Celebrating Truly Great Leadership

An important celebration is taking place this month that goes relatively unnoticed by most of the world. Its purpose is to celebrate the administrative plans and commitments of an even more important future world leader than the U.S. president.

People all over the world are keenly interested in the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, now less than month away. Interest in the direction of America's leadership role in the world under its next president is very high.  No matter which candidate wins, there will be joyful celebrations—and deep disappointments.

Another important celebration is taking place this month that goes relatively unnoticed by most of the world. Its purpose is to celebrate the administrative plans and commitments of an even more important future world leader than the U.S. president.

The BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. reveals that Jesus Christ's return to earth from heaven will be the most important event in the history of mankind. It promise that He will come back to this earth in the same manner in which He left (Acts 1:11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
See All...). There will be, of course, some opposition at first. But that will rapidly be put to rest.

When He comes, all human beings will stop what they are doing to witness His stunningly powerful arrival on the world scene as its permanent Ruler (Matthew 24:30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
See All...). He will return to the exact spot from which He left, the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:4And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
See All...), then proceed to set up His government over the entire earth (verse 9).

Many other scriptures describe this coming rule of Jesus Christ. Cities devastated by warfare will be rebuilt (Amos 9:14And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
See All...). Deserts will be transformed into lush orchards and farmland (Isaiah 35:1-2 [1] The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
[2] It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.

See All...). And people everywhere will live to a ripe old age in peace and prosperity (Isaiah 65:19-23 [19] And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
[20] There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
[21] And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
[22] They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
[23] They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.

See All...).

At that time all peoples will learn God's way of life from the Holy ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18)..  The BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. describes it as a time when the knowledge of God will cover the earth as water covers the seas today (Isaiah 11:9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
See All...).

Imagine what an incredible world that will be when everyone keeps the Ten Commandments! Under the guidance of Christ's rule, peace and prosperity will be enjoyed everywhere! Families will stay together in love and happiness. There will be no more crime, no hatred, no murder, no more of the intense suffering that is so common today.

This is truly a time to look forward to with sincere anticipation and joyful celebration. That is why for the seven day period of October 14th through October 20th (on this year's Roman calendar)—many devoted Christians from around the world have come together to celebrate the MessiahA Hebrew word meaning literally "anointed one," synonymous with the Greek word christos, translated Christ. "In ancient Israel both persons and things consecrated to sacred purposes were anointed by having oil poured over them ... The Israelites did not think of crowning a king but of anointing him when he was enthroned ... [The future Messiah] is to destroy the world powers in an act of judgment, deliver Israel from her enemies, and restore her as a nation. The Messiah is the King of this future kingdom to whose political and religious domination the other nations will yield. His mission is the redemption of Israel and His dominion is universal. This is the clear picture of the Messiah in practically all of the OT passages which refer to Him" (The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary, "Messiah").' promised return for the purpose of administering His righteous rule over all nations.

The biblical name of this celebration is The Feast of Tabernacles . Its purpose is to celebrate the biblical promises of that coming time when Jesus Christ will bring real peace, prosperity, and happiness to all mankind. This festival's peaceful theme and atmosphere stand in stark contrast to the immense economic and political distress that is now dominating the headlines.

The wonderful, peaceful time that the Feast of Tabernacles represents is commonly known as the Millennium because during that time Jesus Christ is to be the Ruler of the world for one thousand years (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 20:4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
See All...). He will be assisted by the glorified saints as His administrative officials, teachers and priests (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 1:4-6 [4] John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
[5] And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
[6] And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

See All..., 2:26, 3:21, 5:10).

Congregations of the United Church of God have joined together this week at numerous locations in the United States and Canada and in over forty other nations around the globe to celebrate this wonderful Feast of Tabernacles. Yet it is only one a total of the seven annual celebrations that are sanctified in the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. by God as sacred, annual festivals. Together these seven festivals celebrate the various aspects of God's plan of for the salvation of mankind.

God tells us that these seven celebrations are His feasts (Leviticus 23:2Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.
See All...). They are not celebrations instituted by man—or limited to any group of men or to any particular nation. God designed and instituted them for the benefit of all mankind.

And each festival celebrates a specific role that Jesus Christ, as our Savior, has played or will yet play in God's master plan for our salvation. It is He—the Prince of Peace—to whom we must look to bring truly great leadership and enduring peace to this distressed world.