James Russell, Elder
Dear Brethren and Co-workers;
In the book of Revelation, we read of the Philadelphia Church of God, that was in revival. “I know
thyworks: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it: for you have a little strength, and
has kept My word and has not denied My name” (Rev.3:8).
Practicing syncretism, mixing God's Word with man's traditions, like the Hebrew calendar, is the same
as denying God's name. True Philadelphians, God's firstfruits, His very elect will be keeping the Lord’s Word
at the end of this age, and will not be denying His name nor will they be teaching syncretism! This issue will
separate the true Bible believers from those who put experience or personal relationships above scripture, and
while it might result is some real challenges from those who hold to the Word of God, this could be just what
the Churches of God needs today: a wake up call to arise from apathy and man-centered, what’s-in-it-for-me
gospel, and a determination to follow Jesus the Christ, regardless of cost or consequences! The idea of Christians
accepting the Jewish Hebrew calendar is almost like inventing a separate religion. When we pit one revelation
of God, against man made traditions, that God not only forbids syncretism, but sees it for what it is, an
abomination against Him! In fact this is replacing the worship of the true God with the worship of a god of our
own making!
People do not want to hear the facts or truth, they just want to hear smooth things. Paul told Timothy,
“The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but, after their own lusts shall they heap to
themselves teachers having itching ears” (II Tim .4:3).
These are they who are interested only in those portions of scripture they can construe as promising peace
and security. They neglect the stern demand of sound doctrine. They have a superficial desire for religion, but
only so long as it will not disturb their observance of following Judaism! They refuse to accept the Bible as their
sole authority and standard for religious teaching and personal conduct. Paul went on to tell Timothy, “And they
shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (II Tim. 4:4). Fables are false facts:
Strongs # 3454 identifies fables as 1). fiction, 2). a- myth, and 3). a-tale. Webster’s Dictionary describes the word
“fable” as, 1). falsehood, 2). a. lie, 3). to talk or write about it as if it is truth. That is exactly what the Hebrew
calendar with all the postponements is, false facts! It is a proven stated fact, “the Feast of Trumpets that are kept
in the Hebrew calendar are wrong 60% of the time,” quoted from the Comprensive Hebrew Calendar, by Arthur
Spier, page 15. “Note: In more than 60% of all year Rosh Hashanah [ “Feast of Trumpets”] does not occur on
the day of the Molad, [ mean conjunction] but is postponed according to one of the Dehioth, [rule’s]! We need
to let God's Word, the Bible, be our guide in keeping God's Divine Holy convocations in their appointed times.
We must stop following man's traditions.
The closer we come to the end of this age, when time is running out, the more we need to take heed to
God's laws, and instructions. Paul warns us in the epistle to the Colossians. "Let no man therefore judge you in
meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day; or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow
of things to come; but the body is of Christ" (Col. 2:16-17). The sabbath and the holy days are tied together. God
has placed them where He wants them. Man has never been given the authority from Heaven, where God sits
on His throne to change them, move them, nullify them, or postpone them.
The Apostle Paul had read the Torah and knew what Moses taught in reference to God's commandments,
God's laws! “Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for
to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess-the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
Ye shall not-add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought, from it, that ye may -keep
the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you” (Deu. 4:1-2). And we read in chapter 5 of
Deuteronomy; “And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, 0 Israel, the statutes and judgments which
I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them. The LORD our God made a
covenant with us in Horeb. The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are
all of us here alive this day” (Deut 5:1-3).
What are statutes? According to Strong’s 2 #. 2706 1). an appointment (of time); commandments, law,
degree, necessary; set timer and task.
The S. D. A. Bible Dictionary identify’s statutes as 1). an obligation, 2).something prescribed, 3). a
specific fixed requirement. How can we read Leviticus 23 where God has shown us His appointed holy time for
each of His annual holy day and say it is alright to postpone them for man's convenience? That would be like
meeting on the first day of the week for holy time, rather than on the seventh day of the week! There would be
no difference!
The Sabbath and holy days are a statute, a sign! They are a sign of the firstfruits, represented by the
physical barley harvest that is harvested in the first part of the spring season. Those who will obey God and not
the traditions of men will be Christ bride! “Let us be glad and rejoice and give honour to Him for the marriage
of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed
in fine linen, clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And He saith unto me, write,
blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb, [called unto the reception of the Lamb]
And He saith unto me, these are the true sayings of God” (Rev 19:7-9).
THESE ARE TWO SEPARATE EVENTS! 1). THE WEDDING, EVENT, FOLLOWED BY 2). THE
MARRIAGE SUPPER [RECEPTION].
CHURCH OF GOD, IN TRUTH
P.O. Box 1120 Kimberling City, MO 65686: Tel: 417-338-0033 Fax: 417-338-0031
James Russell, Elder Tel: 417-338-0033 E-mail: cogit@flash.net
Pete Fleming, Elder Tel: 830-885-5502 E-mail: pmf06@gvtc.com
Spanish
M Martinez, Deacon Tel: 787-786-5856 E-mail: marty@ucsint.com
Phillippines
Romeo Samudio Tel: 090-8536-4415 E-mail: romesamudio@yahoo.com