The Atonement: Being Made at One with God

The Problem: It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. - Isaiah 59:2, NLT

The Solution Foreshadowed: Aaron must take from the community of Israel two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. Aaron will present his own bull as a sin offering to purify himself and his family, making them right with the Lord. Then he must take the two male goats and present them to the Lord at the entrance of the Tabernacle. He is to cast sacred lots to determine which goat will be reserved as an offering to the Lord and which will carry the sins of the people to the wilderness of Azazel. Aaron will then present as a sin offering the goat chosen by lot for the Lord. The other goat, the scapegoat chosen by lot to be sent away, will be kept alive, standing before the Lord. When it is sent away to Azazel in the wilderness, the people will be purified and made right with the Lord...Then Aaron must slaughter the first goat as a sin offering for the people and carry its blood behind the inner curtain. There he will sprinkle the goat’s blood over the atonement cover and in front of it, just as he did with the bull’s blood. Through this process, he will purify the Most Holy Place, and he will do the same for the entire Tabernacle, because of the defiling sin and rebellion of the Israelites. No one else is allowed inside the Tabernacle when Aaron enters it for the purification ceremony in the Most Holy Place. No one may enter until he comes out again after purifying himself, his family, and all the congregation of Israel, making them right with the Lord. Then Aaron will come out to purify the altar that stands before the Lord. He will do this by taking some of the blood from the bull and the goat and putting it on each of the horns of the altar. Then he must sprinkle the blood with his finger seven times over the altar. In this way, he will cleanse it from Israel’s defilement and make it holy. When Aaron has finished purifying the Most Holy Place and the Tabernacle and the altar, he must present the live goat. He will lay both of his hands on the goat’s head and confess over it all the wickedness, rebellion, and sins of the people of Israel. In this way, he will transfer the people’s sins to the head of the goat. Then a man specially chosen for the task will drive the goat into the wilderness. As the goat goes into the wilderness, it will carry all the people’s sins upon itself into a desolate land. - Leviticus 16:5-10 and 15-22, NLT

The Symbolism Explained: That first covenant between God and Israel had regulations for worship and a place of worship here on earth. There were two rooms in that Tabernacle. In the first room were a lampstand, a table, and sacred loaves of bread on the table. This room was called the Holy Place. Then there was a curtain, and behind the curtain was the second room called the Most Holy Place. In that room were a gold incense altar and a wooden chest called the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered with gold on all sides. Inside the Ark were a gold jar containing manna, Aaron’s staff that sprouted leaves, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the Ark were the cherubim of divine glory, whose wings stretched out over the Ark’s cover, the place of atonement. But we cannot explain these things in detail now.

When these things were all in place, the priests regularly entered the first room as they performed their religious duties. But only the high priest ever entered the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. And he always offered blood for his own sins and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed that the entrance to the Most Holy Place was not freely open as long as the Tabernacle and the system it represented were still in use.

This is an illustration pointing to the present time. For the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the consciences of the people who bring them. For that old system deals only with food and drink and various cleansing ceremonies—physical regulations that were in effect only until a better system could be established. So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.

Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.

That is why even the first covenant was put into effect with the blood of an animal. For after Moses had read each of God’s commandments to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, and sprinkled both the book of God’s law and all the people, using hyssop branches and scarlet wool. Then he said, “This blood confirms the covenant God has made with you.” And in the same way, he sprinkled blood on the Tabernacle and on everything used for worship. In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

That is why the Tabernacle and everything in it, which were copies of things in heaven, had to be purified by the blood of animals. But the real things in heaven had to be purified with far better sacrifices than the blood of animals.

For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice.

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. - Hebrews 9:1-28, NLT

The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared.

But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year. For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said to God, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer. You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin. Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God— as is written about me in the Scriptures.’

First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses). Then he said, “Look, I have come to do your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says, “This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices. - Hebrews 10:1-18, NLT

The Solution Predicted: Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm? My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. - Isaiah 53:1-12, NLT

He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. - Psalm 103:12, NLT

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!' - John 1:29, NLT

The Solution Carried Out: When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. - Romans 5:6-11, NLT

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. - II Corinthians 5:18-21, NLT

For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. - Colossians 1:19-22, NLT

God's Standard: LOVE

Over the last eleven years, I have posted numerous articles on this blog dealing with the subject of God's expectations of New Covenant Christians. I have talked in great detail about the Two Great Commandments which Christ pulled out of Torah as the foundation of Divine Law - the God standard, if you will. My critics, of course, have charged that I espouse a kind of lawlessness - that my focus on love (an "emotion," they say) amounts to no real standard at all. Indeed, many Armstrongists break out into a big grin and make fun of the mention of love as a standard! Instead, they focus on the written commands of Torah and its rituals as the standard for all "true" Christians.

Love, however, is a real standard. It is NOT an amorphous emotion that cannot be clearly defined. After all, the Apostle Paul defined it in his first letter to the saints at Corinth! He wrote: "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." (I Corinthians 13:4-7, NLT) No real standard? Really? 

In his first epistle, John wrote: "Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us." (I John 4:7-12, NLT) A standard? How about THE STANDARD! What do you think?

The Ability to Distinguish Between Good and Evil

In the Biblical story of the Garden of Eden, we are informed that God planted a tree which he called "the knowledge or awareness of good and evil" (Genesis 2:8-9). In this story, God told the man that he could eat from any tree in the garden EXCEPT that tree (Genesis 2:15-17). Interestingly, this is followed by an account of the creation of a wife for the man (Genesis 2:18-24). Then, we read: "Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame." (Genesis 2:25, NLT) As the story continues, the woman is tempted by a talking serpent to partake of the fruit of the forbidden tree, and that she was able to convince her husband to do the same (Genesis 3:1-6). Next, as a consequence eating the fruit, we are told that "At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So, they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves." (Genesis 3:7, NLT)

Now, obviously, the story is highly symbolic, but the implications for discerning what is/isn't morally acceptable are clear - especially as it relates to human sexuality. This is underscored by the conversation which followed in the narrative between God and the couple. We read: "When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So, they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, 'Where are you?' He replied, 'I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.' 'Who told you that you were naked?' the Lord God asked. 'Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?' The man replied, 'It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.' Then the Lord God asked the woman, 'What have you done?' 'The serpent deceived me,' she replied. 'That’s why I ate it.' (Genesis 3:8-13, NLT) Clearly, prior to eating the fruit, the couple were not even aware that they were naked, or that there was anything shameful associated with being in that condition!

From God's perspective, EVERYTHING that he had created (including the man and woman and their ability to reproduce through sexual intercourse) was "very good" (Genesis 1:31). What are we to conclude from this story? That the shame and guilt associated with our bodies and their sexual functions should be regarded as HUMAN notions about what is/isn't morally acceptable - that those notions did NOT originate in the mind of God or should be considered a part of what he has determined to be good or evil. Hence, the clothing of the human couple after they were expelled from the garden must be regarded as a Divine concession to their feelings (Genesis 3:20-24)! Even so, we (as the descendants of that first couple) have retained their sense of shame about our bodies and the sexual act! In other words, like them, we have consistently called that which is good "evil," and that which is evil "good."

In the book of Isaiah, we read that God reprimanded the people of Judah and Jerusalem and said: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!" (Isaiah 5:20-21, ESV) In other words, God was warning his people NOT to formulate their own moral standards and claim that they were God's standard! It is God who declares what is moral and what is immoral. It is God who separates light from darkness and made some things to be sweet and others to be bitter. And yet, we humans continue to substitute our own judgments about most matter for those designated by God! Indeed, we read in Scripture that "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 14:12, ESV)

Moreover, as we have just demonstrated, there is nowhere that this phenomenon is more apparent than in the realm of human sexuality. For instance, God made fidelity to another human to be THE standard for all committed relationships among the Israelites (Exodus 20:14). In other words, God declared it to be a sin to be unfaithful to someone to whom you have made a commitment. The human standard: If you get tired of your partner, you can divorce them and remarry someone else (Deuteronomy 24:1) OR If you like variety, you can marry more than one person (II Samuel 3:2-5, I Chronicles 3:1-3, and I Kings 11:3). Once again, harkening back to the story of the creation of Eve, the story "explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." (Genesis 2:24, NLT) No ceremony, no official license - just two people leaving their parents' home, coming together in sexual intercourse and making a commitment to each other! Likewise, in the Gospel of Mathew, we read that the Pharisees confronted Jesus Christ on the subject of divorce. He replied: "'Haven’t you read the Scriptures?' Jesus replied. 'They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’ And he said, 'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.' 'Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?' they asked. Jesus replied, 'Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended. And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery—unless his wife has been unfaithful.'" (Matthew 19:4-9, NLT)

Longtime readers of this blog know that Jesus condensed the entirety of the Law of Moses (Torah) into Two Great Commandments. He said: "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40, NLT) In other words, if people would apply these two principles to everything that they thought and did (including those things which pertain to human sexuality), they would fulfill the requirements of God's Law! In similar fashion, if humans could apply this standard to themselves, there wouldn't be any need for an elaborate list of dos and don'ts (like the 600+ commandments of Torah)! For instance, we can see how rape, incest, pedophilia, bestiality, adultery, prostitution, promiscuousness, etc. would be inconsistent with treating others the way that you would like to be treated. Likewise, in a primitive society based on paternalistic misogyny, slavery, and idolatry, we can see why a male penetrating another male in sexual intercourse or seeking the services of a male temple prostitute would be regarded as violating these two principles. In modern times, however, with our understanding of sexual orientation, not so much in terms of sexual relationships between members of the same sex. Indeed, with the application of the two commandments to our own times, we can see that some heterosexual behaviors could be regarded as sinful and some homosexual behaviors could also be regarded as sinful, while others could be regarded as perfectly consistent with them both!

Which brings us back to our original question about how to distinguish between good and evil. Do we need a long list of dos and don'ts to determine what is moral and what is immoral? OR Are those Two Great Commandments enough?

In Paul's epistle to the Christians of Rome, we read: "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2) Under the terms of the New Covenant, God's Law is written in our hearts - NOT on tablets of stone, parchment roles, or sheets of paper! (Jeremiah 31:31-33 and Hebrews 8:8-11, 10:16-17) This is what Paul meant when he wrote to the Christians of Galatia: "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses." (Galatians 5:16-18, NLT) Hence, we see that it is the Holy Spirit that helps us to distinguish between good and evil by applying the Two Great Commandments to everything that we think and do!   

True Freedom of Speech!

The United States has trumpeted the right of its citizens to speak freely for years, but the last twenty years have made a mockery of that claim. Freedom of Speech has been under attack from both the right and the left in this country. The political left has practiced shaming and vilifying those on the right for years and has attempted to regulate speech on social media. More recently, the right has itself embraced censorship, using all of the tools of government at its disposal, and employing congressional redistricting to negate demographic changes in the electorate. In other words, both sides have worked at a feverish pace to exclude the voices of each other's constituencies. Instead of trying to earn the support of voters outside of their traditional constituencies, they have circled the wagons and tried their darndest to exclude the other wagon train!

Unfortunately, within the context of human governance, the rights to freedom of religion, speech, and press are all too often dependent on the whim of those in power or the mood of the populace. Within the context of the Christian Church, those rights must truly be regarded by Christ's disciples as Divinely given/mandated. Indeed, for Christ's disciples, speaking truth to power is NOT just a privilege or freedom - it is an obligation! Even so, that freedom/obligation is too often abused and misinterpreted among Christians. Instead of speaking about salvation through Jesus Christ, they choose to offer commentary on the political systems and policies of this world! Instead of being the voice of the voiceless and downtrodden, they choose to speak on behalf of the political elites of this world! Instead of speaking about the cure for sin and alienation from God, they choose to berate sinners, migrants, and the poor!

For those who are trying to follow the example of Christ and his apostles, Scripture makes very clear that they will be speaking about things like love, salvation, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, patience, peace, service to others, etc. We should also remember that Christ often upbraided the religious leadership of his day, and that his disciples often suffered persecution at the hands of both the political and religious elites of the First Century. In this connection, please consider the following passages:

Acts 4:1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. 5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (ESV)

Proverbs 31:8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. (NIV)

Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. (NIV)

Psalm 82:2 “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? 3 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. (NIV)

James 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (ESV)

Matthew 20:25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (ESV)

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. (ESV)

I Corinthians 2:2 When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. 2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. (NLT)

II Corinthians 3:17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (NLT)

Galatians 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (NLT)

Now, that is real freedom of speech! Christians have the ability, freedom, and obligation to speak of these things - NOT to offer up political commentary or denigrate sinners! In my humble opinion, Scripture couldn't be any clearer on this point! What do you think?

  

Milo Yiannopoulos: The Poster Boy for Everything Wrong With "Conservative" Christianity

The Christian Today website recently posted an article titled Milo Yiannopoulos pushes back against LGBT ideology by Conor Ryan. Before getting into the article, for those of you who may be unfamiliar with Milo, a little background is probably essential to what follows. Mr. Yiannopoulos is a homosexual Catholic who has embraced extreme right-wing politics and causes and enjoys the same kind of in-your-face confrontational advocacy practiced by the late Charlie Kirk. Like Mr. Kirk (and many other of the voices of modern conservatism), Milo is a college dropout who never completed a formal education. Ten years ago, he participated in the Gamergate harassment campaign against female video gamers. Mr. Yiannopoulos was employed by the notorious right-wing Breitbart News - resigning after he appeared to advocate for male homosexual pedophilia (which also resulted in being disinvited to CPAC).

Now, with that background in hand, we are prepared to explore the Conor Ryan article. The premise of the post is that, after a long hiatus (and in the wake of the Charlie Kirk murder), Yiannopoulos has decided to return to his role as right-wing flame thrower and antagonist of those nasty progressives. Mr. Ryan wrote: "As an intelligent and talented conservative provocateur he could stir up the left like no one else could. This is partly because he had the wit and sharp mind to quickly tear apart weak arguments in a way that is amusing and persuasive but also because he didn't fit the usual stereotype of a conservative activist. Milo was a flamboyant homosexual who lived a hedonistic lifestyle and yet was politically right-wing." Imagine that - advocating for those good old traditional family values while living the life of a Bohemian! Can you say, "hypocrite"? This reminds me of the Pharisees of old who were quite willing to impose burdens on folks which they weren't willing to expend an ounce of their own effort toward fulfilling!

Ryan continued: "Never one to shy away from controversy Milo has now recently started doing news interviews again and announced to the world that he has said goodbye to his previous homosexual lifestyle. He is now practicing a celibate lifestyle and has broken off what he now regards as a fake marriage to a male partner. When I saw Milo speak in Adelaide at the end of 2017 I wrote an article then talking about how Milo was a walking contradiction. A man who was simultaneously an outspoken Catholic conservative but also a very open homosexual. But it appears that he has now bridged that gap between his professed beliefs and his way of life, taking his faith much more seriously and embracing a more moral lifestyle." So, Milo has seen the error of his ways and is ready to assume the mantel of moral leadership of conservative Christendom? Excuse me if I'm a little skeptical about his "conversion."

Ryan went on to observe: "One thing that I have always admired about Milo is that he holds his convictions firm, speaks his mind and doesn't care what anyone thinks about it. In an age when the progressive LGBT movement is shoving its ideology down our throats and trying to silence and shame those who disagree, men with a backbone like Milo are needed." Excuse me, who is trying to silence and shame who? LGBTQ folks have been subjected to shaming, violence, and voicelessness for centuries! Moreover, I'm thinking that it is just a little rich that these so-called Christian voices are screaming persecution for being called on the carpet for their overt cruelty, self-righteousness, and blatant hypocrisy! They scream intolerance by those who have the nerve to critique their own intolerance and easy condemnation of LGBTQ folks! Yes, that is just a little too rich for me!

Mr. Ryan continued: "And why can't we just speak plainly about homosexuality like Milo does? It seems that Christians have become so grey on this particular subject. There is nothing grey about what the Bible says about it though. It says that is it an abomination and uses this particular sin as a prominent example of a society that has rejected God and His plainly revealed truth. God created man and woman to come together in a committed union in which healthy children can be raised. This is wholesome, good and beautiful and homosexuality is a perversion of this." So, let me make sure that I have this right. Speaking plainly about homosexuality involves calling it an abomination and the folks who engage in such behavior perverts? Speaking plainly about homosexuality involves an unambiguous damnation of gay folks and perpetuating disproven stereotypes about that community? Ryan went on to say that those nasty progressive Christians aren't really advocating for tolerance, compassion, and empathy. According to him, they are just cowards - too afraid to stand up for good old Christian morals! Apparently, these folks need to hear that they are sinners of the worst kind, and that heterosexuals reflect God's morality. Gag me with a spoon!

Sorry, I'm not going to "Thank God for people like Milo." In a world full of demagogues and haters, we don't need yet another one! As I've said in times past, we already have enough folks who are actively trying to "own (provoke) the libs!" God bless all of those folks who are preoccupied with the logs in their own eyes and are too busy to worry about the sawdust in their neighbor's eye! 

Does God Choose/Designate Our Leaders?

The Armstrong Churches of God (along with some of the other groups who claim to be Christian) have a tendency to portray God as choosing or setting up our human leaders. Indeed, this was an important part of Herbert Armstrong's rationale for teaching his followers that they shouldn't be voting in secular elections (you didn't want to inadvertently vote against God's choice). As with most of Armstrong's teachings, this one was based on a "prooftext" from an Old Testament prophet.

In the book of Daniel, we read: "The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men." (Daniel 4:17, ESV) So, God chooses or designates human leaders - right? As with most such "prooftexts," the problem arises when the context of the remarks is ignored, and other relevant texts are not consulted.

In this particular instance, the context is the overweening pride of the Babylonian ruler, King Nebuchadnezzar. The book of Daniel focuses on this king as an instrument in God's hands used to punish and correct the Jewish kingdom and its leadership. Unfortunately, in the course of God's use of this Gentile king, he became very impressed with his own success, power, and wealth. As often happens, the king began to imagine that his own talents/abilities had placed him in the position he currently occupied - that it was all about him.

As a consequence of his excessive arrogance and pride, God gave the king a dream which was meant to warn him that God was about to teach him an important lesson in humility, and who was/is ultimately in control (Daniel 4:4-18). Daniel, of course, interpreted the king's dream and advised him to repent of his sins and yield to God's guidance (Daniel 4:19-27). Nevertheless, as with most of us, the king had to learn the hard way. He temporarily lost his sanity and his throne (Daniel 4:28-33). Later, after God had restored his mind and crown, the king learned his lesson and acknowledged God's supremacy.

We read: "At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, 'What have you done?' At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble." (Daniel 4:34-37, ESV)

In other words, the lesson of this narrative is that God reigns supreme, and that NOTHING that happens can impede or thwart "His" will! - NOT that God designates or chooses every single person who rules over humankind! It is a lesson underscoring the folly of hubris, and/or the notion of human authority and control.

Indeed, the Hebrew Scriptures inform us that God viewed the Israelites' request for a human king as rebellion against himself (I Samuel 8:4-9)! Moreover, when God reviewed the sins of the children of Israel through the Prophet Hosea, we read: "The people have appointed kings without my consent, and princes without my approval." (Hosea 8:4, NLT) Likewise, in the Greek New Testament, we read that "the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions." (II Timothy 4:3, ESV) Clearly, the Bible teaches that humans seize power and/or choose people to lead them in the direction(s) which they would like to go!

"What about what Paul wrote to the saints at Rome?" my Armstrongist friends will demand. In that epistle we read: "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God. Therefore whoever resists [governmental] authority resists the ordinance of God. And those who have resisted it will bring judgment (civil penalty) on themselves. For [civil] authorities are not a source of fear for [people of] good behavior, but for [those who do] evil. Do you want to be unafraid of authority? Do what is good and you will receive approval and commendation. For he is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, [you should] be afraid; for he does not carry the [executioner’s] sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an avenger who brings punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be subject [to civil authorities], not only to escape the punishment [that comes with wrongdoing], but also as a matter of principle [knowing what is right before God]. For this same reason you pay taxes, for civil authorities are God’s servants, devoting themselves to governance.  Pay to all what is due: tax to whom tax is due, customs to whom customs, respect to whom respect, honor to whom honor." (Romans 13:1-7, Amplified Bible)

Let's take a closer look at what Paul was saying to these people. Clearly, he is talking about civil/secular authority. Paul, recognizing that structure and governance are necessary features of human society which are consistent with God's design, he instructs the Christians at Rome to obey them - to NOT rebel against them or resist their authority. Is he saying that every judge, magistrate, governor, emperor/king was chosen/appointed by God? Is he endorsing all of their activities, decisions, or policies? Obviously NOT! The emphasis of his remarks is on the behavior of the believer towards folks in positions of authority - NOT on their "Divine right to rule!" To be clear, God does NOT endorse bad behaviors. He does NOT endorse cruelty, violence, corruption, or bad decisions. Likewise, God doesn't endorse or appoint people with neuroses or other psychological problems to positions of authority.

Indeed, the entire thrust of Daniel in the Old Testament and the book of Revelation in the New Testament is the ineptitude and wickedness inherent to human governments! Moreover, both books predict that God will someday establish a king and kingdom which will supplant ALL human governments on this earth! Hence, we can see that these so-called "prooftexts" really don't demonstrate what folks have imagined them to suggest - that God has personally chosen/designated all human leaders. Finally, in addition to this Scriptural context, I would think that most of us would have enough good old common sense NOT to make God responsible for folks like Hitler, Stalin, or Pol Pot. Yeah, they might want to rethink this one!

No Brakes Now: The Madness Continues!

Now that he has his own website and programming, CGI's Bill Watson is off and running toward Crazyville! Indeed, this guy makes Dave Pack, Gerald Flurry, and Bob Thiel look sane and reasonable! Considering himself to be free of Tyler's control, Mr. Watson now appears to feel free to say whatever pops into his befuddled mind. In the latest episode of his Wall Watchers: Current Event Updates, the Medina, Ohio pastor's preoccupation with right-wing extremism and circular reasoning are on graphic display.

Gone are the euphemisms for talking about Covid origin and vaccination conspiracy theories. Mr. Watson no longer feels the need to pat his arm to signify the vaccination or "jab" as he refers to it without actually vocalizing the words. During the first thirty-eight (38) minutes of this latest episode, he rails against mandates and characterizing the Covid vaccination shots as vaccinations (Bill insists that the shots be referred to as "gene therapy"). The "good" pastor insists on his rights to control his own body, and what is placed into it and denies that ANY government has the right to impose ANY mandates regarding ANY kind of vaccinations (even the traditional ones). Ironically, the pastor doesn't seem to mind imposing controls on what women do with their own bodies.

The sources which support and vindicate Mr. Watson's perspective? The same ones who generated these conspiracy theories when the virus started! Now that the crazies are in control in Washington (RFK Jr. at Health and Human Services), the Florida Surgeon General's office, and at the CDC, their pronouncements on the subject are presented as gospel truth! For Mr. Watson, big pharma and the CDC were conspiring together to control and kill Americans and to cover-up their nefarious activities by suppressing reports of problems with the "jab."

In the remaining twelve (12) minutes of his presentation, Mr. Watson decried attacks on what he calls "Biblical Christianity." According to Mr. Watson, the only valid interpretation of Scripture relative to human sexuality is the one which supports the traditional narrative (anti-homosexual, anti-"gender dysphoria"). Ironically, Mr. Watson preaches against almost everything else these "Biblical" (Traditional) Christians preach! Apparently, they interpreted Scripture correctly regarding sexual ethics and missed the mark on everything else!

For Pastor Watson, "Biblical Christianity" is engaged in a great "spiritual war" against what he calls "Progressive Christianity" (any Christians who do not support the doctrine of Biblical inerrancy or the "truth" about sexual "normality"). In both politics and religion, Mr. Watson abhors "modern thinking," especially the kind which he characterizes as "liberal" or "progressive." The pastor also appears to believe that "human experience" should NOT be consulted in formulating a coherent theology - just what he says that the Bible says! In yet another twist of irony, Watson insists that "Progressive" Christians are denying the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ (he apparently hasn't been reading any of my posts on the subject). Indeed, he completely misses the irony of his own teaching that Christians are obligated to observe many of the provisions of Torah (in addition to their salvation through Jesus of Nazareth).

Finally, Mr. Watson pointed out that God is doing the calling of people to himself. Hence, he reasons that Christians shouldn't worry about evangelizing or reaching out to those nasty and perverted modern or progressive thinkers. In other words, there shouldn't be any problems in just targeting conservative or traditional-leaning folks as the only worthwhile field for evangelizing and/or preaching his "warning" message (Apparently, Jesus didn't really mean the whole world when he commissioned his followers to teach his message)! Yeah, let's all ignore those pesky problematic passages of Scripture and read The Blaze! After all, isn't that where the REAL "truth" is to be found?

Sow the Wind and Reap the Whirlwind

The political assassination of Charlie Kirk has suggested a bleak future for the nation ironically known as the "United" States of America. Instead of civil dialogue, a significant number of people on both the political right and left now see violence as a useful tool in advancing their agenda(s). Prior to this latest horror, there was the January 6th attack on the capital, two assassination attempts on Trump, the attack on former Speaker Pelosi's husband in their private home, and the attack on Minnesota legislators all offering us compelling evidence that the U.S. has gone off the rails in the last decade. To be clear, this is NOT a morally or politically desirable development.

In this connection, a couple of passages of Scripture come to mind. Speaking of the Israelites of old, the prophet Hosea wrote: "For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind." (Hosea 8:7, ESV) Likewise, the Apostle Paul once wrote to the saints of Galatia: "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." (Galatians 6:7, ESV)

In one of their articles dealing with the current political climate, in the Wikipedia, we read: "'Owning the libs' is a rhetorical device that transgresses political correctness and emphasizes culture war issues to provoke a reaction in others, similar to trolling." Now, although this may be "fun" for political operatives, we need to ask ourselves: Is it really a good idea to intentionally tweak a perceived enemy's nose - to purposefully try to drive someone to distraction - to make them crazy? To be clear, what happened to Charlie Kirk was awful and wrong and cannot be justified. I have prayed for his widow and children to be comforted and helped. Nevertheless, we must all ask ourselves if it is wise to intentionally raise the temperature and provoke the anger of folks who disagree with us.

Along these lines, I especially liked what January 6th Capitol Police Officer Michael Fanone's statement had to say about the Kirk assassination. He said:

Charlie Kirk is dead. Shot in the middle of a speech at Utah Valley University.

I am not going to sugarcoat it: I have nothing but contempt for Charlie Kirk’s politics. He made a career out of poisoning young minds with grievance, conspiracy, and hate. He profited off division. He defended the indefensible. He celebrated cruelty. I don’t grieve for his ideas, and I won’t sanitize what he represented.

But here’s the thing: violence has no place in American politics. None.

I know what it’s like to be on the business end of political violence.

I felt fists, flagpoles, and tasers on January 6th. I heard men scream that they were going to kill me in the name of Donald Trump.

That day taught me something too many of us are still trying to ignore: once political violence becomes acceptable—once you decide that your enemy isn’t just wrong but expendable—you don’t control where it leads.

If you cheered this shooting because you hated Kirk, you’re no better than the mob that chanted for Mike Pence’s hanging. If you shrug it off because it happened to the other side, you’re part of the same sickness that’s rotting this country.

The truth is, we’re running out of safe spaces for disagreement. Universities, statehouses, even the Capitol itself—each one has been marked by the threat of blood.

Democracy doesn’t survive in that environment. Free speech doesn’t survive. We don’t survive.

Charlie Kirk’s death doesn’t make him a martyr. It doesn’t redeem his politics. But it does mark another line we’ve crossed in this country—a line that should never have been crossed in the first place.

I’ll say it again: violence is not politics. And if we don’t reclaim that principle right now, we’re going to lose the very thing that makes this place worth fighting for.

My Statement to the American People on the Death of Charlie Kirk - Michael Fanone

To that, I give a hearty "Amen"

The Stab of Pain and Grief

In the commentary thread associated with a post titled CGI Tyler Leadership and Its Cracker Barrel Blunder, I was reminded of the intense feelings of hurt and loss generated by the collapse of the theological house of cards that was the Worldwide Church of God. Scout observed that "when the theological transformation took place in the WCG under the Joe and Joe, Jr., nobody fell to the wayside and lost salvation because of mishandled marketing. The view that such a disaster could happen is to neglect the overarching influence of God himself on the Ekklesia. God deals with people in their circumstances. I would not have done the transition in the same way as the Tkaches. I would have placed more emphasis on the actual, personal wounding that people experienced rather than the simple dissemination of a new theology and a mass, published apology. I know the absence of this affected me for years. But who am I to say."

In practical terms, I thought that Scout's response was nuanced, empathetic, and compassionate. Even so, an emotional response to his comments reminded me of my own painful experiences as I emerged from the cognitive dissonance of Armstrongism. The anonymous commentator wrote: "Well that's a lie if ever I read one. Who are you fooling? Are you lying to yourself? Personal wounding is the real deal you are so proud to dish out on people. You love to wound others yourself. You follow everything Joe Snr did to people and then more so." From this person's perspective, Scout's "attacks" on Armstrongist theology and organizations are "wounding." Indeed, over the years, many of us who write and post on the "anti-Armstrongism" blogs have had similar comments directed our way. Many of these folks experience the same disorientation and pain which many of us experienced years ago when we realized that there were serious problems with Herbert Armstrong's theology. These folks take it personally. They see our commentary as an attack on THEIR faith - THEIR beliefs.

Nevertheless, the feelings which these folks are experiencing have more to do with their own sense of self, and the two-edged sword, conscience, and the Holy Spirit. They are feeling the stab of confrontation - the realization that something is amiss. In short, it can be very disorienting and unsettling to be confronted with an unpleasant truth - especially the possibility that YOU have made a serious mistake in judgment. Moreover, Scripture reveals that we can either accept the correction, OR we can ignore/dismiss it! And, as we have noted before, the ego is a powerful thing. Very often, our first impulse is to assume a defensive posture - to protect ourselves from the perceived threat. After all, anything that intrudes upon our comfort zone is by definition unwelcome and unpleasant. Even so, having personally experienced all of those feelings in times past, we should be able to understand and have compassion for our brothers and sisters who have been confronted with the truth.

It's as good as done!

Romans 4:16 So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. 17 That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. 18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” 19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. 20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. - New Living Translation (here, and throughout) 

II Corinthians 1:18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” 19 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. 20 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. 21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.

Philippians 1:6 I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Hebrews 11:6 It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

13 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. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 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.

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

Isaiah 55:10 The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. 11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Bill Watson's Feast of Trumpets

In a new post on his own blog, CGI Pastor Bill Watson wrote about the meaning of the Feast of Trumpets. Unfortunately, his musings on the subject are devoid of much insight into this important festival. Like Herbert Armstrong before him, Mr. Watson fails to understand that ALL of the Torah festivals point to Jesus Christ! Moreover, like the Israelites before them, they will soon embark on a wholly physical, mechanical and repetitive attempt to observe the festival. In other words, Pastor Watson's perspective on the day misses the spiritual significance of this day for Christians!

In The Feast of Trumpets: A Vision For Our Future, Watson wrote of the day: "It represents reflection and preparation, as it opens a 'Holy Day Season' imbued with prophecy and promise. As we reflect upon this day, unraveling its layers, we discover insights that connect our past, present, and future within God’s grand design. It’s a Time of New Beginnings and Recommitments. The Feast of Trumpets is more than a commemoration; it is a bridge between future promises and actual prophetic fulfillment. As the shofar sounds, harkening us back to the ancient traditions of Israel, it also heralds the Christian anticipation of Christ’s return. The day also marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a ten-day period that invites introspection, repentance, and rededication, culminating in the Day of Atonement. This period challenges us to realign our lives with divine principles. It ensures that we are spiritually ready for the eventual restitution of all things promised by God at Christ’s return!"

In his own words, we can discern the glaring error inherent to his interpretation of this festival. Instead of Christ having fulfilled the meaning of the day (Matthew 5:17 and Colossians 2:16-17), Watson sees the day as finding fulfillment at some point in the future. Instead of pointing to the life and work of Christ, Watson sees the day as being focused on the unfolding of "God's grand design." For the pastor, "the Feast of Trumpets is more than a commemoration; it is a bridge between future promises and actual prophetic fulfillment."

Nevertheless, in the twenty-third chapter of Leviticus, we read: "Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. On the first day of the appointed month in early autumn, you are to observe a day of complete rest. It will be an official day for holy assembly, a day commemorated with loud blasts of a trumpet." (Leviticus 23:24, NLT) First, please note that these instructions for its observance were intended for the people of Israel, NOT Christians. Second, it was to be a day of holy assembly for the Congregation in the Wilderness, the Church of Israel under the Old Covenant. Third, they were informed that this was to commemorate (serve as a "memorial" in the KJV) of the blowing of Trumpets. Why would the Israelites want to memorialize/commemorate the blowing of Trumpets? AND How does all of that point to Jesus of Nazareth?

In Torah, the children of Israel were instructed to use trumpets/horns/shofar to signal the people to assemble for different purposes. There were trumpets sounding at Mount Sinai when God presented his covenant to the people through Moses (see Exodus 19 and 20). Indeed, they were instructed to make two silver trumpets to use for just about everything connected to God's covenant with the assembly (see Numbers 10:2-10). Hence, we see that Torah associated the blowing of trumpets with signaling the entire assembly of the people of ancient Israel.

Now, how exactly does this all point to Jesus of Nazareth and the Christians of the New Covenant? We must go to the book which best explains what we read in Torah in terms of the Christ event. In the anonymously written epistle to the Hebrews, we read:

Hebrews 12:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (King James Version at Bible Gateway)

The Greek word panegyris is here translated into English as "assembly" and it denotes a "mass-meeting" or "general assembly." The same source goes on to describe its biblical usage as "a festal gathering of the whole people to celebrate public games or other solemnities - a public festal assembly."

Jesus came to this earth to call a general assembly of all of the peoples of the earth, not just the children of Israel. Jesus said: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:16-17, KJV) In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is reported to have said: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29, ESV) Once again, in the Gospel of John, Jesus is reported to have said: "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:35-40, ESV) A little later, in this same passage, Christ asserted that anyone who came to him and believed in him was drawn to him by the father (John 6:44, 65). Clearly then, we are forced to conclude that is the will of both the Father and Son have invited EVERYONE to be saved through Jesus of Nazareth!

Even so, in accordance with Mr. Armstrong's teachings on the subject, Bill went on to write: "In ancient times, the sound of the shofar served as a call to worship, a signal for battle, and an announcement of significant events. Today, it represents a metaphor that looks to the anticipatory call of Christ’s return." For Bill and company, it's like the first advent of Jesus was an insignificant prelude to the main event - instead of the very thing that made his second advent possible! Pastor Watson went on to note that: "The Fall Holy Days link the sacred calendar to the present tapestry interwoven with prophecy. The Spring festivals are seen as fulfilled through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, whereas the fall festivals symbolize events yet to unfold. These Holy Days, as depicted in Daniel, Micah, Isaiah, Zechariah, and Jeremiah, outline a future in which God’s law becomes central to the governance of the earth." So, according to Mr. Watson, only the Spring Holy Days have been fulfilled by Christ! He believes that Christ didn't really mean it when he said that all of the Law and Prophets pointed to him, or when he proclaimed just before he died that "It is finished." Moreover, while I would agree with Pastor Watson that God's Law will be central to the governance of God's Kingdom, his conception of exactly what constitutes God's Law is very different from Christ's. Mr. Watson believes that Torah will one day be imposed on ALL the people of the earth. Jesus of Nazareth said that God's Law boiled down to Two Great Commandments which "He" intended to be universal in application: Love for God and each other (see Matthew 22:36-40).

In Bill's vision of the Feast of Trumpets, "the role of the saints (the Church), who are predestined to serve as kings and priests in this forthcoming world ruling order" is an "integral" part of what this festival is all about. In other words, the festival is all about God's people, NOT the Christ! Watson concluded his remarks: "So, as we observe the Feast of Trumpets and the Fall Holy Days in general, take time to remind yourself of the extraordinary destiny that awaits you. This day invites us to embrace our roles in God’s unfolding narrative, prepared to share in His divine governance. It challenges us to adopt a vision that extends beyond earthly constraints, anticipating a future secured by faith, forged in righteousness, and revealed through prophecy...So, as we journey through these Holy Days, let us remain vigilant, assured in the promise that our efforts, trials, and faith will lead to a triumphant conclusion, serving humanity as immortal spirit beings in God’s Kingdom." After reading Bill's treatise on Trumpets, I have to ask: Is there any value in trying to observe something which was never intended for you, or of that which you have a very imperfect/flawed understanding of its meaning? What do you think?