‎Theme for the month of July: "The School of the Marketplace.' ‎Wednesday Morning, July 1, 2026 ‎Topic: The Economics of Deliverance ‎Texts: Amos 5:14-15, 21-24, Psalm 50:7-13 and Matthew 8:28-34  ‎Memory Verse: Matthew 8:34 ‎Opening Prayer ‎Lord of True Valuation, I enter the marketplace this morning carrying the heavy, tangled priorities of my culture. I confess that my peace is too often tied to the predictability of my income, the stability of my career, and the preservation of my assets. Give me the courage today to welcome Your disruptive presence, even if it costs me my comfort. Teach me the terrifying mathematics of the Kingdom, where the salvation of a single soul is worth infinitely more than the profit of the herd. ‎Hymn ‎"Be Thou My Vision" ‎Introduction: The Disruption of the Ledger ‎Welcome to July, and welcome to the School of the Marketplace. We spend the vast majority of our waking hours navigating the treacherous waters of commerce, career progression, and financial survival. We want God to bless our ledgers, to stabilize our economies, and to give us a peaceful, profitable Wednesday. ‎But today’s Gospel narrative aggressively shatters the illusion of the safe, domestic Savior. Jesus steps onto the shores of the Gadarenes and is immediately met by two men possessed by an incredibly violent demonic force. To deliver these men, Jesus permits the demons to enter a massive herd of pigs, which immediately rushes down the steep bank into the sea and perishes. ‎Jesus secured a miraculous, unprecedented spiritual victory. Two hopeless, exiled men were completely restored to their right minds. Yet, what was the reaction of the town? Did they throw a festival? Did they worship? No. The text says the whole town came out and begged Jesus to leave their region. ‎Why? Because deliverance was bad for the local economy. The pigs represented their profit, their retirement accounts, and their economic stability. ‎As the sharp-minded apologist C.S. Lewis noted: ‎"We are not merely imperfect creatures who must be improved: we are, as Newman said, rebels who must lay down our arms. The first demand of the gospel is that we should realize the cost of our rebellion." ‎The Revelation Codex asks a searing question of you this morning: Do you only want Jesus in your home and your workplace when He is increasing your profit margin? What happens when His righteousness demands a financial loss? ‎Reflection: The Geography of the Profit ‎The Stench of the False Offering (Amos 5:21-24): In our first reading, God speaks through the prophet Amos to a wealthy, religious society, saying: "I hate, I despise your religious festivals... Away with the noise of your songs! But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" The people were keeping all the religious rules while engaging in corrupt business practices in the marketplace. ‎The Codex Mirror: You cannot use your morning devotion as a bribe to keep God from examining your Wednesday business ethics. Are there "pigs" in your career—compromised practices, subtle dishonesties, or investments of your time that are morally toxic—that you are fiercely protecting because they make you money? ‎The Plea of the Comfortable (Matthew 8:34): The townspeople preferred manageable demons over economic disruption. They knew the two demon-possessed men were violent, but they had learned to live around them. What terrified them more than the demons was the absolute, uncontainable authority of a God who cared nothing for their profit margins. ‎The Codex Mirror: When God disrupts our financial plans—a lost promotion, an unexpected expense, or a career shift required for our family’s health—our first instinct is to panic and beg Him to back away. We must stop mourning the loss of the herd when God is busy saving the household. ‎Life Application: The Valuation Shift ‎The Economic Audit: Examine your anxieties for today. Are you sacrificing the peace of your marriage or the spiritual health of your children in order to protect a specific financial goal or career trajectory? Identify the "herd" you are valuing over your soul. ‎The Posture of the Open Hand: As you log into your computer or walk into your workplace today, verbally declare: *"Lord, my income is subordinate to Your righteousness. If there is anything in my professional life that hinders my spiritual freedom, You have my permission to drive it out." ‎The REVELATION CODEX: Transcribing the Codex ‎Write the answers to these questions in your REVELATION CODEX Notebook, Phone or PC Notebook. Help yourself Give honest and sincere answers. ‎WHAT I HEAR (The Rhema Word): ‎(What specific financial fear or career idol is the Holy Spirit asking you to loosen your grip on this morning?) ‎WHAT I SEE (The Discernment): ‎(Where is the enemy tempting you to compromise your integrity or family time today just to protect your bottom line?) ‎WHAT I RECEIVE (The Impartation): (Receive the radical, uncompromising priority of the Kingdom. Secure your true valuation here.) ‎Conclusion ‎You are not defined by the size of your portfolio, and your ultimate security is not anchored in your employer's stability. Do not walk into your Wednesday afraid of losing what you cannot keep. You serve the Lord who values your spiritual freedom above every currency in the world. Step into the marketplace today with absolute integrity, trusting that the God who delivers is also the God who provides. ‎Closing Prayer ‎Father, I surrender my professional ambitions and my financial fears to You. Forgive me for the times I have preferred the quiet comfort of my compromises over the disruptive power of Your holiness. Give me a heart that rejoices in the deliverance of my family more than the increase of my wealth. Be the absolute Lord of my ledger today. Amen. ‎Shalom ‎09065125704 ‎Go and Win With God Now! ‎ ‎https://m.me/ch/AbapwI5clhD1NROD/?send_source=cm%3Acopy_invite_link ‎

Thank you, to all veterans for your service and sacrifice, the friends I have, that have served. Shane Willey, Scott wilhoit, Brian Macintosh, Rob Brimm, Gary plank, Mike Powers, Kenneth Bryant, Jacob Grove, Jim Griffin, Julia Fairchild, Jeffrey Sullivan, Jeanette Newman, And Ronnie Brandon. And a posthumous Thank you, to my Grandfather Robert Lewis Russell, my Uncle Robert Wayne Russell, my uncle James Bird, to anyone I didn't mention thank you as well. May God richly bless all of you. Happy Memorial Day.

A Little Light Reading. THE COMING ONE WORLD CHURCH. Gary Gibbs One Christmas, a rabbi from Russia vis- ited an American family as part of a cultural exchange program. His host family wanted to treat him to a new culinary experi- ence, so they took him out one evening to their favorite Chinese restaurant. After the meal, the Chinese waiter brought each of them a little ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 1 6/9/09 3:41:59 PM  Coming! One World Church Christmas gift. It was a small, brass Christmas tree ornament that was stamped with the words “Made in India.” They all laughed at the irony of receiving a “Made in India” gift from a Chinese restau- rant. But suddenly, everyone stopped chuck- ling when they noticed tears rolling down the rabbi’s cheeks. Had they offended him in some way? “Nyet,” the rabbi replied. “I was shed- ding tears of joy to be in a country in which a Buddhist gives a Jew a Christmas gift made by a Hindu.” 1 Such peaceful co-existence and affirma- tion doesn’t happen often between religious faiths. Even today, religious differences fre- quently escalate into fierce war. It’s no wonder that many people want to dismantle the reli- gious “Berlin Wall” that exists between faiths. In no other community is this truer than within Christianity. Even though all Christian churches profess faith in Jesus as the Son of God, they have not been able to find a way to form a single, united group. For near- ly two thousand years, doctrinal differences have splintered Christians into hundreds of ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 2 6/9/09 3:41:59 PM Coming! One World Church  independent denominations. But many within Christianity desire to reverse this. Foremost in the crusade for Christian reunification is the pope. During the last few years he has been doing all he can to pave the way for a single world church. Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls reports that the pope “is pushing hard on the accelerator toward unity.” 2 One of the road signs along the pope’s autobahn to unity are his confessions to non- Catholics. While conducting Mass in the Czech Republic, Pope John Paul II said, “Today, I, the pope of the church of Rome, in the name of all Catholics, ask forgiveness for the wrongs inflicted on non-Catholics during the turbu- lent history of these peoples.” 3 And this isn’t the only confession. He is also trying to bridge the gap between the Catholic and Orthodox churches. He says, “men of both sides were to blame” for the con- flict that erupted between their churches in the 11th century. 4 The pope’s confessions have found a favor- able response. Pennsylvania State University professor William Petersen remarks: “He’s ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 3 6/9/09 3:41:59 PM  Coming! One World Church bringing the church into the 20th century. You’ve had statements from the early popes that the Roman Church can never err.” 5 Pope John Paul II is not only making ver- bal overtures; he has also committed himself in print in three highly publicized works. In his letter “Orientale Lumen” (“The Light of the East”) he writes: “The sin of our separation is very serious. … How can we be fully credible if we stand divided?” “These divisions must give way to rapprochement and harmony. The wounds on the path of Christian unity must be healed.” 6 The twelfth encyclical of John Paul’s papacy is dedicated to the subject of Christian reunifi- cation and is appropriately entitled “Ut Unum Sint” (“May They All Be One”). The pope calls it his “contribution to this most noble goal,” which is “to increase the unity of all Christians until they reach full communion.” 7 And in his book Crossing the Threshold of Hope, John Paul says it is his desire to see Christian unity achieved within the next few years—before we reach the new millennium. “By the year 2000 we need to be more united, more willing to advance along the path toward ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 4 6/9/09 3:41:59 PM Coming! One World Church  the unity for which Christ prayed on the eve of His passion.” 8 Without question, a united Christian church is a very worthy goal. It was Jesus’ great burden just before He died. He prayed, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20, 21). While none should fault the pope for seek- ing unity, several questions must be carefully considered. What is the true source of disunity within the Christian church? One Vatican insider suggests, “The main obstacle is not doctrine, but history with all its prejudices.” 9 But is this an accurate evaluation? Do the differences stem merely from prejudice, or is it doctrinal? And, if it is doctrinal, which doctrines are in question? Furthermore, where Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox doctrines differ, which body will adjust their beliefs to appease the others? And most important of all, how does the Bible instruct God’s people to achieve true unity? ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 5 6/9/09 3:41:59 PM  Coming! One World Church The pope is already anticipating some of these questions. In “Ut Unum Sint,” he identifies five key doctrines that need further study before we “reach full communion”: the relationship of Scripture and tradition, the church’s authority, the ordination of priests, the sacrament of the Eucharist, and the role of the Virgin Mary. 10 While this is a good start, there are numerous other areas that must also be covered before unity of any degree can be reached. But for now, let’s briefly look at each of these five doctrines to see what the Catholic Church teaches and what must transpire if a united world church is ever to become more than a dream in the night. Scripture Versus Tradition Admiral Byrd, the famous explorer, knows death is only minutes away. He’s caught out- side in an unforgiving blizzard at the South Pole. Snow swirls around him like a dancing sheet. The temperature, well below zero, chills him to the bone. His limbs stiffen and threaten to freeze. The cold is painful. But all is not hopeless. He knows that he is within 100 yards of the warmth and security of ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 6 6/9/09 3:41:59 PM Coming! One World Church  his hut. But how to find the hut is the problem. Everywhere he looks there is the same snow and ice. White. Everything is white. There isn’t a single landmark. If only he could find one to use as a central reference point, then he could navigate to find the hut. But without it, he might head in the wrong direction to certain death. “A man can’t last long out here,” he thinks. Byrd knows there is no time for panic. Calmly he assesses the situation. In his hand is the 10-foot pole he always carries. It is his only chance. He sticks the pole in the snow and then ties his brightly colored scarf to it. Then he strikes out to find his hut, first in one direc- tion and then in another—but always keeping the pole with the waving scarf in sight. Three times he returns to the pole, and on the fourth excursion he discovers his hut and stumbles into its warmth. Our world is like trackless Antarctica in a blizzard. The devil blinds the minds of humanity “lest the light of the glorious gos- pel of Christ … should shine unto them” (2Corinthians 4:4). We are lost in sin, but there is a place of safety—heaven. It is out ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 7 6/9/09 3:41:59 PM  Coming! One World Church there. And it is not too far distant. That is, if a person can find the straight and narrow path that leads to it. Just how do we find this path? We need a reference point. We need an inerrant guide that can lead us through all the twists and turns and the ups and downs of life. But there is one danger. If the thing we use as our refer- ence point slips either to the left or to the right, then we are sure to stray and die. Catholic and Protestant churches have disputed the identity of this reference point for centuries. The Catholic Church teaches that the guide to heaven consists of the Bible and nearly two thousand years of church tra- dition. “We find the truths revealed by God in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. … Both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition are the inspired word of God, and both are forms of divine revelation.” 11 Protestants, however, believe the Bible alone must form the basis for faith and practice. In fact, this was a major issue in the Protestant split from the Catholic Church in the 15th cen- tury. John Wycliffe, John Huss, Jerome, Martin Luther, and many other Protestants began as ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 8 6/9/09 3:42:00 PM Coming! One World Church  faithful Catholics. But while in pursuit of a closer relationship with God they discovered the practices of their church often contradict- ed the clear teachings of the Bible. The ensuing conflict was more than a battle of ideologies. These men had tried to live by the authority of tradition and person- ally found it bankrupt. Luther had a tortured conscience. Painful penances and fastings threatened to rob him of life itself. He didn’t find peace until he discovered the plan of sal- vation clearly presented in the Bible as a gift to all who believe. Somehow the traditions of the church had obliterated this most vital truth. For centuries it taught that salvation could be had by penance, pilgrimage, and payment. Salvation by faith as the free gift of God had been completely forgotten. Clearly tradition and Scripture were at odds—a fact that was not lost on the Protestants. A fact for which Luther was willing to die. In Worms, Germany, Luther stood before an august assembly of bishops, prelates, priests, and noble men to answer for his strange “new” doctrine of salvation as a free gift to those who accept Christ as their Savior. When commanded ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 9 6/9/09 3:42:00 PM 10 Coming! One World Church to renounce his “heretical” teachings, he said, at peril to his life, “Unless I am refuted and convicted by testimonies of the Scriptures or by clear arguments (since I believe neither the pope nor the councils alone, it being evident that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am conquered by the Holy Scriptures quoted by me, and my conscience is bound in the Word of God. I can not and will not recant anything, since it is unsafe and dan- gerous to do anything against the conscience. Here I stand. God help me.” 12 Tradition or Scripture. Luther had drawn the Mason-Dixon line for the Protestant Reformation. In 1545, the Catholic Church finally con- vened the Council of Trent in Austria to answer the questions raised by the Protestants. What will it be, tradition or Scripture? The answer came near the conclusion of the meetings. “Finally, at the last opening on the eighteenth of January, 1562, all hesitancy was set aside. The archbishop of Reggio made a speech in which he openly declared that tradition stood above Scripture. The authority of the church could not therefore be bound to the authority of the Scriptures.” 13 ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 10 6/9/09 3:42:00 PM Coming! One World Church 11 Like a sledgehammer striking a wedge in a block of dry wood, a split was created that has never been mended. But now, nearly four hundred and fifty years later, the pope is call- ing for reunification. And he accurately states that this issue of Scripture versus tradition must be resolved. So what is correct? Is it Scripture and tra- dition, or Scripture alone? Certainly the best source for an objective answer to this dilemma is the Word of God itself. What does the Bible say about tradition? It teaches several things. First, traditions that are in harmony with God’s Word are to be respected. “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle” (2 Thessalonians 2:15). Secondly, not all traditions are pleasing to God. “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. … Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition” (Mark 7:7–9). Traditions that replace God’s commandments are vain worship. They reveal contempt for God’s authority. ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 11 6/9/09 3:42:00 PM 12 Coming! One World Church Lastly, God has promised to rid His church of unscriptural traditions. “Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.” “Every plant, which my heav- enly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up” (Matthew 15:6, 13). We cannot depend upon the traditions of men. They are often an erring guide. And not surprisingly so. Humans are erring. Even while trying our best, we make mistakes of mam- moth proportion. For centuries Protestant churches have claimed that Catholicism follows numerous unscriptural traditions. Is this charge accurate? If you are a Catholic, this question is doubly important. You love God and desire to please Him. But fellow believers say that many of your church’s doctrines are not found in the Bible. Your pope also acknowledges that this is a serious issue that needs study. And he says it must be resolved if we are to answer Jesus’ prayer for unity among Christians. Therefore, you will want to ask your- self this very important question. Does the Catholic Church really have many unscriptur- al traditions? Yes, unfortunately it does. This ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 12 6/9/09 3:42:00 PM Coming! One World Church 13 may be hard to accept, but it is true. Cardinal John Henry Newman made this candid admis- sion: “The use of temples, and these dedicated to particular saints, and ornamented on occa- sions with branches of trees; incense, lamps, and candles; votive offerings on recovery from illness; holy water; asylums; holy days and seasons, use of calendars, processions, bless- ings on the fields; sacerdotal vestments, the tonsure, the ring in marriage, turning to the east, images at a later date, perhaps the ecclesi- astical chant, and the Kyrie Eleison … are all of pagan origin, and sanctified by their adoption into the Church” (emphasis mine). 14 Many Catholic doctrines are of pagan origin and are not found in the Bible. But, wait. Catholics need not feel that this is an unkind thrust against them. This is not just a Catholic issue. Protestants also hold many unscriptural traditions that contradict clear teachings of the Bible. This fact has not been missed by some Catholics. Notice the following Catholic challenge to Protestants to be consistent with their “Scripture alone” maxim. “The Bible does not contain all the teachings of the Christian ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 13 6/9/09 3:42:00 PM 14 Coming! One World Church religion, nor does it formulate all the duties of its members. Take, for example, the matter of Sunday observance, the attendance at divine services and the abstention from unnecessary servile work on that day, a matter upon which our Protestant neighbors have for many years laid great emphasis. Let me address myself to my dear non-Catholic reader: “You believe that the Bible alone is a safe guide in religious matters. You also believe that one of the fundamental duties enjoined upon you by your Christian faith is that of Sunday observance. But where does the Bible speak of such an obligation? I have read the Bible from the first verse of Genesis to the last verse of Revelation, and have found no reference to the duty of sanctifying the Sunday. The day men- tioned in the Bible is not the Sunday, the first day of the week but the Saturday, the last day of the week. “It was the Apostolic Church [i.e. Catholic Church] which … changed the observance to the Sunday. … In observing the Sunday as you do, is it not apparent that you are really acknowledging the insufficiency of ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 14 6/9/09 3:42:00 PM Coming! One World Church 15 the Bible alone as a rule of faith and reli- gious conduct, and proclaiming the need of a divinely established teaching author- ity which in theory you deny?” 15 John A. O’Brien’s logic is glaringly accu- rate. If Protestants are going to insist that Catholics return to the Bible, then they must do the same. And back to the Bible we all must go—Catholics and Protestants. God’s Word is the only true founda- tion for consensus of faith. Catholics must stop defending their position that tradition and Scripture are of equal authority. And Protestants must surrender their unscriptural traditions and truly live by “every word” of God (Matthew 4:4). We should all keep the Bible’s Saturday Sabbath along with every other teaching of God’s Word. Only as we Christians are honest with God’s truth can we hope to positively impact an unbelieving world for eternal good. Church Authority India has a problem. They worship rats. And their worship is literally consuming them. Tens of thousands of rats overrun certain ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 15 6/9/09 3:42:00 PM 16 Coming! One World Church cities. They race across floors; feasting on anything they can sink their teeth into. Rats are especially revered and worshipped at the temple of Karni Mata. Here the furry critters leap onto the platform where food is placed for them. They eat while the priest serenades them with hymns and plays cymbals. These well-cared-for rats reproduce prolifically. And few Indians will kill them, fearing that in so doing they will kill their god’s companion. But the rats have introduced something worse than more rats. They’ve brought the plague. Hundreds have died as a result. But since the Indians won’t kill the varmints, the plague continues to spread. The issue of what we worship is crucial in all cultures. This is why the Catholic posi- tion on the authority of the Church and pope is so sensitive with non-Catholics. Catholic catechisms teach that church authority refers to the infallibility of the pope. “When the pope in his official capacity, with the fullness of his authority, as successor of St. Peter and head of the church on earth, proclaims a doctrine of faith or morals binding on the whole Church, he is preserved from error. It is to be noted that ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 16 6/9/09 3:42:00 PM Coming! One World Church 17 three conditions are required: (1) The pope must speak ex cathedra, i.e., from the Chair of Peter in his official capacity; (2) The deci- sion must be binding on the whole Church; (3) It must be on a matter of faith or morals” (emphasis mine). 16 These infallible doctrines of the pope are “certainly true and binding in conscience on all the faithful.” 17 So what should we believe regarding the pope’s authority? Catholics and Protestants must turn to the Bible to form their opin- ions. Here we’ll find that Scripture teaches no human is infallible. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Even those who have been specially called to holy service are fallible. History is an eloquent witness to the foibles of church leaders, includ- ing popes. The apostle Peter himself fell into sin numerous times (see Matthew 16:21–23; Luke 22:54–62; and Galatians 2:11–14). Now, the church must have leaders. But every thing they teach as truth must be tested by Scripture. The Bible never teaches that spir- itual leaders have periods where they speak ex cathedra. There is no special chair or office from which they can proclaim infallible truth. ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 17 6/9/09 3:42:00 PM 18 Coming! One World Church But the Bible does tell us to test our leaders by the Word. The believers in Berea were com- mended for being “more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they … searched the scriptures daily” to see if Paul’s teachings were in accord with God’s Word (Acts 17:10, 11). The Bible also warns us against spiritual leaders who are used by Satan to lead many astray. “Of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away dis- ciples after them” (Acts 20:30). Infallibility is a dangerous doctrine. If we ascribe it to any man, we make ourselves very vulnerable to deception. Therefore, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). How are we to “try the spirits?” Isaiah 8:20 says, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” They are to be tested by the Bible. When Paul warned the church to beware of leaders who introduce erroneous teachings, he said to test them by the Word. “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 18 6/9/09 3:42:01 PM Coming! One World Church 19 to build you up, and to give you an inheri- tance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32 emphasis mine). We can be safe only as we test every declaration of truth by God’s Word. Now the pope may be a good man with noble intentions. Nevertheless, all that he says and advocates must be tested by the Holy Bible. No human has carte blanche infallibility. For centuries, popes have claimed infallibility as direct successors of Peter, who they believe was the first pope. But according to Scripture, Peter was not established as a pope. He wasn’t even the leader of the early church councils— James was (see Acts 15:1–22). Another problem with the papacy is that it runs counter to God’s truth. Popes have great power. People bow before them. They confess their sins to them. Popes live amid great pomp, splendor, and riches. They have been some of the most powerful men who have ever lived. But when one studies the Bible for examples of men of God, we find a much humbler model. Our Lord Himself taught that those who desire rich robes and to sit in high places are not fol- lowing Him (Matthew 23:1–12). ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 19 6/9/09 3:42:01 PM 20 Coming! One World Church Clearly, the Bible never claims for church leaders what the papacy claims for itself. The papacy, therefore, is an unbiblical position. If consensus of faith is to be achieved, then all Christians will need to get back to the Bible. The claims made regarding the powers and rights of the papacy will need to be officially renounced. The pomp and splendor should also be traded for Jesus’ example of humility. The pope has indicated he is willing to explore some change in the function of the papacy. While not promising to surrender his ultimate authority over the church, he has said that he would seek “to find a way of exercising the primacy which, while in no way renounc- ing what is essential to its mission, is nonethe- less open to a new situation.” 18 What possible new situation could the Vatican be considering? The president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Unity of Christians has suggested that the pope may act as a mediator in religious disputes. Unfortunately, it seems the pontiff is only considering not insisting that Protestants accept the doctrine of papal infallibility. What he will settle for is to be the final mediator in ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 20 6/9/09 3:42:01 PM Coming! One World Church 21 doctrinal disputes between Christians. But this is still unacceptable to those who desire to take their faith from the Bible. No single human can claim the power to be the final word on doctrine and morals. Every believer must study the Scriptures for himself to determine what God would have him do. When there is a controverted point of doc- trine, the question can come to an assembly of representatives of the church for their humble study of God’s Word to see what Scripture truly teaches. Many minds working together to find God’s will is always a lot safer than one man being in charge of determining truth. But even in religious assemblies, we see the weakness of man. Many Christian con- vocations have made declarations that run counter to Bible truth. What should believers do in such cases? They should follow what the Bible teaches. Many American Catholics are already following their own convictions to some degree. Catholicism officially teaches that nearly all forms of birth control are sin. But most American Catholics disagree. Thereby they too deny the absolute, infallible authority of the pope. ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 21 6/9/09 3:42:01 PM 22 Coming! One World Church The authority of the church is a crucial question, and the pope is correct in tagging it for discussion. But until he reverses the supremacy and primacy of the papacy, apostol- ic succession, and the authority of the church to be the sole interpreter of Scripture, no unity can be achieved with those believers who want to remain true to the Bible. Christianity cannot unite around a fallible human, no matter how noble a person he may be. Only as we humbly submit ourselves to God and His Word will we be able to come together. The Ordination of Priests We now come to the third doctrine iden- tified by Pope John Paul II. What does the Catholic Church teach about the ordina- tion of priests? Official Catholic teaching is that priests are ordained to have the power to forgive sins. 19 Some American Catholics may disagree with this representation. They may be honestly unaware of this doctrine. Nevertheless, it is true. Here are a few excerpts from official Catholic sources. “An authorized priest … [says] the words ‘I absolve you from your sins.’ … All bishops ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 22 6/9/09 3:42:01 PM Coming! One World Church 23 and priests have the power to forgive sins or absolve sins.” 20 “Who has the power to forgive sin today? All bishops and priests of the Catholic Church can forgive sin. … What do you have to do to have your sins forgiven? You have to be truly sorry for them and confess them to a Catholic priest.” 21 Sometimes American Catholics defend the confessional by comparing it to going to a counselor or psychologist. They claim the priest does not actually forgive sins, but simply plays the role of a counselor. However, when the pope speaks about priests, he refers to the official Catholic posi- tion and not the “corrupted,” Americanized version. The Church tries to make its official teaching clear in its catechisms. “Does the priest merely pray that your sins will be for- given? No, acting as God’s instrument and ordained minister, he truly forgives the sins.” 22 “This is not a mere ritual repetition or psy- chological exercise.’’ 23 “Does the priest really forgive your sins? … the priest really forgives your sins. The priest does not merely ‘pray away’ your sins.” 24 ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 23 6/9/09 3:42:01 PM 24 Coming! One World Church This Catholic teaching is based on John 20:23: “Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained.” A correct under- standing of this verse requires reading the context. Before telling the disciples about the remission of sins, Jesus said, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” The dis- ciples were to go to the world in a way similar to which Jesus was sent to our world. How did the Father send Jesus to our world? Jesus said, “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak” (John 12:49). “I do noth- ing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things” (John 8:28). “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38). Jesus was sent not to speak His own words or teach His own doctrine or to do His own will. He came to speak the Father’s word and will and sent His disciples to do the same. Like an ambassador, the disciples were to tell others about the will and word of the Person they represented. “God … hath given to us ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 24 6/9/09 3:42:01 PM Coming! One World Church 25 the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye recon- ciled to God” (2Corinthians 5:18–20, empha- sis mine). Notice that the power to actually forgive sins was not given to the disciples as priests, but only the word of reconciliation as ambassadors. Ministers and believers can only pass on the word of truth that Jesus has recon- ciled the sinner to Himself if they will confess and believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ. We have the right to invite and urge people in behalf of Jesus to come to Him. But the actual ability to read the heart and to grant forgive- ness is something only the Almighty can do. So how is it that “whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained”? Whenever an unbe- liever does not accept a believer’s call to repen- tance, then we have caused them to retain their sins. “To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (1 James 4:17). “If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 25 6/9/09 3:42:01 PM 26 Coming! One World Church ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth” (John 9:41). Sin remains and is retained when a sinner has encountered truth and has refused to repent and accept it. So when the disciples took truth to people and they refused to accept it, their sins were retained. “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak [margin: excuse] for their sin” (John 15:22). “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city” (Matthew 10:14, 15). On the other hand, if people accept the good news of sal- vation in Christ, then their sins are forgiven by God. Man is on dangerous ground when he tries to usurp God’s prerogatives. No one should ever say the words used by the priests in the Catholic sacrament of penance: “I absolve you from your sins.” Only God can forgive sin. “Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone” (Luke 5:21)? “Blasphemy,” ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 26 6/9/09 3:42:01 PM Coming! One World Church 27 the Bible calls it. Strong language we would do well to remember! Sin requires the death penalty be paid. Whenever we sin and confess to God, Jesus applies the blood of His death on the cross to our account. He alone can read the heart and apply the blood accordingly. We do not have this power. We don’t know if a person is truly sincere and desirous of transformation. We misjudge others all the time. There is a danger in accepting humans as our mediators with God. God regards only one Mediator. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1Timothy 2:5). For humans to take the place of this Mediator is presumptu- ous. This is trying to take the place of Jesus and God. And no good Catholic or Protestant Christian wants this to happen. One cannot find any indication within the biblical record that the apostles exercised the authority supposedly conferred upon them to forgive sins. They certainly would have done it if they had understood Jesus’ words in the manner the Catholic Church teaches. Neither does the Bible refer to the Catholic Church’s ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 27 6/9/09 3:42:01 PM 28 Coming! One World Church confessional. There is no record of sinners going to the apostles to confess their sins and receive forgiveness. Yet, we do read numerous instances of the disciples directing people to God for forgiveness. “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22, emphasis mine). Associated with the ordination of the priest is celibacy. According to the Catholic catechism, “The basis for clerical celibacy is the example of Christ and His apostles.” 25 Does the Bible really teach that priests are to remain unmarried and celibate for life? Admittedly, Jesus was celibate. But He did not command this for all who should follow Him in ministry. He called Peter to be an apostle, and Peter was married. “[Peter’s] wife’s mother lay sick of a fever” (Mark 1:30). Although it is recommended for those who choose it, celibacy is not a requirement for ministry. Jesus says that there are those who “have made themselves eunuchs for the king- dom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it” (Matthew 19:12). The apostle Paul highly recommended celibacy. ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 28 6/9/09 3:42:02 PM Coming! One World Church 29 He saw it as an opportunity to care only for the things of God (1Corinthians 7:32). But he also says this is his opinion and not a direct command from God. “I speak this by permission, and not of commandment” (1Corinthians 7:6). Furthermore, Paul did not forbid marriage. “If thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned” (1Corinthians 7:28). The Catholic position is not as flexible as that of Paul. “By Church law a Catholic priest in the western Church is obligated to live a life of celibacy [no marriage].” 26 The dilemma the pope finds himself in is that he forbids that which God clearly permits. Many Catholics, recognizing this, are trying to get their church to change this teaching. But the pope has indi- cated it will not change. A church in Georgia once installed chimes to play hymns over a loudspeaker for the townspeople to hear during supper. Every evening the chimes faithfully played their sweet music. But a nearby turkey farmer was not soothed by the sound. It seemed that the chimes disturbed his turkeys during their evening feeding. The birds just wouldn’t eat ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 29 6/9/09 3:42:02 PM 30 Coming! One World Church while the music played, and they were not get- ting fat for the market. Discussions between the farmer and church deteriorated. Pretty soon things became quite ugly. The farmer tried to silence the loudspeaker on the steeple by shooting it. In retaliation church mem- bers sneaked into the turkey pens at night, spooking the birds and giving them one more reason not to eat. Only after the birds had a complete nervous breakdown and the church steeple was peppered with bullet holes did the two parties finally come to an agreement that met both their needs. The church played the chimes at a different hour and the farmer called a cease-fire. 27 Resolving doctrinal differences does not need to become a shouting match and cer- tainly not a shooting match. Both the pope and Protestants agree that the Catholic doctrine of the ordination of priests must be resolved. And it must be done in light of Bible truth. Teachings regarding the priest’s ability to forgive sins, apostolic succession, and celibacy will need to be radically changed to come into harmony with the Bible. This is the only wise thing to do if we are to answer Jesus’ prayer for Christian unity. ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 30 6/9/09 3:42:02 PM Coming! One World Church 31 The Eucharist Four children were born to a family in Amman, Jordan. Each birth certificate said the child was a girl. And for 13 years the fam- ily believed this. But when the oldest child reached puberty, “she” started revealing male characteristics. The teenage “girl” grew facial hair, her voice broke, and she developed a male physique. Doctors examining Mohammed diagnosed him with a rare genetic defect that left him appearing to be female when in reality he was male. Apparently, during his development in the womb his male organs never descended. Mohammed’s three younger siblings were also diagnosed with the same defect. Fortunately, all the children were successfully operated on and are now males. The day of their transformation was one of great celebra- tion. The girls, now turned boys, cut their long hair, removed their jewelry, and wore boys’ pajamas. And their jubilant grandmother Fatima Netasha said, “I had six granddaugh- ters and two grandsons, and now I have six grandsons and two granddaughters. I thank God and the doctor.” 28 ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 31 6/9/09 3:42:02 PM 32 Coming! One World Church Sometimes things aren’t as they appear. This is what is at the heart of the contro- versy over the Eucharist, or the Lord’s Supper. Protestants view the bread and grape juice as symbols of Jesus’ body and blood. But accord- ing to Catholic teaching the bread and wine aren’t what they appear to be—mere bread and wine. Instead, they are literally the real body, blood, and person of Jesus. Official Catholic teaching is unambigu- ous. “The Eucharist is a sacrament which real- ly, truly, and substantially contains the body and blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and wine.” 29 “After consecration, this sign contains the whole Christ, his body and blood, his soul and divinity.” 30 “Christ is present in the Eucharist … with all his physical properties, hands and feet and head and human heart. He is present with his human soul, with his thoughts, desires, and human affections.” 31 Another difference between Catholic and Protestant beliefs is that of relevance. Protestants view the service as a holy ritu- al in which people voluntarily participate. However, the Catholic Church teaches that ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 32 6/9/09 3:42:02 PM Coming! One World Church 33 “The Eucharist is necessary for salvation.” 32 This is because of their view that the benefits of the cross can be had only by partaking of Jesus’ “literal” body as found in the bread. Follow this to its logical conclusion. The only bread that can be Jesus’ body is bread that has had the special prayer and bless- ing of the Catholic priest. No priest means no changing of the bread into the body of Christ. No body of Christ means no salva- tion. A Protestant pastor cannot do what the Catholic priest can with the bread. Only the priest has the power conferred upon him to command God to come down from heaven and enter the bread. Therefore, if people are going to be saved, they must go to a Catholic Church to receive the Eucharist. Furthermore, in order to receive the Eucharist they must first become a Catholic. “The person who is receiving instructions in preparation for full membership in the Catholic Church should participate in the Mass but may not receive Holy Communion.” 33 What did Jesus mean when He said in Matthew 26:26–28, “Take, eat; this is my body. … Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood”? ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 33 6/9/09 3:42:02 PM 34 Coming! One World Church Did He really mean that His literal body and blood were present in the bread and wine? The disciples knew this wasn’t what He referred to. They had heard Him speak like this before. Jesus once said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. … Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you” (John 6:51–53). On that day, many who listened inter- preted Jesus’ words very literally. They thought He advocated salvation by cannibalism. They were shocked. Jesus knew their thoughts, so He clarified what He meant. “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Jesus says His life is contained in His words. To eat His Word means to read and meditate upon its meaning. When we apply Jesus’ teachings to our life, then we’ve truly eaten His Word. The Catholic teaching of the Eucharist misses this point. Instead, what Jesus intends to be spiritual is taken literally. ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 34 6/9/09 3:42:02 PM Coming! One World Church 35 Another controverted point regarding the Eucharist concerns the wine. In the Catholic communion service, only the priests drink it. This teaching came into the Church at the Council of Constance, a.d. 1414–1418, and is not taught in God’s Word. When Jesus took the cup, He gave it to all those present, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me” (1Corinthians 11:25 emphasis mine; See also Matthew 26:27,28). The blessing of this service is for every believer, not just priests. Yes, the pope is right again. The Eucharist needs to be studied. Imagine what blessings can come to Christianity if we all return to Bible truth. United on the clear teachings of God’s Word, we can be a powerful witness to unbelievers. But before unity can be reached, we must also resolve another doctrinal dif- ference the pope said must be resolved—the Virgin Mary. The Virgin Mary The Lawrence Welk Show had its televi- sion premier in 1955 and launched Welk into becoming what Life magazine called “the most ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 35 6/9/09 3:42:02 PM 36 Coming! One World Church popular musician in U.S. history.” But things weren’t always so rosy for Lawrence Welk. Once, after playing his accordion for a dance, he overheard one of the band members remark, “Did you get a load of that accordionist? If I had to play every night with him, I’d go back to jerking sodas.” 34 At the time, it appeared Welk might be a failure, but he continued to play and finally landed his television show. Though many would rate him as an average musician, 40 million people tuned in to his program faithfully every Saturday night. Quite a large following for an ordinary musician! To many Christians, Mary, though extremely blessed to be the mother of Jesus, was still just an ordinary human. In the Catholic Church, however, she “is honored and loved second only to God Himself.” 35 Because the pope is well aware that this reverence for Mary is a major block in the road to unity, he has put it on the list for discussion. And Protestants have some very good reasons to raise objec- tions to this Catholic belief. The Bible is very clear that Jesus is our Savior. No other person can atone for our sins. So to God alone should we pray. It is Jesus ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 36 6/9/09 3:42:02 PM Coming! One World Church 37 “who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Romans 8:34). Yet, Catholic catechisms contain numerous prayers to Mary pleading for her to make intercession for our sins. The very popular Hail Mary prayer says, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.” 36 The Hail Holy Queen prayer addresses Mary as mankind’s advocate. “Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears! Turn, then most gracious Advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. … O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, o holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.”37 The Bible, however, says that there is no advocate for man other than Jesus. “We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1John 2:1). The second problem with the Catholic doctrine of Mary is called the Immaculate Conception. This teaches that Mary was ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 37 6/9/09 3:42:02 PM 38 Coming! One World Church “conceived without sin.” 38 “Not only was she free from the slightest stain of actual sin, but by a singular miracle of divine grace she was free also from original sin, with which all the other children of Adam are born into this world. It was eminently fitting that she … should be undefiled by even that slight shadow of Adam’s fall. To her alone, among all the members of the race, was granted this singular immunity … the Immaculate Conception [refers] … to the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother without the stain of original sin.” 39 Unfortunately, this teaching finds no sup- port in the Bible. It was only recently pro- claimed as a dogma of the Catholic faith in 1854. 40 The Bible unequivocally declares that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Only one person ever lived a life of perfect sinlessness—Jesus. He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). So why does the Catholic Church teach that Mary never sinned? Simply because if Jesus was sinless, then they feel that His mother had to be sinless. But it is a mistake to assume that just because Jesus’ mother was ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 38 6/9/09 3:42:02 PM Coming! One World Church 39 a sinner, He had to be born a sinner. You see, Jesus received from His mother a body “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (Romans 8:3). But He received from His Father a divine spirit and mind. Jesus’ body, degraded by the effects of four thousand years of sin, did not control His actions or sully His character. Though His sinful flesh provided a launching pad for temptation, His divine nature recoiled from it. He chose not to heed temptation’s slightest whisper. Therefore, He was without sin. If Jesus had been born of a sinless mother, then He couldn’t be the sympathizing Savior that He is. It is because He did receive “the likeness of sinful flesh” from Mary that He is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Hebrews 4:15). He is our Mediator and heav- enly Priest by virtue of this very fact. He under- stands us because He was tempted from His flesh. “Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:17,18). ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 39 6/9/09 3:42:03 PM 40 Coming! One World Church The Immaculate Conception veils the compassion of Jesus. This is why Mary is often prayed to as a mediator and interces- sor. Catholic catechisms portray her as one who understands our weaknesses better than Christ. “She is our Mother, near and dear to us, loving us with all the warmth of a mother’s love. As the little child frightened by the shadows of night finds safety in his mother’s arms, so will we in time of temptation find a safe refuge by fleeing to the outstretched arms of Mary our Mother. If we will but clasp the loving hand of our Mother, stretched out to aid us in every danger, our uncertain foot- steps will be guided safely to that golden lad- der upon whose rungs we will climb step by step, to the very throne of her Son and Savior, Jesus Christ.” 41 The Catholic teaching of the Assumption of Mary is another area of concern. This declares that Mary was taken to heaven before her body decomposed in the grave. “It was eminently fitting that the body of the chaste and Immaculate Mother of God was not per- mitted to undergo disintegration and putrefac- tion but was assumed into heaven.” 42 ComingOneWorldChurch.indd 40 6/9/09 3:42:03 PM Coming! One World Church 41 Given the burial process in Bible days, this would have had to happen very soon after her death. Four days after Lazarus’ death, his sis- ters expected his dead body would be decom- posed. “By this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days” (John 11:39). Therefore, according to Catholic teaching, for Mary not to “undergo disintegration and putrefaction” we must conclude she was taken to heaven within four days. Again the Bible does not teach this. It is a new doctrine of the Catholic Church. “This belief … was formally defined as a dogma of the Universal Church by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950.” 43 Instead, the Bible declares that all who die go to the grave to sleep in the dust until the return of Christ. “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2; see also Ecclesiastes 9:5,10; Psalms 146:4; 13:3). Catholics need to re-examine their doc- trines c

THE TRUE ORIGIN OF EASTER By David C. Pack Easter is a worldwide tradition involving many customs that people believe to be Christian. What is the origin of Lent and sunrise services? How did rabbits, eggs and hot cross buns become associated with Christ’s Resurrection? Is Easter mentioned in the Bible? Did the apostles and early Church keep it? The answers will shock you! Most people follow along as they have been taught, assuming that what they believe and do is right. They take their beliefs for granted. Most do not take time to prove why they do the things that they do. Why do you believe what you believe? Where did you get your beliefs? Is the source of your religious beliefs the Bible—or some other authority? If you say the Bible, are you sure? What about Easter? Since hundreds of millions keep it, supposedly in honor of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection, then certainly the Bible must have much to say about it. Surely there are numerous verses mentioning rabbits, eggs and egg hunts, baskets of candy, hot cross buns, Lent, Good Friday and sunrise services—not to mention Easter itself. Easter requires close scrutiny and this booklet examines it carefully. Bible Authority for Easter? Notice Acts 12:1. King Herod began to persecute the Church, culminating in the brutal death of the apostle James by sword. This pleased the Jews so much that the apostle Peter was also taken prisoner by Herod. The plan was to later deliver him to the Jews. Verse 3 says, “Then were the days of unleavened bread.” The New Testament Church was observing these feast days described in Leviticus 23. Now read verse 4: “And when he [Herod] had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions [sixteen] of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.” Is this Bible authority for Easter? This passage is not talking about Easter. How do we know? The word translated Easter is the Greek word pascha (derived from the Hebrew word pesach; there is no original Greek word for Passover), and it has only one meaning. It always means Passover—it can never mean Easter! For this reason, we find a Hebrew word used in the Greek New Testament. Once again, this Hebrew word can only refer to Passover. And other translations, including the Revised Standard Version, correctly render this word Passover. Instead of endorsing Easter, this verse really proves that the Church was still observing the supposedly Jewish Passover ten years after the death of Christ! Now let’s go to the other scriptures authorizing Easter. This presents a problem. There are none! There are absolutely no verses, anywhere in the Bible, that authorize or endorse the keeping of Easter celebration! The Bible says nothing about Lent, eggs and egg hunts, baskets of candy, etc., although it does mention hot cross buns and sunrise services as abominations, which God condemns. We will examine them and learn why. The mistranslation of Acts 12:4 is a not-so-subtle attempt to insert a pagan festival into scripture for the purpose of authorizing it. We will examine the Passover more closely later. A Brief Look at Passover The well-known Old Testament Passover story centers on God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt through ten miraculous plagues. These included how the death angel would “pass over” all the houses where the Israelites lived. They were instructed to put blood over their doorposts to ensure that only the firstborn of Egypt would die. In this first Passover, it was only the blood of the slain lamb that protected each Israelite home. While Egypt suffered the plague of death, the Israelite firstborn were delivered by blood. By obeying God’s command and by faith in His promise to protect them, they were spared from death. The Passover account is found in Exodus 12:12-14. Verse 14 states that the Passover ceremony was commanded by God to be an annual memorial feast to be kept by Israel “forever.” (This command is repeated in Leviticus 23:5.) Exodus 12:15 introduces the seven-day festival called the Days of Unleavened Bread (also repeated in Leviticus 23:6-8), which was to immediately follow the Passover feast each year. This is why Acts 12:3 states, “Then were the days of unleavened bread,” before mentioning the Passover in the next verse. These days were always kept in conjunction with one another. What About the New Testament? If the Passover was instituted forever, then New Testament instruction for its observance should be clear. This instruction is found in I Corinthians 5:7-8: “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast [of unleavened bread, which always followed Passover, as explained above]…” Christ, as the Lamb of God (John 1:29; Acts 8:32; I Peter 1:19; Rev. 5:6), replaced the Old Testament lamb eaten on Passover evening each year. The New Testament symbols of the bread and wine were instituted so that Christians could eat the body and drink the blood of Christ, the true Lamb of God. Jesus’ sacrifice replaced the need to kill a spring lamb. Luke 22:19 shows that Jesus substituted the bread and wine to be taken annually in commemoration of His sacrifice for the remission of our sins—both spiritual and physical. Early Christians kept the Passover, not Easter. Notice this from the Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th edit., Vol. 8, p. 828: “There is no indication of the observance of the Easter festival in the New Testament, or in the writings of the Apostolic Fathers…The first Christians continued to observe the Jewish festivals [God’s festivals of Leviticus 23], though in a new spirit, as commemorations of events which those festivals had foreshadowed. Thus the Passover, with a new conception added to it, of Christ as the true Paschal Lamb…continued to be observed.” The original apostles and early New Testament Church did not observe Easter. Notice: “In the second century AD, Easter Day was, among Christians in Asia Minor [these would be the Gentile churches that Paul raised up in places such as Philippi, Colossae, Galatia, etc.—and he warned the Galatians (4:9-10) about taking days such as Easter] the 14th of Nisan [or Abib] the seventh month of the [civil] Jewish calendar” (World Almanac, 1968 edit., p. 187). The date described here is not Easter Day, but rather the Passover—which was kept on the 14th day of the first month (Nisan) of the sacred calendar. The apostles and early Church did not observe Easter! Despite the overwhelming proof that God’s Holy Days, as listed in Leviticus 23, are still to be kept by Christians today (Acts 2:1; 12:3; 18:21; 20:6, 16; I Cor. 5:7-8; 16:8), almost no one who claims to believe in the God of the Bible keeps them! Almost no one who professes to worship Jesus Christ observes the Passover as He commanded! Why? Since instruction to observe Easter is not in the Bible, and God’s permanent command to keep Passover is, then where did Easter originate? After surveying the origin of Passover, we are ready to study the origin of Easter. When Easter Came to America Easter has long been known to be a pagan festival! America’s founders knew this! A children’s book about the holiday, Easter Parade: Welcome Sweet Spring Time!, by Steve Englehart, p. 4, states, “When the Puritans came to North America, they regarded the celebration of Easter—and the celebration of Christmas—with suspicion. They knew that pagans had celebrated the return of spring long before Christians celebrated Easter…for the first two hundred years of European life in North America, only a few states, mostly in the South, paid much attention to Easter.” Not until after the Civil War did Americans begin celebrating this holiday: “Easter first became an American tradition in the 1870s” (p. 5). Remarkable! The original 13 colonies of America began as a “Christian” nation, with the cry of “No king but King Jesus!” The nation did not observe Easter within an entire century of its founding. What happened to change this? Where Did Easter Come From? Does the following sound familiar?—Spring is in the air! Flowers and bunnies decorate the home. Father helps the children paint beautiful designs on eggs dyed in various colors. These eggs, which will later be hidden and searched for, are placed into lovely, seasonal baskets. The wonderful aroma of the hot cross buns mother is baking in the oven waft through the house. Forty days of abstaining from special foods will finally end the next day. The whole family picks out their Sunday best to wear to the next morning’s sunrise worship service to celebrate the savior’s resurrection and the renewal of life. Everyone looks forward to a succulent ham with all the trimmings. It will be a thrilling day. After all, it is one of the most important religious holidays of the year. Easter, right? No! This is a description of an ancient Babylonian family—2,000 years before Christ—honoring the resurrection of their god, Tammuz, who was brought back from the underworld by his mother/wife, Ishtar (after whom the festival was named). As Ishtar was actually pronounced “Easter” in most Semitic dialects, it could be said that the event portrayed here is, in a sense, Easter. Of course, the occasion could easily have been a Phrygian family honoring Attis and Cybele, or perhaps a Phoenician family worshipping Adonis and Astarte. Also fitting the description well would be a heretic Israelite family honoring the Canaanite Baal and Ashtoreth. Or this depiction could just as easily represent any number of other immoral, pagan fertility celebrations of death and resurrection—including the modern Easter celebration as it has come to us through the Anglo-Saxon fertility rites of the goddess Eostre or Ostara. These are all the same festivals, separated only by time and culture. If Easter is not found in the Bible, then where did it come from? The vast majority of ecclesiastical and secular historians agree that the name of Easter and the traditions surrounding it are deeply rooted in pagan religion. Now notice the following powerful quotes that demonstrate more about the true origin of how the modern Easter celebration got its name: “Since Bede the Venerable (De ratione temporum 1:5) the origin of the term for the feast of Christ’s Resurrection has been popularly considered to be from the Anglo-Saxon Eastre, a goddess of spring…the Old High German plural for dawn, eostarun; whence has come the German Ostern, and our English Easter” (The New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967, Vol. 5, p. 6). “The fact that vernal festivals were general among pagan peoples no doubt had much to do with the form assumed by the Eastern festival in the Christian churches. The English term Easter is of pagan origin” (Albert Henry Newman, D.D., LL.D., A Manual of Church History, p. 299). “On this greatest of Christian festivals, several survivals occur of ancient heathen ceremonies. To begin with, the name itself is not Christian but pagan. Ostara was the Anglo-Saxon Goddess of Spring” (Ethel L. Urlin, Festival, Holy Days, and Saints Days, p. 73). “Easter—the name Easter comes to us from Ostera or Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, for whom a spring festival was held annually, as it is from this pagan festival that some of our Easter customs have come” (Hazeltine, p. 53). “In Babylonia…the goddess of spring was called Ishtar. She was identified with the planet Venus, which, because…[it] rises before the Sun…or sets after it…appears to love the light [this means Venus loves the sun-god]…In Phoenecia, she became Astarte; in Greece, Eostre [related to the Greek word Eos: “dawn”], and in Germany, Ostara [this comes from the German word Ost: “east,” which is the direction of dawn]” (Englehart, p. 4). As we have seen, many names are interchangeable for the more well-known Easter. Pagans typically used many different names for the same god or goddess. Nimrod, the Bible figure who built the city of Babylon (Gen. 10:8), is an example. He was worshipped as Saturn, Vulcan, Kronos, Baal, Tammuz, Molech and others, but he was always the same god—the fire or sun god universally worshipped in nearly every ancient culture. (Read our free booklet The True Origin of Christmas to learn more about this holiday and Nimrod’s role in its early history.) The goddess Easter was no different. She was one goddess with many names—the goddess of fertility, worshipped in spring when all life was being renewed. The widely-known historian, Will Durant, in his famous and respected work, Story of Civilization, pp. 235, 244-245, writes, “Ishtar [Astarte to the Greeks, Ashtoreth to the Jews], interests us not only as analogue of the Egyptian Isis and prototype of the Grecian Aphrodite and the Roman Venus, but as the formal beneficiary of one of the strangest of Babylonian customs…known to us chiefly from a famous page in Herodotus: Every native woman is obliged, once in her life, to sit in the temple of Venus [Easter], and have intercourse with some stranger.” We must now look closer at the origin of other customs associated with the modern Easter celebration. The Origin of Lent According to Johannes Cassianus, who wrote in the fifth century, “Howbeit you should know, that as long as the primitive church retained its perfection unbroken, this observance of Lent did not exist” (First Conference Abbot Theonas, chapter 30). There is neither biblical nor historical record of Christ, the apostles or the early Church participating in the Lenten season. Since there is no instruction to observe Lent in the Bible, where did it come from? A forty-day abstinence period was anciently observed in honor of the pagan gods Osiris, Adonis and Tammuz (John Landseer, Sabaean Researches, pp. 111, 112). Alexander Hislops, The Two Babylons, pp. 104-105, says this of the origin of Lent: “The forty days abstinence of Lent was directly borrowed from the worshippers of the Babylonian goddess. Such a Lent of forty days, in the spring of the year, is still observed by the Yezidis or Pagan Devil-worshippers of Koordistan, who have inherited it from their early masters, the Babylonians. Such a Lent of forty days was held in spring by the Pagan Mexicans…Such a Lent of forty days was observed in Egypt…” Lent came from paganism, not from the Bible! (To learn more about the Lenten season, read our article “The True Meaning of Lent.”) Eggs, Egg Hunts and Easter Eggs have always been associated with the Easter celebration. Nearly every culture in the modern world has a long tradition of coloring eggs in beautiful and different ways. I once examined a traveling display of many kinds of beautifully decorated egg designs that represented the styles and traditions of virtually every country of modern Europe. Notice the following: “The origin of the Easter egg is based on the fertility lore of the Indo-European races…The egg to them was a symbol of spring…In Christian times the egg had bestowed upon it a religious interpretation, becoming a symbol of the rock tomb out of which Christ emerged to the new life of His resurrection” (Francis X. Weiser, Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs, p. 233). This is a direct example of exactly how pagan symbols and customs are “Christianized,” i.e., Christian-sounding names are superimposed over pagan customs. This is done to deceive—as well as make people feel better about why they are following a custom that is not in the Bible. Notice: “Around the Christian observance of Easter…folk customs have collected, many of which have been handed down from the ancient ceremonial…symbolism of European and Middle Eastern pagan spring festivals…for example, eggs…have been very prominent as symbols of new life and resurrection” (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1991 ed., Vol. 4, p. 333). Finally, the following comes from Egyptian Belief and Modern Thought, James Bonwick, pp. 211-212: “Eggs were hung up in the Egyptian temples. Bunsen calls attention to the mundane egg, the emblem of generative life, proceeding from the mouth of the great god of Egypt. The mystic egg of Babylon, hatching the Venus Ishtar, fell from heaven to the Euphrates. Dyed eggs were sacred Easter offerings in Egypt, as they are still in China and Europe. Easter, or spring, was the season of birth, terrestrial and celestial.” What could be more plain in showing the true origin of the “Easter egg”? An “Easter” egg is just an egg that pertains to Easter. God never authorized Passover eggs or Days of Unleavened Bread eggs, but there have been Easter eggs for thousands of years! It naturally progressed that the egg, representing spring and fertility, would be merged into an already pagan springtime festival. Connecting this symbol to Christ’s Resurrection in the spring required much creativity and human reasoning. However, even highly creative human reasoning has never been able to successfully connect the next Easter symbol to anything Christian, because there is not a single word about it anywhere in the New Testament! The Easter Bunny Here are two additional quotes from Francis Weiser about the origin of the “Easter bunny”: “In Germany and Austria little nests containing eggs, pastry and candy are placed in hidden spots, and the children believe that the Easter bunny, so popular in this country, too, had laid the eggs and brought the candy” (p. 235) and “The Easter bunny had its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore…The Easter bunny has never had religious symbolism bestowed on its festive usage…However, the bunny has acquired a cherished role in the celebration of Easter as the legendary producer of Easter eggs for children in many countries” (p. 236). Here is further proof of the origin of Easter eggs and rabbits. It demonstrates how no one has ever been able to connect the Easter bunny to anything Christian, let alone to the Bible: “The Easter bunny is not a true Christian symbol” (John Bradner, Symbols of Church Seasons and Days, p. 52), and “Although adopted in a number of Christian cultures, the Easter bunny has never received any specific Christian interpretation” (Mirsea Eliade, The Encyclopedia of Religion, p. 558). None of this will stop scores of millions of professing Christians from decorating their lawns and houses with Easter bunnies each spring. Consider this last quote: “The hare, the symbol of fertility in ancient Egypt, a symbol that was kept later in Europe…Its place has been taken by the Easter rabbit” (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1991 ed., Vol. 4, p. 333). Even in modern times, rabbits have remained common symbols of fertility. While their rapid rate of reproduction is well known, another problem arises with rabbits—they do not lay eggs! While both are clearly fertility symbols, there is no logical way to connect them. In a world filled with pagan tradition, truth and logic can be lost. Merging these symbols with Christianity makes an already idolatrous practice worse. There is nothing Christian about any of these symbols. The true history of these fertility symbols, rabbits and eggs, is completely unknown to all the unsuspecting children who have been led by adults to think them so special. The entire concept that these are Christian is a lie foisted on innocent children who will believe that “the moon is made of cheese” just because someone tells them so. While these are shocking facts, they are true nonetheless. A Counterfeit Savior? One of the central themes of the New Testament is that Jesus Christ came to die for mankind’s sins and offer redemption to a world cut off from God. The master counterfeiter (Satan the devil, called the “god of this world” in II Cor. 4:4) seeks to counterfeit every aspect of God’s plan. He “deceives the whole world” (Rev. 12:9). As the arch-deceiver, he would not be content to counterfeit all other aspects of Christianity but not the identity and worship of the true Savior! Who is the real “savior” central to the “Easter Sunday” tradition? Is it the Jesus Christ of the Bible? If you say “yes,” are you sure? History answers this question plainly, with this: First notice that “…the conception of a Saviour-God was quite normal in the ancient pagan world…a conception of salvation underlies the notion of such Gods as Osiris, Attis, and Adonis…” (John M. Robertson, Christianity and Mythology, p. 395). And then this: “It has often been urged that this belief in the Resurrection of Jesus is due to ideas of divine resurrection current in the contemporary world…stories of Attis, Adonis, and Osiris…In the pagan stories the rising again is a joyous reversal of defeat; in the Christian story it is the complement of victorious death. It may be said that Attis and Osiris saved by rising again, Jesus by dying…the Easter observance did not arise at once out of belief in the Resurrection, but developed later by gradual stages out of the Jewish Pasch. The notion implied in the Easter greeting Christ is risen is a secondary development; the idea comes from this festival and from its occurrence in spring; the festival does not come from the idea. The idea of Christ’s resurrection was injected into the old practice of Easter observance and not the other way around” (A. Nock, Early Gentile Christianity and its Hellenistic Background, pp. 105-107). And, finally, the powerful theme of this oft-repeated counterfeit is made most clear by the famous historian, James George Frazer: “Now the death and resurrection of Attis were officially celebrated at Rome on the 24th and 25th of March, the latter being regarded as the spring equinox, and…according to an ancient and widespread tradition Christ suffered on the 25th of March…the tradition which placed the death of Christ on the 25th of March…is all the more remarkable because astronomical considerations prove that it can have had no historical foundation…When we remember that the festival of St. George in April has replaced the ancient pagan festival of the Parilia; that the festival of St. John the Baptist in June has succeeded to a heathen Midsummer festival of water; that the festival of the Assumption of the Virgin in August has ousted the festival of Diana; that the feast of All Souls [following Halloween] in November is a continuation of an old heathen feast of the dead; and that the Nativity of Christ himself was assigned to the winter solstice in December because that day was deemed the Nativity of the Sun; we can hardly be thought to be rash or unreasonable in conjecturing that the other cardinal festival of the Christian church—the solemnization of Easter—may have been in like manner, and from like motives of edification, adapted to a similar celebration of the Phrygian god Attis at the vernal equinox…It is a remarkable coincidence…that the Christian and the heathen festivals of the divine death and resurrection should have been solemnized at the same season…It is difficult to regard the coincidence as purely accidental” (The Golden Bough, Vol. I, pp. 306-309). We can summarize the above source. The Roman Catholic Church had a practice of incorporating pagan festivals—of pasting “Christian” names over them and calling them “Christian.” This was done to make “Christianity” more palatable and familiar to heathen worshippers, whom the Church was trying to attract. How did such a state of affairs develop? It can now be better understood why the apostle Paul wrote the Corinthians to beware of the subtle deceit of “another Jesus whom we have not preached.” He said, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted…” (II Cor. 11:3-4). People today can think that they are worshipping the true Savior when they are really worshipping a false savior—another Jesus! The entirety of traditional Christianity is actually worshipping Baal, the mediator and sun god, who was named after his “wife” Ishtar (who was actually his mother Semiramis)—who we will later see is the one the Bible calls the “Queen of Heaven.” People can worship in ways that represent things that are far different than what they sincerely believe or intend. Consider the following classic example. Sunrise Services Sunrise services are mentioned in the Bible. But what God says about this custom is not what you expect. Notice these astonishing verses. The prophet Ezekiel was being shown, in vision, an important prophecy concerning the sins of God’s people in our time. The entire context of these verses needs to be examined carefully to understand the heightening condemnation toward which God builds in His conclusion: “…Turn you yet again, and you shall see greater abominations that they do…and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz…And He brought me into the inner court of the Lord’s house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. Then He said unto me, Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing…that they commit the abominations which they commit here? For they…have returned to provoke Me to anger…Therefore will I also deal in fury: Mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in Mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them” (Ezek. 8:13-18). Observing sunrise services is serious to God! He so hates this vile practice that He will ultimately destroy all who persist in it (Ezek. 9)! It is no “light thing” to God that many millions do this every Easter! It may seem “beautiful,” “religious,” and “deeply moving” to those participating in it, but God has forbidden His true people to devise their own religious customs and ideas. He is not interested in what people may personally feel or think is right. He is interested in those who care about what He thinks! As far as God is concerned, ancient sun worship, dressed up in Easter finery and bonnets, is just modern packaging of a very old, idolatrous pagan custom. Consider God’s own words in Deuteronomy 12:28-32 (NKJ): “Observe and obey all these words which I command you…When…you…dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them…and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods…Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.” God tells Christians to never mix what is godly with what is pagan—or the true with the false! Do not let men tell you that what God says makes no difference. It does! Hot Cross Buns When I was in the first grade, all the children in my class had to sing a solo of his or her choice. I will never forget this terrifying moment. I was so embarrassed and nervous that I picked the shortest song in our little songbook, “Hot Cross Buns,” and sang it before the class. Of course, I had no idea what I was singing. Though short (it was only fifteen words), I have never forgotten the lesson of its meaning. Notice Jeremiah 7:18: “The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.” The cakes offered to the queen of heaven were these same hot cross buns that millions of children sing about today (Alexander Hislop, The Two Babylons, p. 107). What seems so innocent is not innocent at all. Who is the “queen of heaven”? Ashtaroth—The Queen of Heaven Astarte (Easter)-worship was always associated with the worship of Baal or sun worship. Astarte was Baal’s wife. Notice that another name for Astarte was Ashtaroth. The following quote makes this point clear: “What means the term Easter itself? It is not a Christian name. It bears its Chaldean origin on its very forehead. Easter is nothing else than Astarte, one of the titles of Beltis, the queen of heaven…Now, the Assyrian goddess, or Astarte, is identified with Semiramis by Athenagoras (Legatio, vol. ii. p. 179), and by Lucian (De Dea Syria, vol iii. p. 382)…Now, no name could more exactly picture forth the character of Semiramis, as queen of Babylon, than the name of ‘Asht-tart,’ for that just means ‘The woman that made towers’…Ashturit, then…is obviously the same as the Hebrew ‘Ashtoreth’” (Alexander Hislop, The Two Babylons, pp. 103, 307-308). Notice this conclusive quote from Microsoft Encarta Multimedia Encyclopedia: “Ishtar was the Great Mother, the goddess of fertility and the queen of heaven.” So, in actuality, Ashtaroth (Ishtar) was Nimrod’s harlotrous, mother/wife widow, Semiramis, as many other ancient historians attest! Easter is now established as none other than the Ashtaroth of the Bible! We can now examine the scriptures that show how God views the worship of this pagan goddess—by any name! God Calls Easter Evil Now that we know that Easter is the goddess Ashtaroth, we need to look into the Bible and see what God thinks of her. Look at this verse: “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord…And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth [Easter]” (Jdg. 2:11, 13). The context shows that God allowed His people to be taken from their land into captivity as a result of this sin! It continues, explaining how God delivered His people over and over again through a series of judges. After each deliverance, Israel returned to the same false gods, which in turn brought another captivity, via conquest by the nations around them. They never seemed to learn, as verse 19 makes clear: “And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves…in following other gods…and…they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.” In chapter 10, verse 6, Israel repeats this pattern of stubbornness. And God, just as stubbornly, still calls it evil. Baal and Ashtaroth worship reappeared during Samuel’s time. Samuel told Israel, “…put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve Him only…Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only” (I Sam. 7:3-4). Later, in I Samuel 12:10-11, Samuel publicly recounted Israel’s history to them. He reminded them that they continually returned to obeying God, only to fall backwards into idolatry again and again! It has been said that “The only thing man has learned from history is that no one learns from history.” George Santayana took it further, saying, “Those who do not learn the lesson of history are doomed to repeat it.” This lesson describes ancient Israel—but it also describes today’s modern world. Because Israel could not stay on track, they were eventually taken into captivity, becoming lost to history! One more time of captivity and punishment is foretold to happen again soon. One Final Example The Bible states that King Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. Yet, he made a mistake that God considered so great that, after his death, He punished Solomon by removing the kingdom from his son. His mistake? He married a woman who led him into the worship of Easter (Ashtaroth). Notice I Kings 11:4-6: “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods…For Solomon went after Ashtaroth the goddess of the Zidonians…And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father.” Verses 11-12 demonstrate that the kingdom was taken from his son. Two Churches: The Great Switch There are two completely different churches pictured in the New Testament. One, the true Church that Jesus built, is described as the bride of Christ, forsaking involvements with this world and its customs in order to be pure when He comes for her. But, throughout the New Testament, it was prophesied that false teachers would creep in and gain control of the church organization. True Christians would have to flee from many of their original congregations to continue to obey God. They would, therefore, be a “little flock,” often scattered, never having political power in this world. The world has kept little track of this small, scattered, persecuted Church, but Christ promised that He would never leave or forsake it and that “the gates of hell [the grave] shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). Though it has periodically had to scatter for its life (Acts 8:1; Dan. 12:7), Christ has faithfully kept His promise to remain with it, empowering and strengthening it through His Spirit. Despite continual persecution—even during periods of great martyrdom by the large popular churches that have always sought to destroy it—a remnant has always remained throughout the last nearly 2,000 years. It has continued to “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12). God has always commanded His Church not to keep pagan festivals! This little Church has been willing to obey Him. The inset 12th chapter of Revelation gives a brief overview of its history, including God’s promise to protect it through future, horrific world punishment. Paul warned the Thessalonian congregation, “…the mystery of iniquity [lawlessness] does already work” (II Thes. 2:7). This mystery was already having an influence within the true Church just twenty years after Christ established it in 31 AD. It was the very Chaldean Mystery, embodied in Christmas and Easter—its two greatest festivals! Invariably, the arrival of these false pagan celebrations required true Christians to flee. It is this same pattern at work that has caused this booklet to have to be written. Since the death of Herbert W. Armstrong (the leader of the Church of God from 1934 to 1986), the prophesied “falling away” (the Greek word apostasia here means “to defect from truth”) before the Return of Christ (II Thes. 2:1-3) has now occurred. Many of Mr. Armstrong’s writings are no longer available and all have been rewritten by The Restored Church of God. Thus, the previously described true Church organization joined the other church of this world that is founded on lawlessness. Gradually, this church, centered at Rome, adopted more and more pagan doctrines and practices until the only discernible difference between it and pagan religion was its use of the name of Jesus Christ. This is how Easter came to be celebrated in place of the true Christian Passover. The entire false religious system of today masquerades under the banner of “Christianity.” All of its organizations have adopted pagan practices. The Quartodeciman Controversy: From Passover to Easter What does history say about how and when the idolatrous pagan festival of Easter came to replace the Passover service ordained by God? A series of extensive quotes tell this story—commonly referred to as the “Quartodeciman Controversy.” Several sources are quoted so that the story of how the counterfeit Easter came to replace Passover will be perfectly clear. This problem—Passover versus Easter—became so pivotal, as a test of the power of the great church that wished to stamp out the “little flock,” that eventually disobedience brought the death sentence upon any who continued to keep either God’s Sabbath or His true festivals. Make no mistake! Whether one keeps God’s Passover or celebrates the pagan Easter is serious! First notice the following by Eusebius (a well-known historian of the early Church) from his work, Ecclesiastical History, Book V, chapters XXIII and XXIV: “A question of no small importance arose at that time. For the parishes of all Asia, as from an older tradition, held that the fourteenth day of the moon, on which day the Jews were commanded to sacrifice the lamb, should be observed as the feast of the Saviour’s passover…the bishops of Asia, led by Polycrates, decided to hold to the old custom handed down to them. He himself, in a letter which he addressed to Victor and the church of Rome, set forth in the following words the tradition which had come down to him: “We observe the exact day; neither adding, nor taking away. For in Asia also great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again on the day of the Lord’s coming, when he shall come with glory from heaven, and shall seek out all the saints. Among these are Philip, one of the twelve apostles…and, moreover, John, who was both a witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord…and Polycarp in Smyrna, who was a bishop and martyr; and Thraseas, bishop and martyr from Eumenia…the bishop and martyr Sagaris…the blessed Papirius, or Melito…All these observed the fourteenth day of the passover according to the Gospel, deviating in no respect, but following the rule of faith.” The 1967 New Catholic Encyclopedia states, “Quartodeciman, a term used to describe the practice in the early Church of celebrating Easter on the 14th of Nisan (die quarta decima), the day of the Jewish Passover (Ex. 12:6). Quartodecimanism, prevalent in Asia Minor and Syria in the 2nd century, emphasized the death of Christ, the true Paschal victim (Jn. 18:28; 19:42), while Roman practice emphasized the observance of Sunday as the day of the Resurrection. Implicit in these two positions is the disputed chronology of Holy Week. As Christianity separated from Judaism, gentile Christians objected to observing the principal Christian feasts on the same day as the Jewish Passover. “Roman efforts to induce the Quartodecimans to abandon their practice were unsuccessful. On a visit to Rome (c. 155), St. Polycarp of Smyrna amicably discussed the question with Pope Anicetus without, however, reaching agreement. Pope Victor (189-198) sought unity through a series of synods held in both East and West; all accepted the Roman practice except the Asiatic bishops. When Victor attempted coercion by excommunication, St. Irenaeus of Lyons intervened to restore peace (Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 5.23-25). During the 3rd century Quartodecimanism waned; it persisted in some Asiatic communities down to the 5th century” (Vol. 12, p. 13). The following very lengthy statement from the Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, well summarizes and details the story of how Easter slowly came to replace the Passover by AD 325 within visible, organized “Christianity”: “Although the observance of Easter was at a very early period in the practice of the Christian Church [false], a serious difference as to the day for its observance soon arose between the [true] Christians of Jewish and those of Gentile decent, which led to a long and bitter controversy…The Jewish Christians…(observed) the 14th day of the moon at evening…without regard to the day of the week. The Gentile Christians (Roman Catholics)…identified the first day of the week with the resurrection, and kept the preceding Friday as the commemoration of the crucifixion, irrespective of the day of the month. “Generally speaking, the Western Churches (Roman Catholic) kept Easter on the 1st day of the week, while the Eastern Churches [including the remnant of the true Church] followed the Jewish rule [the true Christian Passover]. “Polycarp, the disciple of John the Evangelist (last of the 12 apostles), and bishop of Smyrna, visited Rome in 159 (sic) to confer with Anicetus, the bishop of that see, on the subject, and urged the tradition which he had received from the apostles of observing the 14th day. Anicetus, however, declined. About forty years later (197), the question was discussed in a very different spirit between Victor, bishop of Rome, and Polycrates, metropolitan of proconsular Asia. That province [embracing churches founded through the apostle Paul, like Antioch and all of those identified in Revelation 2 and 3 as the true Church] was the only portion of Christendom which still adhered to the Jewish usage. Victor demanded that all should adopt the usage prevailing at Rome. This Polycrates firmly refused to agree to, and urged many weighty reasons to the contrary, whereupon Victor proceeded to excommunicate Polycrates and the Christians who continued the [correct] Eastern usage. He was, however, restrained (by counsel from other bishops) from actually proceeding to enforce the decree of excommunication…and the Asiatic churches retained their usage unmolested. We find the Jewish usage (the true New Testament Passover) from time to time reasserting itself after this, but it never prevailed to any large extent. “A final settlement of the dispute was one among the other reasons which led Constantine [Roman Emperor] to summon the council at Nicaea in 325. At that time the Syrians and Antiochenes were the solitary champions of the observance of the 14th day. The decision of the council was unanimous that Easter was to be kept on Sunday, and on the same Sunday throughout the world, and that none hereafter should follow the blindness of the Jews. [Or, in other words, no one was allowed to follow the example of Christ and the true Church He founded!]…The FEW who afterwards separated themselves from the unity of the [politically organized] church, and continued to keep the 14th day, were named Quartodecimani [from the Latin word for 14], and the dispute itself is known as the Quartodeciman controversy” (Vol. VIII, pp. 828-829). This is a very powerful quote making absolutely plain the full story of what happened and how it happened. History records that Polycarp was martyred on the way back from Rome (burned to death in a farmhouse), just days after his meeting with Anicetus over the issue of keeping Passover or Easter. He was almost certainly killed because he would not compromise regarding the proper keeping of the Passover. The 1967 New Catholic Encyclopedia states this: “Occasionally, the Quartodecimans celebrated Easter on the day that other Christians were observing Good Friday. Originally both observances were allowed, but gradually it was felt incongruous that Christians should celebrate Easter on a Jewish feast, and unity in celebrating the principal Christian feast was called for” (Vol. 5, p. 8). Now read this quote from the same source, concluding the matter of how the Council of Nicea “decided,” for all, the matter of Easter versus Passover: “As for Easter, the Fathers decreed (1) that all Christians should observe it on the same day, (2) that Jewish customs should not be followed, and (3) that the practice of the West, of Egypt, and of other Churches should remain in force, namely, of celebrating Easter on the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox” (Vol. 5, p. 433). The 1909 edition of The Catholic Encyclopedia says, “After the Pope’s strong measures the Quarterdecimans seemed to have gradually dwindled away. Origen in the “Philosophumena” (VIII, xviii) seems to regard them as a mere handful of wrong-headed nonconformists. SECOND PHASE—The second stage of the Easter controversy centers around the Council of Nicaea [AD 325] granting that the great Easter festival was always to be held on a Sunday, and was not to be coincident with a particular phase of the moon, which might occur on any day of the week” (Vol. 5, p. 228). The truth is that the Passover was always tied directly to the moon, regardless of the day of the week on which it fell! (The word month is derived from moon.) The 14th day of Nisan (Abib) was God’s instruction (Exodus 12:1-6)—not the nearest Sunday to this or any other date. This same edition of The Catholic Encyclopedia, when describing the final decision at Nicaea in AD 325, quotes the words of the Emperor Constantine, writing to all the churches: “At this meeting the question concerning the most holy day of Easter was discussed, and it was resolved by the united judgment of all present that this feast ought to be kept by all and in every place on one and the same day…And first of all it appeared an unworthy thing that in the celebration of this most holy feast we should follow the practice of the Jews, who have impiously defiled their hands with enormous sin…for we have received from our Saviour a different way [this is false because Christ did not ever instruct “a different way”]…And I myself have undertaken that this decision should meet with the approval of your Sagacities in the hope that your Wisdoms will gladly admit that practice which is observed at once in the city of Rome and in Africa, throughout Italy and in Egypt…with entire unity of judgment.” (Vol. 5, p. 228). Finally, this same source continues a few paragraphs later with, “The final decision always lay with accepted ecclesiastical authority…was primarily a matter of ecclesiastical discipline and not astronomical science” (p. 229). These two short phrases make it clear that church authority at Rome, and not God’s Word, determined whether Easter or the Passover would be kept. Only the “few” remained faithful to the truth—and it has always been this way. Eventually, as the false pagan church grew in political influence, the death penalty was imposed on anyone found keeping God’s seventh-day Sabbath or His other Festivals, such as the Passover. True Christians have always had to flee to wherever they could continue keeping God’s commandments and truths. (Read our free book Where Is the True Church? – and Its Incredible History!.) Throughout the centuries, though ignored and persecuted by the world, these same Christians (a single true Church of God) have always held to and kept the truth of God on this vital doctrinal point—as well as many other true biblical doctrines! The Passover Was Commanded We have already seen that God never instructed, but rather actually commanded against, keeping Easter. It has always been His purpose that the Passover should be kept once a year—forever. The early portions of this booklet briefly discussed the New Testament instruction to keep the Passover through the newly instituted symbols of the bread and wine. The New Testament Passover also includes an ordinance of humility called the footwashing. This instruction is found in John 13:2-15 and was commanded by Christ to be taught to all who would learn God’s doctrines. Christ commanded His disciples, “Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them…Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20). This instruction includes the Passover, with the footwashing and the symbols of the bread and wine. It also includes keeping the Days of Unleavened Bread and the rest of God’s annual feast days. If you are determined to no longer participate in this world’s Easter tradition, then The Restored Church of God can help you learn what is entailed in keeping God’s New Testament Passover service. What Will You Do? Can Easter be kept “in honor of Christ”? Some may say, “Okay, I know Easter comes from paganism—but I’m not pagan! I celebrate it in honor of Christ. I focus on Him.” Because God knew that Israel would feel this way when they encountered the religious customs of pagan nations, and would try to use false customs to honor the true God, He gave the instruction in Deuteronomy 12:28-32. God always commanded that people worship Him exactly as He instructed! So did Christ. Jesus told the Pharisees, “Thus have you made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition…in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:6, 9). Mark’s parallel account adds an important element: “Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition” (7:9). These verses have clear application to those who reject the Passover that they may keep pagan Easter. Hundreds of millions keep the rank idolatrous pagan feast known as Easter, believing themselves to be honoring Jesus Christ! Most are in complete ignorance of what they are doing. God’s answer to all is “…the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30)! From Easter Back to the Passover The following is from the conclusion of Herbert W. Armstrong’s booklet The Plain Truth About EASTER. It follows a brief overview of the importance of keeping God’s Passover instead of pagan Easter: “We need to return to the faith once delivered. Let us humbly and obediently observe this sacred ordinance [Passover] as we are commanded, at the scriptural time, after sunset, the 14th of Abib [Nisan] according to the Sacred Calendar.”

THE STORY BEHIND THE HYMNS. THE STORY BEHIND "PRAISE TO THE HOLIEST IN THE HEIGHT" ✝️ “Praise to the Holiest in the Height” is one of the most profound hymns in Christian worship, written by John Henry Newman in the 19th century. Newman, a brilliant theologian, scholar, and later a Catholic cardinal, originally wrote the hymn in 1865 as part of a longer poem titled “The Dream of Gerontius.” The Dream of Gerontius is a dramatic poem that tells the spiritual journey of a soul from death to judgment before God. Within this narrative, “Praise to the Holiest in the Height” appears as a chorus sung by angels, praising God’s wisdom and mercy in the salvation of humanity. The hymn celebrates the mystery of God’s plan for redemption, how divine love works through sacrifice, grace, and the life of Christ to bring salvation to the world. Its opening line echoes the song of the angels in Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest,” reflecting a heavenly perspective on God’s greatness. Due to its majestic language and deep theology, the hymn quickly became beloved in both Anglican and Catholic traditions. It is often sung to the tune “Gerontius” by John Bacchus Dykes, whose music captures the hymn’s triumphant and reverent tone. More than a century later, “Praise to the Holiest in the Height” remains a hymn of awe, reverence, and celebration, reminding believers that in every circumstance, whether in the heights of joy or the depths of struggle, God’s wisdom and ways are always worthy of praise.

BIBLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS # 69 Section 7- Coming Events and Signs. CHAPTER 69, Signs of the Times. 1. For what did Christ reprove the Pharisees and Sadducees? "O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" Matt. 16:3. 2. What sign had been foretold by the prophet Isaiah by which Christ, at His first advent, might be known as the Messiah? "Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel." Isa. 7:14. For fulfillment, see Matt. 1:22,23. 3. Where had the prophet said Christ should he born? "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel." Micah 5:2. For fulfillment, see Matt. 2:1. 4. What prophet had foretold Christ's ride into Jerusalem? "Rejoice greatly, 0 daughter of Zion; shout, 0 daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King comes unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." Zech. 9:9. For fulfillment, see Matt. 21:4,5. 5. What question did the disciples ask Christ concerning His second coming? "And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?" Matt. 24:3. 6. How, according to Luke, did Christ answer this question? "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things Which are coming on the earth." Luke 21:25,26. 7. What, according to Matthew's account, did Christ say were to he the signs in the sun, moon, and stars? "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven." Matt. 24:29. 8. In what language had some of the Old Testament prophets already foretold these signs? "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and he terrible day of the Lord come." Joel 2:30,31. "The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining." Joel 3:15. "For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine." Isa. 13:10. "I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in a clear day." Amos 8:9. 9. When were the sun and moon darkened? May 19, 1780. NOTES.- "The nineteenth of May, 1780 was a remarkably dark day. Candles were lighted in many houses. The birds were silent, and disappeared. The fowls retired to roost. It was the general opinion that the day of judgment was at hand. The legislature of Connecticut was in session at Hartford, but being unable to transact business, adjourned."-President Dwight, in "Historical Collections." "In some places persons could not see to read common print in the open air for several hours together. Birds sang their evening songs, disappeared, and became silent the barnyard; and candles were lighted in the silent; fowls went to roost; cattle sought the barnyard and candles were lit in the houses. The obscuration began about ten o'clock in the morning, and continued until the middle of the next night, but with differences of degree and duration in different places. The true causes of this remarkable phenomenon are not known." Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, edition 1883, page 1604, in article "The Dark Day." Herschel, the great astronomer, says: "The dark day in Northern America was one of those wonderful phenomena of nature which will always be read with interest, but which philosophy is at a loss to explain." The darkness was not caused by any eclipse of the sun by the moon, for it was full moon only the night before, and consequently the moon was on the opposite side of the earth from the sun. "The darkness of the following evening was probably as deep and dense as ever had been observed since the Almighty first gave birth to light; it wanted only palpability to render it as extraordinary as that which overspread the land of Egypt in the days of Moses. If every luminous body in the universe had been shrouded in impenetrable shades, or struck out of existence, it was thought the darkness could not have been more complete. A sheet of white paper, held within a few inches of the eyes, was equally invisible with the blackest velvet." - "Our First Century," by R. M. Devins, Page 94. The darkness of the night was as supernatural as that of the previous day, from the fact, as stated by Dr. Adams, that "the moon had fulled the day before." 10. When was there a remarkable display of falling stars? November 13, 1833. NOTES. The celebrated astronomer and meteorologist, Professor Olmsted, of Yale College, says: "Those who were so fortunate as to witness the exhibition of shooting stars on the morning of November 13, 1833, probably saw the greatest display of celestial fireworks that has ever been since the creation of the world, or at least within the annals covered by the pages of history. . . . The extent of the shower of 1833 was such as to cover no inconsiderable part of the earth's surface, from the middle of the Atlantic on the east to the Pacific on the west; and from the northern coast of South America to undefined regions among the British possessions on the north the exhibition was visible, and everywhere presented nearly the same appearance." "At Niagara the exhibition was especially brilliant, and probably no spectacle so terribly grand and sublime was ever before beheld by man as that of the firmament descending in fiery torrents over the dark and roaring cataract."-The American Encyclopedia, edition 1881, article "Meteor." Upon reading a statement that modern fireworks excel this greatest exhibition of shooting stars, Mr. Clarkson, father of the former editors of the paper from which the following quotation is made, and himself agricultural editor of it, said: "The writer of that sentence did not witness the glorious meteoric shower of November, 1833, when the display was so much superior to any artistic display of fireworks that neither language nor any element in nature can furnish comparisons. The comparison of the sheet-iron thunder of the theatres to the electric display of Providence when the heavens are all on fire, and the earth trembles would be tolerable. But the awful grandeur of the display on the night of the thirteenth of November, 1833, which made the stoutest heart stand in awe, and the most defiant infidel quake with fear, is never to he compared with the most brilliant fireworks. Those who witnessed the meteoric shower named saw the greatest display that man ever will see until the day that Peter speaks of when the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. The agricultural editor of the Register was out alone with a team and load of lumber all night on that never-to-be forgotten night. And he cannot now consent to hear of human fireworks being superior to that most grand and sublime spectacle ever before or since beheld by man. Patent fireworks are no nearer this wonderful phenomenon than a lightning-bug is equal to the Sun." -Iowa State Register, July 12, 1889. Frederick A. Douglas, in his book "My Bondage and My Freedom," page 186, says: "I witnessed this gorgeous spectacle, and was struck with awe. The air seemed filled with bright descending messengers from the sky. It was about daybreak when I saw this sublime scene. It was not without the suggestion at that moment that it might be the harbinger of the coming of the Son of man; and in my state of mind I was prepared to hail Him as my friend and deliverer. I had read that the stars shall fall from heaven, and they were now falling." A single star appeared to the wise men, and directed them to the Savior, at His first advent. Myriads of stars have announced the nearness of His second advent. It will be seen that these signs produced the very impression that God evidently intended that they should-that the day of judgment, Christ's coming, and the end of the world are near at hand. 11. Have we reached the time when there is "distress of nations, with perplexity"? Every intelligent person knows that the world is in a state of unrest at the present time, and that men are troubled and perplexed at the outlook of present conditions throughout the civilized world. NOTES.- "Those who study the map of Europe at the present moment, and the condition of things in Europe, must feel that there is hanging over us a war-cloud greater than any that has hung over Europe before. It means when it bursts, and burst it will as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow, a war of extinction of devastation, between great nations whose populations are armed and trained to fight."-Lord Wolseley. "It is impossible for anyone to contemplate the present naval and military arrangements without the gravest forebodings. . . . In fact, we never now have any real peace; we live practically in a state of war." -Sir John Lubbock. "The danger, if the Ottoman Empire fall; would not merely be the danger that would threaten the territories of which that empire consists; it would be the danger that the fire there lit should spread to the other nations, and should involve all that is most powerful and civilized in Europe in a dangerous and calamitous contest." -Lord Salisbury, in Mansion House Speech, London, Nov. 9, 1895. "There can be no division of either of those countries [Turkey or Persia] without setting all the nations of Europe at the throats of each other." -Washington Post, April 24, 1909. "This is the most unsettled condition of the world since the crucifixion of Christ. The stability of government is no longer a fact. Change is in the atmosphere. . . . Statesmen are at their wits' end. Philosophers speculate In Vain." - The Late Bishop Newman. 12. Are men's hearts now "failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth"? Everyone familiar with present-day conditions knows that this is the case. NOTES.- "We are marching toward the unknown. Who knows what tomorrow has in store for us?"- Signor Crispi, ex-Prime Minister of Italy. "In regard to the future I am filled with disquietude when I think how easy it is to fan these international jealousies, and how difficult it seems to allay them." -Lord Balfour, of England. "In this world of ours we seem to ' be borne down by commercial and spiritual controversy. We grope in the daytime with fear and trembling for the future. Poor, distracted man is tossed over the night to a more distraught tomorrow." -John Wanamaker, ex-Postmaster-General of the United States. "The bonds of society are relaxed; traditional principles are losing their sacredness, and perils hitherto unknown are menacing the life of the social organism."- Archbishop Ireland. These, with forebodings of coming droughts, famines, fires, storms, earthquakes, tidal waves, and pestilences, are filling men's hearts with fear. 13. What may be said of "the sea and the waves roaring"? Great tidal waves and storms at sea, with cyclones and tornadoes on land, have become fearfully frequent of late years, making men apprehensive of still greater calamities to come. 14. What, according to the prophecy of Daniel, was to characterize the time of the end? "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Dan. 12:4. NOTES.- The time of the end began in 1798. See Dan. 7:25; 11:35; 12:4- 9, and the reading "The Kingdom and Work of Antichrist," pages 25, 26, under questions 5-8. Since 1798 there has been a most wonderful increase of all kinds of knowledge, both scientific and religious. Men have been "running to and fro" through both the world and the Word of God. The prophecies of Daniel are now themselves understood. Since 1798 five great Bible and tract societies have been organized; namely, the London Religious Tract Society, the British and Foreign Bible Society, the American Bible Society, the American Tract Society, and the International Tract Society, besides many, smaller societies of the same kind. From these have gone forth to the world hundreds of millions of copies of the Bible, and countless pages of tracts and pamphlets, disseminating knowledge upon the truths of salvation. Besides these, millions of copies of religious papers are being circulated annually in the various countries of the world. Missions have been established in all parts of the world. All this has been accomplished since 1798. Concerning the increase of knowledge in the material, scientific, and intellectual worlds, see the next reading. 15. What is predicted of the moral condition of the world in the last days? "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, . . . lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." 2 Tim. 3:1-5. 16. How did the Apostle Peter say the message of the Lord's coming would be treated by some? "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." 2 Peter 3:3,4. 17. What will God's faithful servants be doing at this time? "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?" Matt. 24:45. NOTE.- The "meat in due season" here spoken of evidently refers to the proclamation of the message based upon the signs which indicate the near approach of the Lord. The preaching of this message is what causes scoffers mockingly to ask, "Where is the promise of His coming?" 18. What are all admonished to do when these signs have appeared? "Therefore be you also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man comes." Verse 44. 19. How will Christ's coming overtake those evil servants who say in their hearts, "My Lord delays His coming"? "The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looks not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder. And appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Verses 50, 51. We know not the hour of the Master's appearing, Yet signs all foretell that the moment is nearing When He shall return,-'tis a promise most cheering,- But we know not the hour. There's light for the wise who are seeking salvation, There's truth in the Book of the Lord's revelation, Each prophecy points to the great consummation,- But we know not the hour. We'll watch arid we'll pray, with our lamps trimmed and burning, We'll work and we'll wait till the Master s returning, We'll sing and rejoice, every omen discerning,- But we know not the hour. F. E. BELDEN. I would like to thank God for using the Bible Reading for the Home Circle to bless millions of souls. To the author and original producer, (though in truth and reality it's God's) “No Copyright Infringement Intended.” What I have found which are available online I made them available offline...

🤝 Jesus and Women Jesus' attitude towards women went beyond His teaching to encompass His entire behaviour, a behaviour in which the characteristics of the new man are strikingly evident. Jesus was distinguished from His time—and perhaps from our time—by His unique attitude towards women, an attitude that was both free and liberating at the same time. He had no "complex" regarding women: no complex of caution towards them, no complex of fear of society concerning His relationship with them, no complex of superiority towards her for being a man, no complex of mockery, as if she were a negligible quantity that could be taken lightly, nor a complex of use and exploitation for His own ends or sexual desire. Thus, all of Jesus' behaviour was a restoration of status for the deprived woman, the one with violated dignity, and a return to the original divine design of harmony, where there is no fear, aggression, or domination, between man and woman. And Jesus did not hesitate, for this purpose, to violate prevailing social customs, and even to violate the letter of the Law itself. #JesusAndWomen #WomensDignity #Liberation #Gospel #NewMan #ChristianEthics

My latest video - Larry Norman - (Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill, Mark Farner, Leah Tillock, Terry Fator, Bryan Duncan, Scott Wesley Brown & Bruce Carroll, Pam Newman, Unreleased Concert, Larry's Heart Condition, Caspar McCloud, Herbie Manaputy, Ken Tucker, Bob Bennett, Chuck Girard). Here is "The Larry Norman I Knew pt 2". With some of the top celebrities in the world, Grammy winners, Dove award winners and even one of the top talents and biggest acts in Las Vegas today. There is a never before released Larry Norman concert with Phil Keaggy and there are several never before released pics of Larry that many of the celebrities gave for the video. I feel we gave the best to you in this video. If you want to see further videos from us, please Subscribe to this channel. Also, please share this video, it gives a powerful message to encourage people. You can also join me on Facebook under Leah Tillock. We love you and are praying for you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqh4w4bRENQ

I will never understand a dog. Ranger threw up, and I buried it because, well, it was grossing me out watching him eat it. I just caught him digging it up again and eating it, dirt and all! A scripture came to mind about this very thing; You can go back and read the entire chapter, but here's a running start to the verse: 2 Peter 2:19-22 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire. Have you ever known someone in church, who is more hateful and bitter today than they were a year or so ago? They have been exposed to the Truth of God's Word and His love for them, but instead of growing in that grace and knowledge, are just plain mean? It is not a sin to judge a man's character by their actions. That is wisdom! That is how we grow our circle of friends. That is how husbands and daddies protect their wife and kids. How men protect the women in their lives. Oh, and don't even think about messing with Mama Bear! She will chew you up and spit you out! It is also how the shepherd protects the flock. Matthew 7:16 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. I never say, "I'm not judging or anything." because I do, we all do. Sometimes, during this process I find I am, or have been, wrong. Sometimes, if the person professes to be a Christian I go to them for understanding. I have accountability partners in my life who are brutal with me at times. That doesn't work if the person doesn't want to be held accountable, which brings into question the seriousness of their commitment to the Lord. Which brings me to another point. An Accountability Partner is not always right. That means the approach isn't to be in the form of accusation but conversation. Both parties should know that this is "CONVERSATION for understanding" and should lead to reconciliation. Offense should never be taken when the whole matter is brought because of love one saint has for another! Someone loves us enough to step out of their comfort zone to confront an obvious sin in another's life. I've gone back many a times to thank a friend for showing me I was in err. By, Jeanette Newman Fehr.