse 18). We read that “the great city [modern Babylon or Rome] was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell” (verse 19). In addition, “every island fled away, and the mountains were not found” (verse 20). This unprecedented earthquake will be so powerful that islands will disappear and great mountains will become small hills. We cannot really imagine such an event. In addition, we are told that “great hail from heaven fell upon men” (verse 21). Still, man won’t repent. Rather, we read in the same verse that “Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since the plague was exceedingly great.”

However, we do read, in Revelation 11:13, about another “great earthquake, and a tenth of the city [of Jerusalem] fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.” While most people won’t repent, some will, as these terrible tragedies continue to strike.

Christ told us that these things, which we are experiencing right now, are just the “beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8). It will get much worse. It is critical that we are maintaining a close relationship with God, so that we can be protected by Him in the years ahead.

We find an interesting discussion between Christ and Peter in the 21st chapter of the book of John. Peter was repeatedly asked by Christ if he loved Him. You can sense by the responses of Peter that by the third time Christ asked him this question, he was a little frustrated. We see from the responses given by Christ in Verses 15-17 of John 21, that He, on the other hand, was focused on how this love was to be manifested. These responses were, “Feed My lambs,” “Tend My sheep” and “Feed My sheep.”

We can conclude by these responses to “Do you love ME?” that the way to demonstrate that love is by feeding and tending Christ’s sheep. This responsibility lies with the ministry and we in the ministry are to take that responsibility seriously.

Now, there are several ways to feed sheep. You can feed them sporadically, cut back on the amount you feed them or feed them a poor quality diet. All of these methods produce the same result — weakened, sickly sheep subject to disease and unable to ward off predatory attacks. It is unfortunate that some of the Churches of God have chosen this path in regard to their sermons, counseling and writings, thereby “feeding milk” to the sheep — messages that are more palatable, more appetizing, more appealing — instead of giving the flock meat in due season.

Is this the type of feeding that is expected of the ministry? Let us look at what Paul admonished Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1-2:” 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.”

There is no hint here of watering down the truth to become more popular or make it more palatable. Rather, Paul admonishes Timothy to always tell the truth as it is, with love and longsuffering.

Can you imagine having a group of guests over for a fine dinner and serving a quality wine that was half watered down, and trying to explain to your guests that you were trying to be frugal and save a little money by watering down the wine by 50%? I suspect this would not go over very well, no matter how you presented your case.

The ministry in The Church of the Eternal God in the U.S, the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship in Canada, and the Global Church of God in England take very seriously the responsibility of feeding meat in due season to the sheep of Christ, as well as tending to them. We are not out to win a popularity contest and we are not out to offend, either. At the same time, we will not shrink from the responsibilities given to us by Christ and demonstrating our love for Him. That love is shown by our “Feeding His Sheep,” as He commanded.

We shall continue to give meaty sermons based on the Bible and not on speculation or merely on human tradition. Speculation may be titillating to the ear, but it does little for the stomach, as far as a strong diet is concerned. Our articles and booklets are Bible based. By doing this, we show our love to God the Father and Jesus Christ, as well as our determination to follow the admonition in Matthew 24:45-46: “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them FOOD IN DUE SEASON? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find SO doing” (Emphasis added).

If we truly love God the Father who has called us to His Way, and if we truly love Jesus Christ who gave His life for us, we, as a church, must follow Christ’s command and feed His sheep.

To some people, godly obedience is a small matter in their daily lives, as if it really was unimportant or too insignificant to ponder for any degree of time. Even when faced with clear and unambiguous commands and instruction from God, some find excuses and human reasoning for not obeying. Let us look at a few examples of disobedience and how they impacted individuals, and more importantly, how God viewed them. In 1 Samuel 15:3, Saul was given very specific instructions regarding the attack on Amalek: “… utterly destroy ALL that they have, and do not spare them.” They were to kill all the animals, women, infants and the men. In other words, NONE were to be spared.

Now let us look at what happened. As recorded in 1 Samuel 15:7-9, Saul spared Agag the king and the best of the animals. This was a clear violation of the instructions given by God. What was God’s reaction? Verse 11 reports God’s words: “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” God was regretting having set up Saul as king because of his disobedience. We get a little more understanding about this by what Samuel says about God’s mind, in verses 22-23: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. [Notice the consequences of his blatant disobedience in the latter part of this verse:] Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you from being king.”

This was a high price to pay for disobedience, for using human reasoning around a clear command. This world has been doing the same thing since the dawn of man — using human reasoning as an excuse not to obey clear commands from God.

Take the Sabbath, for example. The command is clear — it is from God — yet mankind uses human reasoning, such as, “Yes, we should set a day aside for worship, so we will use Sunday.” The problem with this line of reasoning is that God did not give us the prerogative of choice which day to hallow. Man has only the prerogative of obedience. Is it any wonder our nations are cursed? The importance of obedience is clearly demonstrated and unequivocally stated in Acts 5:32: “And we are His witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom [better: which] God has given to those who OBEY HIM.” God is not going to give His Spirit to those who blatantly disobey, be it in regard to the Sabbath, clean and unclean meats, tithing or any other clear and unambiguous command or instruction.

As we go about living our Christian lives, let us remember the importance of obedience and how imperative it is in God’s mind to reflect on the words of Christ in Luke 16:10: “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much…”

Let us not apply human reasoning as Saul did and was rejected by God — but rather, let’s be willing to obey ALL that we have been commanded to do. Then, instead of being rejected, we can look forward to the glorious words of Christ: “Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:21, 23).

There was a man in the mid 30’s during the harsh depression that hit the US and Canada. He was very hungry, unemployed, impoverished and homeless. He was walking along a railway track on a bright day and he said out loud: “Lord I am hungry and broke, please take care of my needs at this time.” He looked down and spotted a 50 cent piece on the ground. Filled with joy and gratitude he picked it up and started to think about the fine meal he could have with this 50 cent piece.

As he walked towards town he came across a trestle which he had to cross. Half way across he accidentally dropped the 50 cent piece. He reached out for it in desperation but it slipped through the rail ties and started to drop to the river below. He watched as it turned and glistened in the sun and eventually slipped into the rushing waters of the river to disappear forever. He slowly got up on his feet and said: “Lord, I thank you that I still have my appetite.”

Although this is a story of fiction, it reflects an attitude we do not see a lot of today. Are we really grateful for all the things we have? Not the things we want but the things we have? Today we live in an ungrateful age. Yet, let’s look at the admonishment in Hebrews 13:5: “… be content with such things as you have.” At the beginning of the verse we are admonished to be without covetousness. Paul also admonishes us in Philippians 4:11, stating, he learned to be content with whatever state he was in. We have to learn to do the same. It is sometimes difficult to have such an attitude, when we go through trials, tests, sickness and the stress associated with living in this age. Remember, it is he who endures to the end who will be saved. So we must not only persevere but be content at the same time.

Someone who is content with what he has would by extension be grateful for what he has.

Look at Paul’s opening statements in Colossians 1:3, “We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you…” Paul’s statement expresses gratitude to God and Jesus Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 1:2, we read: “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers…” another expression of thanks and gratitude to God.

Are we really thankful? You might ask, for what?

For the precious knowledge we have. For the truth of God’s Word and the understanding He gives us through His Holy Spirit.

We have a lot to be thankful for as God’s children and family. We should not only learn to be content with the things that we have, but be grateful, giving thanks to God for all the things He gives us.

A man’s life doesn’t consist of the things he possesses. It is not the person who accumulates the most toys that wins, but he who does the will of the Father. We know His will and we should be content with the precious truths we have; and give thanks to God in a sincere spirit of gratitude for all He does for us now and for the opportunity in the future to serve mankind as His sons and daughters.

When Mr. Armstrong was traveling around the world, visiting world leaders and dignitaries, he would on many occasions present to them a gift of Steuben crystal. This type of crystal was of a good quality with a world reputation for its clarity. It was a suitable gift for world leaders and royalty with whom Mr. Armstrong came in contact. God in His great mercy has given us an even more precious and valuable gift — His Holy Spirit.

Pentecost is fast approaching, and we should, at this time, reflect on this most valuable gift. Let us look at the events of the Feast of Pentecost mentioned in Acts 2:1-4: “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

We see here the powerful beginning of the New Testament Church of God. Notice: They were all of one accord. There were no divisions, other opinions or different interpretations among them. They were all in one place, not scattered here and there. There came suddenly a SOUND of a mighty wind — not a mighty wind, but only a sound, which they all heard, since it filled the whole house. Then, tongues of fire sat upon each one, symbolizing that they were individually receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. They began to speak in other languages and the miracle was also in the hearing, since each one heard them in their own language (compare verse 8). This was a powerful manifestation of the beginning of the New Testament Church of God on the Feast of Pentecost.

What does God’s Spirit do for us individually?

It opens our minds to the spiritual truth of the Bible, which we could not understand with our own natural mind and human reasoning. It also gives us an endearing relationship with our God and Jesus Christ. We read in Romans 8:16 (Authorized Version): “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” We also read in verse 15 (AV): “…but ye have received the Spirit of adoption [correctly rendered, “sonship”], whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” The Aramaic word “Abba” denotes a very close and personal relationship with God, as that of a child with his father (compare Mark 14:36; Galatians 4:6).

Through the receipt of the gift of the Holy Spirit, we enter into a personal close family relationship with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

In addition, as long as the Holy Spirit dwells in us, it enables us to be resurrected at the last trumpet (compare 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) and to enter God’s Kingdom as His sons and daughters, ruling for all eternity.

Let us come to the conclusion of the matter. In this life we may have many gifts bestowed upon us, but there is no gift more precious or valuable than that of God’s Spirit. Our loving God wants to share His power, majesty and eternal life with His family. Let us ensure, brethren, that we develop and maintain a deep appreciation for the “Greatest Gift of All” — God’s Holy Spirit.

Many in orthodox Christianity teach that the “immortal soul” goes to heaven or “Paradise” at the time of our death. They use the famous statement of Jesus Christ to the thief on the cross as a “proof” text to support their belief. We must understand, of course, that the concept of an immortal soul going to heaven was taught long before the birth of Christianity, and that New Testament Scriptures are often used by some to “prove” this concept adopted from paganism. The passage regarding the thief on the cross is no exception.

Did the thief on the cross go to heaven on the day Christ told him, in Luke 23:43: “Assuredly , I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise”?

There are several problems with thinking the man went to heaven that day. The first problem is that Christ was not resurrected until three days later. Even then, He Himself did not go right away to heaven at the moment of His resurrection, since He told Mary at the grave to “touch me not; for I am not yet ascended.” (John 20:17, Authorized Version).

We need to understand that there was no comma in the original text of Luke 23:43. The church has consistently taught until Mr. Armstrong’s death that the coma in the Bible had to be — and was in fact — inserted by the translators at the wrong place. Christ told the thief on that day what would happen in the future — not, that He and the thief would enter “Paradise” on that day. Correctly, the verse needs to be translated: “Assuredly, I say to you today, you will be with me in Paradise.”

Also, “Paradise” does not have to mean, “heaven.” There is NO Scripture in the Bible promising us to go to heaven when we die! Paradise in the Greek means a park or place like the garden of Eden. We read in Revelation 2:7 that the tree of life is in the midst of the Paradise of God. Revelation 21 tells us that the Heavenly Jerusalem will descend to earth in the future, and that the tree of life will be in it — that is, in Paradise (Revelation 22:2). At that time, Paradise, with the tree of life, will be on earth — not in heaven.

Did Christ say that the thief would die and be on the very same day of his death in Paradise on earth? That would pose another problem since Paradise is not here yet — and almost 2000 years have passed since Christ made His promise to the thief. We also have a clear statement in regard to King David, a man after God’s own heart. We read in Acts 2:29 that “he is dead and buried and his tomb is with us today.” So, even after Christ’s resurrection, David was still dead and buried in his tomb. He saw corruption (Acts 13:36), and he did not ascend to heaven (Acts 2:34). Rather than believing that the souls of dead people go to heaven, the disciples believed in a future resurrection of the dead, as stated by Paul to King Agrippa in Acts 26:8: “Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?” Just when would this resurrection occur? For those “in Christ,” at the last trumpet, as stated in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16 — not before then.

There are actually several possibilities as to what Christ might have promised the thief. Christ could have forgiven his sins and promised him that he would be in the first resurrection, in which case he would be resurrected at Christ’s return, when He comes to establish the Kingdom of God here on earth (compare Luke 23:42). This would occur when everyone “in Christ” will be resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). As an immortal spirit being, the thief would of course be in “Paradise,” when it would descend to this earth after the Millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment.

Another possibility is that the thief would be resurrected in the Great White Throne judgment period (Revelation 20:11-12) — when all those will be resurrected who have not received God’s Spirit in this life. If this is the case, then the thief would work out his salvation with fear and trembling, and Christ knew that he would “make it” at that time. In either case, the thief would be in Paradise with Christ, when Paradise will be established here on earth — after the Millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment.

In addition, by extension, the earth can be compared with “Paradise” or a beautiful garden during the Millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment. Therefore, even if we don’t replace the comma in Luke 23:43, Christ’s statement would still make sense in this way: If Christ was referring to the earth’s beautiful condition during the time of the Millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment, when He made His promise to the thief, then the thief would be in Paradise “that day”: He will come back to life — either in the first or the second resurrection, NOT in the third — and this would be on the “very same day” of his death, insofar as his CONSCIOUSNESS was and is concerned. As all those who have died sleep the sleep of death without any consciousness, so did and does the thief. But when he is resurrected, it will be for him “on that day” — as if just one second had passed.

The thief never went to Paradise on the day of his death, but he is awaiting a future resurrection. If “Paradise” is a reference to the earth during the Millennium and/or the Great White Throne Judgment, then the thief will be in Paradise with Christ on that day. In any event, he will be in Paradise (as mentioned in Revelation 22:2), with Christ, after the Millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment. He will be with Christ in Paradise here on earth — not in heaven.