Letter from the Chairman
United Church of God
an International Association
Clyde Kilough
Chairman
Roy Holladay
President
Letter From the Chairman
September 18, 2003
Dear Brethren,
Judging by all of you I have talked with recently, it seems the annual outbreak of "Feast fever" is spreading rapidly—it's contagious! Personally, I can hardly wait to be at the Feast of Tabernacles and have some relief!
Just a few days ago, people around the world remembered and pondered the second anniversary of the horrific deaths of over 3,000 people on "9/11," as it has come to be simply known. Don't you wish everyone knew about "9/27" this year, though, and could join us on the Feast of Trumpets to remember the future, and ponder the time when God begins the process of restoring humanity's relationship with Him?
September 11 has become more than just an event; it has become a powerful and sobering symbol of the worst sort of hatred, strife and division. As we begin the last cycle of Holy Days for the year, we consider that God's festivals, too, are not just events but powerful and positive symbols. This festival season of Trumpets, Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day represents that upon which we stake so much of our faith, hope and calling. Everything—ranging from understanding what will happen after we die, to judgment, to Satan's fate, to God's intervention in world affairs, to His spiritual reconciliation with His creation—is wrapped up in the meaning of these feasts.
What a contrast of times: September 11 representing the ultimate insecurity; September 27, the ultimate assurance. What a contrast of predictions: Security experts warn us that terrorists will come again; God's Word assures us that Christ will come again! What a contrast of worlds: The world today versus what we have come to call, based on the prophetic vision God has laid out before us, "the World Tomorrow."
Commentators have repeatedly stated that "the world changed forever" on September 11, 2001. For those who observe God's Holy Days, 9/11 should have forever changed the meaning of His festivals as well. Not the meaning of what they represent, but the depth of meaning they have for us. With 9/11 on our minds as we enter the Holy Day season, we should be praying now more than ever before, "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!"
Brethren, God has given us His festivals, not only to consider their prophetic meaning, but to change our lives. Especially now, juxtaposed against the fresh memories of September 11, keeping His feasts should change us spiritually by deepening our knowledge, faith, love and commitment to Him and His purpose in calling us. Yes, the world has changed in many ways since 9/11, ranging from tightening security systems to literally overthrowing a couple of national governments, but in the most critically important arena—the spiritual—there is no evidence that humanity is progressing. The entire festival system from Passover to the Last Great Day stands as a witness that all of our problems, and solutions, are indeed spiritual in nature.
The Barna Research Group of Ventura, California, which regularly surveys cultural and religious trends in the United States, published an astonishing report last December identifying "Seven Paradoxes Regarding America's Faith." For example, among these seven indicators of a weakening spiritual state, the "Success Paradox" pointed out that only 7 percent of people felt that spiritual faith and wholeness was the factor that will produce a successful life. Instead, issues such as individual achievement and emotional fulfillment define "success." Barna also found that the notion of commitment offers another inconsistency in our spiritual condition. While the large majority of Americans claim that faith is truly important, even describing themselves as "deeply spiritual," less than half said they were absolutely committed to Christianity. Furthermore, 9/11 did not result in a lasting change in "spiritual practices" such as going to church services, Bible study or prayer. The report even noted that less than half of Americans said their faith had played a significant part in helping them deal with the 9/11 tragedy.
In perhaps the most disturbing segment, "Deceptions Regarding Truth," the report stated that while nearly all Americans believe that truth exists, the great majority does not believe in absolute moral truth. Over two thirds of adults and four fifths of teens buy into relativism, the contention that truth is relative to the situation or person. These are, for the most part, self-professing Christians who declare belief in the Bible. Confronted with the issues of everyday life, however, they tend to fall back on their feelings, emotions or experience as the basis for determining right and wrong. Such reasoning takes us right back to the fundamental problem of Adam and Eve foolishly grasping for themselves the ultimate form of self-entitlement—the prerogative to determine right from wrong, despite what God says.
George Barna also made this striking observation: "Americans are more likely to buy simple sayings than a system of truth that takes time and concentration to grasp. People are more prone to embrace diversity, tolerance and feeling good than judgment, discernment, righteousness and limitations. People are more focused on temporal security than eternal security and its temporal implications."
This company limits its research to the United States, but it would not be surprising to see similar, if not worse, results from many other nations regarding their spiritual state. What does that portend for God's people? Well, it means we have to thrive spiritually in a world that offers little in the way of spiritual sustenance. In fact, what it does offer is usually deceptive, or shallow at best. Thank God that He gave us His feasts, not only to inspire us with a vision of the future, but also to feed and strengthen us spiritually.
Beginning September 27 with the Feast of Trumpets, we will be gathering frequently with one another during the next 22 days. We'll enjoy one another's company on four Holy Days, on a weekly Sabbath and during the entire week of the Feast of Tabernacles—all in a special atmosphere that is so valuable for being spiritually-minded and rejuvenated. The concentrated dose of spiritual food we receive, 14 services over 22 days (not to mention Bible studies and seminars) constitutes the core of the feasts. Add to it the fellowship with brethren, family togetherness and enjoyable physical activities, all of which build bonds between us, and those bonds also contribute greatly to our spiritual strength.
On behalf of the Council of Elders, I wish all of you around the world a profitable and peaceful Holy Day season. Please don't take inspiration for granted; spiritual strength doesn't come upon us just because we show up at the Feast. God blesses those who seek His mind and put Him first, so let's remember to pray for one another, for Him to stir the speakers and the hearers, and for our example and conversations as Christians to be well pleasing to Him.
Finally, by now probably most of you have heard that Garner Ted Armstrong died on Monday, September 15, due to complications from pneumonia. He had been ill for a few weeks but seemed to be making progress before unexpectedly taking a turn for the worse the last few days. His wife, Shirley (formerly Hammer); sons Mark, David and Matthew; five grandchildren; and many extended family members survive Mr. Armstrong, who was 73. They have our sincerest condolences and prayers that God will comfort them in their loss.
Sincerely, in Christ's service,
Clyde Kilough
Chairman
