Does Nehemiah's FOT Validate Armstrong's Observance?

Since leaving the Worldwide Church of God, I have attempted to follow Paul's advice to the saints at Colosse about not judging another's beliefs and observances (Colossians 2:16-17). Nevertheless, I also believe that it is the duty of all of us who have escaped Armstrongism to push back against their self-righteous and dogmatic approach to their beliefs, traditions and observances and absolute disdain for those of others.

Chief among these are the practices which Herbert Armstrong instituted regarding the festivals outlined in the twenty-third chapter of Leviticus, and more precisely the Feast of Tabernacles. I have pointed out in numerous posts and articles over the years that Herbie's observance of this festival did not conform to the scriptural instructions provided for its observance. In summary, designating certain cities as festival sites and providing for meeting halls and hotel reservations are Herbie creations.

In this connection, some folks have pointed to the eighth chapter of Nehemiah to justify Herbie's practices. What about that? Does this passage justify Armstrong's modifications of the scriptural instructions regarding this festival?

First, we must remember that the book of Nehemiah is dealing with a group of Jewish exiles who had been allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city and God's temple. Hence, anything that we read there does not contradict the law of the central sanctuary which designated Jerusalem as the ONLY legitimate feast site!

We read there: "Now on the second day the heads of the fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and Levites, were gathered to Ezra the scribe, in order to understand the words of the Law. And they found written in the Law, which the Lord had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, and that they should announce and proclaim in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, 'Go out to the mountain, and bring olive branches, branches of oil trees, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.' Then the people went out and brought them and made themselves booths, each one on the roof of his house, or in their courtyards or the courts of the house of God, and in the open square of the Water Gate and in the open square of the Gate of Ephraim. So the whole assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and sat under the booths; for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that day the children of Israel had not done so. And there was very great gladness. Also day by day, from the first day until the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day there was a sacred assembly, according to the prescribed manner. - Nehemiah 8:13-18, NKJV (emphasis mine)

Notice that there is NO indication in this scripture that these exiles stayed in any of the buildings then extant in Jerusalem (or that they erected tents for that purpose). Indeed, the context makes it very plain that these folks felt that the actual construction of these arbors or temporary shelters was necessary to properly observe the festival. Moreover, although specific species of trees are listed in the account, we also see that the branches of other "leafy trees" were used in the construction. Hence, the claim that one must use only the particular species of trees listed to be consistent with the observance recorded here is obviously specious. To say that a temporary stay in a permanent building constructed by others is the equivalent of staying in an arbor or shelter which you have personally constructed for that purpose seems to me to stretch credibility.

Once again, I'm not going to condemn anyone for attempting to observe God's commands and worship "Him" in the manner they think best. BUT I also don't want to hear from those folks that they have lifted their practices and traditions directly from Scripture. Don't accuse others of adding and subtracting when you are doing that very thing! My grandmother used to say "What's good for the goose is good for the gander!"

Some Conclusions Based on the Available Evidence?

 On this blog, we have explored the evidence provided by science (evolutionary, biological, genetic, geological, paleontological, cosmological, and many other areas of both classical and modern physics), scriptural (and other religious traditions), history and personal experience. Taking all of the available evidence together (see previous posts on this blog), a clearer picture begins to emerge about both the nature of God, and what that entity appears to intend for us.

First, the evidence suggests to us that God has constructed a reality which tends to hide and obscure the true nature of things and has initiated complex, repetitive and long lasting processes that govern the day to day operation of the universe which we inhabit. Hence, we are left with the distinct impression that God is NOT actively/intimately/regularly involved in creation. However, I believe that the available evidence suggests that God is actively monitoring the operation of these processes and can (and does) occasionally intervene to produce a particular outcome. In short, the evidence suggests that (in the words of a popular song) God is watching us from a distance. And, finally, it also appears that God has designed these processes to be progressive in nature; OR, at the very least, building toward some desired outcome.

Second, as relates to humankind as self-aware creatures, it appears that God/Nature has designed us to be very conscious of our vulnerability and lack of control over our surroundings. The obvious corollary to this conclusion is that humans seem to have an innate need/desire to believe in (and appeal to) the supernatural. Moreover, as relates to God and the universe around us, it appears that God/Nature has designed us to be explorers and seekers of truth and understanding. Likewise, as with all other living things, the evidence suggests that humankind is preoccupied with the perpetuation of itself – Stated another way, it appears that the pursuit of immortality is an inherent part of being human. And, finally, the evidence suggests that humanity is very often preoccupied with the tension between love and hate, good and evil; and the choices which this tension engenders.

Now, I realize that these conclusions at first blush appear to be very general and anticlimactic. However, if we look at these conclusions as pieces of a whole, I believe the outlines emerge of a God and a design that provide a firm foundation and substantive framework for further exploration and other more precise conclusions which we might reach as a consequence of that pursuit. Moreover, the weight of the evidence which is available to us suggests that the Fundamentalist/Literalist dogmatic perspective on God, Scripture and religion is contradictory, incoherent and does not offer a sustainable approach to further spiritual growth and enlightenment. What do you think?

My Prayer for Our Nation

 Almighty God,

Have mercy on us! We appeal to your unfailing love and your boundless compassion.

Please remove the stain of our national sins and cleanse us from our guilt.

Please forgive us for blaming our neighbors and brothers for our own failures.

Please forgive us for putting our own interests above those of our neighbors.

Forgive us, O God, for polluting and destroying your good earth and the waters that cover it.

Forgive us, O God, for allowing our faith and trust to be placed in the hands of an evil man.

Please forget our arrogance and willfulness in the face of the plague which has afflicted us.

Please forget that we have continuously excused ourselves for our behavior and rejoiced in our wickedness.

Help us to see that our rebellion and sin has been against you.

Remove this great wickedness and sin from our midst and wash away our sins.

Restore to us a clean conscience and a proper appreciation of your many blessings.

Help us to have the courage and humility to admit our sins and return to you.

Please don't cast us out of your presence!

Please don't remove your blessings from this land!

Help us to realize that a sacrifice on our behalf has already been made, and that we have only to accept it.

Look to the United States of America with favor again and help us to rebuild the institutions which you inspired.

Lead us out of the chaos and meanness that has enveloped us.

Save us from ourselves and restore sanity and goodness to our nation!

In Jesus name, I pray.

Amen.

THE PLAIN TRUTH

In times past, I associated myself with a "church" that proudly proclaimed THE PLAIN TRUTH (the name which that church's founder chose for their magazine). And, although that "church" no longer exists, many of the folks who continue to adhere to its tenets believe that they are carrying on "the work" of that body. In short, the old Worldwide Church of God believed that the English speaking peoples of the world were "God's people," and that they were specially commissioned to "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." (Isaiah 58:1) Moreover, they believed that this commission to call out individual and national sins exempted them from acquiescing to "political correctness" or being careful not to offend other folks. And, although members were not supposed to vote, that did not prevent "church" leadership from fully endorsing capitalism, criticizing socialism and expressing a conservative political ideology from the pulpit and in their publications.

Leaving aside the argument that the English speaking folks of the world are "God's people" (I, along with many others, have addressed this topic in numerous other posts and comments), is their understanding of God's message to the prophet Isaiah consistent with the "Great Commission" which Jesus Christ gave to his followers at the end of his earthly ministry? In the gospel of Matthew, we read that Christ told them: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20) Now the Worldwide Church of God understood this to mean that they should preach the "gospel of the Kingdom of God," and that an integral part of this message involved warning "God's people" about the consequences of their sins. Was that correct? Do Christ's instructions to his disciples before ascending into heaven either explicitly or implicitly include God's instructions to Isaiah?

Unfortunately, I continue to hear sermons from preachers who have emerged from the ashes of the old Worldwide Church that are focused on personal and national sins and are encouraging folks to support conservative causes and candidates. Some of them will even acknowledge that the Republican Party is not God's party, but then they will quickly go on to tell their listeners that anyone who supports a Democrat for office is also endorsing abortion, gay rights and socialism! Does that mean that anyone who supports a Republican for office is also endorsing anti-environmental policies, capital punishment, capitalism and anti-labor policies? Maybe it's time to take a closer look at exactly what God had to say to Isaiah?

We read there: "“Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israel of their sins! Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me. ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’ “I will tell you why!” I respond. “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers. What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the Lord? “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help." (Isaiah 58:1-7, NLT)

Once again, for the sake of argument, let's assume that this message to Isaiah and the people of Israel applies to modern Christian ministers and the English speaking peoples of the world. We are informed that these folks act pious - they act like they are following God's laws. They brag about their humility and fasting and are perplexed by the fact that God has seemingly abandoned them. God, however, responds that they are just going through the motions - that their pious acts are self-serving and insincere. Instead, God insists that they should be working to free those who have been wrongly imprisoned, making things easier for their employees, removing the things that oppress people, sharing their food with the hungry, providing shelter for the homeless and taking care of their families. My goodness! That sounds an awful lot like the whining of one of those liberal Democrats! Is it possible that Republicans advocate some things that are contrary to Christ's teachings? Is it possible that Democrats might advocate for a few things that are consistent with them?

How did Jesus Christ handle the issue of sins? The Gospel according to John informs us that Jesus didn't shout "Whore!" when an adulteress woman was presented to him. Instead, we are told that he silently bent down and wrote something in the dust with his finger. (see John 8:1-11) Was he listing all of the sins of the people surrounding him and the woman? We don't know, but he did stand up and say "let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!" Likewise, we know that Christ asked his followers "why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye." (Matthew 7:3-5) In fact, I can only remember one instance of a story where Christ expressed overt anger and indignation, and I believe that was with some capitalists in the temple! (see Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-46; and John 2:13-17) Sure, Christ was constantly pointing out the hypocrisy and sins of the preachers of his day, but I can't find many instances of where he did that to the crowds who followed him.

It seems to me that: if we are going to "tell it like it is," we best be careful to TELL IT LIKE IT IS! Christ's message was about salvation through him and sharing eternal life with him and his Father. Yes, repentance from our sins is an integral part of that message, but the emphasis was ALWAYS on putting those things in the rearview mirror! Christ's message was about love, hope and a bright future. Can I get a big AMEN?

Jesus would wear a mask!

With the world in the grips of a pandemic, and many folks refusing to take the coronavirus seriously, those who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ would do well to ask themselves: What would he do in this circumstance? Would Christ ignore the civil authorities? Would Christ tempt fate and insist that God would protect him from the plague?

No doubt, Jesus Christ was a healthy young man who took care of his temple and followed the dietary laws of the Pentateuch. Hence, both God's favor and his own constitution would have made it extremely unlikely that he would have ever succumbed to the virus or even experienced any symptoms. But would Christ have been concerned about the people around him? Would he have worn a mask to protect other folks from being exposed to the virus - even if only to serve as an example to others? I think that Jesus Christ would wear a mask - What do you think?

Celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles

Are Christians obligated to keep/celebrate/observe the festivals outlined in the twenty-third chapter of Leviticus? And, if we determine that they are obligated to keep them, should they follow the instructions for their observance outlined there? Do changed circumstances justify our modifications of those instructions?

As Jews, it is clear that Christ and his apostles observed the festivals. In addition to this fact being a logical conclusion based on the historical evidence, there are a number of references to their observance in the writings known as the New Testament. However, when the Church finally expanded into non-Jewish regions of the Roman Empire, we know that those Gentile Christians had no traditions regarding festival observance and were specifically exempted from having to observe the tenets of God's covenant with Israel by the Jerusalem Council. Moreover, after the Romans destroyed the temple and Jerusalem in the Seventieth year of the Common Era, it was thereafter impossible for even Jewish Christians to observe these festivals in the manner prescribed in the Pentateuch.

Biblical students who are familiar with the Pentateuch know that two provisions of the Law were responsible for this circumstance: The law of the central sanctuary which designated Jerusalem and the temple as the only legitimate place for the observance of commanded assemblies, and the fact that three of these festivals were specifically designated as what we now refer to as pilgrimage feasts (Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles). Moreover, Scripture informs us that not only was attendance at Jerusalem expected in times past, but that God would again demand attendance at Jerusalem in the future - after the Messianic Kingdom had been established on this earth.

Scripture also informs us that festival observance was often neglected during the period of the kingdoms (Israel and Judah) and, for a time, ceased altogether after the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities. Now, it is also true that the Jews eventually developed different customs and traditions which allowed them to continue to observe these festivals after those cataclysmic events. Indeed, in terms of the Feast of Tabernacles, we know that many modern Jews continue to construct temporary shelters in their yards or homes and cook special meals for the observance of this festival.

Likewise, a small number of Christians continue to designate certain cities around the world as "feast sites" and flock to them to observe this festival (although they often ignore the other two pilgrimage festivals in this connection, observing them in their local congregations). And, instead of building or erecting a temporary shelter, they check-in to hotels and campgrounds for the eight days of the festival. Is a temporary stay in a permanent structure the equivalent of temporarily residing in a temporary structure? Is attending the festival at Pensacola or Jekyll Island the equivalent of attending the festival at Jerusalem?

Personally, I am inclined to agree with the Apostle Paul's views on festival observance. He wrote to the saints at Colosse: "Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality." -- Colossians 2:8-17, NLT

I find much value and much to admire in the observance and understanding of these festivals, but we must also admit that the current traditions and services associated with those observances are not entirely consistent with what is recorded in the Pentateuch. Moreover, the New Testament makes plain that Gentiles are not obligated to observe these days. Hence, all observances that exalt those who attempt to keep these days over those who choose not to keep them is more than a little disingenuous and/or specious!

The Feast of Tabernacles Does NOT Picture the Millennium!

In Pagan Holidays – or God’s Holy Days – Which? Herbert Armstrong wrote about the symbolism of the Feast of Tabernacles: “This festival is the picture of the Millennium!” Unfortunately, when Armstrong decided that Christians were obligated to observe the festivals outlined in the Pentateuch for the Israelites, he was not careful to follow scriptural hints regarding the deeper spiritual implications/meanings of the days. Since his death, a great many folks have challenged his understandings about the symbolism involved in some of the other holy days. Even so, Armstrong’s teachings about the meaning of the FOT still enjoy widespread acceptance within the Armstrong Churches of God culture. 

The problem with Mr. Armstrong’s understanding of this feast was his slavish devotion to the notion that they pictured a progression of events within God’s plans for humankind. Hence, although he recognized the significance of the spring and fall harvests relative to these festivals, he failed to integrate that understanding with other scriptures related to both the symbolic meanings of certain rituals and the events themselves. “How can that be?” his devoted followers will demand.

In the booklet referenced at the beginning of this post, Armstrong wrote: “To portray His plan, God took the yearly material harvest seasons in ancient Israel as the picture of the spiritual harvest of souls. In the Holy Land there are two annual harvests. The first is the spring grain harvest. Second comes the main harvest. Notice that the Festival of Tabernacles is to be held ‘at the year's end’ (Ex. 34:22). In this verse the Festival of Tabernacles or Booths is specifically called the ‘feast of ingathering.’ The harvest year ended at the beginning of autumn. Just as Pentecost pictures the early harvest — this church age, so the Festival of Ingatherings or Tabernacles pictures the fall harvest — the great harvest of souls in the Millennium!”

The problem with this teaching is that it doesn’t agree with what is revealed about the timing of this great harvest of souls which is elaborated on in the book of Revelation! In the twentieth chapter of that book, we read: “And 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. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.” – Revelation 20:4-5 Notice here that the first resurrection is clearly associated with the millennium. Continuing, we read: “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison…And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” – Revelation 20:7-13 Hence, we can clearly see that this great harvest of souls takes place AFTER the millennium, and AFTER Satan and his minions have been dealt with once and for all!

Moreover, Herbert Armstrong completely ignored the profound symbolism surrounding this festival which is recorded in the oft quoted twenty-third chapter of Leviticus, and which is further elaborated on quite extensively in the New Testament! I know that these arguments will have zero impact on the folks who have willingly swallowed the Armstrong Kool-Aid, but it is my hope that serious students of the Bible who are willing to take a second look might be persuaded by what is clearly revealed in Scripture regarding the symbolism of this festival.

In the book of Leviticus, we read: “Remember that this seven-day festival to the Lord – the Festival of Shelters – begins on the fifteenth day of the month, after you have harvested all the produce of the land…On the first day gather branches from magnificent trees – palm fronds, boughs from leafy trees, and willows that grow by the streams…For seven days you must live outside in little shelters. All native-born Israelites must live in shelters. This will remind each new generation of Israelites that I made their ancestors live in shelters when I rescued them from the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’” (Leviticus 23:39-43, New Living Translation –here and throughout the rest of this article, unless otherwise noted)

Scripture indicates that the Israelites were told to live in temporary shelters each year for eight days so that they would not forget that they had lived in tents after leaving Egypt and before reaching the Promised Land. In the book of Hebrews, we read: “It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to LEAVE HOME (emphasis mine here and throughout) and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, HE LIVED THERE BY FAITH – for he was like a foreigner living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10) In short, Abraham and his descendants were looking forward to a better and more permanent home.

A little further, we read: “All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. THEY AGREED THAT THEY WERE FOREIGNERS AND NOMADS HERE ON EARTH. Obviously, people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:13-16) Do we begin to see the connection to our own circumstances as Christians?

Like the Israelites of old, God has called us out of Egypt (this sinful society) and has led us out into the wilderness. (John 6:44) We are different and peculiar compared to the people around us. (I Peter 2:9) Like the Israelites, we are heirs of the promises made to Abraham. (Galatians 3:29) Finally, we are also like the Israelites in the sense that we too are looking for a Promised Land (the Kingdom of God). Like the patriarchs of old, we are truly strangers and pilgrims on the earth as it now exists – the one deceived and influenced by Satan the devil.

There is, however, another meaning to this symbolism that is less general and more personal. Although it is unpleasant to contemplate, each one of us has an appointment with death. (Hebrews 9:27) Somewhere in the back of our minds, all of us understand that this life that we are currently enjoying is temporary – it will not last forever (we are subject to time and chance). Paul once told the saints at Corinth, “that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.” (I Corinthians 15:50) He went on to tell them that “our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.” (I Corinthians 15:53)

Sometime later, Paul wrote another letter to the Corinthians. He told them that the light of Christ was shining in their hearts, but he described that treasure as residing in fragile clay jars. (II Corinthians 4:7) He talked about how Christians must face many trials and perils because of their association with Jesus Christ, but that this had resulted in them having the hope of eternal life. (II Corinthians 4:8-15) He continued: “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small AND WON’T LAST VERY LONG. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (II Corinthians 4:16-18)

In other words, Paul understood that Christians are currently living in temporary shelters (human bodies), and that they are looking forward to the time when they will be living in a permanent home (spiritual bodies). In his second letter to the saints at Corinth, we read: “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.” (II Corinthians 5:1-4, KJV)

Peter also understood this concept. In addressing the saints toward the close of his ministry, he wanted to remind them about the truths which he had previously conveyed to them. He wrote: “Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.” (II Peter 1:13-14, KJV) Peter understood that this life is not permanent, and that he was going to die. He also knew that his present body could not inherit the Kingdom of God, and that he would have to shed that body and receive a new one in the resurrection.

As strangers and pilgrims in this world, Christians are looking to exchange a temporary home for a more permanent one (one that God has provided for us). Hence, for us, this is an important component of the symbolism of this Old Testament Festival.

And, finally, perhaps the most important component of this symbolism has to do with our relationship with Christ and Almighty God – the fact that Christ tabernacled with us in the past and will do so again someday with the Father! We read in the Gospel According to John that the “Word was made flesh and dwelt <tabernacled> among us.” – John 1:14, KJV Then, at the conclusion of all things, we are told in the book of Revelation: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” - Revelation 21:1-3 I don’t know about you, but I think that this symbolism beats Armstrong’s teachings on the subject by a mile!