Reflecting on the Days of Unleavened Bread and looking ahead . . .
From the President...
Greetings brethren around the world,
Less than a week ago, the Days of Unleavened Bread ended. It seems like a lot has gone on since then. Certainly, situations in the world have taken a dramatic turn with the death of the Pope earlier this week.
Overcoming lawlessness
Before getting into that, let’s first focus on the Days of Unleavened Bread. We live in times that can be considered tumultuous and uncertain, exemplified by the U.S. economy and what is going on with the talks of tariffs and other issues that dominate our news.
But, we remember, too, that we are living in a time of “lawlessness,” as has become more fully evident over the past four years. But, while there seems to be a trend (in the United States at least) toward an ideology of traditional law, order and “morality,” we know there are forces at work which strongly oppose that.
If we are not careful and watchful, these attitudes of “lawlessness” can pervade even those in the Church. It is not that any of us think that we would intentionally disregard or speak against what the Bible says. But our words, supported by our actions, must always reflect commitment to the Bible and its principles.
As we rehearsed during the Feast days just passed, the clear message God gives to His people is to examine ourselves, repent and “overcome” our sins, pride, elevated views of self, wrong attitudes, and even the attitude that just because we have remained in the faith for decades, that we are now immune to the dangers of Satan’s and the world’s influence. “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall,” God reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:12.
Christ's messages to the seven churches in Revelation are instructive. Every single one of the warnings applies to any one of us. We often speak of the “Laodicean” attitude where, in concert with favorable world and economic situations, we may feel spiritually “rich and increased with goods” and “have need of nothing.”
But there are warnings to the other churches we need to consider as well. For example, God warns Ephesus to return to their first love. He warns Pergamos and Thyatira of being lured by doctrines from the world and being guilty of sexual immorality. (Of course, God is speaking of spiritual harlotry, which we can be guilty of, as so many of His people down through the ages have been.)
Of note in Revelation 2:20, when speaking to Thyatira, Jesus cautions: “Nevertheless, I have a few things against you, because you [tolerate your wife (those words being the correct translation)] Jezebel…to teach and seduce My servants.”
We might ask ourselves, in an age where lawlessness has invaded our societies, do we “tolerate” sinful actions, attitudes, behaviors and words of those who might have influence over us? Do we excuse those things—perhaps in the name of “love” in the sense that the world’s Christianity uses that word?
Do we excuse and tolerate because it is easier to do that than to heed what the apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5? There, he clearly wrote if we truly love (using God’s definition of agape) our brother, we will admonish him and correct him. We should not tolerate continuing, unrepentant sinful actions.
We are the Church of God, and called to live by every word of God. Don’t forget the lessons of the Days of Unleavened Bread. Put the word of God in your minds daily, not the attitudes, tolerance of sin, and the world’s interpretation of why Christ gave His life.
Death of Pope Francis and WEF changes
On the world scene, some significant world developments occurred earlier this week. Pope Francis suddenly died on Monday morning, after making an appearance to the world the previous day. His funeral will be watched by many this weekend, and then the process for choosing a new Pope will begin.
On the same day of the Pope’s death, influential World Economic Forum (WEF) leader, 87-year-old Klaus Schwab, resigned, opening the door for a new leader of that institution, to which so many of the world’s leaders and notable billionaires belong. The WEF has been committed to a world of globalization, climate change policies and promoting lifestyles that differ dramatically from what have been the norm.
With the vacating of these two influential positions, which will an effect on the whole world, it could be that Bible prophecy, which speaks of the rise of the “beast” power in Europe, is about to take a major step forward.
This week’s Biblical Worldview video, which will be released tomorrow, will focus on this. You might watch that episode, which will be available at youtube.com/beyondtodaytv sometime beginning late Friday afternoon (U.S. time).
Before I close, let me thank Fred and Lidia Nance, and the congregations in the Little Rock, Arkansas area for their hospitality last week for the Last Day of Unleavened Bread. It was wonderful to be there with everyone. God’s people around the world are such an example of His way of life and an inspiration to be with, as we have so much appreciated over the last few years while we have had the opportunity to visit so many around the world.
Have a wonderful rest of the week and Sabbath, brethren. Draw closer to God, stay close to God and always pray for each other and for God’s will to be done.
Our thoughts, prayers, and love are with all of you, all over the world.
Continuing in Christ’s service,
Rick Shabi
May 3, 2025 GCE Sabbath Service Webcast
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Feast Registration Announcement–2025
General Registration: Opens April 27 at 12 p.m. EDT
All members may begin registering for the Feast at noon Eastern time, this Sunday. All Feast sites are expected to have adequate capacity—except for the restricted sites of Lihue, Temecula and Walnut Creek.
Restricted Sites–Approval Process: April 27 Registration
Lihue, Hawaii and Temecula, California: These sites are expected to reach capacity within 15 minutes. Everyone registering on April 27 will be placed on a waitlist. Applicants will receive an email (by later that afternoon or Monday) with the status of their request.
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If you are attending any U.S. Feast site except for Lihue, Temecula or Walnut Creek, you may book housing now, as these sites are not expected to reach capacity. However, be sure to officially register on April 27.
—Steve Myers, Operation Manager, Ministerial and Member Services
