When Mr. Armstrong was traveling around the world, visiting world leaders and dignitaries, he would on many occasions present to them a gift of Steuben crystal. This type of crystal was of a good quality with a world reputation for its clarity. It was a suitable gift for world leaders and royalty with whom Mr. Armstrong came in contact. God in His great mercy has given us an even more precious and valuable gift — His Holy Spirit.

Pentecost is fast approaching, and we should, at this time, reflect on this most valuable gift. Let us look at the events of the Feast of Pentecost mentioned in Acts 2:1-4: “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

We see here the powerful beginning of the New Testament Church of God. Notice: They were all of one accord. There were no divisions, other opinions or different interpretations among them. They were all in one place, not scattered here and there. There came suddenly a SOUND of a mighty wind — not a mighty wind, but only a sound, which they all heard, since it filled the whole house. Then, tongues of fire sat upon each one, symbolizing that they were individually receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. They began to speak in other languages and the miracle was also in the hearing, since each one heard them in their own language (compare verse 8). This was a powerful manifestation of the beginning of the New Testament Church of God on the Feast of Pentecost.

What does God’s Spirit do for us individually?

It opens our minds to the spiritual truth of the Bible, which we could not understand with our own natural mind and human reasoning. It also gives us an endearing relationship with our God and Jesus Christ. We read in Romans 8:16 (Authorized Version): “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” We also read in verse 15 (AV): “…but ye have received the Spirit of adoption [correctly rendered, “sonship”], whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” The Aramaic word “Abba” denotes a very close and personal relationship with God, as that of a child with his father (compare Mark 14:36; Galatians 4:6).

Through the receipt of the gift of the Holy Spirit, we enter into a personal close family relationship with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

In addition, as long as the Holy Spirit dwells in us, it enables us to be resurrected at the last trumpet (compare 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) and to enter God’s Kingdom as His sons and daughters, ruling for all eternity.

Let us come to the conclusion of the matter. In this life we may have many gifts bestowed upon us, but there is no gift more precious or valuable than that of God’s Spirit. Our loving God wants to share His power, majesty and eternal life with His family. Let us ensure, brethren, that we develop and maintain a deep appreciation for the “Greatest Gift of All” — God’s Holy Spirit.

Do you ever get the sense that something is wrong?

Many parents have that peculiar talent to know when their kids are up to something. When we were very young, we often did things that we should not have done. Inevitably, Mom and Dad seemed to find out, and we got caught. As we grew, we became a little more adroit at doing things our way, but even then our parents, friends, teachers and others could generally read us. If we were willing to listen, we often found the help we needed to solve our problems.

Many husbands and wives become so attuned to one another that they seem to spontaneously recognize when one or the other is even a little bit preoccupied with stressful problems. The conversation usually goes, “what’s wrong?”–the answer too often is, “nothing!” However, in good marriages, that thin, self-isolating veneer often vanishes when one mate sincerely engages the other in loving concern.

It is comforting to have people in our lives who care deeply about us and who can tell when we are troubled–when something IS wrong. In fact these relationships in both early and adult life teach us to rely on the wisdom and counsel of others. That is what Christians must do as well! When things go wrong or when we face overwhelming circumstances, we can turn to God for His mercy and His guidance.

Christians are called upon to live their lives as shining examples in a world in which so much is wrong. We are called upon to be peacemakers in a world that is at war with itself. Vile, unspeakable acts of violence have filled the world in this generation. Even among those nations which enjoy some modicum of stability, it seems that morality is now being overrun with cancerous depravity from within.

Long ago, God caused to be recorded this evaluation of His people, Israel: “…everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). God has also spoken of our time, today: “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)!

All along, God has told mankind what’s wrong! He has gone a step further by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to show us how we should live. Added to that, God has given–to those who repent of their sins and are baptized–His Holy Spirit. If we who are Christians avail ourselves of God’s great love, we can overcome the wrong, and we can live, more and more, in a way that is right–that is, righteously!

God is very interested in each one of us. So closely and intimately does He watch over us that He knows our needs even before we do (Compare Matthew 6:25-32). He knows when something is wrong with us.

Peter understood that Christians in this age of Satan’s reign would suffer: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (1 Peter 4:12). He continues with this most important reminder for when we find ourselves in this kind of tough situation: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (5:6-7).

Paul adds this perspective for us: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31)?

Sometimes, things do go wrong, and all of us must deal with these personal tests. If we have been building our spiritual house well, then we not only will have friends and family, but we also will have loving brethren in the Church of God to help in times of need. Most importantly, we do have our Father and our elder Brother, Jesus, to help us.

Let’s all make sure that we allow others to help us when they can, and, especially, we must seek the sure help that is always available to those called according to God’s will: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

The Bible contains many statements about growth. Jacob prophesied that Joseph’s descendants, Ephraim and Manasseh, would “grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth” (Genesis 48:16). And indeed, they became the most powerful nation and group of nations in modern history. On a spiritual plane, God’s kingdom is compared with a “mustard seed” which, “when it is grown,” is greater than the herbs “and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and rest in its branches” (Matthew 13:31-32). John the Baptist “grew and became strong in the spirit” (Luke 1:80). Even Christ, the God of the Old Testament, when He became a human being, “grew and became strong in the spirit, filled with wisdom” (Luke 2:40), and He “increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52).

The early New Testament Church started very small, but it, too, grew (Acts 2:41). We read that in time, the word of God “grew and multiplied” (Acts 12:24; compare Acts 19:20).

God told His disciples that they must GROW spiritually. 2 Peter 3:18 commands us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:2 encourages us to “desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” Paul said about the church of the Thessalonians that “your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other” (2 Thessalonians 1:3). Ephesians 2:21 tells us that God’s Church, “the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple of the Lord.” And so, we read in Ephesians 4:11-15 that Christ Himself “gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may GROW UP in all things into Him who is the head — Christ…”

As Christians, we must never stop growing. We are to grow toward our ultimate perfection, as God is perfect. As we read in Philippians 3:15-16, in the Authorized Version: “Let us therefore, as many as be [or: to the extent that they are] perfect [the New King James Bible says: mature], be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.” We are not to forsake what we have already accomplished in our lives. There must never come a point in time, however, when we say, “We will grow no further.” With that attitude, we will not only stop growing in God’s Way of Life, but we will, in fact, go backwards and return to whatever we left behind.

Sadly, some, if not many, have done so, and many will still do so, before Christ returns. Paul spoke about Demas, one of his co-workers (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 24), that he “has forsaken me, having loved this present world and has departed for Thessalonica” (2 Timothy 4:10). Rather than overcoming evil with good, he returned to the evil of this world. Christ prophesied for our time: “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will GROW cold” (Matthew 24:10-12). The Greek word for “love” is “agape,” describing the love of God. Rather than growing in God’s love, which would lead to their ultimate perfection (1 John 4:12, 17-18), they stop using it, and so they reverse in their lives the process of godly growth — so much so, that they return to, and begin to live again in accordance with the customs of Satan’s world of hate and betrayal (compare 2 Peter 2:20-22). We are clearly told that in these last days, the work of “evil men and imposters will GROW worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13).

We must not stagnate, but grow. However, we must grow in a right and godly way! If we cease growing in God’s wisdom and knowledge, we will grow in the wisdom of this world, which is inspired by Satan’s evil schemes and devices. In the parable of the wheat and the tares, both God’s disciples and Satan’s followers “grow together until the harvest” (Matthew 13:30). Grow we will — but the question is, in what way?

How do YOU grow?

Whom is God trying to save? Is it just the Christians and not the Muslims, Hindus, or Buddhists? Is it the people of the United States and not those of Iraq? Is it the intelligent?

Many will be happy to know that God wants everyone to be saved, ultimately. God wants everyone to be in the Kingdom of God. That’s what His whole plan of salvation is about. On the other hand, we understand that today, God has only called very few to salvation, while the rest of the world will be called by God at a later time — after Christ’s return (compare John 6:44; 1 John 5:19; Romans 11:7, 25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:22-24). For those whom God has called in this day and age, God has set this wonderful plan in motion and it is God working in us and with us:

“For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13); and “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). There is nothing that would make Him more joyous than to see everyone there.

God has already started making a place for you (John 14:2)! He is not waiting until we get there; He has put the plans in motion already because He is expecting you. God wants to give you the keys to the Kingdom! So much emphasis has been put on us WANTING to be there, but we need to realize that God WANTS us to be there even more.

GOD HAS GIVEN us quite a bit to accomplish this: His Son, His Holy Spirit and His Word, our talents, His ministry, the fellowship with brethren of like mind, etc. He even lets us know when we are off the narrow path. God wants us to succeed and He has given us the means by which we can do this if we avail ourselves of these tools and build righteous character as the result.

God is planning on us being successful …are we?

In the beginning, the Eternal God created the heavens and the earth as the abode of Lucifer and the one third of God’s angels placed under Lucifer’s authority. God gave them rulership of those areas of the universe assigned to Lucifer and, thus, also under Lucifer’s jurisdiction. Lucifer chose to rebel against God and His Ways and attempted, along with the angels assigned to him, to overthrow the throne of God and to take control of the entire universe. Lucifer and His angels failed in this attempt and were cast back down to the earth where they are to this day (Ezekiel 28). This is more fully explained in our booklet, “The Theory of Evolution — A Fairy Tale For Adults?“

Commencing with verse 2 of Genesis 1, we find a record of the re-creation, or the re-establishment of the earth, which was made null and void in the cataclysmic battle between the angels who followed Lucifer and the angels of God. God recreated the earth in six days.

The joy of this re-creation came toward the end of the sixth day when God created man in the very image of God, according to the likeness of God the Father and of the One Who became Jesus Christ. In fact, it was by the very hands of this Being, Who became Jesus Christ, that all things in the heavens and on the earth were made. (John 1:1-4)

On the seventh day He ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day. He then blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it, He rested from all His work, which He had created and made (Genesis 2:1-3).

Yes, God established the seventh day as a day of rest and He tells us in His Word that He blessed the seventh day and that it is a day holy to Him. We are told to remember the seventh day and to observe it with the understanding that in so doing we recall all that was done during that first week when God re-created the earth and all that is in it. God also established other Holy Days, which you and I are commanded to keep. (For a complete analysis of these Days, their intent and purpose, write for our free booklet, “God’s Commanded Holy Days.”)

God has a purpose for each and every one of these special days noted in Scripture which He has established as holy to Him. Each day He has established reflects things He has done or events of the future and His Plan relative to those special days for the future.

But man has perverted all of Gods Holy Days and has failed in the right observance of those days. He has forgotten the purpose for which God originally established each holy day and why these days are so significant in God’s overall plan and purpose for mankind.

On numerous occasions God told His chosen people, Israel, not to enquire of the peoples in lands where He would lead them as to how those peoples worshipped their gods, saying, “… even so will I do to my God.” He specifically told them not to do that, because these peoples had done abominable things in the worship of their gods. Yet, today, most who call themselves Christians have forgotten the days God established for their good, but rather, have turned, have enquired of those pagan practices and have incorporated those practices into a system of worship whereby they try to please the One True God.

It is interesting that this year of 2004, May 1 falls on God’s Sabbath. And while the religions of the world, even so-called “Christian Religions,” for the most part will not be observing this Sabbath as commanded in God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures, but will rather attempt to worship the One True God on the first day of the week, the so-called “Lord’s Day,” in direct opposition to God’s command. And on this particular weekly Sabbath, many will observe a pagan day which the world refers to as “May Day.”

This day, “May Day,” is a special day of the pagans, a spring festival, established centuries ago, in celebration each year of the coming summer months. The day was set aside to appease and to please the pagan gods according to the customs of these pagan religions.

Many modern day pagans believe this festival was held and observed to the pagan god, “Belenus,” or “Bel,” a fire/sun god, most likely as a celebration of his mating with “Danu,” the primal earth mother. The indication is that the festival name means “Bel’s Fire.”

Some have associated this ritual to the “Baal” of Biblical times while others relate it to “Beltaine,” the worship of whom the Gauls brought to Britain during the Roman occupation. Others say there is no connection.

Notable traditions of this day’s celebrations were the “Maypole,” imported to England from Italy during the reign of Charles I or Elizabeth I. It is said that the pole itself probably represented the “tree of life” or “world tree.” The custom was to attach ribbons to the tree and weaving them together by dancers, thus, the Maypole dance. Perhaps you observed this ritual in your own experience as a youth without knowledge of its true meaning.

While God established His festivals, days holy to Him, all described in His Written Word, interestingly, within paganism, there are two types of festivals: 1) Esbats, which mark the changes in the moon; and 2) Sabbats, which recognize the changes in the sun. Of course, we all understand, these days have been inspired by the god of this world, Satan, the devil.

Esbats, traditionally, are times in which magic, divination, the development of psychic skills and such are practiced. Falling within this category is “Samhain.” This is pronounced “sow-een,” and is the pagan New Year’s Eve. It means “summer’s end,” and falls on the 31st of October. This day, today, is widely known as Halloween. The reason is that the “Christian Church” adopted the day in an effort to convert people to their religion. We also understand this day is recognized as the day of the dead, supposedly in honor of friends and relatives who have “passed away.” On this day these dead are invited back to spend an evening with those observing this day. Samhain is known by the names Halloween, Hallow mass, and All Saint’s Eve. (For additional insight into the origin of Halloween, see our Q&A in Update #114, dated October 24, 2003.)

Just opposite from this day of “Samhain” is the Sabbat festival of “Beltain.” “Beltain,” also known as “Beltane” or “May Day,” falls exactly six months from “Samhain,” on the 31st day of April, or as we reckon it, “May 1.” It is also opposite in its meaning, a day celebrating “life and love” with sexual undertones, rather than “death.” It is celebrated, if possible, with a large bonfire or candles, for the purpose of encouraging fertility. The May Pole, a phallic symbol, is the center piece of this festival and traditionally was danced around by maidens to draw a lover — not by children, as is currently practiced by modern religions.

It is certainly significant, especially to God, what days we observe and how we observe them. God tells us in His Word that He is not happy when we veer away from His Teachings, and in particular, in relation to His Holy Days.

What a difference a Day makes!

“Thank you!” Just two little words. But how often do we say them? Have we developed an attitude of gratitude — being grateful for all that we have and all that God and our fellow man may have given to us?

In more recent times, the Church critic has surfaced. He has always been there, of course, but today he seems to be more vocal. It seems to go with the territory both in the Church of God and the world at large. We live in a selfish and ungrateful society that does its own thing and feels that it has every right to do so, irrespective of the consequences, even when others are hurt. But we, as God’s people, should know better. My experience in the last decade is that there are those, claiming that they belong to “the church,” who are lurking out there just looking to pounce on anything that they may not quite agree 100% with. Instead of gently taking up a matter or issue with the person concerned, a critical and, in some cases, self-righteous approach is adopted. But we must remember that our approach shows our degree of conversion.

We have all heard sermonettes or sermons that may have meandered, gone on too long because of several repetitions of the same point, not been as structured as we would have liked, seemingly not been as carefully worked on as some others, or which have been presented in a somewhat boring way. But – the speaker may have taken many hours to prepare his message. Unfortunately, our first approach may be to severely criticize rather than to be grateful to the speaker for all the time and effort that such a message may have occasioned. The same may apply to an article or an editorial in the weekly Update. Rather than immediately voicing disagreement with a particular statement, perhaps even in a hostile way, we should carefully consider whether we might have misunderstood the statement, or whether we might have a wrong approach toward the issue — and then, after praying about it, we can gently take up the matter with the writer or the speaker. The same goes for other aspects of this worldwide work, be it our Websites, our Internet services, or other technical aspects. In sport, the spectator on the sidelines believes that he is always able to do better than the players themselves. The observer thinks that he can manage the local team better than the manager who is usually a professional and gets paid for doing the job.

There are many admonitions in the Bible to be appreciative, to dwell and meditate on the good, and to give thanks. In the various exhortations in 1 Thessalonians 5, verse 18 tells us: “in everything give thanks.” The words “thank you” to God are a must. He gives us everything we have. The words “thank you” to fellow man, where merited, uplift, edify and encourage. That should be the way that we conduct ourselves.

Should we be “yes” men or women? Of course not! But a “thank you” now and again is so very encouraging. We all receive these words of encouragement from time to time. And when others show their appreciation, we can say a quiet or spoken “thank you” for their thoughtfulness.

Many in orthodox Christianity teach that the “immortal soul” goes to heaven or “Paradise” at the time of our death. They use the famous statement of Jesus Christ to the thief on the cross as a “proof” text to support their belief. We must understand, of course, that the concept of an immortal soul going to heaven was taught long before the birth of Christianity, and that New Testament Scriptures are often used by some to “prove” this concept adopted from paganism. The passage regarding the thief on the cross is no exception.

Did the thief on the cross go to heaven on the day Christ told him, in Luke 23:43: “Assuredly , I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise”?

There are several problems with thinking the man went to heaven that day. The first problem is that Christ was not resurrected until three days later. Even then, He Himself did not go right away to heaven at the moment of His resurrection, since He told Mary at the grave to “touch me not; for I am not yet ascended.” (John 20:17, Authorized Version).

We need to understand that there was no comma in the original text of Luke 23:43. The church has consistently taught until Mr. Armstrong’s death that the coma in the Bible had to be — and was in fact — inserted by the translators at the wrong place. Christ told the thief on that day what would happen in the future — not, that He and the thief would enter “Paradise” on that day. Correctly, the verse needs to be translated: “Assuredly, I say to you today, you will be with me in Paradise.”

Also, “Paradise” does not have to mean, “heaven.” There is NO Scripture in the Bible promising us to go to heaven when we die! Paradise in the Greek means a park or place like the garden of Eden. We read in Revelation 2:7 that the tree of life is in the midst of the Paradise of God. Revelation 21 tells us that the Heavenly Jerusalem will descend to earth in the future, and that the tree of life will be in it — that is, in Paradise (Revelation 22:2). At that time, Paradise, with the tree of life, will be on earth — not in heaven.

Did Christ say that the thief would die and be on the very same day of his death in Paradise on earth? That would pose another problem since Paradise is not here yet — and almost 2000 years have passed since Christ made His promise to the thief. We also have a clear statement in regard to King David, a man after God’s own heart. We read in Acts 2:29 that “he is dead and buried and his tomb is with us today.” So, even after Christ’s resurrection, David was still dead and buried in his tomb. He saw corruption (Acts 13:36), and he did not ascend to heaven (Acts 2:34). Rather than believing that the souls of dead people go to heaven, the disciples believed in a future resurrection of the dead, as stated by Paul to King Agrippa in Acts 26:8: “Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?” Just when would this resurrection occur? For those “in Christ,” at the last trumpet, as stated in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16 — not before then.

There are actually several possibilities as to what Christ might have promised the thief. Christ could have forgiven his sins and promised him that he would be in the first resurrection, in which case he would be resurrected at Christ’s return, when He comes to establish the Kingdom of God here on earth (compare Luke 23:42). This would occur when everyone “in Christ” will be resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). As an immortal spirit being, the thief would of course be in “Paradise,” when it would descend to this earth after the Millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment.

Another possibility is that the thief would be resurrected in the Great White Throne judgment period (Revelation 20:11-12) — when all those will be resurrected who have not received God’s Spirit in this life. If this is the case, then the thief would work out his salvation with fear and trembling, and Christ knew that he would “make it” at that time. In either case, the thief would be in Paradise with Christ, when Paradise will be established here on earth — after the Millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment.

In addition, by extension, the earth can be compared with “Paradise” or a beautiful garden during the Millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment. Therefore, even if we don’t replace the comma in Luke 23:43, Christ’s statement would still make sense in this way: If Christ was referring to the earth’s beautiful condition during the time of the Millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment, when He made His promise to the thief, then the thief would be in Paradise “that day”: He will come back to life — either in the first or the second resurrection, NOT in the third — and this would be on the “very same day” of his death, insofar as his CONSCIOUSNESS was and is concerned. As all those who have died sleep the sleep of death without any consciousness, so did and does the thief. But when he is resurrected, it will be for him “on that day” — as if just one second had passed.

The thief never went to Paradise on the day of his death, but he is awaiting a future resurrection. If “Paradise” is a reference to the earth during the Millennium and/or the Great White Throne Judgment, then the thief will be in Paradise with Christ on that day. In any event, he will be in Paradise (as mentioned in Revelation 22:2), with Christ, after the Millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment. He will be with Christ in Paradise here on earth — not in heaven.

Who is a Christian, really?

Among the various religions of this world, Christianity claims approximately 1.9 billion adherents. When one closely examines just who these people are, the stunning variety of subgroupings within Christianity is bewildering.

Since modern Christianity claims its origins from the Bible, it would seem to follow that most would believe and practice what the Bible teaches. However, that simply is not the case!

In anticipation of world conditions that would be extant shortly before His return to the earth, Jesus Christ warned His disciples of sweeping religious confusion: “‘For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect'” (Matthew 24:24).

On a global scale, there is no question that confusion and deception account for what now presents itself as Christianity. Almost everyone proclaims that they, alone, are the “true believers.” This self-appraisal can be blindingly dangerous if wrong. Jesus cautioned those who would follow Him with these words: ” ‘Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ and then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ ” (Matthew 7:21-23).

Against this backdrop of widespread deception and self-delusion, a much smaller group of Christians is identified in the Bible. As cited in Matthew 24, Jesus spoke of them as “the elect.” These are the few who truly uphold the teachings of Jesus. These are also the ones who are not deceived. And yet, the elect must be very circumspect as well!

Paul, who was, without question, one of these “elect,” was careful to warn of counterfeit Christianity seeking to overwhelm true Christians: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

By drawing close to God through humble obedience to what He reveals in His Word, the Bible, the elect of this generation can prevail. Note this further teaching from Jesus: ” ‘Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are MANY who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are FEW who find it’ ” (Matthew 7:13-14).

For those who also would be a part of the “elect,” it is vitally important to continually examine their own lives, and perhaps we should also ask ourselves: “Am I a Christian, REALLY?”

On Sunday evening, April 4, 2004, baptized members of the Church of God will partake of the New Testament Passover symbols of bread and wine, thereby following the Godly command to do so once a year. They will reflect and meditate on God’s great purpose in sending His only-begotten Son to die for us, so that we can have everlasting life (John 3:16-17). In addition, they will deeply appreciate the fact that Christ also suffered for us to make possible Godly healing of our physical sicknesses and injuries (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17).

If we are in the spiritual body of Christ, we are commanded to partake of the Passover symbols. At the same time, we are told by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:28, to “examine” ourselves, before we eat of the bread and drink of the cup. This self-examination is important, so that we do not partake of the Passover in an unworthy manner (vv. 27, 29). However, the purpose of our self-examination is not to become so depressed that we refuse to take the Passover. Rather, we are to examine ourselves and to “eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”

Paul’s admonition is not to be understood in a negative way. The Greek word for “examine,” “dokimazo,” is exclusively used in the New Testament Scriptures in a positive manner. Let us notice all the passages where the word is used:

In Luke 14:19, a person bought oxen, and AFTER he had bought them [not before], he went out to test or “examine” them. In Romans 12:2, Paul encourages us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we may prove or test or “examine” what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Again, we see the positive purpose of this kind of examination.

Further, 2 Corinthians 13:5 tells you to “examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test [Greek, “dokimazo”] yourselves. Do you not know yourselves THAT Jesus Christ is in you?” Paul took it for granted that Christ was living in them, but he encouraged them to individually reconfirm and reestablish this knowledge.

Galatians 6:4 admonishes each and every one of us to “examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself.” Again, this examination should lead to joy, not sorrow. Another passage in this context is Ephesians 5:8-10: “For you were ONCE darkness, but now you ARE light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out [in Greek, “dokimazo”] what is acceptable to the Lord.” Paul is saying here that we are already light. We CAN therefore find out what is acceptable in God’s sight. Again, this examination should lead to an increase of the right kind of Godly understanding.

Philippians 1:9-10 adds: “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve [Greek, “dokimazo”] the things that are excellent.” Again, we find the positive nature of such approval or examination.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:4, the Greek word “dokimazo” is used twice: “But as we have been approved [Greek, “dokimazo”] by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests [Greek, “dokimazo”] our hearts.” God has already examined or approved us, but God continues to test or “examine” us — not, so that we fail, but so that we overcome even more.

Finally, let us notice 1 Peter 1:6-7:”In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested [Greek, “dokimazo”] by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Again, the testing or “examination” of our faith is not for the purpose of failing, but so that the genuineness of our faith becomes even more manifest and evident.

Paul was not discouraging us from taking the Passover. Rather, our examination should establish that we ARE on the right track — that Christ DOES live in us. And, if we find, during our self-examination, that we are lacking something, we need to repent of that, ask God for forgiveness, and resolve to do better next time, with the help and lead of Christ in us.

We are to examine ourselves, as to how we are doing, before we take the Passover. We need to take it in a worthy manner. We need to understand and appreciate what the sacrifice of Christ means for us. We must be willing to live our lives worthy of God and of our calling.

At the same time, none of us have lived perfectly since the last Passover. We all sin; we all have sinned; and we all have continuous need of God’s forgiveness. That is why we partake of the Passover annually — as an annual reminder that we NEED the sacrifice of Christ. And so, as Christ’s converted disciples, we can, should and need to partake of the Passover, remembering the inspired words of John, in 1 John 1:7-10:

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins [after we have examined ourselves to see how we are doing], He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

Let us do then, as we are commanded: “But let a man examine himself, AND SO LET HIM eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:28).

Saul was a man called and chosen of God because of his desire to do God’s Will. Once God called Saul, He did something very special for him. In 1 Samuel 10:9-10, we see “… that God gave him another heart … then the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them (God’s prophets).” Yes, God gave Saul His Spirit and began to work with him. However, in the course of time, Saul allowed pride and vanity to interfere with his good judgment and he ceased his loyalty to God’s Ways.

The prophet, Samuel, in speaking to Saul, revealed that God would remove the kingdom from him after he had become rebellious and had broken God’s Command (1 Samuel 13:13-14). Samuel noted to Saul that God sought for Himself a man after His own heart. Of course, we know that God chose David to succeed Saul as king over His people.

Just as God had called and had chosen Saul as king over Israel, He established David in that position once Saul proved himself unfaithful. David would now have to prove his faithfulness to God and His Ways if he would be successful in his calling. We are all familiar with the life of David, his successes and his failures. But a revealing statement is made concerning David in Acts 13:22. “And when He had removed him (Saul), He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have raised up David the son of Jesse, a man after MY own heart, who will do all My will.'”

God has dealt with many such faithful men and women down through the ages. Many of these are listed and codified in the book of Hebrews, chapter 11 — such men and women as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, Samuel and the prophets. All, of course, are not listed here, as there have been many faithful to God down through time.

God has called and chosen many such people during our time to learn of Him and His Ways and to walk in those Ways — called to do all His Will. Many who have been called have been faithful, but others have chosen to walk contrary to God’s Way. What about you?

The feast of Passover is now approaching rapidly, followed by the Days of Unleavened Bread. These days, which give insight into God’s Way and His Plan are all commanded by God to be kept in their season. This is a time of self-examination. One called of God must be faithful to God, His Laws, and His Ways — keeping His festivals in a right spirit — and must be drawing closer to Him as the time of Christ’s return draws near!

There is too much at stake for one to give in now to human nature, to Satan, and to the ways of this world. It is going to take men and women seeking after God’s own heart to fill the positions He has made available for all who love His Way and His Appearing!

Do you have such a heart?