The Church of God has taught for many years that in the plan of God – He will provide for a place of refuge – or as some have said – a place of final training for God’s people during the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord. What does the Bible tell us about such an idea?
Is it immaterial to God that we follow our conscience? Where do we draw the line? Is it alright to violate our conscience because a person tells us to do so? On the other hand, how can we be sure that our conscience does not violate God’s will? And if it does, do we still obey our conscience?
Conscience literally means, “knowing together,” “seeing together” or “agreeing with.” We must know, see, and agree with God. Our conscience is, all by itself, not infallible. It can be wrong, perverted, seared or defiled. Our conscience can never be an excuse to disobey God.
There is much written about our future in God’s Word. There are promises from God; there are specific jobs to accomplish and there are many instructions concerning how we should live our lives. Understanding what God has caused to be written both for and about us is vital. Five keys are given: (1.) Believe God’s Word; (2.) God reveals His Word and the understanding of His Word; (3.) We are to study God’s Word; (4.) We are being judged by the Word of God; and, (5.) God’s Word reveals our future.
Why would Christ have asked the question in Luke 18:8 of His people; “…when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” Christ noted, specifically, four great enenies of faith in the process of training His disciples for the job He had for them to do. He knew we would all have to overcome these four enemies for faith to remain a viable force in our lives.
What do you think about yourself? Are you pretty comfortable with yourself? Do you like what you see? Would you want others to be like you? Or, do you hate yourself? Do you feel that you are a miserable failure, that you will never be able to overcome and change?
Do you have an accurate perception of yourself? Or do you suffer from self-deception?
Do we see ourselves as what we really are — or do we see us as invented images, either good or bad? Are we living a life of reality — or of make-belief?
Let us look at a few Biblical personalities who suffered — at least at times — from self-deception – -and let us analyze the biblical warnings against living in a make-belief world.
Jesus Christ holds a great office in the Kingdom of God. The Bible reveals that He is the King, the King of Glory, the Great King–the King of kings! It is vital that Christians understand Who Jesus Christ is and that He will soon return to this earth to establish the Kingdom of God. What that truth means to each of us who have this understanding also has great importance, because we are promised rulership with Christ upon His return. Two time frames are considered: (1.) His first appearance; and, (2.) His second appearance.
This sermon is a review of 7 major reasons why the Church of the Eternal God continues to observe the Feast of Tabernacles
Leviticus 16 describes for us a remarkable ceremony that took place in Old Testament times, on the Day of Atonement, also called the Fast. This day is known today as Yom Kippur. On that day, two goats were chosen by golden lots. One lot was called “For the Lord,” or “La Adonai,” and the other lot was called “For Azazel,” or “La Azazel.” The first goat, the “La Adonai” goat, was offered as a sin offering. The second goat, the “La Azazel” goat, was sent away alive into the wilderness, after the high priest had laid both hands upon the head of the goat, confessing over it all the iniquities and transgressions of the Israelites. The “La Adonai” goat pictured Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who gave His life as a sin offering and as a sacrifice for all of mankind. The “La Azazel” goat symbolized Satan the devil. What does this ancient ceremony on the Day of Atonement mean for us today?
One of the major keys to our not losing out in the battle we presently find ourselves in with Satan, the devil, is fasting. Why is fasting significant? Why does God require it? What makes it so important to our success in achieving God’s Kingdom? This sermon will answer these and other important questions in regard to the tool of fasting.
Peter admonishes God’s people, in 2 Peter 1:10-12 to “…be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure…” so that we make every effort not to stumble in our pursuit to enter the everlasting Kingdom. The Feast of Trumpets reveals to us the many trials this world faces as we approach the time of the end of this age.
