When people say, "Have a merry Christmas," how should you respond?

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When people say, "Have a merry Christmas," how should you respond? Also, when you rearrange Santa it spells Satan. Do you think the people who came up with the name Santa did this deliberately?

Posted on Jul 20, 2010 8 comments Estimated reading time: 1 minute

What's the wisest reply as a non Christmas keeper.

For those of us who do not celebrate Christmas, knowing how to respond to someone who might be sincerely wishing us well is difficult. Here are a few principles that are important to keep in mind:
1) Most people wishing us well about Christmas have no idea that Christmas is pagan in its origin, and are often unaware that we do not celebrate it.
2) There is usually not enough time to respond to that person by giving a short explanation of either the origin of Christmas or the fact that you don't celebrate it for reasons of conscience.
3) To most, saying “Merry Christmas” or “Have a happy Christmas” becomes so commonplace, it is very similar to saying “Have a good day.” Most people say it out of obligation or common courtesy.
4) To simply say “Thank you” to someone who has wished you such would not be wrong—given the circumstances. It thanks them for the sentiment, but is not responding “in kind” by implying you observe Christmas.
As for the similar spelling of the words Santa and Satan , this is purely a coincidence, as these words originate in different languages and are wholly unrelated. Santa is a Latin word meaning “saint” or “holy.” Satan , on the other hand, is a Hebrew word which means “Adversary” or “Accuser.”

santa Doctrinal Beliefs Satan the Devil Holidays and Holy Days Man's Holidays Christmas

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Anti-Semitism At Liberal American Colleges

Time for another update on this virulent pathogen.

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[Darris McNeely] It’s time once again to talk about something that few people like to talk about, though we need to cover it from time to time here on Beyond Today : it’s anti-Semitism. Hatred of Jews and anything Jewish, and “Death to Israel” and all these other matters that are continuing, it seems now, to be in our news, rearing its ugly head. We, a few weeks ago, did one on the massacres of the Charlie Hebdo newspaper in Paris, where they were attacked, and some of the subsequent fallout from there in Europe, dealing with attacks upon Jews, synagogues, and all things Jewish. Israel has been in the news because of the Prime Minister Netanyahu coming and speaking here in his recent reelection to another term as prime minister. And so, the role of Israel in this world, the world of Jews, and these things, anti-Semitic, are really being talked about a great deal.
This particular article is talking about anti-Semitism raising its head in recent days on some of America’s most liberal college campuses, and asking the question whether or not they are breeding anti-Semitism. Schools like UCLA in Los Angeles, or Berkeley, or Vanderbilt down in Nashville, Tennessee – another college that has had some cases of this.
Anti-Semitism is something people don’t like to talk about, but at times when it comes out in some of the most polite society and circles, people will perhaps have to admit or even express to their closest friends that they do have a problem with Jews or things Jewish, or the State of Israel, which has become kind of the Jew of the world today because of the policies there and the Palestinian situation and their perception of Israel in the League of Nations and in the world of nations today.
Look, anti-Semitism has not left us. It is alive and well, and it is something that we do need to talk about, and you and I need to understand whether or not it resides in our hearts or minds at all and how virulent a pathogen it really is, and even anti-Biblical for all the obvious reasons.
You know, a few years ago I was on a lecture in Canada, and I was talking about something in regard to prophecy but someone came up afterwards during a break and he, because I had talked about the Jews and the State of Israel in my presentation, he tried to engage me in this story that people have that the Holocaust of World War II – the genocide of the Nazis against the Jews – didn’t really happen, that six million Jews were not really killed. And I’m standing there, just aghast that someone supposedly of sane mind can believe such an idea, and would even bring that to me in that type of setting. I had just come back from Germany, from Berlin, and I had actually been at the Holocaust memorial in Berlin, that the German people have erected to the Holocaust of World War II, and I told the gentleman, “Do you think, do you really think, that modern Germany would have put their Holocaust memorial in the near proximity – almost directly over – the spot where Hitler’s bunker was at the end of World War II, in the heart of Berlin, its national capital, if they didn’t believe the Holocaust was a reality that they had to live with?” As I thought to the man, echoing the words of a line from a movie, “Go sell crazy someplace else. We’ve got enough of it here.” It’s too crazy and ridiculous of an idea. And it’s too evil of an idea for anyone to hold, but unfortunately, too many people do today. Something that if we’re not educated about, we need to be. And so that’s why we tend to talk about it here on Beyond Today , for the reasons that are important to the world scene, but also for some very, very deep spiritual reasons, as well. Think about that.
That’s BT Daily . Join us next time.

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"To Your Tents, O Israel!" A historic secession

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Profiles of Faith: Jeroboam - King of the Northern Ten Tribes

article by Jerold Aust

Many in the mainstream Christian world have not learned this vital lesson from the life of King Jeroboam. The practices he set in motion—substituting his own days, methods and kinds of worship for those God commanded—have continued down to this day.

Jeroboam, an effective administrator under King Solomon, pleaded Israel's cause before Solomon's son and successor, Rehoboam: "Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you" (1 Kings 12:4Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.
See All...).
Jeroboam, chosen spokesman for most of the tribes of Israel, addressed Rehoboam at Shechem, not Jerusalem. That their meeting was in this northern city added to Rehoboam's troubles, for he knew the northern tribes were chafing at the heavy-handed tax and labor policies administered from Jerusalem.
Under Solomon's long and peaceful rule, Israel had lived in the lap of luxury, attributable at least in part to a heavy tax burden that allowed Israel to militarily and economically dominate the area and control its profitable trade routes. But this tax burden eventually generated considerable resentment among the people.
Rehoboam wanted to keep his father's affluent kingdom intact. But Jeroboam had different ideas: He planned to rule over a new kingdom to be formed from 10 of the 12 tribes of Israel, and Rehoboam unwittingly played right into his hands.
King Rehoboam needed a little time to consider his position and determine his response: "Depart for three days, then come back to me" (verse 5).
In the privacy of his court, Rehoboam turned to the elders who had counseled his father and asked: "How do you advise me to answer these people?"
The elders answered wisely: "If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever" (verses 6-7).
This is wise advice in any age, particularly so at such a critical time.
Although Rehoboam was the son of the wisest of men, he didn't inherit his father's wisdom: "But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him. And he said to them, 'What advice do you give? ...' Then the young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, 'Thus you should speak to this people who have spoken to you, saying, "Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter on us" ... "[But, he replied] whereas my father laid a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!' " (verses 8-11).
The third day Jeroboam and other representatives returned to Rehoboam. "Then the king answered the people roughly, and rejected the advice which the elders had given him; and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men ..." (verses 13-14).
Rehoboam's abrasive words quickly drove a wedge among the 12 tribes: "Now when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying: 'What share have we in David [Rehoboam's grandfather]? ... To your tents, O Israel! Now, see to your own house, O David!' So Israel departed to their tents" (verse 16).
The northern 10 tribes proclaimed Jeroboam king over their newly formed kingdom. Rehoboam was left with only two tribes—Judah and Benjamin—along with a good portion of the tribe of Levi, which was interspersed among all the other tribes of Israel. Thus Israel was split into two kingdoms: Israel in the north, ruled by Jeroboam, and Judah in the south, ruled by Rehoboam from Jerusalem.

Jeroboam's Background

Jeroboam had significantly gained prominence during King Solomon's reign. "The man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor; and Solomon, seeing that the young man was industrious, made him the officer over all the labor force of the house of Joseph" (1 Kings 11:28And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.
See All...).
First-century Jewish historian Josephus adds further details: "... When Solomon saw that he was of an active and bold disposition, he made him the curator of the walls which he built round about Jerusalem; and he took such care of those works, and the king approved of his behaviour, and gave him, as a reward for the same, the charge of the tribe of Joseph" ( Antiquities of the Jews, book VIII, chapter vii, section 7).
However, relations between Solomon and Jeroboam would not remain so respectful and peaceable.
As Solomon grew older he fell increasingly into idolatrous worship. He so disgraced himself through his worship of idols that God rebuked him: "I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant [Jeroboam]" (1 Kings 11:11Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.
See All...).
Jeroboam's ascendancy wasn't the product of his own righteousness but came about, rather ironically, by Solomon's idolatry.

A Message from God

Privately the prophet Ahijah revealed to Jeroboam God's intention to make him the ruler of a new kingdom: "... When Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem ... the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met him on the way; and he had clothed himself with a new garment, and the two were alone in the field. Then Ahijah took hold of the new garment that was on him, and tore it into twelve pieces.
"And he said to Jeroboam, 'Take for yourself ten pieces, for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: "Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give ten tribes to you ... because they have forsaken Me, and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the people of Ammon, and have not walked in My ways to do what is right in My eyes and keep My statutes and My judgments, as did his father David." ' " (1 Kings 11:29-33 [29] And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field:
[30] And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:
[31] And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:
[32] (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)
[33] Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.

See All...).
Here we see the reason for the kingdom of Israel splitting into two nations: idolatrous worship, or the rejection of the manner of worship God had prescribed in His Word.
Ahijah continued God's message: "However I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand, because I have made him ruler all the days of his life for the sake of My servant David, whom I chose because he kept My commandments and My statutes. But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand and give it to you—ten tribes ... So I will take you, and you shall reign over all your heart desires, and you shall be king over Israel" ' " (1 Kings 11:34-37 [34] Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:
[35] But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.
[36] And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.
[37] And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.

See All...).
Josephus complements the biblical account: "Being a young man of warm temper, and ambitious of greatness, he could not be quiet." Jeroboam decided to seek control of the northern tribes immediately, and "he endeavored to persuade the people to forsake Solomon, to make a disturbance, and to bring the government over to himself" ( Antiquities of the Jews, book VIII, chapter vii, section 8). Solomon, who learned of Jeroboam's subversive design, responded by trying to kill him. But Jeroboam fled to Egypt, where he remained until the king died (1 Kings 11:40Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.
See All...).

Confrontation with Rehoboam

After Solomon's death and Rehoboam's ascension of the throne, Jeroboam's countrymen summoned him from Egypt. Shortly thereafter he and Rehoboam had the confrontation.
After the northern 10 tribes announced their intention to reject the House of David, Rehoboam became desperate: "... He assembled all the house of Judah with the tribe of Benjamin, one hundred and eighty thousand chosen men who were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, that he might restore the kingdom to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.
"But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 'Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, to all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people, saying, "Thus says the Lord: 'You shall not go up nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel. Let every man return to his house, for this thing is from Me.'...' Therefore they obeyed the word of the Lord, and turned back, according to the word of the Lord" (1 Kings 12:22-24 [22] But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
[23] Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying,
[24] Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.

See All...).

Jeroboam: The Good and the Bad

Jeroboam had a golden opportunity to succeed, even during a time of great division. The Bible says little of his early life, although his parents are named. His father, Nebat was deceased, for Scripture identifies his mother, Zeruah, as a widow (1 Kings 11:26And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.
See All...).
Jeroboam was from the tribe of Ephraim (1 Kings 11:26And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.
See All...), one of the most powerful tribes among the 12. He was talented, ambitious, brave and industrious in his responsibilities. Though Jeroboam showed himself diligent in his early duties, his weaknesses eventually grew apparent.
In one of his first acts, Jeroboam chose Shechem—between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim in northern Israel—as his new capital and set about rebuilding and fortifying it (1 Kings 12:25Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel.
See All...). Shechem's strategic location was geographically as well as religiously significant. Its religious ties went back not only to the patriarchs but to the Canaanites. Jeroboam sought to distance himself and the people from the influence of the kings of Judah in Jerusalem (verses 26-27).
Jeroboam was also apprehensive about his people's religious life, which centered around the temple and priesthood in Jerusalem. He devised a cunning plan, creating two golden calves for the people to worship, and strategically placed them at the northern and southern ends of the country (verses 28-29). The one in the south he placed at Bethel, on the main road to Jerusalem. Those among the northern tribes who intended to travel to Jerusalem for God's feasts (Leviticus 23) then could be easily diverted to worship at Bethel instead.
Jeroboam also established idolatrous worship on high places and appointed his own priests from other than the tribe of Levi (1 Kings 12:31And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.
See All...). Perhaps his greatest single change was to tamper with God's annual Holy Days. Instead of observing the Feast of Tabernacles in the seventh month as God had commanded, Jeroboam instituted an alternate feast in the eighth month, "in the month which he had devised in his own heart" (verse 33).
The king's terrible spiritual blunders were to bring untold suffering on the House of Israel and Israel's descendants. Under Jeroboam's leadership the northern tribes soon drifted away from the pattern of religious worship God had commanded. It was bad enough before the national schism (1 Kings 11:30-33 [30] And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:
[31] And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:
[32] (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)
[33] Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.

See All...), but the degeneration only worsened after the nation separated. In the south religious worship and morality similarly suffered a sharp decline (1 Kings 14:22-24 [22] And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done.
[23] For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.
[24] And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

See All...).

Degeneracy and Destruction

Jeroboam's counterfeit religion, with its own priesthood, gods and religious festivals and observances, was destined to play a major role in Israel's downfall.
Through Ahijah God had encouraged Jeroboam to rule properly: "... You shall reign over all your heart desires, and you shall be king over Israel. Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you" (1 Kings 11:37-38 [37] And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.
[38] And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.

See All...).
But Jeroboam failed to exploit his remarkable opportunity. Rather, he instituted an idolatrous form of worship as the official religion of the new kingdom. In spite of God's warnings, Jeroboam refused to turn from his idolatrous ways.
God pronounced a sobering final edict against Jeroboam: "Because I exalted you from among the people, and made you ruler over My people Israel, and tore the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it to you; and yet you have not been as My servant David, who kept My commandments and who followed Me with all his heart, to do only what was right in My eyes; but you have done more evil than all who were before you, for you have gone and made for yourself other gods and molded images to provoke Me to anger, and have cast Me behind your back—therefore behold! I will bring disaster on the house of Jeroboam ..." (1 Kings 14:7-10 [7] Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel,
[8] And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes;
[9] But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back:
[10] Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone.

See All...).

A Legacy of Tragedy

Summarizing Jeroboam's and his successors' rule, the Bible says: "Then Jeroboam drove Israel from following the Lord, and made them commit a great sin. For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they did not depart from them, until the Lord removed Israel out of His sight, as He had said by all His servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away from their own land to Assyria, as it is to this day" (2 Kings 17:21-23 [21] For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin.
[22] For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;
[23] Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day.

See All...).
So Jeroboam's sins had far-reaching consequences. They led to the removal of God's blessings on the 10-tribed nation because not one of Israel's kings who followed Jeroboam initiated the necessary reforms that would have led the nation back to God's way of worship. Instead, all continued in his sins (2 Kings 3:3Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.
See All...; 10:29; 13:2; etc.). God does not give us a choice on how we are to worship Him (Deuteronomy 12:32What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
See All...). He gives us a choice of whether we will worship Him according to the instructions He has given.
Israel was instructed to worship the Eternal God, not two golden calves. God's people were told that the Feast of Tabernacles was to be observed in the seventh month of the year, not the eighth month. Not one of Israel's kings restored the true worship of God. The result was a horrific national captivity for all 10 tribes.
Many in the mainstream Christian world have not learned this vital lesson from the life of King Jeroboam. The practices he set in motion—substituting his own days, methods and kinds of worship for those God commanded—have continued down to this day.
God tells us in His Word when and on which days we are to worship. He does not want us to invent our own special festivals or borrow them from the pagan practices of yesteryear. (If you are not already familiar with the true biblical Sabbaths, both weekly and annual, request our two free booklets Sunset to Sunset: God's Sabbath Rest and God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind .) GN

How Much Do You Know About the Biblical Feast of Unleavened Bread?

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/  or call 1-888-886-8632.

How Much Do You Know About the Biblical Feast of Unleavened Bread?



article by Gary Petty





Millions of people celebrate Easter in commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus never observed Easter, but He did celebrate the biblical Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. What relevance do these days have for Christians today?







Does the ancient festival called the Feast of Unleavened Bread have any meaning for Christians today?



Source: ThinkstockFor most of us bread is an unheralded side dish in our everyday diet. In much of the Western world meals are centered around meat, pasta or casseroles, and unless we're eating a sandwich, bread is an afterthought. That wasn't true of the Middle Eastern cultures of biblical times.



In ancient Israel eating meals was a communal affair. Family and friends gathered to eat a meal while reclining on a floor mat. Each person would tear a piece of bread from a small loaf or thin round chunk and use it as a sort of spoon to scoop food from the various dishes offered at mealtime. This is why the Bible speaks of people eating a meal as "breaking bread."



During Roman times couches and a low table replaced the mats, but the meal was eaten in basically the same manner.



Bread was made from different grains including wheat, barley, millet or even beans and lentils. Loaves were prepared by mixing flour with water and kneading it in troughs or bowls. Depending on where families lived or how wealthy they were, bread was baked on hot sand or flat stones over a fire, on a griddle or in an oven made of bronze, iron or, more commonly, clay.



The leavening process—the process for making bread dough to rise—is fascinating. A leavening agent, which causes tiny gas bubbles to form, is introduced into a batch of dough to cause it to expand. This leavening agent permeates every part of the dough until the entire batch is leavened. A small amount of leavening can leaven a large amount of dough.



We commonly use purchased baking soda or yeast today, but that wasn't the case then. Since bread was made daily, the easiest way to leaven it was to save a lump of leavened dough from the previous day. This lump would be added to the dough and left to stand until the leavening process had permeated the entire batch.



Every spring ancient Israel observed the biblical festival of Passover and another over the following seven days called the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Just before the Israelites were delivered from their slavery in Egypt by great miracles, they were commanded by God not to eat leavened bread during this week-long period (Exodus 13:3-10 [3] And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.

[4] This day came ye out in the month Abib.

[5] And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month.

[6] Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD.

[7] Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.

[8] And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.

[9] And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.

[10] Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.





See All...).



Do these ancient observances have any meaning for Christians today?



"Let us keep the feast"

Many say that Christians are to live by the teachings of the New Testament and pay little attention to the Hebrew Scriptures.



They forget that the only Scriptures available to the apostles and Church of the first century were what we call the Old Testament. As the apostle Paul told Timothy of these books: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17 [16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.





See All...).



Paul was reminding Timothy to remember what he had been taught as a child from the Old Testament. In this context it's not difficult to understand why the early New Testament Church observed the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. God's inspired Word told them to!



Notice what Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthians, a predominately non-Jewish congregation: "Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:6-7 [6] Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

[7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:





See All...).



In the context of what he wrote, Paul uses leavening as a symbol of human pride and vanity. He understood the leavening process and applied it to the human condition. In 1 Corinthians 5: 2 he told the Corinthians that they were "puffed up." Remember, leavening fills dough with air bubbles to make it "puffed up." Even today, we refer to someone preoccupied with self-importance as being "full of hot air."



Now notice 1 Corinthians 5:8Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.



See All... -"Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." What feast is Paul speaking of? Obviously he's talking about the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which these gentile Christians were observing (1 Corinthians 5:7-8 [7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

[8] Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.





See All...).



Jesus' references concerning bread

Jesus Christ used leavening as a symbol of false teachings. Notice what He said to His disciples: "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees . . . How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees" (Matthew 16:6Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.



See All..., Matthew 16:11How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?



See All...). Then they realized He meant the teachings of these groups (Matthew 16:12Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.



See All...).



We see from the words of Paul and Jesus that leavening can serve as a symbol of human pride and of false religious teachings and sins that result from human pride.



On another occasion a group of Jewish religious leaders approached Jesus and asked Him to perform a sign to prove that He was sent from God. They referred to the time God provided ancient Israel with food called manna, which God had referred to as "bread from heaven" (Exodus 16:4Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.



See All...).



Jesus explained the spiritual reality the manna foreshadowed: "Then Jesus said to them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.' Then they said to Him, 'Lord, give us this bread always.' And Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst'" (John 6:32-35 [32] Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

[33] For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

[34] Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

[35] And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.





See All...).



Jesus made the remarkable statement that He is the "bread of life." He said that if you eat of this bread you will live forever (John 6:50-51 [50] This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

[51] I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.





See All..., John 6:58This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.



See All...). As we saw above, the apostle Paul also linked the Passover observance with the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Jesus Christ was offered as the New Testament Passover sacrifice, and He called Himself the bread of life.



Feeding on Christ's flesh and blood?

Jesus then made the following perplexing statement: "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.



"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever" (John 6:53-56 [53] Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

[54] Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

[55] For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

[56] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.





See All...).



What did Jesus mean by these statements? Did He really intend that a person eat His body and drink His blood to receive eternal life? This statement offended many people, yet Jesus didn't attempt to explain Himself then except to say that His words were spirit and life (John 6:63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.



See All...). But He would reveal more the night before His death.



Jesus then assembled with the 12 disciples to observe the Passover meal, commonly referred to as the Last Supper. During this meal He explained more of what He meant concerning His earlier statements about eating His body and drinking His blood:



"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body.' Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins'" (Matthew 26:26-28 [26] And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

[27] And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

[28] For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.





See All...).



Thus we must receive Jesus' sacrifice—His suffering and death in our place. We must internalize this along with Jesus' teachings and way of life as expressed through the whole of Scripture.



Which religious days should we observe?

As we have seen, the New Testament reveals that Jesus is the true Passover Lamb of God (1 Corinthians 5:7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:



See All...). So why do so few Christians actually observe the Passover and the accompanying Feast of Unleavened Bread?



Just where did the Western world get its present religious calendar? The New Testament Church didn't observe Easter. Even the name Easter comes from an ancient pagan goddess, as almost any good encyclopedia will show. The Easter bunny and colored eggs have origins in fertility rites of antiquity and have nothing to do with the death and resurrection of Jesus the Son of God.



Why is it that so many in the Christian community ignore, or have no knowledge of, the Holy Days described in the Bible, the same Holy Days observed by Jesus and the apostles and kept by the early Church?



Why have so many ignored or abandoned these scriptural festivals and replaced them with holidays whose origins lie in dark, non-biblical antiquity? Let us keep the feasts God has given us in His Word!

.

The Great Hallel and Songs of Ascents

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/  or call 1-888-886-8632.

The Great Hallel and Songs of Ascents


Psalms 120–137 form the next collection of psalms—in some Jewish traditions called the Great

Hallel (or “Praise”), distinct from the “Egyptian Hallel” (Psalms 113–118). It should be noted, however,

that the distinction of “Great Hallel” is sometimes applied to only Psalm 136 and in other sources to

Psalms 120–136 (though the desire for Jerusalem while in a foreign land in Psalm 137 fits with other

psalms of this section).

The first part of this grouping is a smaller collection of 15 psalms (120–134), each called in its

superscript title “A Song of Ascents” or “A Song of degrees” (KJV). The meaning of this terminology is a

matter of debate. The Hebrew word translated “ascents” or “degrees” here literally means “goings up.”

Some think this designates a higher musical key or lofty thinking or praise. Yet the same Hebrew word

elsewhere in Scripture designates “steps,” as the word could also be translated, as well as the “degrees” of

a sundial. Some have noted in this regard the use of the definite article in the original Hebrew: shir HAma’aloth,

“song of THE ascents,” “song of THE degrees” or “song of THE steps.”

Most see the meaning as “the ascents,” considering this to refer to “goings up” to the mountain of the

Lord—Jerusalem and its Temple Mount (compare 122:4). It is thought that pilgrims sang these hymns as

they traveled to Jerusalem, the city of highest elevation in the Holy Land, to observe the annual festivals.

(Even today, Jewish immigration to the state of Israel is known as aliyah, “ascent.”) For this reason, the

collection is sometimes designated as the “Pilgrim Songs.” Indeed, there is a thematic progression in

these psalms of leaving the present evil world to join in worship at God’s temple in Zion.

The Mishnah, the Jewish Oral Law, maintains that the psalm titles refer to the steps of the temple

(Middoth 2.5), relating the tradition of these psalms being performed by Levites in the second temple

complex on 15 semicircular steps leading up from an area known as the Court of the Women (as this was

as far as women could go) to the gateway to the court of the Israelites (immediately preceding the

sacrificial area). It is interesting to note particularly the tradition of these songs being played and sung by

Levites during nighttime celebration through the Feast of Tabernacles—as Psalm 134 explicitly mentions

such nighttime temple worship (compare Isaiah 30:29).

Some propose a combination of these two explanations. It could be that these songs were intended

both for pilgrim journey and for performance at the pilgrim feasts—or perhaps they were first used one

way and then for both. It is easy to see how these songs portraying deliverance from this world and

coming to worship in God’s house would fit pilgrimage as well as “reenacted pilgrimage” at the temple

steps—or how festival songs at the temple would become the traveling songs sung on the way to

observing the festivals.

We may also look in a prophetic sense to the future millennial temple described at the end of the

book of Ezekiel. Seven steps will lead up to the gates of the outer court (40:22, 26) and eight steps will

lead from the outer court up to the gates of the inner court (verses 31, 34, 37)—so that a total of 15 steps

will bring one from outside the temple complex to the area of sacrificial worship before the temple.

Then again, some believe the word in the psalm titles should be understood as “degrees,” seeing the

degrees as referring to the only other degrees mentioned in Scripture—those on the sundial of Ahaz.

Recall that Judah’s King Hezekiah prayed that the shadow would go back on the sundial 10 degrees as a

sign that God would heal him and extend his life 15 years (see 2 Kings 20:1-11; Isaiah 38:1-8). Of the 15

psalms in question, only five are attributed—four to David and one to Solomon. That leaves 10 without

attribution. Hezekiah is known to have written psalms, having declared, “We will sing my songs with

stringed instruments all the days of our life, in the house of the LORD” (Isaiah 38:20). Yet his name

appears nowhere in the psalm titles within the book of Psalms. Some have speculated that Hezekiah

composed the 10 unattributed “songs of the degrees” in honor of the sundial shadow going back 10

degrees and grouped them with five psalms of his ancestors, David and Solomon, producing a set of 15 in

honor of his life’s extension of 15 years.

The Good News Bible Reading Program February 2006

3

This is an interesting idea, but Psalm 126 appears to have been composed after the Jewish exile to

Babylon. It is, however, possible that the psalm was written earlier as prophetic of future return from

captivity, perhaps modeled on Isaiah’s prophecies. And it is plausible that the psalm could have been

written earlier and modified in the postexilic period. In any case, there is nothing that precludes Hezekiah

from having written the other unattributed psalms in this collection. His own circumstance was one of

emerging from personal trial to blessing and fellowship with God and His people—consistent with the

overall theme of these psalms. Consider also that Hezekiah restored the nation’s temple worship after a

period of apostasy, so it would be fitting for him to have put together a set of psalms intended for festival

pilgrimage and worship. Still, this remains a matter of conjecture.

Of course, even if this was the originally intended meaning of “songs of the degrees,” we can see

how they could later have come to be looked upon as “songs of the steps” and “songs of the ascents”—for

not only does the Hebrew allow for these particular meanings, but the themes and wording of a number of

the psalms clearly associate them with worship in Jerusalem.

Besides taking note of the overall themes of these 15 psalms, it is interesting to consider how the

themes are structured within the collection. As one source explains: “There are five groups consisting of

three psalms each. The first of each group has Distress for its subject; the second has Trust in Jehovah;

while the third has Blessing and peace in Zion” (E.W. Bullinger, The Companion Bible, Appendix 67).

As we read through these psalms, which we will refer to as the songs of ascents for the sake of

convention and consistency, we should not restrict their meaning to festival worship. We should also

apply them to our everyday lives as well as to our lifelong Christian journey. In the latter vein, we should

realize that the festivals themselves lay out God’s plan for the redemption and salvation of humanity. In

that sense, we should see going up to the feasts, as pictured in these psalms, as representative not merely

of regular worship but also, in an ultimate sense, of being saved out of this wicked world and going to

dwell with God in His family for eternity to come.

What was Jesus doing for you in the fall of 30 A.D.?

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/  or call 1-888-886-8632.

What was Jesus doing for you in the fall of 30 A.D.?

Source: Photos.comNearly 2,000 years ago this October, our Savior Jesus Christ set us an example of power and courage. Despite living in a world that rejected Him, He openly celebrated a timeless Festival that is established forever. What is this joyous event and what does it mean for you?



If one reads about an event in the Bible that all nations would one day be required by God to observe, wouldn't it make sense to find out more about it now? Here's a sometimes overlooked biblical fact: The Bible tells us in Zechariah 14:16And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.



See All... that everyone in the coming Kingdom of God will observe the biblical Festival of Tabernacles and worship Jesus Christ there as King.



And no surprise, as Jesus Himself observed this Festival while living on the earth nearly 2,000 years ago (John 7:2-52 [2] Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.

[3] His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

[4] For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.

[5] For neither did his brethren believe in him.

[6] Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.

[7] The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

[8] Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast: for my time is not yet full come.

[9] When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.

[10] But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

[11] Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?

[12] And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.

[13] Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.

[14] Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

[15] And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

[16] Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

[17] If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

[18] He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

[19] Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

[20] The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?

[21] Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.

[22] Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.

[23] If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

[24] Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

[25] Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?

[26] But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?

[27] Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.

[28] Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

[29] But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

[30] Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

[31] And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?

[32] The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.

[33] Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.

[34] Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.

[35] Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?

[36] What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?

[37] In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

[38] He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

[39] (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

[40] Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.

[41] Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

[42] Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

[43] So there was a division among the people because of him.

[44] And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.

[45] Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?

[46] The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

[47] Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?

[48] Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?

[49] But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.

[50] Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)

[51] Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

[52] They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.





See All...).



So what exactly is this Festival of Tabernacles?

The biblical Festival (or Feast) of Tabernacles occurs in the fall (as reckoned in the northern hemisphere), and serves as the capstone of the seven annual Holy Day seasons revealed by God (Leviticus 23:24Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.



See All...). As the seventh chapter of John eloquently and powerfully confirms, Jesus observed this Festival Himself, setting an example for His 21st century disciples.



Jesus declared that His Church—people who actually followed His commands and example—would never cease to exist (Matthew 16:18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.



See All...). That declaration continues to be fulfilled today, as a "little flock" (Luke 12:32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.



See All...)—multiple thousands of Christians—are gathering this fall. They are assembling to observe the same biblical festival that Jesus kept in a very high profile way just a few months before His crucifixion.



Why Keep the Festival in the 21st Century?

As these Christians observe the Festival of Tabernacles today , you may wonder why this ancient event is relevant in a digital age. When the Holy Day seasons were first openly revealed to humanity, the Israelites would take palm and tree fronds to build temporary dwellings (Leviticus 23:30And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.



See All...). In Hebrew, the Festival of Tabernacles is literally called "the Festival of Booths" ( Sukkot in Hebrew).



Today, in the spirit of those temporary dwellings, Christians observe the Festival outside of their regular homes, travelling to cities and meeting places around the globe. There they celebrate the fact that our fragile lives are but temporary, and that we look to a new life of eternal service beginning in the coming Kingdom of God!



This joyous Kingdom of God, which Jesus and the apostles referred to more than 100 times in the New Testament, will be a time of great peace and prosperity. What is your priority as a Christian in your day-to-day affairs? Your Savior and future King declares to you and me: "Seek first the Kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.



See All..., emphasis added).



So if this Festival of Tabernacles pictures the coming Kingdom of God, when Jesus Christ will have returned to this earth to rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:15-16 [15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

[16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.





See All...), what about the other six Holy Day seasons of God?



A personal prophecy for you

The entire seven Holy Day seasons of God represent nothing short of God's amazing and wonderful plan for all of humanity! The incredible truth? These biblical seasons represent a personal prophecy for you, your family, your friends—literally all who have ever lived or who will live. (This is all explained in detail in our free booklet God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for all Mankind . If you don't have a copy, order one today, or download it free).



The first three—the Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread and Pentecost—have collectively opened the door to salvation and spiritual understanding for Christians today. The four remaining holy day seasons –the Festival of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Festival of Tabernacles and the celebration of the Eighth Day (also known to some as the Last Great Day) —represent an intense and happy vision for us. They picture a time of profound "gladness and joy" when God will directly intervene globally in human affairs, "and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isaiah 35:10And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.



See All...). They represent a time of great globe-encircling peace!



No wonder Jesus was unafraid to openly keep the Festival of Tabernacles some 2,000 years ago, despite open death threats. No wonder He assertively made breathtaking declarations (John 8:58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.



See All...) and performed stunning miracles (John 9:1-11 [1] And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

[2] And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

[3] Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

[4] I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

[5] As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

[6] When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

[7] And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

[8] The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?

[9] Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.

[10] Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?

[11] He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.





See All...). If you truly understand God's plan for you, then you too can say with confidence: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.



See All...).



As you read this, thousands of members of the United Church of God are keeping this Festival in many locations around the world . There may be one near you. If you'd like to see what this celebration of the coming Kingdom of God is like, you are welcome to see for yourself. Jesus set an example for all of us in 30 A.D., pointing us to the final victory of God pictured in the joyous Festival of Tabernacles.







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Atonement: Removal of Sin's Cause and Reconciliation to God

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/  or call 1-888-886-8632.

Atonement: Removal of Sin's Cause and Reconciliation to God

The Day of Atonement involves not only the forgiveness of sin; it pictures the removal of the primary cause of sin, Satan.



We have already seen—through the symbolism involved in the Passover—that Christ's shed blood atones for our past sins. In fact, atonement means reconciliation. The Day of Atonement symbolizes the reconciliation of God and all humanity.



If we are reconciled to God through Christ's sacrifice, why do we need another Holy Day to teach us about reconciliation? If we are already reconciled, why do we need to fast, as commanded on the Day of Atonement? (Leviticus 23:27Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.



See All...; Acts 27:9Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,



See All...). What is this day's specific significance in God's master plan for the salvation of mankind?



The Day of Atonement and Passover both teach us about the forgiveness of sin and our reconciliation with God through Christ's sacrifice. However, Passover concerns the redemption of the firstborn and thus applies most directly to Christians whom God has called in this age, while Atonement carries universal implications.



Moreover, the Day of Atonement pictures an essential additional step in God's salvation plan not found in the symbolism of the Passover. This step must take place before humanity can experience true peace on earth. All people suffer the tragic consequences of sin. But sin doesn't happen without a cause, and God makes this cause clear in the symbolism associated with the Day of Atonement.



Satan is the author of sin



The Day of Atonement involves not only the forgiveness of sin; it pictures the removal of the primary cause of sin—Satan and his demons. Until God removes the original instigator of sin, mankind will simply continue to fall back into disobedience and suffering. Although our human nature has a part to play in our sins, Satan the devil bears great responsibility for influencing mankind to disobey God.



Even though many people doubt the existence of a devil, the Bible reveals Satan as a powerful, invisible being who can sway all man-kind. Revelation 12:9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.



See All... tells us that his influence is so great that he "deceives the whole world."



The devil blinds people to the understanding of God's truth. The apostle Paul explained this to the Corinthians: "If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them" (2 Corinthians 4:3-4 [3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

[4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.





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Paul also teaches us that Satan has influenced every human being to walk in the ways of disobedience. He notes that those called into God's Church "once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:



See All...). Paul warned the Corinthians that Satan can present himself as righteous to lead people astray: "For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works" (2 Corinthians 11:14-15 [14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

[15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.





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Jesus Christ plainly stated that Satan introduced sin and rebellion into the world. In John 8:44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.



See All... Christ declared to those who were antagonistic to His teaching: "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it."



Tying these scriptures together allows us to see the power and the influence of Satan. Paul warned us to beware of the deceitful methods of the devil: "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.



See All..., NIV).



Christians who struggle to resist Satan and stop sinning fight a spiritual battle against the devil and his demons. Paul explains: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness" (Ephesians 6:12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.



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Paul further explains here that Jesus Christ will deliver us from the influence of the devil (verses 13-18). Of course, God is much more powerful than Satan, but we must do our part by actively resisting the devil and the pulls of the flesh (James 4:7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.



See All...). The Day of Atonement looks forward to the time during which Satan's deception will be removed and he will no longer be free to influence and deceive mankind (Revelation 20:1-3 [1] And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

[2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

[3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.





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Old Testament symbolism



Leviticus 16 describes God instructing ancient Israel to observe the Day of Atonement. Although Christians are not required to offer animal sacrifices today, this chapter adds significantly to our understanding of God's plan.



Notice that the priest was to select two goats for a sin offering for the people, and he was to present them before God (verses 5, 7). Aaron, the high priest, was to cast lots to select one "for the Lord," which he was to offer as a sacrifice (verses 8-9). This goat represented Jesus Christ, who would be slain to pay the penalty for our sins.



The other goat served a completely different purpose: "But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness" (verse 10). Notice that this goat was not to be killed. The high priest was to "lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat's head. He shall send the goat away into the desert in the care of a man appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary place; and the man shall release it in the desert" (verses 21-22, NIV).



The priest chose by lot the "scapegoat," or Azazel, as the word appears in the original Hebrew. Many scholars identify Azazel as the name of a demon inhabiting the wilderness ( Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, Vol. 1, p. 326). The Azazel goat represents Satan, who bears the responsibility for the sins of humanity (verse 22) because of the deception he has foisted upon mankind.



The high priest laid hands on this goat and confessed over it the wickedness, rebellion and sins of the people. Why did he do that? As present ruler of the world, the devil bears responsibility for his perversity in beguiling and coercing humanity to sin. "The sending of the sin-laden goat . . . signified the complete removal of the sins of the people and the handing them over, as it were, to the evil spirit to whom they belonged" ( The One Volume Bible Commentary, 1975, p. 95).



A scapegoat, in modern usage, is someone unfairly held responsible for the mistakes of others. However, the modern English word scapegoat cannot properly be applied to Satan; the devil is not a scapegoat in the modern sense of the term. (Although some Bible versions use the word "scapegoat," Green's Literal Translation more accurately calls it the "goat of departure.") Rather than unfairly bearing the blame for sin, Satan will be held justly accountable for his own deliberate actions by which he has led humanity into sin for thousands of years.



The symbolism of the live goat parallels the fate of Satan and his demons, who will be removed at the outset of Jesus' reign over the nations. The book of Revelation describes this removal: "Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished . . ." (Revelation 20:1-3 [1] And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

[2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

[3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.





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Thus the devil and his demons, who for thousands of years have led mankind into every evil deed imaginable, will be removed to a place of restraint (verse 4). Complete global reconciliation to God cannot occur until the source of so much sin and suffering is out of the picture.



The modern application of this festival



Now notice specific instructions on when and how we are to keep this festival. "Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement," God says. "It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls . . ." (Leviticus 23:27Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.



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How do you "afflict your soul" on this day? Afflict comes from the Hebrew anah, which means "to be afflicted, be bowed down, be humbled, be meek" ( Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, "To Be Humbled, Afflicted"). The same word is used in connection with fasting in Psalm 35:13But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.



See All..., Isaiah 58:3Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.



See All..., 5 and Ezra 8:21Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.



See All.... Fasting means abstaining from food and drink (Esther 4:16Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.



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So why does God tell us to fast during this specific 24 hours? Fasting expresses our humble desire to draw closer to God. The Day of Atonement represents a coming time of reconciliation during which, with Satan banished and the world having been devastated by the horrific events leading up to this time, a humbled and repentant humanity will at last be reconciled to God.



Few understand the proper reasons for fasting. Fasting is not to bend God to our will. We don't fast to receive anything from God except His abundant mercy and forgiveness for our human weaknesses. Fasting helps us remember how temporary our physical existence is. Without food and water, we would soon perish. Fasting helps us realize just how much we need God as the giver and sustainer of life.



We should always fast on the Day of Atonement in a repentant frame of mind. Notice the prophet Daniel's exemplary attitude while fasting: "Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession" (Daniel 9:3-4 [3] And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

[4] And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;





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The early Church observed the Day of Atonement. More than 30 years after Christ's death, Luke still referred to the time and seasons by mentioning this day, stating that "sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over" (Acts 27:9Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,



See All...). Almost all Bible commentaries and dictionaries acknowledge that "the Fast" refers to the Day of Atonement.



Yet another important lesson comes to us through the Day of Atonement. We have already seen that the slain goat represented the sacrifice in our place of Jesus Christ, who took on Himself the death penalty we have earned by sinning. But Jesus Christ did not stay dead; He came back to life. What does the Day of Atonement teach us about Christ's role after His resurrection?



Leviticus 16:15-19 [15] Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:

[16] And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.

[17] And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.

[18] And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about.

[19] And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.





See All... describes a solemn ceremony that was carried out only once each year, on the Day of Atonement. The high priest was to take the blood of the slain goat into the Most Holy Place—the holiest part of the tabernacle—and to the mercy seat. The mercy seat was symbolic of the very throne of Almighty God. The high priest acted out the function Christ performs for repentant Christians. Having ascended to the very throne of God to present the blood of His sacrifice, Christ intercedes for us—as He has since His resurrection— as our High Priest.



The book of Hebrews makes this symbolism clear. "But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this [physical] creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9:11-12 [11] But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

[12] Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.





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Because of Christ's sacrifice, we enjoy direct access to the true mercy seat —the throne of our merciful, loving God. This was dramatically and miraculously demonstrated at the moment of Christ's death, when "the veil of the temple," covering the entrance to the Most Holy Place, "was torn in two from top to bottom" (Matthew 27:51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;



See All...; Mark 15:38And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.



See All...). This massive curtain was torn asunder in a dramatic testimony to the access we now have to God's throne.



Many verses in Hebrews mention Christ's role as our High Priest and intercessor. Because of His sacrifice for us, we can "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.



See All...). The Day of Atonement thus pictures the loving reconciliation all people can have with God through Christ's sacrifice. It also shows the remarkable truth that Satan, the author of sin, will eventually be removed so that humanity can at last attain reconciliation with God on a universal basis.



The Day of Atonement serves as a vital preparatory step in anticipation of the next milestone in God's glorious Holy Day plan, beautifully depicted by the Feast of Tabernacles.