The Gift of Giving

by Louise Amorelli

During this most recent Feast of Tabernacles 2010, my husband and I had the exhilaration of experiencing the most joyous of God’s Holy Days. Since we are not able to meet with brethren during the year, due to our location, it is certainly a blessing for us to renew our bonds with brethren of like minds. We anxiously wait all year long for the Feast of Tabernacles to arrive….preparing, planning and meditating on how to make the next Feast, even better than the last! 

One theme of the Feast, that always shines the most brilliant, is the giving of the brethren.  It is such a breath of fresh air, from the ways of this world, how giving and generous the brethren are.  Whether it be in the time and effort of our ministry, deacons and deaconesses for spiritual food and helps, or in the giving of thoughtfulness of slipping a card under a hotel room door, when someone is sick, or grabbing the check off the restaurant table before even knowing it was paid!! 

I once read an article saying that giving is actually a gift, not only for the person receiving such, but also to those who are in the act of giving; that it is a natural law God sets in motion, which brings fullness of heart, that only giving can do. The article stated that giving creates a spirit that invokes more giving and brings inner peace; and that it then spreads to others to do the same!  It concluded that everyone involved experiences the benefits of the outward flow it brings, and that it is truly a gift from God!!

This year, I will focus on that theme…and how I can give the gift of giving!!

You say that the Great Tribulation will last approximately 3 1/2 years, followed by the Heavenly Signs and the Day of the Lord. You also say that the Day of the Lord will last approximately one year and that at the end of the Day of the Lord, Jesus Christ will return. Others say that the Great Tribulation will last for seven years. Does this mean that once the Great Tribulation begins, there will be at least 4 1/2 years [or even 8 years] until Christ returns (3 1/2 years [or seven years] duration of the Great Tribulation plus 1 year duration of the Day of the Lord)?

No, it does not mean that at all.

First, let us establish how long the Great Tribulation is supposed to last. In a previous Q&A on this issue, we wrote the following:

“When the Great Tribulation ends, Christ will return. In fact, He will return to shorten the time in order to prevent all human beings from being destroyed (compare Matthew 24:22)… Some claim that the Great Tribulation will last for seven years. However, there is absolutely no Biblical evidence for that teaching. The Bible dogmatically postulates throughout that the Great Tribulation will not last longer than approximately 3 1/2 years… We read in Daniel 7:25: ‘He [an endtime religious leader, the ‘man of sin,’ also called the ‘false prophet’ in Scripture] shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand FOR A TIME AND TIMES AND HALF A TIME.’

“During the Great Tribulation, a religious power under the lead of the ‘false prophet,’ in collaboration with a military power under the lead of the ‘beast,’ will persecute the saints. They will do so for ‘a time and times and half a time.’ The commentary of ‘Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge’ (TSK) explains that this phrase means ‘three years and a half, or reckoning thirty days to a month, 1,260 days.’

“The Nelson Study Bible agrees, stating (in their annotation to Revelation 11:3) that ‘a time and times and half a time’ is ‘a period of three and a half years…’ The commentary of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown (JFB) states that the period of ‘one year, two years, and half a year’ equals ‘1260 days’ or ‘forty-two months,’ adding that the phrase is to be understood quite literally as three and a half years of persecution…

“A further reference to Satan’s attempt to persecute the saints during the Great Tribulation can be found in Revelation 12. Some members of God’s true Church will be protected from Satan’s attacks in a place of safety here on earth (compare Revelation 3:10). Others, however, will have to endure Satan’s persecution–and Satan will use his ‘instruments’–the beast and the false prophet–to bring about such persecution… The passage in Revelation 12:13-17 reads:

“‘Now when the dragon [Satan the devil, Revelation 12:9] saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly [this describes supernatural protection and involvement, compare Exodus 19:4; Deuteronomy 32:11-12; Isaiah 63:9] into the wilderness to her place… where she is nourished FOR A TIME AND TIMES AND HALF A TIME, from the presence of the serpent…

“All Biblical references to the duration of the Great Tribulation speak of 3 1/2 years. The concept that the Great Tribulation would last for seven years is not Biblical. In fact, there is not one single Biblical passage suggesting that the Great Tribulation would last longer than 3 1/2 years–as mentioned, it is even possible that the time of the Great Tribulation will be cut short.”

What is meant, then, by the statement that the Heavenly Signs and the Day of the Lord will “follow” the Great Tribulation?

In a previous Q&A, we explained the meaning of this phrase, when we discussed the difference between the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord:

“…the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21) is followed by the Heavenly Signs (Revelation 6:12-14; Joel 2:30-31; Matthew 24:29) and by the Day of the Lord (Revelation 6:17). The indication is, from Scripture, that the Day of the Lord begins one year before Christ’s return (compare, for example, Isaiah 34:8). But even as the Day of the Lord does not end with Christ’s return, but is ongoing, so the Great Tribulation (which begins approximately 2 1/2 years prior to the Day of the Lord) does not end, either, when the Day of the Lord starts. Rather, it continues until Satan, who causes the Great Tribulation to occur, is removed from his throne.

“Christ returns to cut the Great Tribulation short (Matthew 24:21-22). This means, the Great Tribulation is still ongoing — it overlaps for one year, in that sense, with the Day of the Lord. So, all in all, the Great Tribulation lasts approximately 3 1/2 years, but during the last year of the Great Tribulation, God starts to intervene — approximately one year before Christ’s actual return…”

In the above-quoted Q&A, we also pointed out that the Day of the Lord is the day of GOD’S wrath, while the Great Tribulation is the time of Satan’s wrath. Continuing:

“So, we see again that the Great Tribulation lasts, technically, approximately 3 1/2 years, but the last year of that time period overlaps with the beginning of the Day of the LORD — which describes the time when God intervenes in human affairs.”

The Heavenly Signs and the Day of the Lord “follow” the Great Tribulation in the sense that the Great Tribulation begins first, and after it has begun (but not ended), the Heavenly Signs and the Day of the Lord will begin. We did not mean to imply, nor does the Bible teach, that the Great Tribulation ends before the Heavenly Signs begin, and that the Day of the Lord begins after the Great Tribulation and the Heavenly Signs have ended. Rather, the Heavenly Signs and the Day of the Lord BEGIN and therefore “follow” the Great Tribulation, once Satan has commenced to pour out his wrath on modern physical and spiritual Israelites.

For an in-depth study of the biblical concepts of the Great Tribulation, the Heavenly Signs and the Day of the Lord, please read our free booklets, “The Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord” and “Is that in the Bible–the Mysteries of the Book of Revelation.”

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

Preaching the Gospel and Feeding the Flock

This Update resumes our publishing following Update 460 (September 17th, 2010). During this break, we observed the Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day in both the US and Great Britain. Details of these meetings will appear in our October member letter. If you are not on our mailing list and would like to receive our letters and booklets, simply make your request through any of the addresses found at the end of this Update.

How do you “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter” as mentioned in Proverbs 24:11? Specifically, who are “those” and how do you hold “those” back?

Throughout the written Word of God, we see the record of prophets who have arisen to warn people of impending punishment—both on an individual basis and that given to nations. We find the warnings and the consequences that followed!

In His great love and patience, God has sought to turn people from their rebellion against Him: “Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live” (Ezekiel 18:23)?

This proclamation is echoed in the writing of the apostle Peter when he states: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Likewise, the apostle Paul writes of God that He “…desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).

From these statements we see that God’s purpose is to save people from death!
This is the message that His servants are to bring to those who stand in opposition to God and whose course of life is leading to their destruction.

Following the very severe judgment brought upon the ten tribes of Israel, we see that in the times leading up to their captivity by Assyria, God sought to warn them:

“Yet the LORD testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets, every seer, saying, ‘Turn from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statues, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets’” (2 Kings 17:13).

Following the punishment on the House of Israel, Judah also refused to be delivered from their rebellious ways, and this testimony records the consequences:

“And the LORD God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, TILL THERE WAS NO REMEDY” (2 Chronicles 36:15-16).

By the examples of both Israel and Judah, we see that they were NOT delivered—they refused to listen and to be restrained from their own ways!

However, we have another example of a people who did listen, and they were spared. This story is told in the Book of Jonah about Nineveh, the ancient capital city of the Assyrian Empire.

Jesus Christ drew a powerful and unmistakable contrast with the population of Nineveh and those who were hearing His own call to repent and believe the gospel (compare Mark 1:15). Here is what He said:

“The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here” (Matthew 12:41).

Attesting to the greater work of Jesus Christ, the Book of John records the hard-hearted, obstinate attitude of those who heard Christ’s preaching:

“But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him” (John 12:37).

When the prophet Nathan was sent to David to confront him for his terrible sin of taking Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, and then having Uriah murdered, David humbled himself: “So David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the LORD…’” (2 Samuel 12:13). We can read of David’s heartfelt repentance in Psalm 51.

In 2 Kings 20:1-11, Isaiah was sent to Hezekiah, king in Judah, telling him to “‘…Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live’” (verse 1). However, Hezekiah bitterly repented—with tears. Note this further record in 2 Chronicles:

“In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death, and he prayed to the LORD; and He spoke to him and gave him a sign. But Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him, for his heart was lifted up; therefore wrath was looming over him and over Judah and Jerusalem. Then Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah” (2 Chronicles 32:24-26).

In the New Testament, in the Book of Acts, the calling and conversion of Saul is recorded. As a zealous Pharisee, he fought against the emerging Christianity that was growing in Judah—until Jesus appeared to him. In one of the most remarkable instances of a complete turn around, Saul (later named Paul) accepted his correction:

“As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So he, trembling and astonished said, ‘Lord what do You want me to do?’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do’” (Acts 9:3-6).

In the previous examples of David, Hezekiah and Paul, we see that they listened, repented and turned to God, and by doing so, they were saved.

In the Church of God there also will be times when our own actions will need to be corrected. We have instructions for how to handle these circumstances, and one of the most foundational is recorded in Matthew 18:15-20. A first step is to speak to someone privately, and then other steps are outlined.

When we take this first step, the sinning brother has an opportunity to repent. Proverbs 17:9 adds this important dimension: “He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.”

Adding to this, consider what James says: “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20). Then, in 1 Peter, the point is made to remind us to very considerately deal with these situations:

“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins‘” (1 Peter 4:8).

We see that the underlying principle is for us to show patient encouragement for those who are drawn back into the world and who stumble at times (compare 1 Thessalonians 5:14). We have this admonition:

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself”
(Galatians 6:1-3).

When things go beyond this personal interaction, correction may fall to the ministry, and the Bible also instructs us in these matters. Here is what Paul instructs Christians to do in this regard:

“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17).

Also, we know that Jesus Christ has built and continues to oversee and administer His Church, and He affirms that His true ministry shares a role in this responsibility.

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:11-12).

We also believe that the gospel is to be preached in all the world as a WITNESS to people who now stand in defiant rejection of God’s laws and of His government (compare Matthew 24:14). By this preaching, the Church of God is seeking to, “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter (Proverbs 24:11).”

So we see that “those” are any who
are disobedient to God. Jesus said, “‘YOU are the light of the world…’” (Matthew 5:14); Continuing: “‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven’” (verse 16).

Here is the solution given by God:

“‘Perhaps everyone will LISTEN and TURN from his evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings’” (Jeremiah 26:3).

Lead Writer: Dave Harris

By the Light

by

Paul uses a phrase in Philippians 1:10, “that you may be sincere.” The word used for “sincere” here is an interesting word: eilikrinēs.

This comes from Greek words that mean “the sun’s rays” and “judge”.  When compounded it takes on the meaning “judged by sunlight” or “that which is judged in sunshine.”

As Paul’s eyes grew dim, with age and the problems that persisted in his life, he realized the necessity of having a good light to examine a subject.  In using this Greek word in this way he wanted to impart to the reader an essential quality of a Christian – we should not have anything that we want or need to hide.

By implication a saint should stand up to the scrutiny of light, and when focused on us, we should come out as a shining example.  It is our calling, as we walk in this way, to persistently remove the spots of darkness within our character.

God is light (1 John 1:5; ), and Christ will help us expose the areas that we need to work on by the light (compare Ephesians 5:13-14).  As a help “the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light” (compare Proverbs 6:23).  Through these and with the help of the power of God that “will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13), this can and will be accomplished.  As a begotten son of God, Jesus admonished us in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

As we come out of this spiritually high time of the year and go back into the world, we can continue to move forward with the momentum gained  during the Fall festival season.  And if we are complete in our effort to do what has been set before us, then we too can become a light of the world, shining through our good works, glorifying our Father (compare Matthew 5:14, 16) and walking sincerely in the hope of our calling.

They Bring Out the Good

by Manuela Mitchell

Before I had my son, I participated in events that involved dogs and their owners.  I enjoyed socializing with those that had similar interests to mine. When I had my son, I participated in classes such as breastfeeding and general baby care, and I realized that the support and friendships I received with my baby, was phenomenally different than that with dogs. 
 
People treated me as if my baby was the only baby in the world, and everyone wanted to help and talk to us. Brethren and people outside the church shared a common interest of lending a helping hand and voice, and it didn’t matter if they believed different things, because when it came to loving babies, everyone was the same.

This experience has made me think about how it will be in the kingdom, when everyone will be kind and helpful to every person they meet, just as they are to babies. I realized how babies can change people, and I saw how my little Sam–like other babies–make people laugh, they make people happy, they bring back sweet memories to people, they make people harmless and innocent. Yes, I began to see that babies can definitely bring out the good in people.

In Luke 2:49 we read Jesus' reply to His parents when they had found Him in the temple. Wasn’t this a little disrespectful?

This account in Luke 2:41-51 is about the time when Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem for the “Feast of the Passover” (verse 41). At that time, Jesus was just twelve years old (verse 42). Jesus then lingered on and after three days, His parents realised that He was not in the company (verses 43-44). They returned to Jerusalem to look for Him (verse 45). They found Him sitting in the temple, both listening and asking the teachers questions (verse 46). In verse 48 we read that Mary said to Jesus: “Son, why have you done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” Jesus answered in verse 49: “Why is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

It is interesting that in verse 50 we read: “But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.” And in the following verse it states that “He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject (obedient) to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.”

In Luke 1:30-33 we read the announcement to Mary of the birth of Jesus: “Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.’”

In Matthew 1:18-21 we read that an angel appeared to Joseph about the birth of Jesus: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.’”

Based on what had been told to Mary and Joseph, they should probably have known that since He was the Messiah, the most logical place for Him to be was in the temple and that He would be about His Father’s business. He was no ordinary child. Surely He was doing what God wanted Him to do, and would be under God’s protection. In John 4:34 we read that Jesus said: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”

At the age of 12, He obviously knew about His situation, His future and who His real Father was. He was so engrossed in learning more about the Scriptures that this became all consuming for Him for those three days. And maybe He would have expected His parents to look for Him before they left Jerusalem.

It would also appear that Jesus was surprised by the question (verse 49), rather than being upset by Mary’s question. His question, in effect, asking them why they did not know that He had to be in His Father’s house, is quite remarkable. Mary speaks about “your father and I” in verse 48, but in verse 49 Jesus takes the word “father” and applies it to God the Father.

Jesus explained His reasoning, but to no avail. They did not understand what He was saying to them (compare verse 50)–and that in spite of an angel appearing to both Mary and Joseph before His birth and telling them that He would be the Son of the Highest and that He would save His people from their sins.

Jesus was well aware of the fifth Commandment to “honor” His parents (Exodus 20:12). He was never disrespectful to them in any way. He was sinless throughout His life. We read in 1 Peter 2:22 that He “committed no sin…” 1 John 3:5 adds: “And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.” It should be noted that Jesus went back with His parents and was subject to them (Luke 2:51). It shows that Jesus had no intention of dishonouring His parents in any way, nor did He do this.

One Commentary observes as follows: “Pilgrims to the feast in Jerusalem usually travelled in a large party or caravan (Greek sunodia), since a person travelling by himself was in danger from bandits who could swoop down on lone travellers. The caravan was made up of many of Mary and Joseph’s friends and relatives from Galilee, and they naturally supposed that Jesus was somewhere in the crowd. No doubt when they camped for the night and Jesus was nowhere to be seen, they became alarmed. By this time they were probably 20 to 25 miles north of Jerusalem.”

We also have to remember that it was a different society in those days, and we often base our thoughts and ideas on our experience today. His parents thought that He was in the company (verse 43) which indicates a good number of people would be travelling together. They would have known immediately that He had been missing if they had been a family on their own.

It is was perfectly reasonable for Jesus to be listening to the teachers and asking them questions (Luke 2:46). The strange thing is perhaps, just judging from our point of view today, that Mary and Joseph did not keep a closer eye on Him. But in any event, it worked out for good and for a lesson to be gently given to His parents about His position and the Work that He was destined to do.

Based on all the evidence, we can conclude satisfactorily that Jesus was not disrespectful to His parents, nor did He dishonour them in any way.

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (Great Britain)

Preaching the Gospel and Feeding the Flock

The new member letter for September was sent out this week. It is also posted on the Web.

A new StandingWatch program was posted on the Web, titled, “Why Atheists Are Wrong.” In his new book, “The Grand Design,” Stephen Hawking claims that God did not create the universe, but that the universe created itself from nothing. How scientific is that concept? The world’s most notorious atheist, Antony Flew, converted to a belief in God’s creation of the universe, based on the scientific evidence. He claims that a contrary “faith” is “senseless.” The Bible agrees with him.

Norbert Link’s new video-recorded sermon, “To the Ephesians, Part 9,” has been posted on the Web.

A new German sermon was posted on the Web, discussing our preparation for Christ’s return. It is titled, “Vorbereitung auf Christi Kommen.”

A new German booklet was posted on our German Website (www.aufpostenstehen.de). It is titled, “Europa in der Prophezeiung” [“Europe in Prophecy”].

©2024 Church of the Eternal God