untitled
“Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice
indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye
shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me
above all people for all the earth
is Mine” (Exodus 19:5).
NO POSTPONEMENTS
==============================================================================
We have been invited to God’s Feast of Tabernacles. Sometimes it’s hard for certain people to see why
the Bible commands us to go and keep the Feasts of God.
Few have realized what a marvelous celebration, with deep spiritual meaning, the Feast of Tabernacles
is. Yet those who keep it today have found it the highlight of the year. It is a time of family togetherness, a
time of learning, of joy, a time to understand more fully the plan God is working out on this earth. We have
been called to learn how to rule in God’s kingdom. Keeping the Feast of Tabernacles is a way of learning how
to live a Christian Godly way of life with others of like mind. We are learning to be kings and priests at God’s
Feast of Tabernacles by taking Christ’s words to heart.
The Lord is saying that if the children of Israel would obey His voice and keep His covenant they would
be specifically rewarded. “Now therefore, if you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you
shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine” (Exo. 19:5). When thinking
about this verse it is foolish for someone to think that God never called a people to be placed above others. If
it weren’t for English speaking nations the gospel would have never been preached to the modern world.
In view also of this verse, God was not setting Israel upon a pedestal, He was calling them to perform
a special job or task in His service. The special job or task about to be assigned to them was to administer His
laws. “And you shall be unto Me a Kingdom of Priest’s” (Exo 19:6). This is the first biblical occurrence of
the word “Kingdom,” as referring to a divine rule, and it marks the beginning of a theocratic kingdom or
government.
God’s kingdom and government has three divisions in it, each essential to one another. The first: is
to express the righteous will of God, the second: the judgments governing the social life of Israel and the third:
the ordinance governing the religious life of Israel. These three elements form “God’s law” that activate His
government.
The present meaning of the word “priest” in Exodus 19:6 fails to adequately describe what was being
proposed. Today when speaking of “priest,” we think in terms of those who officiate at the altar. The biblical
definition of the “priestly” office is much broader in its application that will be explained as we continue.
“And you shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an Holy nation” (Exo. 19:6). God is informing Israel
they were to be above all nations and become a kingdom of administrators. They were to be the custodians of
His laws, Commandments, Statutes and Judgments.
Church and state were to be of one order under God’s rules. The Lord concluded His instructions in
verses.6 by saying to Moses, “These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the Children of Israel.” Very
important instructions for us to understand and keep today.
The book of Exodus chapter 19 sets the stage for priestly responsibilities!!
The greatest example is when Jesus Christ was on His second Galilean tour. “And Jesus went about
all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing
every sickness and every disease among the people” (Matt. 9:35). Many people don’t understand there is a
difference between a synagogue and the Temple. Synagogue as quoted from the S.D.A. Bible Commentary:
“The synagogue, literally, meaning the “assembly,” was a focal point of Jewish community life. This
characteristic institution of Judaism did not flourish until during and after the Babylonian captivity. During
the centuries that followed the captivity the Jews voluntarily scattered throughout the known world, so that
there was scarcely a city without its Jewish community. And every such community had its synagogue.” We
read in Acts 15:21, “For Moses of old time has in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues
every Sabbath day.”
“A synagogue was to be established wherever there were ten adult males, and these ten became its first
“rulers. The synagogue was never a place of sacrifice like the temple at Jerusalem, and thus was not
considered a place of worship in the highest sense. During the week the synagogue also often served as a
local law court. The priest were not directly connected with the administration of the synagogue, for there were
no sacrifices, though they were often invited to participate in the services. Each synagogue was rectangular
in shape, with its main entrance at the southern end. The main room of the synagogue was provided with a
reading desk, a seat for the expounded, and a chest, or ark, that contained the rolls of the law and the prophets”
[i.e.]. Verse 36 of Matthew 9, begins with a later date. We find Christ on His third Galilean tour which
was conducted during the winter, prior to His death. “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with
compassion on them, because they were faint, [meaning they were exhausted, distressed, and trouble], and were
scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then said He unto His disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous,
but the laborers are few. [That problem persist’s today. It seems, the need is always greater then that of the work
force]. Pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest” (Matt 9:36-38). Here is expressed, the urgency with which it was anticipated that the Lord of the harvest would send forth
laborers that are eager and willing to serve. This has been on every Church of God’s prayer list.
Reading from two instructive pastoral letters written by the Apostle Paul, we find one written to
Timothy in Ephesus and the other to Titus who was on the island of Crete. Paul had three main goals in writing
these letters. One, was to encourage them to oppose false teachings, two, was to instruct them in the
management of the Church of God, and three, was to encourage them in their performance of their ordained
duties. In both of these letters Paul gives the instruction for ordaining deacons and elders. Paul told Timothy,
“This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desires a good work” (1 Tim. 3:1). It is very
clear that it is not wrong to desire an office of being an overseer or a guardian, [what King James Version calls
a Bishop]. But we need to take note how God calls His ministry, His servants. Notice! What Christ said to
His disciples, “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you” (John 15:16). Not one
of Jesus disciples whom He called and ordained to the ministry chose themselves. There is not one single
example anywhere in the Bible where a called and chosen servant of God came forward and appointed
themself for the office. Moses argued that he was unfit. Jeremiah said he was too young. Jonah ran away,
Samuel was directly called of God. Paul was struck down by a miracle and the list goes on.
“Bishop” is Strong’s # 1984 and 1985, meaning: 1). A superintendent; 2). Officer in charge of a
church; 3). An overseer or guardian. Same definition is given for an elder using Thayer, Greek-English,
Lexicon (# 4245), (1). Among Christians, those who presided over the churches; 2. They did not differ at all
from bishops, overseers or presbyters.” The functions of overseers and elders are given considerable detail
throughout God’s word. (1). They are to shepherd and care for the Church of God– See Acts 20:28; I Tim.
3:5. The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ,
and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the
oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind” (1 Peter 5:1-2). (
2). They are to be alert to protect the church from attack, both from without and within. “Take heed
therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed
the Church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall
grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:28-29). (3). Elders are to lead and rule
by guiding, not driving! [1 Tim. 5:17 I Thes. 5:12]. “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being
examples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:3). (4). Elders are to preach the word, teach sound doctrine and refute
those who contradict truth. “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by
sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and
deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses,
teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake” (Titus 1:9-11). (5). Elders are to work together
in doctrinal matters. “But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, that it was
needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came
together for to consider of this matter” (Acts 15:5-6). “And as they went through the cities, they delivered them
the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem” (Act 16:4). (6).
The life of an elder is to be a good example to their flock. “Feed the flock of God which is among you,
taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither
as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2-3). (7). The elders job is to
seek to restore the believers who have been overtaken in a trespass. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in
a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also
be tempted” (Gal 6:1). (8). They exercise a ministry of prayer, especially with regard to the sick. “Is any
sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the Church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil
in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he
have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him” (James 5: 14-15). (9). The elder keeps watch over the poor
and needy. Paul zealously honored this request. “Only they would that we should remember the poor; the
same which I also was forward to do” (Gal 2:10). (10). The elders are to share in the commendation of
gifted men and woman to work with their talents which God has called them. “For I say, through the grace
given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but
to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members
in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every
one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether
prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or
he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity;
he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness” (Rom. 12:3-8). An elder must be a
steward and servant of and for God and His called out ones.
Addressing now Paul’s letter to Titus we find the Apostle Paul having confidence in Titus’s ability to
carry out God’s work because Titus had demonstrated his resourcefulness and administrative abilities on earlier
assignments that Paul had given him. “For this cause I left you in Crete [Crete was a small island in the
Mediterranean sea that was populated with Jews and Gentiles, Paul went on to
Titus 1:14“Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and
commandments of men, that turn from
the truth.”.
say], You should set in order
the things that are wanting [lacking], and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed you” (Titus 1:5). Paul
continued describing what fruit to look for in a person. “For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of
God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre” [money is not to
be their chief goal] (Titus 1:7). Next, we read of more qualifications and what to teach and be aware of. “But
a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, Holy, temperate; [that is self control]. Holding fast the
faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the
gainsayers” (Titus 1:8-9).
Now Paul starts getting more specific with Titus,
telling him to be aware of men that will rise up and defy
the authority of God’s inspired word. “For there are many
unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the
circumcision.” [Who is Paul talking about? Those of
Jewish extraction, those that were akin to the perverted
teachers of the oral laws of Judaism]. Vs. 11, “Whose
mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses,
teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake” [for the gain of money]. Vs. 12, “One of
themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Creations are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. Vs.13,
This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.” [Notice what Paul
tells Titus next]. Vs.14, “Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the
truth” (Titus 1:10-14). How many ministers do you know that obey that rule after being ordained?
Paul was aware of Jeremiah comment about Judah. “For the children of Judah have done evil in My
sight, saith the Lord: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by My name, to pollute it”
(Jer. 7:30). Paul recognized the strong perverted teachings of Judaism that the Cretins had adopted as part of
their religion. They felt they were getting back to their Jewish roots!!!
In the Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary, Page 188, says: “Around 140 BC–the Jews established a
large enough colony on the island of Crete to be able to appeal successfully for the protection of Rome.”
Judaism had a strong foot hold in the religion there. The Apostle Paul knew the responsibility he was giving
Titus. Titus was to supervise the work of all the Churches of God and to counteract Judaizing tendencies like
the Church of God, In Truth is trying to doing today. Timothy was given similar advise from Paul. “Neither
give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than Godly edifying which is in
faith: so do” (1Tim.1:4). Fables in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance is # 3454. Meaning: “1. Myth 2. False
teachings 3. An invention.” It is used by Paul 4 times and in 2 Peter once. 1. I Tim. 1:4; 2. I Tim. 4:7; 3.
II Tim. 4:4; 4. Titus 1:14; 5. II Peter 1:16. All these verses address the teachings of Judaism’s false facts
and the traditions of men.
Many ordained ministers in the scattered Churches of God today are practicing the teaching of oral
Judaism. Mingling Jewish roots with God’s truth. Teaching syncretism, which means: A combination of
different forms of beliefs or practices; mixing religions; mixing God’s word with other religions teachings and
beliefs. Paul goes on to tell Timothy, “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of
a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: from which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain
jangling” (1 Tim. 1:5-6). Useless talk, like the oral laws of Judaism.
The Apostle Paul had plenty of evidence against the practice of Judaism from the Old Testament. He
had read the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Amos. Let’s look back and refresh our minds. “The vision of
Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, king of Judah.
.......Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and Sabbaths, the calling
of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your
appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them” (Isa.
1:1,13-14). Paul was not blind to what Jeremiah wrote
“How do ye say, We are wise, and the
law of the LORD is with us? Lo,
certainly in vain made He it; the pen of
the scribes is in vain. The wise men are
ashamed, they are dismayed and taken:
lo, they have rejected the word of the
LORD; and what wisdom is in them?”
(Jer 8:8-9).
concerning judgment on Judah’s practiced teachings. “For
the children of Judah have done evil in My sight, saith the
Lord: they have set their abominations in the house
which is called by My name, to pollute it” (Jer. 7:30).
These abominations are still being practiced in the houses
that are called by God’s name today! I don’t know how
verses like Mark 7: 7-9 and John 5:46-47 can be ignored
by those who say they preach the whole truth! “Howbeit
in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men. For laying aside the
commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the
washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things
ye do. And He said unto them, Full well ye reject the
commandment of God, that ye may keep your own
tradition” ( Mark 7:7-9). “For had ye believed Moses, ye
would have believed Me: for he wrote of Me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe My
words?” (John 5:46-47).
The Church of God, In Truth objects to the “postponements” incorporated into the calendar the
Churches of God use today! We are considered legalists because we don’t keep the traditions of Judaism, that
God calls the traditions of men!
Look at a few more verses in Jeremiah. “Thus saith the Lord; stand in the court of the Lord’s house,
and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command
you to speak unto them; diminish not a word” (Jer.26:2). Reading Jeremiah 7 again we will find more of
God’s displeasure. “For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them
out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: But this thing commanded I them, saying,
obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people: and walk you in all the ways that I have
commanded you, that it may be well unto you. But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in
the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward” (Jer. 7:22-24).
“Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe
the time of their coming; but My people know not the judgment of the Lord. How do you say, we are wise, and
the law of the Lord is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain” (Jer. 8:7-9).
Vain is Strong’s # 8267 meaning: “(1).untruth; (2). deceitful; (3). false; (4). liar; (5).lying; (6).vain thing.”
Strong words against those who want to get back to their Jewish roots! Vs. 9, “The wise men are ashamed, they
are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them?” Vs. 12,
“Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could
they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down,
saith the Lord.” With all this evidence, why so many of God’s called want to follow what’s taught through
those who teach and practice Judaism– that our Lord calls false fables. “Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and
commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
(Titus 1:14).
To be kings and priests in God’s kingdom we must become the peculiar people of God’s word. “Now
therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me
above all people: for all the earth is Mine” (Exo. 19:5). “ But 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”(1 Peter 2:9).
Jesus Christ, the I AM, who is the faithful witness, that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own
blood, has given us the opportunity to share with Him, His kingdom. “And hath made us kings and priests
unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (Rev. 1:6). ☜
James Russell