James Russell, Elder
Dear Scattered Brethren and Co-workers,
It is an unfortunate but nevertheless true statement that doctrinal teachings of long standing are accepted by the Churches and its leaders as having and teaching the whole truth. No one is expected to present new evidence which questions either accuracy and the individual who does voice opposition to one or more segments of centuries-old Church dogma commits an act of extreme presumption. However, there is much to be revealed from a diligent and analytical study of the Scriptures that will at times upset previously established assumptions which have been accepted for generations as a theological truism. All knowledge from the Scriptures has not yet been revealed and foolish indeed are those who refuse to consider and-weigh new Biblical evidence brought to bear even upon old and on accepted beliefs.
When presenting the false teaching of the "Postponements" into God's calendar, we have received dissenting opinions raised by Church leaders, objecting to the presentation of the error in what is called the "Sacred" calendar kept by most Churches of God today. The usual method of theological reasoning and deduction presented in this magazine [ P.A.T.] and the sameness in all the statements clearly indicated that the thinking of these objectors is cast in the same theological mold. When theologians confine themselves "to quoting the writings of each other as their authority," their conclusions are apt to be circumscribed within very narrow limitations, marked by a kind of intellectual inbreeding that renders them incapable of bringing forth new truths. For example, this attitude toward new Biblical revelation is responsible for the rejection by the Churches and its leaders. God's true Holy Day calendar from God's word has no postponement rules.
On the other hand, that despite of being subjected to the worst adage ever devised, as in, "there is no black and white," everything is a shade of grey, "the most important decisions people make about their lives are overwhelmingly black and white. You either live a life of honesty and integrity, or you don't. You either choose God's way or the worlds way!
Men have tried moral relativity and it isn't working. People have an infinite capacity for rationalization that can only flourish in a society where virtually everything is tolerated under the ludicrous banner of non-judge-mentalism. Today, Laodiceian-ism is tolerated under the title of love, mercy, or go along to get along! "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth" (Rev 3:14-16).
Since the message to the seven churches reflect the entire six thousand year history of God's churches, we are to keep in mind what Revelation 1: verse 11 brings to light, "Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea."
The seventh message represent the experience of the final church during the closing period of Satan's rule here on Earth! A lukewarm spiritual state results in decreased alertness, a slow response and indecisive action. Apparently this Laodicean church had suffered no serious persecution. Pride in its prosperity led naturally to spiritual complacency and Syncretism. Of itself wealth is not wrong. However, the possession of wealth subjects its possessor to temptations in pride and self-complacency, and against these, his only protection is spiritual humility.
While we are living and waiting at this period of the Laodiceans end time for God's Kingdom to come, we are reminded every year of God's annual Holy Days that are listed in Leviticus 23. The weekly and annual Sabbaths are part of the faith once for all delivered and are for our understanding. The weekly Sabbath is a memorial of creation, designed to keep us in the true worship of God on His set apart Sabbath day. The seven annual Sabbaths are to keep us constantly in the understanding of God's great plan of redemption. The early Churches observed these festivals (Acts 2: 1-4; 18:21; 20:6 27:9), and the Church of God, in Truth observes them today at there appointed time. When "proving all things," the weekly Sabbath and the annual Sabbaths stand and fall together.
God's Sabbaths are a sign of His called people, "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed." ( Ex 31:12-13, 16-17).
We must always evaluate what we hear and hold fast what is good, genuine and true, so Syncretism
( mixing God's Word with the Tradition of men) won't cause one to become Laodicean, (nether hot or cold).
Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians tells us to "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (1Thess 5:21). The standard by which we test all preaching and teaching to be true is through the word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, not adding to or taking away from God's Word!
In the July/Aug "Prove All Things," Elder letter is written "We (Church of God, in Truth) keep the weekly Sabbath on the correct day because we count from the day God calls THE "FIRST DAY" in Genesis 1:5 to Genesis 2:3 which God calls the "SEVENTH DAY"! That is proving all things and holding fast to that which is GOOD!
This word "GOOD" used by God in Genesis 1, means He approved fully of it. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was GOOD: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day" (Gen.1:1, 3-5). When God had finished His creation week He said, "Behold, it was very GOOD. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day" (Gen 1:31). Then He continued to say "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made"(Gen 2:1-3).
Genesis 1:5 very clearly reveals that a invisible dark moon is present on what God calls His first day, which makes the month to begin with a invisible dark moon phase, not a waxing crescent moon phase! If we connect the dots, and take God's word seriously! Genesis 1:4-5, the first day of the month is the time when there is no solar reflection, leaving the lunar face in darkness. The dark moon lasts about two to three days before the new waxing crescent moon phase appears, Genesis 1: 14 which God calls His fourth day of the week! This fourth day of God's creation week is where most churches of God, who follow the intercalated Hebrew Calendar counts from, for keeping their first day of the 7th month that God tell us is set apart for the Feast of Trumpets. By counting from the fourth day of the week [Gen 1:14] you will always be worshiping the Feast of Trumpets on the day of the waxing crescent moon, not from the waning invisible dark moon God reveals in Genesis 1, the first day of the month.
Why am I telling you this? Because the Feast of Trumpets is to be kept on the first day of the 7th month not on the 2nd or 3rd day of the 7th month! No postponed Holy Days found when allowing Gods word interpret for us! "He appointed the moon for seasons: [appointed times] the sun knoweth his going down" (Psa 104:19). God's ways are always in HARMONY!
Church of God, in Truth: P.O. Box 1120 Kimberling City, MO 65686
Tel: 417 - 338 - 0033 // Fax: 417 - 338 - 0031
CHURCH OF GOD, IN TRUTH
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: Martin Martinez, Deacon: Tel: 787 - 786 - 5856 E - Mail: marty@ucint.com
Philippines: Romeo Samudio, Rep: Tel: 090 - 8536 - 4415 E - Mail: romesamudio@yahoo.com
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