United Church of God

Letter from the President: September 22, 2022

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Letter from the President

September 22, 2022

In the northern hemisphere we are entering into the autumn of the year. The leaves have started falling off the trees, and in the Midwest region a dramatic change in the weather is predicted for this week as we move from summertime heat to cooler fall temperatures.

As we enter into the fall Holy Days, we are similarly seeing the end of one “season” or “age,” as we move into another. The death of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, has focused the world on that crown in England and the transfer of power from a well-loved and respected monarch to her son, King Charles III. The passing of the baton from one monarch to another is a fascinating, rare and unique opportunity for all the world to ponder and witness.

We in God’s Church are now focusing on and preparing for the upcoming Holy Days, which picture the return of Jesus Christ and His millennial reign on earth. As we contemplate God’s Plan, the Queen’s death and the throne in England provide a rich framework for what the Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles and the Eighth Day all symbolize.

In Psalm 89:3-4 God promises David, a man God says is “after His own heart,” that He will “establish [David’s seed] forever, and build up your throne to all generations.” In verses 36 and 37 of the same chapter, God states: “His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before Me; it shall be established forever like the moon, even like the faithful witness in the sky” (emphasis added throughout).

Jesus Christ is returning to this earth and when He returns God will give Him that enduring throne of David. Note what Mary is told in Luke 1:31-33: “And behold you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

These fall Holy Days, as is every one of the seven annual feast days, are the appointed times of God. They are for us to observe, and they are all about Jesus Christ and what He has done and will do for all mankind.

With the death of the Queen and the transfer of the throne to King Charles, we enter a new time and age in the history of this present evil world. It will ultimately lead to an autocratic, dictatorial government inspired by Satan that is so well described in Revelation 13 and 17. Of this time, Christ says if He did not return to the earth, “No flesh would be saved [alive]” (Matthew 24:22).

Thank God that He will send Christ, who alone is the only way to salvation spiritually and physically to save mankind and this earth from utter destruction. He will come and “destroy those who destroy the earth” (Revelation 11:18).

The Feast of Trumpets provides the promise of God’s deliverance through the return of Jesus Christ, who will be established as King of kings over all the earth. He will usher in a time of truth, peace, beauty and harmony between man, creation and God. This is the fulfillment of Acts 3:21. Christ is now at the right hand of God, waiting for the time when His Father will send Him back to earth for the “restoration of all things.”

Be very thankful and grateful that God has opened our eyes to these truths and given us the opportunity to be with Christ as He returns and establishes His Kingdom, as the Feast of Trumpets also pictures. It is God’s will that you and I be there, but we must take heed, yield our hearts to Him and live the admonition of Acts 3:19, “Repent therefore and be converted.”

The Day of Atonement is a necessary next step in the plan of God as Jesus Christ who overcame Satan and the world will see to it that Satan, “that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, [will be] bound for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:2).

The Devil is the adversary of God and man. He hates God, Jesus Christ, His plan and all of mankind. He will do anything to destroy man, this earth and God’s purpose for you and me, but Christ will return and Satan will be bound.

At last, the earth and mankind will be free from the bondage of this world and Satan’s influence. All of humanity will be free to learn God’s way and experience the blessings of joy, peace and happiness that come only from faith in God—as displayed by our adherence and inner desire, through His Holy Spirit, to live as He lived and to become like Him.

And as we know, the Feast of Tabernacles pictures the millennial reign of Christ, when all things will be “restored.” The world we now live in is past, Satan is bound, truth reigns and the “earth is filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14). Beauty and peace will abound under the direction of the righteous King.

We embrace that vision of God’s Kingdom and show Him our desire and faith in Him by leaving our homes to go to the place where He has put His name. We stay there all seven days of the Feast, plus the Eighth Day, living in temporary dwellings. And our focus while there is on that Kingdom and living in the “zone” with each other apart from the world.

Then there is the Eighth Day, which so perfectly shows God’s love for all mankind. The second resurrection occurs as depicted in Revelation 20:5 and 12-15. It is a time when all mankind—every man, woman and child who were ever born, no matter where or when they lived and no matter if they have ever heard of Jesus Christ our Savior—are brought back to physical life and have the opportunity to know God and Jesus Christ and His absolutely perfect, loving, merciful, good and pure truth. What a merciful and loving God we know and worship!

Brethren, as we enter into this fall Holy Day season, embrace and immerse yourself into this time and focus on what God and Jesus Christ have done for us. Let’s all dedicate ourselves to Him and express our faith, belief, commitment and loyalty to Him and observe these times that God has appointed for us in the manner He has instructed and with the focus on Him and His will that He expects and deserves. Thank Him for the great mercy and love He has shown for all of us and all of mankind.