James Russell, Elder
Dear Brethren and co-workers,
The Church of God, In Truth again, was blessed for keeping God's Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day at their appointed time. It was our eleventh year for keeping God's colorful Feast in Branson West, Missouri. There was some concern for those meeting together in the Philippines, because of a typhoon that raked through the islands just prior to God's eight day Festivals. We were sent good news from them, God answering our prayers and all were able to rejoice and attend services together safely. They also wanted to thank the Church for its study on “who or where” is the remnant Church of God that “keep the commandments of God and has the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17), during the wrath of Satan. We also received a positive response from those in England who kept God's appointed Feasts, on the correct dates.
I don't believe there has been a year go by at God's Feasts, that guests don't drop in and sow their tares [literature]! In the parables of the tares among the wheat, Jesus Christ said, “....The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way” (Matt 13:24-25). The wheat [God's first fruits] at once becomes the scene of Satan's activity. So great is Satan's power of deception that the tares often supposes themselves to be granted the privilege to add and take away from God's word!!! “But,” God's called see clearly through their deception!!
After eight appointed days of absorbing in like a sponge, God's encouraging life giving words, it can be discouraging to have to go back out into the world Satan is the prince of. Listen to our Lords advice to zealous Simon Peter. “ And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you art converted, strengthen the brethren” (Luke 22:31-32). As God's called we should thank our Creator for Peter, the apostle for eager aggression and being impetuous! Though he stumbled, he didn't stay down; and though he sinned, he didn't wallow in his guilt, but repented, stood to his feet, and went forward to teach God's inspired word of truth! Yes!, the Apostle Peter understood Prov 24:16 “For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” He also knew, “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholds him with His hand” (Psa 37:24).
Have you ever stumbled? Failed? Fallen on your face? Been discouraged? If this has ever happened
to you, don't just lie there-get up! There were no sinless Bible heroes except Jesus Christ Himself; and even
the great heroes of God's word had moments of mistakes, missteps, discouragements, and miserable disappointments.
We find this example in Matthew 25, in the parable of the 10 virgins, how some of the foolish virgins finally repented and gained access to God's kingdom. “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the Bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go you out to meet Him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut”(Matt 25:1-10).
While the foolish virgins went to “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding”(Prov 23:23), the Apostle John sees in his vision the marriage of the wise virgins, he writes, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints”(Rev 19:7-8). These married virgins, who are now called saints, had not involved themselves with religions that practice syncritism [mixing religious traditions], they stayed away from those churches “.....who say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie....” (Rev 3:9). How do they lie? By teaching its OK to practice postponing God's annual Holy Days.
In the letter to Rome, Paul expresses the Church of God, in Truth's feelings “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which does those things shall live by them”(Rom 10:1-5).
What else does God's word tell us happened when the called foolish virgins went to buy God's truth? “And you yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when He will return from the wedding; that when He cometh and knocks, they may open unto Him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that He shall gird Himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if He shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. Be you therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not” (Luke 12:35-40).
Those called foolish virgins are now given the opportunity to be an invited guest at the wedding supper that takes place after the wedding. “And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Rev 19:9-10). Are these the remnant people we read of in Revelation 12:17 “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, [church] and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” And are these the Churches that are with the two witnesses in Revelation 11:4?
The wise virgins that were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb we find “.... sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women [churches who postpone God's Holy Days]; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God”(Rev 14:3-5).
Ask yourself? Are you going to be at the “wedding” of the Lamb-or at the marriage “supper” of the Lamb? Meditating on truth will give you your answer!
Church of God, In Truth
P.O. BOX 2109
Corona, CA. 92878 USA
Tel: 951-737-0559
Fax: 951-279-7302
Contact: James Russell, Elder Or Pete Fleming, Elder
Tel: 951-737-0559 Tel: 830-885-5502
E-mail: cogit@flash.net E-mail: pmf06@gvtc.com
Our Sabbath Telephone Conference number is toll free: 1-888-330-9937. An automated speaker will ask for your access code. After the beeps, enter 346041 followed by the # sign. Hook-up time is 11:30 AM Pacific time zone. The Sabbath Internet Conference is found at: www.postponements.com Also at 11:30 AM Pacific time zone. Click on live sermons!