Who Are God's "Firstfruits"?

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

Who Are God's "Firstfruits"?

article by Good News Editor





The firstfruits of God's plan are those who are called now, in this age, and are having their minds and attitudes changed to become like Jesus Christ through God's Spirit working within them.







Source: Photos.comThe apostle James noted that God has "brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures [i.e., of those He's created]" (James 1:18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.



See All...).



Paul well understood that those called and converted in this age between man's creation and Christ's second coming are the firstfruits of God's plan for the salvation of humanity. He referred to several first-century Christians as the firstfruits of God's calling in specific locations (Romans 16:5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.



See All...; 1 Corinthians 16:15I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)



See All...). Looking ahead to the resurrection of those who remain faithful to their calling, he said, "We also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption [that is, full rights of sonship], the redemption of our body" (Romans 8:23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.



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However, the firstfruits of God's plan, those who are called now, find themselves in a vastly different situation from that of those who will follow in the later spiritual harvest period.



Jesus said that those who are His followers in this age are not to be "of the world, just as I am not of the world" (John 17:16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.



See All...). They are called out of the world and are expected to develop the character of Christ, while the rest of mankind is deceived (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...) and following values abhorrent to Christ (1 John 2:15-17 [15] Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

[16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

[17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.





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The present evil age

The firstfruits—God's people—are called and strive to obey God while living in "this present evil age" (Galatians 1:4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:



See All...), of which Satan is the actual ruler (2 Corinthians 4:4In 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.



See All...). The harvest of firstfruits is small, for at this time relatively few will accept God's calling, repent, be converted and remain faithful to His way of life. That is why Jesus said, "Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.



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After Christ's return, which will usher in a new age, the world—society as a whole—will learn to live by the laws and values of God. In that age, God will bind Satan and no longer allow him to deceive the nations (Revelation 20:2-3 [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.





See All...). Without Satan's influence, the world will at last come to know peace. Everyone will know the Lord (Hebrews 8:11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.



See All...).



Those who have not conformed to the world (Romans 12:2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.



See All...) will be those who assist Christ in bringing all nations to His truth (Revelation 20:4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.



See All...). They will have overcome the world just as Jesus overcame the world, and Christ will use them in bringing all other people to serve Him (Revelation 2:26And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:



See All...; Revelation 3:21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.



See All...).



Gift of the Holy Spirit

God enables His people to fulfill His purpose for them. But how?



Significantly, God chose the Day of Pentecost to begin His Church in an important sense by sending the Holy Spirit to His few faithful disciples (Acts 1:15And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)



See All...; Acts 2:1-4 [1] And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

[2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

[3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

[4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.





See All...). Many think of a church as a building. But the word translated "church" in the New Testament is ekklesia, meaning "called out (ones)." This Greek word was typically used to denote an assembly of people—those called out to meet together. The Church is the collective body of people who are called out of the world to serve God.



Through the Holy Spirit, which God gives to those who are part of His Church, members are empowered to overcome the world. It is through God's Holy Spirit that the Church can preach the gospel to the world and make disciples of all nations (Mark 16:15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.



See All...; Matthew 28:19-20 [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

[20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.





See All...). It is this Spirit that enables a person to belong to Jesus Christ and be a part of the Church (Romans 8:9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.



See All...). For the New Testament Church to exist, it was necessary for God to send His Holy Spirit.



The firstfruits of God's plan for salvation are those called to be in God's Church in this age. The Church, also spoken of as "the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.



See All...), is made up of individuals in whom the Holy Spirit dwells. They have repented of their sins and turned to Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. They have committed themselves to obedience to His holy and righteous laws. They are willing to give up everything to remain faithful to Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.



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Firstfruits follow Jesus Christ

Revelation 14:4These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.



See All... speaks of God's people who are "firstfruits to God and to the Lamb." The preceding and succeeding verses provide insight into the character of those who are the firstfruits and why they accompany Jesus Christ.



Why are they so valued by God? They are described as having the Father's name written in their foreheads (verse 1); God is foremost in their mind and thoughts. These have not been seduced by a false religious system (Revelation 14:4These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.



See All...), which is depicted as an immoral woman seducing humanity (Revelation 2:20-22 [20] Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

[21] And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

[22] Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.





See All...; Revelation 17:1-6 [1] And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

[2] With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

[3] So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

[4] And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

[5] And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

[6] And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.





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The firstfruits have come out of and avoided the political and religious system that has dominated the world (see Revelation 17:1-6 [1] And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

[2] With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

[3] So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

[4] And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

[5] And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

[6] And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.





See All...). When they were called by Jesus Christ, they understood that they were to come out of this system (see Revelation 18:3-4 [3] For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

[4] And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.





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In addition, the firstfruits "follow the Lamb wherever he goes" (Revelation 14:4These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.



See All...). They are faithfully devoted to Jesus Christ. They will allow nothing to entice them from their personal loyalty to Him. Since Jesus will use them to assist Him in teaching His ways to the world, it is vital that His firstfruits will forever be true to Him.



They "have been redeemed from among men" (same verse). They have been purchased by God with the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19 [18] Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

[19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:





See All...). Having been bought by God, they know that their lives no longer belong to them, but rather to Jesus Christ, whom they are to turn their lives over to completely, body and spirit (see Galatians 2:20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.



See All...; 1 Corinthians 6:20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.



See All...).



Also, "in their mouth was found no deceit" (Revelation 14:5And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.



See All...). They have learned to deal with the malice commonly found in the hearts of men. There is no deception, plotting or feigning in their actions or words. They have learned about the genuineness, sincerity and simplicity of Christ. They have, in short, come to grips with the deceit of their own hearts and have fully submitted to the pure and undefiled life of Christ dwelling in them. Forgiven of sins and having grown in godly character, "they are without fault before the throne of God" (verse 5).



Picturing the plan of God

This most important step in God's plan for the salvation of mankind is revealed in the observing of His Holy Days. Naturally, those who are of the firstfruits will be observing the very day that pictures the calling and harvest of the firstfruits of God's plan, the Day of Pentecost.



They will gratefully observe the very day that celebrates another milestone in God's great plan, the founding of the Church through the granting of God's Holy Spirit.



We now live in the age of the firstfruits, the time during which God is preparing a special, chosen people to reign with Christ in His Kingdom (1 Peter 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:



See All...). Are you part of that group? You will be if you heed the counsel of the apostle Peter when he admonished us in 2 Peter 1:10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:



See All... to "be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure"!







[ Read the article: The Remarkable Lesson of God's Feast of Firstfruits ]

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Counting Pentecost

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

Counting Pentecost

by Dan Dowd




Source: Photos.comPassover and the Days of Unleavened Bread are seven weeks past and we are almost finished in the counting toward Pentecost. God’s Holy Days are rich in meaning and anticipation as we rehearse them once again – each of them unique in what they picture and adding to what has gone before. The upcoming Feast of Pentecost is no different in these regards.



One unique aspect of Pentecost is that it is not a fixed date on the Calendar unlike the other Holy Days – so while it is always on the same day of the week, it can “move” in terms of which week in May or June it ends up being on.



God charged the Jews with preserving the Old Testament, but the interpretation has not always been handed down accurately. During the first century A.D., the Pharisees gained complete control of the Jewish religious observances. They figured Pentecost beginning with the day after the first annual Sabbath - the first Day of Unleavened Bread. Is this what God instructed? Preserved in a book called the Mishna is recorded how Pentecost had been counted from generation to generation before the Pharisees took control. How the Jews count Pentecost now is not always how it had been done, or should be done. The Jews count from the first High Sabbath of the Days of Unleavened Bread - rather than from the Sabbath in the Days of Unleavened Bread. If Pentecost was to be counted from the High Sabbath of the Days of Unleavened Bread, what would be the point in saying to count the days? Why not simply say keep Pentecost on Sivan 6? Instead, the weekly Sabbath can fall on 7 different days within the Days of Unleavened Bread - hence the need to count to know when to keep Pentecost. We must pay attention to know the right time, or day, to keep.



God instructed Israel to count 50 days from the Days of Unleavened Bread to determine when to keep Pentecost. We are to count “ from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the…wave offering ” (Leviticus 23:15And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:



See All..., NKJV). The Hebrew word there for Sabbath is the word used for the weekly Sabbath - the same word used in verse 3 when God reminds Israel to keep the weekly Sabbath. God instructs us to count 50 days from the weekly Sabbath which also means that Pentecost will always fall on a Sunday (first day of the week). Pentecost this year is on May 27th. Have you ever thought why God did that with this Holy Day? Every other Holy Day is set on a given day in a given month in His calendar – but not Pentecost.



Part of the reason for counting is to be reminded of the distance that we should be gaining in coming out of sin during the Days of Unleavened Bread, and part of the reason is to count with anticipation of the giving of God’s Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:4And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.



See All... Christ told those assembled in Jerusalem not to leave that city (before the Day of Pentecost), but “…to wait for the Promise of the Father…” that is, the giving of the Holy Spirit. Although we have been called and given access to God through His Holy Spirit, do we also count toward the day when all of mankind (1 Timothy 2:4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.



See All...) will have access to the knowledge of the truth?



As we finish the count toward Pentecost, let’s remember why we count Pentecost and what God wants to us to see and anticipate in that counting. It indeed will be a wonderful time when “… the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Eternal as the waters cover the sea ” (Isaiah 11:9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.



See All...).







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Are You Keeping the Same Festival That Jesus Kept?

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

Are You Keeping the Same Festival That Jesus Kept?

A commentary by Michael Snyder

Posted October 10, 2011





This October, many people all over the world will be observing the Feast of Tabernacles—just as our Savior Jesus Christ did when He lived on this earth 2,000 years ago. Find out what this joyous celebration is all about!





Source: Photos.comDuring this month—October—multiple thousands of people, a "little flock" (Luke:12:32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.), are gathering in designated places around the world, all to observe the same biblical festival that Jesus kept just a few months before His crucifixion.



So what is this special festival, one that the Bible says that your descendants, perhaps even you yourself, will one day observe?



The Bible calls it the Festival (or Feast) of Tabernacles (Leviticus:23:34Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.; 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.; John:7:2-52[2]Now the Jew's 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.), literally the Festival of Booths (Sukkot in Hebrew). This annual festival season represents the capstone of God's plan for humanity. Its modern observance eloquently underscores the temporary nature of our sojourn here as fragile humans, looking always to the magnificent and joyous coming Kingdom of God!



In ancient times the Israelites would take palm and tree fronds and make for themselves temporary dwellings (Leviticus:23:40And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.). They would live apart from their typical dwelling for eight days, symbolizing the transient and frail nature of their lives.



A festival that pictures the Kingdom of God on this earth

After Jesus came "preaching the gospel [the good news] of the kingdom of God" (Mark:1:14Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,), the spiritual door of deeper understanding was opened to better comprehend what the prophets sought—indeed, "things which angels desire to look into" (1 Peter:1:12Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.).



The Bible teaches, even as Jesus and His disciples observed, that the annual Holy Day seasons of God all possess rich and relevant meaning for each one of us. Beginning in the spring season (northern hemisphere) with the Passover and seven Days of Unleavened Bread and proceeding straight through the year to the Festival of Tabernacles and the Eighth Day (sometimes called the Last Great Day), these days herald the grand and awe-inspiring plan that God has for every single one of us.



The phrase "kingdom of God" and the synonymous expression "kingdom of heaven" appear more than 100 times in the New Testament. It was a focal point of Christ's ministry. Time and time again, Jesus commanded His disciples to "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.). Why? Because no sorrow, no trial, no obstacle can or could stand up to the wonderful knowledge of what incredible eternal gift that God intends to bestow upon us. This Festival of Tabernacles represents nothing less than a foreshadowing of this powerful Kingdom of God being established on this earth! (Revelation:20:4).



Observed by many now—to be observed by all in the future

This same festival—kept faithfully year after year, decade after decade, century after century—pictures the great hope of all humanity when God the Father will directly engage in "bringing many sons to glory" (Hebrews:2:10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.). It is this same festival that Jesus told His human family to observe (John:7:6Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.) and the same festival of which is prophesied that eventually "all the nations…will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty" (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.).



Today, as you read this during the days of October 13-20, thousands of members and families of the United Church of God are humbly yet joyously gathering at festival sites across the world to worship God and celebrate this coming divine Kingdom. They are following the example of their Elder Brother and Savior, Jesus Christ as well as the apostles and the apostolic Church. They have temporarily left their homes and are staying in hotels, lodges and campsites, which reflects the transient nature of human life. They are living the vision of what is surely advancing upon this earth, a time when the Almighty God will say openly to all, "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm:34:8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.).



Members of the United Church of God openly celebrate this wonderful Festival. You may even see our members gather in your city or area. If you are near and so desire, you are welcome to sample or "taste" for yourselves a small portent of what this coming Kingdom of God will be like.



If you'd like to know more—and you should—please go online and order (or download) a copy of the free booklet God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for all Mankind. One day soon, "The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah:11:9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.). This Kingdom is described as "good news" because it brings a final and complete end to suffering and the beginning of God-given eternal joy and gladness.



Yes, Jesus Christ kept the Festival of Tabernacles with an understanding and a deep joy over what it pictures. You too can understand the meaning of that same festival of joy, the festival representing a time when God brings eternal victory to all, the wonderful Festival of Tabernacles.







View more information about the Feast of Tabernacles and find out where the Feast is being observed around the world.

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Atonement: A Day of Deep Reflection

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Atonement: A Day of Deep Reflection

A commentary by Gerhard Marx

Sin is the cause of much pain and suffering in the world. But where does sin come from? What is its source? And how can we be rid of the scourge of sin? The biblical Day of Atonement answers all of these questions.





Source: Photos.comThe New Testament makes it clear that Jesus Christ atoned for the sins of all who repent and acknowledge their part in Christ's death, a recognition that their sins caused Jesus to die.



One of the seven Holy Days of the Bible is also associated with atoning for sins. It's the Day of Atonement.



When in 1973 Egypt attacked Israel on the Day of Atonement, it became known as the Yom Kippur War (Yom Kippur is Hebrew for Day of Atonement). Up to the time of Jerusalem's destruction by the Romans in A.D. 70, the high priest would seek forgiveness for the sins of the whole Jewish community, and by so doing would reconcile his people to God.



For a Christian, one focus on this Day of Atonement is the removal of the primary cause of sin—Satan and his demons. As quoted in our booklet, God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind,"Until God removes the original instigator of sins, 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." The booklet goes further and explains the fate of Satan at the end-time when God intervenes in the affairs of man.



Satan is the main source of evil in the world

I remember only too well an incident that occurred at work earlier in my life. A work colleague and I were discussing the existence of God. I was shocked when he expressed to me that, although he believed in God, he believed that God was evil. I asked him how he could say such a thing. He answered that it was on account of all the terrible things, all the evil that happens in the world on a daily basis. My workmate had experienced war directly and saw enough evil being perpetuated in coming to this conclusion.



Although his view of God was shocking to me, I could not deny the fact that evil is perpetuated among the sons of men. Only later, after coming to an understanding of God's plan for mankind, which the above mentioned booklet explains, did I realize that my work associate had made one vital mistake in his otherwise astute observance about evil in the world.



It's not the Almighty who is to blame for the evil we see, but rather Satan himself, who is called in the New Testament "the god of this world" as the King James Bible translates it. The evil we see all around us must be laid primarily at his feet. The New King James refers to Satan as "the god of this age" (2 Corinthians:4:4In 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.). The apostle Paul refers to him in the following way when he encouraged his Christian readers: "in which you once walked according to the course of the 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:).



Satan's evil influence to be removed by Jesus Christ

Satan has been allowed to influence many leaders in society—political as well as religious leaders—to follow a course of action that is in opposition to God's way of life. The experience of the patriarch Job in the Bible is a prime example of Satan being the cause of many of the evil events befalling the world. It was he who brought destruction to Job's family and his servants in the hope that Job would turn against God, just like he tried to have Jesus Christ turn against His Father (Matthew:4:1-4[1]Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.[2]And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.[3]And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.[4]But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.). But both Job and Jesus continued to acknowledge God as the Almighty. Job stated, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job:1:21And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.).



The meaning of the Day of Atonement shows that one of the first acts that Jesus Christ will perform once He returns to establish the Kingdom of God is to banish Satan to the "bottomless pit" so that he can deceive the world no longer. That is exactly what he has done for the entirety of man's existence—to deceive and lead people astray from worshiping the true God. But at Christ's return he is to "deceive the nations no more" (Revelation:20:1-3).



The Day of Atonement is given to us in God's Word so that we may humbly reflect on all the evil we see in the world for which Satan is primarily responsible. All the suffering that the world has experienced over the millennia will ultimately be brought to an end after God's Kingdom has been established on the earth. This Holy Day has great significance for the entire world, and God's true Church is keeping it, awaiting the time when Satan will "deceive the nations no more."



We recommend the previously mentioned booklet, God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind. To read more about the Day of Atonement, read this corresponding chapter - "Atonement: Removal of Sin's Cause and Reconciliation to God".

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The Messiah's Misunderstood Mission

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

The Messiah's Misunderstood Mission


Jesus Christ's mission and teachings were misunderstood by most of those who saw and heard Him.



"He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him' (John:1:11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.)



Jesus performed miracles and signs. He healed the sick, raised the dead, quelled storms of nature, fed the multitudes and exercised absolute authority over the spirit world—yet He wasn't accepted as Israel's Messiah.



One might think that with those credentials, He would be automatically proclaimed Messiah. We are told, however, that "He came to His own [people], and His own did not receive Him" (John:1:11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.). After a 3 1⁄ 2-year ministry, only 120 followers were there for the miraculous beginning of His Church (Acts:1:15And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)).



One of the prophecies about the Messiah foretold that He would be "despised and rejected by men" (Isaiah:53:3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.). The great works Jesus did that brought about His popularity in the country were not enough to overcome the disfavor He incurred from the religious authorities—or enough to secure loyalty from the fickle hearts of the common man.



His mission and His teachings were at cross purposes to those who held high positions in the nation, and His purpose was also misunderstood by most of those who saw and heard Him.



What were the Jews looking for?



The Jews were acquainted with many of the prophecies about the Messiah, the chosen or "anointed one" as the word means in Hebrew. They firmly believed that the Messiah would be a strong and glorious earthly king who would deliver them from their Roman oppressors and form once again a great and independent Jewish kingdom. The wise men who came from the east seeking the newborn Jesus inquired at Jerusalem, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?" (Matthew:2:1-2[1]Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,[2]Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.).



King Herod, who ruled Judea under the Romans, clearly understood that the Messiah the Jews expected was to be another king and thus a rival to himself. He then asked the chief priests and scribes "where the Christ was to be born" so he could eliminate the threat to his power (Matthew:2:3-16[3]When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.[4]And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.[5]And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,[6]And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.[7]Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.[8]And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.[9]When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.[10]When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.[11]And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.[12]And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.[13]And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.[14]When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:[15]And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.[16]Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.).



In the Greek language in which the New Testament was written, Christos (Christ in English) has the same meaning as the Hebrew word Mashiach (Messiah in English)— "anointed one," signifying one who was specially chosen by God (see "What Do 'Messiah' and 'Jesus Christ' Mean?" beginning on page 68). Herod and the Jewish rulers considered the title "Christ" as synonymous with that of "King of the Jews" in accordance with the general expectation of the time (compare verses 2 and 4).



The expectation that the Christ would be a king fit with their understanding that He would also be a descendant of David, the most famous of all the kings of Israel and the one by whom all other kings were measured. We see this illustrated in Matthew:22:42Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David., when Jesus asked the Pharisees, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?" Their response was, "The Son of David" (Matthew:22:42Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David.).



Jesus was addressed as "Son of David" by two blind men (Matthew:9:27And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.), by the woman of Canaan (Matthew:15:22And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.) and by the blind men at Jericho (Matthew:20:30And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.). When Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who was both blind and mute, "all the multitudes were amazed and said, 'Could this be the Son of David?'" (Matthew:12:22-23[22]Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.[23]And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?). At His entry into Jerusalem He was greeted with shouts of "Hosanna to the Son of David!" (Matthew:21:9And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.).



The number and scope of the miracles Jesus performed—miracles not equaled in the history of Israel even by the great prophets—led people to the conclusion that He had to be the prophesied Messiah. "And many of the people believed in Him, and said, 'When the Christ [Messiah] comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?'" (John:7:31And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?).



Time for a restored kingdom?



When the people desired the appearance of "the Son of David," they were hoping for the prophesied One who would restore the kingdom of Israel under the Davidic dynasty.



At one point when Jesus miraculously fed a following of 5,000 men, they were convinced that He was "the Prophet who is to come into the world" (John:6:14Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.). This is an allusion to Moses' prophecy of "a Prophet like me" in Deuteronomy:18:15-19[15]The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;[16]According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.[17]And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.[18]I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.[19]And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.. The disciples of Jesus identified Jesus as this same Prophet, "Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (John:1:45Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.).



What better king can you have than one who will miraculously feed you? This miracle caused a groundswell of support to make Him king then and there. But "when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone" (John:6:14-15[14]Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.[15]When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.). He made Himself scarce. To become a human king over a powerful Israel was not a part of Jesus' mission at that time.



Even after His death and resurrection, His disciples were still focused on the idea that He would restore the Davidic kingdom to Israel then and there. They asked Him, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts:1:6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?). They didn't yet understand all the pieces of the prophetic puzzle He was unveiling to them.



Understanding the messianic prophecies



These misconceptions were based in part on misunderstanding the timing of the prophecies from their own Scriptures. On close examination, Jesus spoke and acted in a way that revealed His true mission for His first coming—which was spelled out in Bible prophecy, though not in a way that they understood.



The Messiah was indeed prophesied to come to His people. We have already shown that many of those prophecies were fulfilled when He came to earth in the flesh. He was a servant, suffered during His life and willingly offered His life as a sacrifice. But there were many prophecies that were not fulfilled—at least not at that time.



There are the great prophecies of Isaiah, for instance, that tell us that "in the latter days … the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it" (Isaiah:2:2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.).



In Bible prophecy, mountains and hills are used to represent governments or nations. This prophecy foretells a time when the future Kingdom of the Messiah will be established and will reign over all earthly governments and nations. The prophetic understanding of this divine Kingdom was at the heart of Jesus Christ's message as well as the ultimate role of the Messiah.



When Jesus announced the Kingdom of God is at hand (Mark:1:15And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.), He was simply speaking of the future Kingdom of God that would come to earth—and He was the way into that Kingdom. Many times, when the Gospels say that "they believed in Him," they believed He was the Messiah who would create a kingdom of Israel at that time!



Why Jesus wasn't more direct



Throughout His ministry Jesus corrected people's misconceptions of the expected Messiah by calling attention to the true meaning of the Scriptures they relied on but misinterpreted. The Jews of His day so misunderstood the Old Testament prophecies that they could not recognize the very Messiah that they expected at any moment to appear among them!



Interestingly, Jesus did not go around announcing that He was the Christ. He forbade the demons He had cast out of those possessed to confess that He was the Christ (Luke:4:41And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.). And when Peter—in reply to Jesus' direct question "Who do you say that I am?"—responded that He was the Messiah, Jesus strictly commanded the disciples to tell no one that He was the Christ (Matthew:16:15-16[15]He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?[16]And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God., 20).



He answered the question of the imprisoned John the Baptist ("Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?") by directing him to the proofs of His messianic claims—His teachings and His works (Matthew:11:2-6[2]Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,[3]And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?[4]Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:[5]The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.[6]And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.).



But there were a few occasions where He affirmed His messianic identity quite plainly. For example, He revealed who He was to the Samaritan woman at the well. "I know that Messiah is coming," she told Him—to which Jesus responded, "I who speak to you am He" (John:4:25-26[25]The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.[26]Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.). Even at the beginning of His ministry, He accepted the confession of His first disciples when they acknowledged Him to be the Messiah (John:1:41-50[41]He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.[42]And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.[43]The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.[44]Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.[45]Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.[46]And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.[47]Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile![48]Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.[49]Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.[50]Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.).



Jesus privately on occasion accepted the titles "Messiah" and "Son of God," but publicly He avoided such designations. What He would have intended by these titles and the way in which the Jews would have taken them were two different things. Jesus couldn't deny who He was nor what He intended to do, but He was careful to explain the nature of the future Kingdom and dispel misapprehensions about His mission.



Jesus understood what His people were looking for in a Messiah. It's probably partially for that reason that He usually refrained from claiming the title for Himself and discouraged others from using it. To fulfill the mission of His first coming, He did not want to spark a popular uprising of Jews anxious to establish their own independent kingdom against the despised Roman rule at that time.



Moreover, had Jesus proclaimed Himself as the Messiah, it would have provoked immediate confrontation between Himself and the Jewish and Roman authorities, thereby bringing about His execution prematurely. Yet when it was time, Jesus affirmed to both the Jewish and Roman authorities that this was who He was.



Jesus the King



At Jesus' trial the high priest asked him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Jesus answered: "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven" (Mark:14:61-62[61]But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?[62]And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.). The high priest immediately accused Jesus of blasphemy and deserving of death (verse 64).



Yes, Jesus was indeed the Messiah, sent from God and born to be king. He made this fact clear when He stood before Pilate. However, Jesus had preached the Kingdom of God rather than the kingdom of Israel.



The Jews accused Him before Pilate of claiming to be "Christ, a King," which would make Him a direct threat to Roman authority (Luke:23:2And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.).



Pilate, concerned about this allegation, asked Jesus about the charge. Jesus answered by saying, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here" (John:18:36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.). Pilate pressed Jesus further, asking if He were indeed a king. Jesus replied: "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world" (verse 37).



However, Pilate got the impression that Caesar's kingdom was under no threat from Jesus. Yet, in the end, the Jews convinced Pilate to have Him executed on the grounds that He claimed to be a king (John:19:12And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.). Pilate even had the title " King of the Jews" placed above Jesus' head as He was crucified (verse 19-22).



After having ordered Jesus to be scourged, Pilate brought Him out to the crowd and announced, "Behold your King," apparently thinking the heinous beating He had endured would satisfy them. "But they cried out, 'Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!' Pilate said to them, 'Shall I crucify your King?' The chief priests answered, 'We have no king but Caesar!'" (John:19:14-15[14]And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King![15]But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.).



They didn't recognize their own King.



The future Kingdom



Jesus plainly told Pilate His Kingdom was not then, not there. It would not be one of the kingdoms of this present world—of this present age of man. But there is a future age coming, in which His Kingdom will be established on the earth to rule all nations.



Many prophecies about Jesus' role as the Messiah were indeed fulfilled by Him during His 3 1⁄ 2-year ministry. But the fulfillment of many more—those about the establishment of the Kingdom of God over the whole earth—are yet to be fulfilled by Jesus Christ.



When Jesus began to speak about the Kingdom of God, the people did not fully understand. In the thinking of most first-century Jews, there was no distinction between the prophecies of the Messiah's first coming and those of His second.



To the people of His day, the prophecies of the Messiah and the Messianic Kingdom were like looking at the stars. They all appear to be as a canopy above us, all about the same distance. But in reality there are vast distances between the stars. With the naked eye, we cannot tell which ones are closer and which are farther away. The messianic prophecies appeared like that to the Jews. Most expected all prophecies to be fulfilled in a single coming of the Messiah.



His second coming



Although most people missed Jesus' first coming, no one will miss His second. Jesus said all the people of the earth "will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matthew:24:30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.).



But when He comes the second time, will He be accepted then? What will people expect? Will the Jews think that He will come just to them? Will Christians think they are going to be taken away from the earth? Will the world think He is an invader from somewhere?



Jesus gave a vision to His apostle John, recorded for us in the book of Revelation. In it Jesus completes the prophecies He gave during His earthly ministry. It's most interesting to note that He will not be accepted by the world the second time, just as He wasn't accepted at His first coming. When He comes the second time, He won't come as one announcing the Kingdom of God, He will come as Ruler to establish the Kingdom of God!



Make no mistake—the nations will again reject Him. He speaks of the time of His return as being "the great day of His wrath," when the nations are angry at God's intervention (Revelation:6:16-17; 11:17-18). Leaders of the world will "gather … to the battle of that great day of God Almighty," in which they will fight against Him (Revelation:16:14).



At Jesus' second coming He is pictured as One who "judges and makes war" (Revelation:19:11). He will "strike the nations" with a sword and tread "the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God" (verse 15).



Such passages make it clear that the world will not receive Christ with open arms when He comes back. This is the other side of the picture of Jesus that is not taught very much today. When He returns, He will meet with a hostile reception from the world—just as He did the first time.



This leads us to ask the question, do we really know the real Jesus? Do we really know what He is doing? Are we really preparing ourselves to be accepted and rewarded by Him when He establishes His Kingdom? And what is that Kingdom all about? We'll address those crucial questions in the next chapter.

Was Jesus the Promised Messiah?

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

Was Jesus the Promised Messiah?


What was Jesus Christ's purpose? Why did He come to earth? Why will He come again?



The answers to these questions will become evident when we examine the concept of the Messiah.



Messiah is a Hebrew word meaning "Anointed One." Anointing was used to set someone or something apart for a specific purpose. It was used, among other things, to signify that kings had been chosen by God to rule (1 Samuel:15:1Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.; 16:12-13; 1 Kings:1:34And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.). Christ means "Anointed One" in Greek, the language in which the New Testament has been preserved for us—the same as the Hebrew word Messiah. The two terms mean the same thing (John:1:41He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.; 4:25).



The Hebrews understood that their Scriptures contained many prophecies of a divinely appointed ruler who would restore the glory and grandeur of the kingdom of Israel. For example, Isaiah:9:6-7[6]For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.[7]Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. says: ". . . The government will be upon His shoulder . . . Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever . . ."



Jeremiah:23:5-6[5]Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.[6]In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. adds: "'Behold, the days are coming,' says the LORD, 'that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."



After the kingdom of Israel and the nation of Judah were taken into captivity by Assyria and Babylon, respectively, the Israelite people looked to these promises for a deliverer. In the first century after Christ, the Jews who had returned to their homeland from Babylon several centuries earlier were dominated by the Roman Empire. In their oppression they prayed and hoped for the appearance of the promised Messiah, a conquering king who would deliver them from their Roman overlords and restore Israel to national greatness.



From many prophecies they deduced, correctly, that the Messiah was soon to appear. Hopes ran high. When John the Baptist came on the scene, some thought he might be the Messiah. Scripture tells us that "the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ [Messiah] or not" (Luke:3:15And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;).



John said he was not the Messiah, but he did point people to Jesus of Nazareth. One of John's followers, a fisherman named Andrew, immediately believed in Jesus. "He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which is translated, the Christ)'" (John:1:40-41[40]One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.[41]He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.). Both Andrew and Simon (Peter) became followers of Jesus.



Jesus acknowledged that He was the long-awaited Messiah in a conversation with a Samaritan woman. "The woman said to Him, 'I know that Messiah is coming' (who is called Christ). 'When He comes, He will tell us all things.' Jesus said to her, 'I who speak to you am He'" (John:4:25-26[25]The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.[26]Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he., emphasis added throughout).



Jesus also acknowledged that He was the Messiah at His trial. "And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, 'Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?' But He kept silent andanswered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, 'Are You the Christ [Messiah], the Son of the Blessed?' Jesus said, 'I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven'" (Mark:14:60-62[60]And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?[61]But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?[62]And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.).



Jesus knew that He was born to reign as a king. When the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, questioned Him before His crucifixion, Jesus said: "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." Pilate asked Jesus if He were indeed a king. Jesus responded: "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth" (John:18:36-37[36]Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.[37]Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.).



That Jesus' kingdom was not for that time was misunderstood by most of His followers. They had hoped and assumed that Jesus Christ would lead a popular uprising that would throw off the hated Romans and establish a new political entity. Some of the disciples even argued among themselves as to who among them would hold the primary positions in the new government (Matthew:20:20-21[20]Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.[21]And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.; Luke:9:46Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.; 22:24).



Their understanding was limited. They didn't realize that Christ must first come to suffer and die for the sins of mankind and only later come as the conquering king they expected.



When Jesus was tried and executed, they were bewildered and dismayed. Their hopes and dreams of power and grandeur were dashed. Peter and some of the other disciples returned to their old occupations as fishermen (John:21:1-3[1]After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.[2]There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.[3]Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.).



Even after Jesus appeared to them again, they still didn't understand. They still thought Christ would establish the Kingdom of God immediately. Notice Acts:1:6-8[6]When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?[7]And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.[8]But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.: "Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, 'Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' And He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.'"



Jesus explained that the timing of that kingdom should not be their primary concern; indeed they would not know when it would be established. Their focus, Christ said, should be on the work He had assigned them. The Kingdom of God would be established in due time.



Finally they understood. Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the promised Messiah, but first He had to suffer and die for their sins. Later He would come as conquering king to establish the Kingdom of God.



Peter proudly proclaimed the wonderful truth that Jesus was the Messiah: "But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began" (Acts:3:18-21[18]But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.[19]Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.[20]And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:[21]Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.).



The dozens of prophecies recorded by the prophets about a Messiah—prophecies fulfilled by Jesus Christ—are among the strongest proofs that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Many nonbiblical writings are revered by the many religions claiming to be holy and divinely inspired. But none of the other writings can foretell the future, and then, hundreds of years later, provide a record of exactly how those prophecies came to pass.



This is, in essence, the story of the four Gospels. They recall the Old Testament prophecies and show how Jesus Christ fulfilled them as the Messiah born of a virgin and the divine Teacher who would be put to death to make it possible for us to receive forgiveness for our sins.



The Gospels also speak of His resurrection and ultimate return to earth as conquering King. That is the message of the Gospels—that Jesus Christ was the Messiah who is prophesied throughout the Old Testament.



One version of the New Testament, the Jewish New Testament, lists 52 prophecies fulfilled in Christ's first coming (1989, pp. xxv-xxix). Estimates of the total number of prophecies about the Messiah range into the hundreds. Both Old and New Testament testify that Jesus was and is the true Messiah, the Son of God, the one who was sent from God and will come again to establish the Kingdom of God on earth.

'Dust to Dust'

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/

'Dust to Dust'


The truth about life after death is out there, but not in our stars or ourselves. Our revealed future is far greater than the stuff of dreams.

by Les McCullough

The late Carl Sagan, astronomer and author, used to wonder why smart people would believe in God. True, he spent most of the last decade of his life saying he wanted to discover whether God exists, but up until he died earlier this year he never believed in God or that he would ever again see his wife of 20 years.

Is there life after death? Is there an answer that makes sense?

As he saw his death approaching, Sagan himself said: "I would love to believe that when I die I will live again, that some thinking, feeling, remembering part of me will continue. But, much as I want to believe that, and despite the ancient and worldwide cultural traditions that assert an afterlife, I know of nothing to suggest that it is more than wishful thinking" ("In the Valley of the Shadow," Parade, March 10, 1996).

Many other people have also decided that this life is all there is and they try to make the most of it. If Carl Sagan and these others are right, then the rest of us, particularly those who believe the Bible's explanation, have been seriously deluded.

Skepticism about an afterlife, or of that afterlife being one of happiness forever, has long existed even among Christians. In the first century of the Christian era, the apostle Paul encountered this mind-set in Corinth. Apparently the Christians God had called in this cosmopolitan city carried some of the philosophical baggage of their times along with them. Some questioned even the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Paul pointedly asked: "Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?" (1 Corinthians 15:12).

He continued: "For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep [are dead] in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable" (verses 16-19).

To Paul, the issue was not one of whether there is a resurrection. That was an accomplished fact; eyewitnesses had seen Jesus Christ brutally executed, then had seen Him alive again. These men and women had walked with Him, talked with Him, touched Him, shared meals with Him. They knew the resurrection was real. The issue, then, was how and when will the dead be resurrected. Where are they while awaiting their resurrection?

What happens to the dead?

Humans are a physical creation. God created Adam from the dust of the earth and informed him, after he had taken of the forbidden fruit, that "in the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust [clay] you are, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19, emphasis added throughout). It isn't flattering to think of returning to dust, but that is what happens to the physical body after death.

What does it mean to die? The biblical book of Ecclesiastes was written by someone said to be the wisest man who ever lived. Solomon wrote: "For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity. All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust" (Ecclesiastes 3:19-20).

Solomon understood that the dead do not continue alive in some other place or state of existence. He knew that "the dead know nothing" and "there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going" (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10).

Do the dead, then, live again? Yes, most definitely.

Resurrection at Christ's return

Paul, once again allaying fears, explained this to the church in Thessalonica. "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

It is perfectly clear that Paul is equating death with the state of being asleep: "For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep" (verse 15).

Those who have died "sleep" in their graves until the time Jesus Christ calls for them at His return. At that time the dead in Christ will rise.

The dead in Christ are those who in life responded to the gospel message by repenting of their sins, accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior, being baptized for the remittance of sin and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit to help them to obey God (Acts 2:37-38).

This resurrection from the dead is clear from both the Old and New Testaments. Isaiah 26:19 says, "Your dead shall live; together with my dead body they shall arise."

What a wonderful promise! The dead shall rise and live again. At the time of the return of Christ, those who have believed in Him and repented and lived their lives accordingly, will stand with Him at His return as immortal children of God.

Transformation to spirit

What happens then? "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. Therefore comfort one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).
What happens at this time? Job asks and answers the question: "If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes. You shall call, and I will answer You; You shall desire the work of Your hands" (Job 14:14-15). He is saying that at the return of Jesus the dead will be changed.

Paul adds another important dimension to how the process works. "And so it is written, 'The first man Adam became a living being.' The last Adam [Jesus Christ] became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly [those who have God's Spirit in them]" (1 Corinthians 15:45-48).

Raised to immortality

Now notice the outcome: "And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed" (verses 49-51).

Besides those resurrected from the dead at Christ's return, others who are still alive at that time will also be transformed into spirit to become a part of the ultimate Kingdom of God. Notice how and when this occurs:

It takes place "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory' " (verses 52-54).

From that time on, death can no longer threaten those individuals. They will be eternal, ever-living spirit sons of God.

Death will be swallowed up by eternal life to exist no more. You and I and all humanity-even though we came from the dust-will be so much more than dust. We shall be "like the stars forever and ever" (Daniel 12:3).

For a man who knew the earth as "a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena," and who became universally known for his saying that "we are all made of star stuff," Carl Sagan, when his time to rise comes, will be happy with his newfound knowledge. GN

God's Festivals in the New Testament

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/

God's Festivals in the New Testament
1. Passover
Commanded in Old Testament:
Leviticus 23:5

Observed by Jesus Christ, the apostles or the Church in the New Testament:
Matthew 26:2, 17-19
Mark 14:12-16
Luke 2:41-42; 22:1, 7-20
John 2:13, 23; 6:4; 13:1-30
1 Corinthians 11:23-29

2. Feast of Unleavened Bread
Commanded in Old Testament:
Leviticus 23:6-8

Observed by Jesus Christ, the apostles or the Church in the New Testament:
Matthew 26:17
Mark 14:12
Luke 2:41-42, 22:1,7
Acts 20:6
1 Corinthians 5:6-8

3. Feast of Pentecost
Commanded in Old Testament:
Leviticus 23:15-22

Observed by Jesus Christ, the apostles or the Church in the New Testament:
Acts 2:1-21; 20:16
1 Corinthians 16:8

4. Feast of Trumpets*
Commanded in Old Testament:
Leviticus 23:23-25

Observed by Jesus Christ, the apostles or the Church in the New Testament:
Matthew 24:30-31
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Revelation 11:15

5. Day of Atonement
Commanded in Old Testament:
Leviticus 23:26-32

Observed by Jesus Christ, the apostles or the Church in the New Testament:
Acts 27:9

6. Feast of Tabernacles
Commanded in Old Testament:
Leviticus 23:33-43

Observed by Jesus Christ, the apostles or the Church in the New Testament:
John 7:1-2, 8, 10, 14

7. The Eighth Day (sometimes called the Last Great Day)
Commanded in Old Testament:
Leviticus 23:36

Observed by Jesus Christ, the apostles or the Church in the New Testament:
John chapters 7-9



*Although the Feast of Trumpets is not mentioned by name in the New Testament, the theme of the day—the sounding of trumpets announcing Jesus Christ's return—is mentioned by several New Testament authors as noted in the references.