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Dear Brethren, Co-Workers and Friends,

Is it inconceivable that because of a pandemic or other threats, our government will again begin to impose lockdowns and other restrictive authoritarian measures on us in the future? If so, how will you act and react?

You might think our government might have learned from the many mistakes which were made and the many unconstitutional and useless measures which were imposed on us when the COVID pandemic engulfed the nation. You could not be more wrong.

Notice what is posted on the website of California’s government, pertaining to Corona (covid19.ca.gov):

“California’s COVID-19 State of Emergency is over, but COVID-19 has not gone away. To safely go about our daily lives, we need to keep taking steps to prevent the spread. Get your kids and yourself vaccinated and boosted. It’s our best tool to end the pandemic. Vaccination is safe, effective, and free… Find out how long to stay home and avoid others if you test positive for COVID-19… You can access a digital copy of your vaccination record if you got vaccinated in California. Save it on your phone and use it as proof of vaccination wherever you go… Wear a mask to keep from spreading the virus to those who are vulnerable. This includes those with weak immune systems, those who are pregnant, and the unvaccinated.”

It is truly incredible that such measures are “recommended” while it has been scientifically established that many of them are useless and wrong and, in far too many cases, dangerous.

To begin with, vaccinations are not safe, and booster shots are unnecessary in any event.Southern Maryland Online wrote on August 8:

“Health Secretary Xavier Becerra [an attorney with no medical degrees], a Biden appointee, wrote in a social media post on Nov. 29, 2022, that people should get vaccinated ‘if it’s been over 2 months since your last dose’… [When asked], the [Biden] government said it had no evidence to support Mr. Becerra’s recommendation.”

Rebel News reported on July 25:

“The senior Health Canada official [Dr. Celia Lourenco]… admits that underreporting adverse effects caused by COVID vaccines is a ‘well-known fact’ .… litigator Bernard Desgagné… claimed this degree of underreporting could have caused millions of deaths south of the border… A health department spokesperson told the publication that ‘most pre-pandemic studies about this topic estimate adverse drug reactions under-reporting rates of 90% or higher.’…”

In regard to the wearing of masks, Fox News wrote on June 10:

“A recent study published by the prestigious Cochrane Library, which is funded by the National Institutes of Health, dug into the findings of 78 randomized controlled trials to determine whether ‘physical interventions’—including face masks and hand-washing—lessened the spread of respiratory viruses… ‘There is just no evidence that [masks] make any difference. Full stop,’ Tom Jefferson, the study’s lead author, said in an interview. When asked specifically about fitted N95 masks in health care settings, Jefferson said: ‘It makes no difference—none of it.’…”

Outkick wrote on July 19:

“Dr. Anthony Fauci… made any number of unimaginable mistakes. He claimed, inaccurately, that masks work to stop the spread of COVID. He advocated for school closures… His misinformation on the efficacy of COVID vaccines helped usher in the spread of vaccine mandates and passports…”

But if you think that this is only in the past, and it could not happen again, think twice. Even though the website of the California government, as quoted above, is enough reason for concern, note this article by The Dossier, dated August 1:

“The Pharma-sponsored corporate media is once more spreading the fear hype. ‘Time to bring [masks] out again especially as the school season starts,’ read the MSNBC headline Tuesday morning. An entire segment on Tuesday from ABC’s Good Morning America was dedicated to tracking supposed increasing hospitalizations from coronavirus infections, warning that the numbers are ‘on the rise’…

“Coronavirus hysteria ended because enough human beings became educated to the reality that the ‘response’ to the ‘pandemic’ was wildly overblown… It’s the same reason why Pfizer and Moderna stock is crashing…

“The problem occurred because it took too many people way too long to realize that humanity had been bamboozled by power hungry tyrants… When the next big power grab arrives, we should hope for much more courage and bravery than last time around.”

But this hope might not materialize. The question is, how will you react? Will you buy into the propaganda of the mass media—the fake news—and the Big Pharma-supported government, as far too many did last time?

Consider this article by Life Site News, dated August 7:

“[200] U.K. scientists at a high-security government laboratory have begun developing vaccines for a potential future pandemic [referred to as “Disease X”]… Since the coronavirus outbreak in 2020 and the subsequent draconian lockdown policies, leading globalists like Bill Gates have been continuously warning about the ‘next pandemic.’

“[In 2023,] former British prime minister Tony Blair predicted that vaccines for future pandemics will require ‘multiple shots.’ Blair called for digital infrastructure ‘to know who has been vaccinated and who hasn’t been.’ A few months later, the European Union (EU) and the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a partnership to create a ‘global system’ of vaccine passports built on the EU’s ‘system of digital COVID-19 certification.’ 

“Moreover, the head of a ‘nudge unit’ employed by the U.K. government during the COVID crisis said in a recent interview that lockdowns would be accepted by the population in future pandemics because people already ‘know what the drill is.’ 

“Professor David Halpern from the Behavioural Insights Team (the ‘nudge unit’) admitted that his agency used psychological manipulation to prime the population and defended the use of fear-based messaging ‘in extreme circumstances.’ He said that visual prompts and catchy slogans can be used to prime people if they ‘are wrongly calibrated.’”

So, given enough pressure, propaganda and psychological manipulation, the majority of gullible people might become “convinced” that they just have to go along, like dumb sheep following the slaughter, and we can even expect that they will begin to try to “influence” those who are “wrongly calibrated” to get in line… and report them to the authorities if they don’t. This is not a wild guess, because this is exactly what happened before.

Lockdowns because of “pandemics” are decisively NOT a thing of the past! But lockdowns may not just occur because of pandemics. 

Report 24 wrote on July 31:

“Klaus Schwab’s daughter Nicole Schwab obviously follows the example of her father. At an event, she indicated that the Covid crisis had shown that radical change is possible if there is enough panic… Will climate lockdowns follow soon after the Covid lockdowns?…

“The WEF [World Economic Forum] makes no secret that Covid-19 has been used as a test run for a potential climate dictatorship… Nicole Schwab… sees Covid as a ‘tremendous opportunity’ that has shown that radical change is achievable when people are scared…

“If you take the political measures of the Corona period as a model, the fear arises that globalists are actually flirting with dictatorial ‘climate lockdowns’. That would mean severe restrictions being imposed on individuals and businesses to reduce carbon emissions. These measures could include travel restrictions, strict regulations on energy use and consumption in general, and even temporary closures of industries considered to be harmful to the environment. Globalist advocates argue that strict action is needed to prevent catastrophic consequences of supposedly man-made climate change…”

The irony is that “man-made climate change” may not even be scientifically proven… as there were many doubts regarding the ”scientific” assessments of the COVID “pandemic.”

The New York Post wrote on August 9:

“We are told climate change is a crisis, and that there is an ‘overwhelming scientific consensus.’ ‘It’s a manufactured consensus,’ climate scientist Judith Curry tells me. She says scientists have an incentive to exaggerate risk to pursue ‘fame and fortune.’

“She knows about that because she once spread alarm about climate change… Curry was the unusual researcher who looked at criticism of her work and actually concluded: ‘They had a point.’… Alarmist scientists’ aggressive attempts to hide data suggesting climate change is not a crisis were revealed in leaked emails… It made Curry realize that there is a ‘climate-change industry’ set up to reward alarmism…

“Some United Nations officials were motivated by ‘anti-capitalism. They hated the oil companies and seized on the climate change issue to move their policies along.’… The researchers quickly figured out that the way to get funded was to make alarmist claims about ‘man-made climate change.’ This is how ‘manufactured consensus’ happens.”

Will there be future lockdowns, not only because of a “return” of COVID 19 or an unknown future epidemic (“Disease X”), but also because of the fear of “man-made climate change,” coupled perhaps with an ever-increasing hysteria of the Woke nonsense?

Again, we ask, what will you do in times like these? Will you become a gullible follower and embrace man-made rules which would be in violation of God’s commandments?

In our free booklet, “Obeying God Rather Than Men,” which we wrote and published in 2020, we said this on pages 37 and 38:

“True Christians understand that the Sabbath and the Holy Days must be kept, and that they must not instead accept the mark of the beast by worshipping on Sunday and pagan holidays, and by refusing to worship on God’s weekly and annual Sabbaths. 

“But how does this play out in practice when the government prohibits Christian churches to meet and assemble on the Sabbath? They might not even place this prohibition under a religious mantle, but they might give some other reasons, such as the outbreak of a pandemic that would require people to stay at home. The weekly Sabbath and the annual Holy Days are commanded biblical holy assemblies or holy convocations (compare Leviticus 23). We should ask ourselves whether refusing to follow God’s command, because the government says so, would be pleasing to God (compare Hebrews 10:25; the Living Bible states: “Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near”).

“In this day and age, we have the means of broadcasting sermons live over the Internet to the homes of Church members, which we can resort to on a temporary basis, when physical person-to-person meetings and assemblies with the brethren are not possible. But what happens if a government would prohibit such services as well? How far would we go to follow governmental rules which would prohibit religious services in any manner and of any kind? 

“Christians in the early Church were forced to meet in secret, in catacombs, in order to escape the fury of the Roman government. When they were caught, they were severely punished, but they were willing to obey God rather than men.”

We also stated this on pages 39 and 40:

“God’s ministers are commanded to feed the flock. Zechariah 11:16 warns us of a worthless shepherd who will not feed or heal Church members. Ezekiel 34:4 applies this to other shepherds as well. God’s true ministers have a duty to anoint those with oil who are sick (James 5:14), which includes the laying on of hands (Luke 4:40; Mark 16:18; Acts 28:8).

“But in times of the existence of a real or perceived virus that is allegedly being transferred through touch or close proximity (‘social distancing’ is supposed to prevent this from happening), a government might prohibit such a practice of anointing. 

“It is true that God allows His ministers to prepare and send out an anointed cloth instead, when person-to-person anointing is not possible (compare Acts 19:11–12). This is mainly meant for cases of great distance. In any event, what happens if this procedure is prohibited as well? Pretty soon, we might be labeled by God as worthless shepherds if we refuse to anoint the sick. Some might want to agree with the government that for the greater good and the health of the public, laying on of hands by a minister should be omitted, without considering that God has shown over many years that, due to His protection, His anointing ministers will be immune from contracting the disease of the sick person…

“Conflict may arise when a government, perhaps due to fear of a virus which might allegedly be transmitted by touch or close proximity, prohibits the practice of baptizing or ordaining a person, which requires the laying on of hands by the minister on the person (compare Acts 8:12–17; 19:5–6; Acts 6:2–6; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Timothy 5:22; 2 Timothy 1:6). In addition, a government might prohibit Church ministers to bless little children (Mark 10:16; compare Matthew 19:13–15) or to conduct marriages, as all these procedures require the laying on of hands to set the persons aside for a holy and righteous purpose. Already in Old Testament times, it was understood as symbolizing the imparting of godly blessings (Genesis 48:13–20), His authority and spiritual power (Numbers 27:18; Deuteronomy 34:9).”

Let us not think that these questions and warnings have no relevance for our future. They most certainly do, and we had better be prepared to know and live by the right answers. We would suggest that in order to be ready to face the days to come, you read or reread the entirety of our free booklet, “Obeying God Rather Than Men.” 

In Christ’s service, and with His love,

Norbert Link

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Dear Brethren and Friends, 

With summer here and with the children out of school, there is an increase in activity. For those who have gardens, they have to be maintained and most of us have lawns to cut because of the increased growth, due to the warm weather. Some have to deal with the planning of activities for the children this summer. With all the increased activities, it is easy to get so caught up in all of this that we begin to neglect one of the tools for maintaining a right relationship with God, and that is fasting. 

As unpleasant as it may seem, it is a crucial element to maintaining a close relationship with God, and it also helps in getting closer to God. Notice the admonition in Matthew 6:16: “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”

This is not an excuse not to fast, nor is it a recommendation or suggestion to fast, but it is an admonition. It does not say, IF you fast, but it says, WHEN you fast. There are only two individuals specifically recorded in the Bible who fasted for forty days and forty nights, without eating or drinking anything, and these are Moses and Christ.

When considering Elijah, he received twice nourishment from the angel of the LORD. Then, in
1 Kings 19:8, we read: “So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.” Technically, it does not say that Elijah fasted 40 days and 40 nights, even though most commentaries conclude that he did not eat and drink during that time. But some have a different point of view.

For instance, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible writes: “The old commentators generally understood this to mean that Elijah had no other food at all, and compared this long fast with that of Moses and that of our Lord. But the words do not exclude the notion of the prophet’s having obtained such nourishment from roots and fruits as the desert offers to a wanderer, though these alone would not have sustained him.”

Exodus 34:28 speaks about Moses: “So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.”

Matthew 4:2 speaks about Christ: “And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.”

To fast that long is not recommended today, since it could very well be fatal. Without food or water, you can normally survive about a week. With water, you normally could survive for one to two months; so this shows how heathy and strong both were, but in all probability, that they received supernatural strength from God to survive such a long and unusual fast. In case of Elijah, we can see clearly, in any event, God’s supernatural intervention.

Other than at the beginning of His ministry and on the Day of Atonement, which was a requirement of the law, there is no record of Christ fasting more often than that, which is not to say that He did not; only, that it has not been recorded.  

The disciples of John the Baptist fasted, and they were somewhat critical of Christ’s disciples for not fasting enough in their view. We read in Matthew 9:14: “Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?’”

Here is Christ’s response, in Matthew 9:15: “And Jesus said to them, ‘Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

They were in His presence all the time, but they would fast after His death.

Fasting is probably the tool we could use more frequently. We have examples in the Bible of people fasting often—some for the wrong motive of being seen by men, and others for the right purpose of drawing close to God. 

When and how often we should fast, other than on the required fast on the Day of Atonement, is not mentioned in the Bible, but in order to maintain a close relationship with God, it should be more than once a year. (We understand of course that young children or people with health issues should not be required to fast. God will see to it that they can and will have a close relationship with Him by other means.)

In general, through fasting, we can maintain a healthy relationship with God and move forward in our responsibility to grow in grace and knowledge, looking forward to receiving the greatest gift ever offered to man, and that is to become God beings as His sons and daughters. Reading our recent booklet God Is Our Destiny will reinforce that reality for us. 

This gift of becoming a God being in the Family of God was not offered to angels or to animals, and thus it should motivate us to continue in our task of finishing the Work given to us of preaching this gospel to the world as a witness, which includes warning the nations, so that Christ can return and end the madness that we witness under the direction and influence of Satan, the god of this world.

His return cannot happen soon enough, so let’s hang in there, continuing to do the Work because Christ’s return does not appear to be too far away.

In Christian Love 

Rene Messier (Canada)

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Dear Brethren and Friends, 

Last month, on the 6th May 2023, King Charles the Third was crowned in Westminster Abbey in London as King of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland and the 14 other Commonwealth realms. His mother, Queen Elizabeth the Second, was coronated on 2nd June 1953, some 70 years ago and so it was an elaborate and archaic ritual not seen in Britain since 1953.

In his first spoken part of the ceremony, Charles said that he had come to “serve, not to be served” and to follow the example of the “King of kings.”

The religious service was carried out by the Archbishop of Canterbury and other senior figures in the Church of England. At the climax of the ceremony, the Archbishop placed St Edward’s Crown on Charles’s head—a solid gold crown, dating from 1661. This is the centrepiece of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, and is only worn by the monarch at the moment of coronation itself (not least because it weighs a hefty 2.23kg—almost 5lbs). Unlike royal weddings, the coronation is a state occasion—the government pays for it, and ultimately decides the guest list.

For the past 900 years the coronation has been held in Westminster Abbey—William the Conqueror was the first monarch to be crowned there, and Charles was the 40th.

Among the historic items used was the Stone of Destiny. The stone, also known as the Stone of Scone, was transported from its usual home in Edinburgh Castle to London at the end of last month. We discussed the Stone of Scone in detail in several Q&As and also in our Current Events. 

The Gold State Coach, which is covered in gold leaf and carved decorations, was first used by King George III to travel to the State Opening of Parliament in 1762. 

The sheer logistics in preparation for and leading to the coronation service had to be admired. After the coronation service, the BBC reported that “At the head of the procession—about a mile in front—was Brigade Major Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw riding Sovereign’s Shadow. He led more than 4,000 members of the armed forces from the UK and across the Commonwealth, 19 bands and flag-bearers, formed into eight groups. It was the largest procession in the UK for 70 years.”

As members of the true Church of God, we realise and understand that there were a number of elements of the service that were plainly unbiblical, including some taking the eucharist which is a counterfeit of the Passover service. Praying to the Trinity, and references to the cross and other matters were made which were not in accordance with true Biblical understanding. In fact, the entire service appeared to be Catholic to the core and it was not the kind of service which would have been pleasing to God. 

Nevertheless, all of this pageantry might have been impressive to many; especially to those who are not members of the Church of God. However, there is a future event that will dwarf all of what transpired at this coronation.

Those in the Church have long been looking forward to the return of Jesus Christ to this earth when the havoc, chaos and confusion that is reflected in society worldwide today, will be eliminated. From all the current signs that there are in the world, we surely cannot be far from the time of the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord, spanning 3½ years of calamity and destruction which will pre-date Christ’s return. (In this regard, please ask for our new free booklet, titled, “The Rise and Fall of Germany and Europe.”). We see prophecy coming to pass in the world before our eyes and Daniel 12:1 is very specific about the time just ahead of us: “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.”

However, there are warnings for us. We are admonished in 2 Peter 3:3–4 as follows: “…knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’” We are not to fall asleep spiritually at this critical time but to put on the whole armor of God (see Ephesians 6) and “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (verse 16). We must stand strong!

Without question, Satan will be pursuing the begotten members of the God Family as we read in 1 Peter 5:8: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

We are to look forward to Christ’s return and to Him setting up the Government of God on the earth which is a time that we will be involved with. We read about this in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

King Charles the Third said that he was to “serve, not to be served” and to follow the example of the “King of kings.” He will presumably do the best he can as a human being, but the arrival of Jesus Christ at His Second Coming will see Him serve in a godly way, not just for a few years, but for eternity, as indeed we will if we remain faithful to the end of our days (compare Matthew 24:13).

In this world of great uncertainty, and as it has become darker and more chaotic, we can be certain about the veracity of God’s Word which shows that better times are ahead for all of God’s people, and for all of humanity.

Let us all take heart, fully appreciate our calling, stay close to God and look forward to a much better world that is ahead of us. And when Jesus does return, we will be with Him to serve all of humanity.

With Christian love,

Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

Together in unity! This is one of the main themes we aim for during our annual Church conferences, especially when tackling certain doctrinal issues. It’s also a time when we focus on the goal of successfully doing the Work of God, continuing in our efforts in how we carry on the task of preaching the Gospel and feeding the flock. 

During the past few years, the agenda before each conference was a bit slim and quite limited as there weren’t many new topics to address (so it appeared), but that all seems to change in the weeks if not days prior to the beginning of the conference. There is always something to talk about, and making sure we are all on the same page when it comes to doctrinal issues is vital for the sanctity and unity of the Church. 

Summarizing this year’s conference of 2023, one such way in how we are involved in spreading the Gospel focused on our Google advertising campaigns and distribution of our booklets. We have had pretty good success advertising the Rise and Fall of the Jewish People booklet to English-speaking nations, which also led to having to do several reprints of this booklet. We have also advertised the German version of the Ten Commandments booklet in German-speaking areas. Other possible booklets for advertising, ad campaigns focusing on our weekly updates with news and current events, as well as the production of new booklets, are also in the planning. 

When it comes to the internet and our websites, a new theme on the English site had been created which makes the website more secure and is also more advantageous for mobile devices. We also began using additional video publishing sites like Rumble and have also created a Twitter site where we upload our StandingWatch programs in an attempt to get the word out. The German website is also in the works for improvement and plans for creating a Spanish site as well as a French site are in the making. 

The Feast sites for 2023 have been established for Loveland, Colorado, in the United States, and Kalkar, Germany. 

When it comes to doctrinal issues, we discussed the question of what the Bible says about the “called” and the “chosen.” Our booklet on Predestination goes into this very topic on pages 52-54. Calling and chosen are related concepts. Those who are with Christ are called and therefore chosen and faithful. We plan to have a Q&A on this matter which will go into more detail. 

We also addressed the difference between the physical and spiritual sin concept, realizing that the Bible doesn’t use those words in that way. If we do a physical act, for example by eating pork or smoking, knowing it’s wrong, it is a sin, whether physical or spiritual. There is no distinction between both.

We discussed using the expression of the Hebrew word YHWH or “LORD.” We have refrained from using these words, especially “LORD,” unless quoting from Scripture. Often times, it is an issue of translation and it is also a matter of what the word conveys. 

We discussed at length what it means to “add” or “delete” from Scripture. When quoting Scripture, if a Scripture needs explanation, that would not be considered adding or deleting because of false translations and by also clarifying the understanding of what the Scriptures mean. An example would be in Acts 16:31 when Paul is in prison saying, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Much more is involved to inherit salvation than just believing on Jesus, which has to be explained.

We also pointed out that it is wrong to speculate when the Bible doesn’t support it, especially if it is contradictory to Scripture. When it comes to prophetic speculation, we need to emphasize that it is such when the Bible isn’t clear on it. Examples of this would include how we get to the place of safety, and where and how exactly the Third Temple will be built, but the Bible gives evidence for the fact THAT some WILL BE at the place of safety, and that a Third Temple WILL BE built prior to Christ’s Return.

The questions of whether the Bible teaches unconditional forgiveness and if there can be forgiveness without repentance have been explained in a Q&A series by Norbert Link. The question of whether there is something like “unconditional love” is being explained by a new Q&A series by Norbert Link.

We also went into specific Scriptures like Numbers 12:8 which refers to Moses seeing the glorified “form of the LORD”, but not in His full glory. This also proves that God has form and shape in His glorified state.

We revisited the proper procedure when it comes to anointing and also, that it could apply to anxiety, especially before an operation, surgery or other potentially dangerous procedures. It was pointed out that God promises not to afflict us with sicknesses as He is our “LORD who heals” us (Exodus 15:26).

The proper procedure when suffering from a sickness, physical or otherwise, is to pray to God first, then ask for anointing, followed by a prayer request to the Church. 

As we can see from this year’s conference, there is always something to talk about, something that needs to be addressed and perhaps revisited if reasons allow for it. We have to have unity in the faith and understanding, based on the Bible, to make sure we are correct in what we are saying without contradiction. If something needs correction, we need to address that based on what we understand from the Bible. 

The Work continues and will not end as we can see from the fruits of our labors in getting the Gospel message out, along with the help from the members and contributors of the Church which does not go unnoticed. We pray that God will bless our continuous efforts and God bless you all for your continuous diligence.

We also wish all of you a very rewarding and profitable Feast of Pentecost, being reminded that all glory and honor go to God who has bestowed us with His Holy Spirit of power to do His Work without wavering.

In God’s service and with Christian love,

Michael Link

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Dear Members and Friends,

Today we live in a world that is subject to constant change. What was considered normal twenty years ago is very different from what is considered normal today. And the media is one very powerful method used to accept these changes as a normal part of life.

 Here in Australia, we have just experienced the WorldPride event being held in Sydney, including the Mardi Gras parade. They have been constantly on the news bulletins with many interviews of the participants being shown during prime TV viewing time. The object of the WorldPride event was for it to be thought of as an alternative but fully acceptable way of life. In fact, those who do not accept it are vigorously criticized.

The question for Christians is, how do we know what is right and what is true, and also importantly, what does God think of the goings-on we see all around us?

Looking at what is true, Truth is a subject that is mentioned over four hundred and fifty times in the Bible, in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, and its importance is revealed to us.

When Moses was up on the mountain for the second time, the LORD proclaimed His name and this name included “abounding in goodness and truth” (see Exodus 34:6). So God abounds in Truth; it is a part of His character.

There are so many statements referring Truth to God; especially in the Psalms. “All His work is done in truth” (see Psalm 33:4). His Truth is so great, we read, “For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, And Your truth unto the clouds” (see Psalm 57:10) Also, “His truth endures to all generations” (see Psalms 100:5). Psalm 119:142 reveals that God’s Law is Truth, and Psalm 119:151 states that “…all Your commandments are truth.”

One of the statements made by Jesus Christ about Truth is in John 14:6 in response to a question by Thomas. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” We see that Jesus said “the truth”, not just truth. This is stated in all versions including the original Greek, showing us that Jesus defines what is Truth. He is the Truth and all that He does and says is Truth.

Getting back to the introduction, how do we know whether the changes in modern society are right or wrong? How do we know what God thinks of them? To know this, we need to compare them with the works of God which are done in Truth; the Law of God which is Truth; and the Commandments of God which are also Truth.

But we need to have more than just knowledge of the Truth; we must have a love for it, to hold onto it and never let it go. There is a warning in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 about just knowing the Truth, but not loving it. “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason,” not having the love of the Truth, “God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie.” In this case, love is translated from the Greek word agape which is the love that God gives us through His Holy Spirit (see Romans 5:5).

This shows us how important it is to love the Truth so that when deception comes as it certainly will and is even currently present, whether moral as in the world, or religious deception, we will compare that deception with the Truth of God and be able to reject that deception. With only a knowledge of the Truth but not the love of it, it is easy to let go of it and go along with the world or the coming false religious leader and perish as a consequence.

When something is loved, it is held onto strongly. The more we love Truth, the more strongly we will hold onto it.

Interestingly, the very first item of the armor of God needed to fight against Satan and his demons is the girdle of Truth (see Ephesians 6:14). Not only that, but the apostle Paul instructed the Philippians to meditate on certain positive things, the first of these being whatever things are true (see Philippians 4:8).

Even the first warning Jesus gave on the Mount of Olives was not to be deceived especially by false christs and false prophets. In other words, hold onto the Truth so we recognize what things are deceptive and reject them.

We can also read what gave the last surviving apostle, John, his greatest joy. 3 John 4 states: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” His children were those he had taught God’s Way first-hand or through the ministry that he had raised.

While attending a previous congregation, many people outwardly had the Truth. They kept the Sabbath and the Holy Days, they abstained from unclean meats and they fully appeared to be a part of the congregation. They may have done this for decades. But when false teachings were introduced, many eagerly accepted those wrong teachings and straight away, went out to eat unclean meats, and stopped tithing, etc. They did not love the Truth and ultimately fell away from the Church.

Christ gave an admonition to His disciples in John 8:32: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” That is, free from deception and ultimately free from the second death and to be in God’s Kingdom forever; provided, we love and live by the Truth—God’s Truth.

Remember what Christ said in His prayer in John 17:17: “Sanctify them by Your truth, Your Word is truth.” God’s Word, the Bible, is where we find the Truth so we can avoid the deception this world and Satan use to tempt and destroy us.

With much love and concern,

Your brother in Christ’s Service, 

Paul Niehoff (Australia)

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Dear Brethren,

Every day, we have to make judgments about whom and what to believe. Our news, governments, media, and general interactions with others have elements of fact and falsity mixed together, putting a veil over the actual truth. It is not a new problem for anyone, of course. Deception has been rampant in various shapes and forms for mankind since the time that Satan deceived Eve. The most significant difference for us is that our information sources are much more diverse. Even though our modern advancements in sharing information present different challenges, we can learn a lot from the biblical record of Eve’s deception. To be more specific, we can learn from Adam and Eve’s mistake in making a bad choice about whom to obey and what to believe, and apply that lesson in our lives today.

In their situation, both of them might have believed what they were doing was good. Satan’s manipulation influenced the judgment of Eve. He blatantly lied to her, leading her to believe that it was a good thing to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Her choice in believing Satan demonstrates a form of deception that is very direct and intentional. His motive was to tell her a lie and cause her to disobey the commandment from God. Adam’s situation is slightly different. The Bible only makes a brief comment about their interaction, “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate” (Genesis 3:6). At this point, Eve did not know that she had been deceived, so it is unlikely that she intentionally deceived Adam like Satan deceived her. Yet, Adam was not deceived (1 Timothy 2:14); still, he made a poor judgment in choosing whom to obey. Eve might have sincerely believed her offer to Adam was generous and safe, but Adam was too weak to resist Eve. Instead, he followed Eve’s bad example, although he knew better.

When we consume information, it can be very hard to know whether to believe it or not because it might come from a source that tells us what we want to hear. The information that appeals to our carnal nature will be the most tempting to believe. For example, if we hear good things about ourselves that are consistent with how we see ourselves, we will tend to believe them even if those things might not be true. If we hear news reports that appeal to our worldview, we will be more apt to believe them. The contrary is also true. We will resist believing things that are inconsistent with our view of ourselves and the world we live in. The problem is that we might be victims of passive manipulation like Adam was. Well-meaning sincere people will feed us information, which might not be true, leading us to fall into a trap of believing a lie.

We have an endless stream of information to consume, which invariably mixes the Truth and the lie. Knowing that we are doomed to make eventual mistakes in our fallible, human judgment about what to believe, what can we do about it? To effectively fight against deception, we have to acknowledge who the enemy is. It is too easy to blame the sources of information that we can see with our own eyes and hear with our own ears. Politicians, biased media sources, corporations, and individuals might be the ones sending messages to us with the intention of influencing our beliefs. But they are not, or might not be, inherently the enemy of Truth. Satan is. They are merely pawns in the war for our allegiance. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Therefore, to protect ourselves from being deceived we have to begin by forfeiting the attempt to learn the Truth with worldly methods. Since our battle is spiritual, we have to use spiritual weapons.

We live in a world that is corrupt, and there is nothing we can do to fix it. When Jesus prayed to God in the garden at Gethsemane, He expressed the tenuous situation in which He left His disciples, and us by extension (compare John 17:14-15). He didn’t pray to remove us from the spiritual dangers of the world, but rather, to protect us from the deceptive ways of Satan – the ruler of this world (compare Ephesians 6:12, Revelation 12:9). Through Satan’s influence, the world that we live in threatens to eliminate us and prevent us from receiving the spiritual gift God promises us. If we allow ourselves to be pulled away from our spiritual focus and choose instead to subscribe to the ideologies that appeal to our carnal nature, we will inevitably fall away from God.

To fight against deception in this world on its own terms is futile. We cannot win by playing the game for our eternal lives by the rules set by the world. The source of deception is Satan, whose sole purpose is to influence us to turn away from God. When we fight with worldly means, we will fall victim to Satan’s deception. Aligning ourselves with political parties and adopting the ideas of public figures who espouse their own morality by the reasoning of man will augur us deeper into the world. Even if these things sound good and right to us, we must beware. Our instruction is to separate ourselves from the systems of the world (compare Revelation 18:4). We have a better, even perfect, set of spiritual rules by which we lead our lives.

If we want to succeed in our fight against the deception of Satan in this world, living by the perfect commandments of God that lead us to the Truth, we must remain accountable individually. We have to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (compare Philippians 2:12). We do this by developing and nurturing our sincere LOVE for the Truth. If we do not have that love, we are doomed to be led away to believe the unrighteous lie that seems to be pleasant (compare 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). With our love for the Truth and desire to live by it, we equip ourselves with our best defense against the wiles of Satan. When we love the Truth, we draw near to God who is the source of it. In doing this, Satan loses his ability to pull us away and retreats (compare James 4:7-8). Through Satan’s influence, the world will broadcast all kinds of information designed to distract us from what really matters. But when we keep our minds set on spiritual things, being directed by God, we are not led astray.

We should consider ourselves to be very, very fortunate if God has opened our minds to understand the Truth. By that Truth, we are set apart from the rest of the world for the purpose of salvation (compare John 17:16-19). By that Truth, we learn how to live in a superior way. “Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day” (Psalm 25:4-5). The only way that we can win the battle against the deception of the world is by looking to God for the Truth. Man will attempt to compel us to believe that there is a better way to follow, devised by him. But if that way leads us away from God in any way, we cannot trust it. The measure of Truth is not found by the methods of man, but in adherence with God’s commandments.

The Church of the Eternal God and its international affiliates have a mission to faithfully and fully uphold the Truth of God. We are accountable to you as brethren, to Jesus Christ as our High Priest, and to God the Father, the Almighty. If we were to take this assignment lightly, we would experience dire consequences. For that reason, we are committed to doing our very best so that you are well-equipped to understand the Truth and to live by it. Your support through prayer, words of encouragement, tithes, and offerings keep this Work going. For whatever you may have offered this Church as a personal sacrifice—great or small—we thank you. The Work of upholding the Truth requires the kind of team effort where we all contribute with the means we are blessed with. As we stand together against the ways of this world, we can take solace that we have a source of Truth that we can trust, and that we have a future that will be free of deception.

In Christ’s Service,

Eric Rank

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

We find constant reminders that as true Christians, the very elect of God, we are living by different standards than other people in the world.

Having just experienced a deluge of “merry Christmas” and “happy New Year” greetings, along with the endless commercialism of these recent holidays, we will soon have to contend with even more. Valentine’s Day and Easter will dominate the societies in which we live, and obedience to the God of the Bible will not even be considered!

As mature Christians, we know the Truth, that all of these false practices are inspired by Satan. We know that God forbids our participating in such worldly traditions, and we are warned, that even among us, there will be those who reject God’s Truth in this regard—even turning back to embrace what they had formerly proven to be false worship:

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron…” (1 Timothy 4:1-2).

How can this happen?

It is because Satan is able to devour people through his deceitful doctrines, and it is because those whom God has called do not resist Satan. Resisting Satan is built on the foundation of God’s Truth, and the key for us is to understand and prove the true doctrines of God; furthermore, we must “‘live… by every word of God’” (Matthew 4:4). This is how Jesus withstood the temptations of Satan (Matthew 4:1-11).

Like Jesus, we also live in and face the world of the ungodly. We must test the actions of society by this godly standard: “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).

We will be persecuted when we don’t go along with those who live in rebellion against God, as we have been warned, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). But God tells us this:

“‘Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, Nor be afraid of their insults’” (Isaiah 51:7).

The doctrines of the true Church of God are simply incompatible with those who practice lawlessness. It is becoming more difficult to openly preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Our opportunities on social media outlets are being throttled and censored. Brethren—especially in Europe—now face extreme penalties for taking their children out of school to observe God’s commanded Holy Days.

An all-powerful Satan-inspired religion is beginning to emerge in Europe, and it will dominate the world (Revelation 13:8). It will seek to enforce absolute worship from everyone.

We have been called out of this world to follow Jesus Christ and to keep the commandments of God. Great persecution will come upon the Church of God, and some will be more prepared than others, as Revelation 12:13-17, reveals. We also find that various elements of the scattered Church of God will not be prepared for what is coming, as the parable of the Ten Virgins relates in Matthew 25:1-13.

However, there is something we need to be doing right now if we truly believe the warnings from God:

“‘Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man’” (Luke 21:36).

Brethren, let none of us ever compromise with the true doctrines of God or ever turn our backs on His calling. Rather, let us keep the faith and grow stronger and stronger as we seek to please God!

In Christ’s Service,

Dave Harris

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Dear Friends and Co-Workers, 

As I think about this past year while we get ready to move into 2023, I wonder what we are moving towards. During this year, many of us have had significant trials and tests. We have faced them, overcome them, or are currently walking through that “valley of the shadow of death”

Our member letters are meant to be filled with encouragement. They are also written from a very personal point of view. As I am writing this letter, I am thinking about all the things that I have gone through this year and just how it has affected my growth, and then I also see that I need to become more diligent in certain regards or shore up other aspects. I think, we each can relate to the same way of thinking. But this requires us to do some deep introspection. 

Recently, we have been hearing many messages based on the power of God. I personally have found great strength in these messages. As true Christians, we are the “weak of the world”. Our job is so enormous and intense that we must realize that without God leading and directing us, our efforts would be useless. We are so weak that at times it can feel like we are being swallowed up by the things we are facing—be it health problems, family issues, or money concerns, just to name a few. 

The apostle Paul seems to capture this feeling perfectly in many of his letters to the churches. The commission and the opportunities to do the Work were important then—and they are important now. The persecutions and all the trials were meant to help the brethren to grow and to be able to become stronger—especially in faith and reliance on God.

In Philippians 2:13 (from the Amplified Bible), Paul iterates: “For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.” 

We should think about that deeply. The power of God is working in and with each of us. We are responsible for cultivating the use of this power in our lives. We are to be doing everything we can to grow accordingly. When we are not that diligent in this, then that may be the time when God creates opportunities and situations in our lives (like He did in the case of Job) where we have to walk that walk of faith! 

The 8th chapter of the letter to the Romans lays out in detail for us how we can accomplish using the power of God. When we read this chapter, we should be encouraged to try all the harder. This quote from verse 28 is something I remind myself of over and over: “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.“ 

No matter what we face in this life, if we look at trials properly, we will begin to understand that they are for us! They are opportunities for us to look at our challenges that we face with a different perspective

It really depends on the attitude we choose to take! We can choose the mindset of a victim—believing that we are the poor innocent ones who have to deal with the undeserved problems that we face. We can blame circumstances, other people, Satan or any number of things. But this is not what God tells us! He tells us that everything that we face is meant to help us to grow, overcome or to change our mindsets! He is attempting to teach us to lean on Him more and more! 

In this world, there is no end of advice for self-mastery and how to change. Many times, the advice given is fruitless. The Truth is: It is we who must be willing to change. Change is painful! But we are to choose the pain we go through—the pain of regret or the pain of a trial that helps us to grow. There are many quotes on self-mastery, but one of my favorites is a Henry Ford quote: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.”

Romans 12:1-2 tells us about the real change which we must seek: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service (your duty to conduct yourself as a Christian). And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Whether we think that this life is meant for us (which it truly is) or whether we think that it’s just a pain to get through dictates for us how we behave. We must not discount the power and the strength that we can gain from God in being able to persevere! God tells the church members in the Book of Revelation that they must hold on to their crown! We who are of the Philadelphian remnant must hold on to the Truth. We cannot make the mistake of believing that this will not be tremendously difficult! We will be pressured on all sides—the wearing down of the saints is happening now! 

We must stay strong in our faith, brethren! We must stay close to God! We must do everything in our power to consistently seek after God in all things and at all times! God stands mighty and fights for those of us whom He considers to be His saints! 

With much love and Christian care, 

Kalon Mitchell

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Dear Members and Friends,

We returned from the observance of this year’s Feast of Tabernacles to look forward to the next spring festival season—beginning with Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread. Who can tell how many more annual Holy Days we will still be able to celebrate before Jesus Christ returns? A contract for accommodations for next year’s Feast of Tabernacles in Germany has been signed, and we are looking into the possibility of observing the Feast here in the USA in Colorado. Scattered members and friends, including from Canada, the USA, and Australia were listening in to our live services as well.

In Germany, we had nine baptisms, and with a baptism on the Feast of Trumpets, we actually had ten. Also, this was the tenth year that we kept the Feast in Germany as the Kirche des Ewigen Gottes. We also had an ordination to the office of deacon, with more ordinations to follow in time. We also had the highest number in attendance ever in Germany. In comparison, attendance in the USA was down, due in large part to sicknesses and the inability, because of frailties, to attend the Feast site in person. Guests did not show up because our Feast site was not “convenient” enough for them (What a difference in attitude and zeal when considering the dedication of those guests from great distances who attended in Germany). Numerical growth of membership and attendance in the USA, the UK, Canada and Australia is not high at this point, but this might change in the future.

For several months, we have been conducting an advertisement campaign over the Internet, offering our free booklet, “The Fall and Rise of the Jewish People,” and the responses have been outstanding—so much so that we ran out of stock and had to reprint the booklet twice so far. We are contemplating advertising our newest booklet as well (“God Is…Our Destiny”). We are also commencing a similar advertisement campaign in the German-speaking areas, offering our free booklet, “Die Zehn Gebote” (“The Ten Commandments”).

The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers and co-workers are few. But this must not deter us from doing the Work of God. We pray that the hundreds and hundreds of people who recently received our booklets will respond by studying their Bibles and making necessary changes in their lives which could lead to baptism.

Sometimes we might think our labor is unproductive. We might echo what we read in Isaiah 49:4: “Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain…’” But let’s not overlook the remainder of the verse: “… Yet surely my just reward is with the LORD, And my work with my God.”

And so we know that our labor is NOT in vain (see 1 Corinthians 15:58; Revelation 14:13), and God will reward each and every one of us for our works (1 Corinthians 3:8). God has given us an open door enabling us to preach the gospel, even though we have only “a little strength” (Revelation 3:8). Sometimes, we might not always see clearly as to how it will work out, but this is alright. God understands it, and He tells us in Mark 4:26-29:

“And He said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.’”

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible makes this comment:

“… it is a mystery in nature, how the seed under the clods, where it dies before it is quickened, should spring and grow up, and bring forth fruit; and so it is… how the word of God first operates on a sinner’s heart, and becomes the ingrafted word there; the time when, and much less the manner how [it] is implanted in the heart, are not known to a soul itself, and still less to the ministers of the word, who sometimes never know any thing of it; and when they do, not till some time after: this work is done secretly, and powerfully… without their knowledge, though by them as instruments; so that though the sowing and planting are theirs, all the increase is God’s: this may encourage attendance on the ministry of the word, and teach us to ascribe the work… entirely to the power and grace of God.”

How true this is. We spread the Word through our literature and broadcasts, but we do not know, for the most part, who is being reached, and Christ works with those whom He wants to finally add to His Body… and that without our knowledge. While we may plant and water, it is GOD who gives the increase (compare 1 Corinthians 3:6-7).

Another powerful saying by God in this context can be found in Isaiah 55:10-11 where we read:

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

God’s Word will not be proclaimed in vain; it will not return void, empty or without fruit.

Barnes Notes on the Bible says:

“…the truth which God reveals is as much adapted to produce an effect on the hard and sterile hearts of men as the rain is on the earth… The gospel is no more preached in vain than the rain falls in vain. And though that often falls on barren rocks, or on arid sands; on extended plains where no vegetation is produced, or in the wilderness ‘where no man is,’ and seems to our eyes in vain, yet it is not so… It is addressed to the proud, the sensual, the avaricious, and the unbelieving, and seems to be spoken in vain, and to return void unto God. But it is not so… It leaves people without excuse… Or when long presented – apparently long in vain – it ultimately becomes successful, and sinners are at last brought to abandon their sins, and to turn unto God.

“It is indeed often rejected and despised. It falls on the ears of people apparently as the rain falls on the hard rock, and there are, so to speak, large fields where the gospel is preached as barren and unfruitful of any spiritual good as the extended desert is of vegetation, and the gospel seems to be preached to almost entire communities with as little effect as is produced when the rains fall on the deserts of Arabia, or of Africa. But there will be better and happier times. Though the gospel may not now produce all the good effects which we may desire, yet it will be ultimately successful… and the whole world shall be filled with the knowledge and the love of God.”

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary adds:

“Sacred truth produces a spiritual change in the mind of men, which neither rain nor snow can make on the earth. It shall not return to the Lord without producing important effects. If we take a special view of the church, we shall find what great things God has done, and will do for it… Delivered from the wrath to come, the converted sinner finds peace in his conscience… The hope of helping in such a work should urge us to spread the gospel…”

And so, we must continue preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God in all the world as a witness which is a prerequisite for Christ’s coming. In time, the effectiveness of our labor for God and mankind will become manifest. In time, some, seeing our good works of spreading God’s Word, will respond by glorifying God and changing their way of life. It may take some time, headache, frustration, disillusionment and disappointment, but in the end, it will become obvious how important our labor has been. So let us continue to do with all our might what God has commissioned us to do. And our reward WILL BE great in heaven (compare Luke 6:23; Revelation 22:12).

With Christian love, and in Christ’s Service,

Norbert Link

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Dear Brethren and Friends,

This month, we will begin to observe the Fall Holy Days. On September 26th, the Feast of Trumpets will be observed.

All of God’s commanded Holy Days portray significant parts in His great master plan for the salvation of mankind. Yet, the vast majority of people have not even the vaguest idea of their meaning, and only the precious few understand their significance. Rather, under the blinding deception of Satan’s world rule (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4), so called “holidays” such as Christmas, Easter and Halloween have displaced the true sacred assemblies God has commanded—including Sunday worship in place of Sabbath observance. In fact, God utterly rejects worship associated with these false ceremonies and rituals! (Isaiah 1:12-15; Amos 5:21-23).

Do you remember the challenges faced when you first began to observe the weekly Sabbath and then the annual Holy Days? Do you also remember the thrill of learning the true meaning of why God has instituted His holy convocations?

Due to Israel’s disobedience in former times, the Holy Days of God fell by the wayside, and only when a righteous king arose in Judah were these foundational observances re-established. When they were, God greatly blessed the people for their obedience.

During the reign of Hezekiah, the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were once again observed. Note God’s response: “Also the hand of God was on Judah to give them singleness of heart to obey the command of the king and the leaders, at the word of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 30:12). Josiah also restored observance of some of the Holy Days:

“And the children of Israel who were present kept the Passover at that time, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days. There had been no Passover kept in Israel like that since the days of Samuel the prophet; and none of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as Josiah kept, with the priests and the Levites, all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem” (2 Chronicles 35:17-18).

Following their return from Babylonian captivity, the Jews kept the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Ezra 6:19-22) and some of the Fall Holy Days (Nehemiah 8). With the completion of the second Temple, Holy Day observances eventually became firmly established among the Jews, even though they added quite a few rituals not commanded in Scripture—leading up to the time of Jesus.

The New Testament records events in which Jesus observed the annual Holy Days, and this often was centered in Jerusalem. John 7:37-38 specifically mentions the last day of the Feast, “the eighth day” (Leviticus 23:36), which is a separate Feast Day from the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles, and the theme of what Jesus proclaimed at that time.

Jesus also observed the Sabbath day, “as His custom was” (Luke 4:16). Likewise, the Church of God did not suddenly abandon either God’s commanded holy convocations or the example of Jesus in this regard, even though at times,  the Church had apparently forgotten the meaning of some of the annual Holy Days and had neglected to observe them. While the Church has never ceased to exist since its founding, historical records offer very little detailed information about how one generation after another actually served God. We do get a sense, however, of the various eras of the Church in Revelation, chapters 2 and 3.

Not until God called Herbert Armstrong in the early part of the past century did all of the Holy Days become widely observed again by members of the Church. That observance grew to such an extent that Feast sites were established in many nations.

Today, the former “singleness of heart” which is so absolutely needed to truly please God—and “to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) remains a challenge for all of those called by God.

Still, we in the Church of the Eternal God and our international affiliates strive to faithfully and zealously KEEP the weekly Sabbath and the annual Holy Days. By doing so, we participate in the Work of God given to us at this time. We also grow in knowledge about the future rule of Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of God and of our part in it!

Always remember—God blesses us for our obedience to Him, and we can look forward to the approaching Holy Days in anticipation of God’s help and inspiration.

Let’s each thankfully consider the tremendous blessing of our being able to keep the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day (as well as the other annual Holy Days and the weekly Sabbath) with knowledge of their meaning—all part of the magnificent plan of God and the promise of our part in His glorious Kingdom!

You might want to review our booklet, “The Meaning of God’s Fall Holy Days,” and if you do not have a copy, we would be happy to send you one free of charge.

In Christ’s Service,

Dave Harris