The book of Acts chronicles the history of the early New Testament Church of God. It hits the high spots of the major events in briefest summary form. And in it Luke, the author, attests to the fact that to live the life of a certain way—to do certain things—to conform to certain standards.

Apollos was an early Christian who was an excellent speaker, being extremely well versed in Old Testament scriptures. He preached boldly. However, he was very much in need of better understanding—he did not quite have the whole picture. It remained for a dedicated couple in the Church of God to fill in the details.

Royalty, heads of state, and government officials in the apostle Paul’s day recognized Christianity as a distinct pattern of life. Paul, under house arrest, defended his way of life—the Christian way—to the procurator of Judaea. Notice Felix’s reaction to Paul’s words: "And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them [put off any immediate action]... " (Acts 24:22).

Earlier Paul had explained to Felix: "But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets" (verse 14).

A vital point: The Christian way of life has its roots in the Old Testament. It is established on the Ten Commandments, as well as other laws of God which are based on principles of the "basic ten." Though far from being devoid of pleasure, God’s way definitely is not a nihilistic, libertine course in conventional pleasure-seeking.

The apostle James refers to the Ten Commandments as the "royal law of liberty" (James 2:8-12). That is because they free their adherents from the bondage of the hurtful ways of this world.

The Ten Commandments also clearly reveal the great love God has for His human children. They are a reflection of the perfect character of God which can be summed up in the word love, for "God is love" (I John 4:16).

John, often referred to as the "apostle of love," wrote: "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome" (I John 5:3, RSV).

Most who profess to be Christians today partially keep the Ten Commandments to one degree or another. But the fourth commandment has never been popular with this world’s churches.

Few realize that the observance of the Sabbath day is one of the most important "signs" which identify a true Christian—one who follows the example of Christ. The Bible shows that the fourth commandment is the test commandment! The Christian’s keeping of the true Sabbath is an illustration to God of his serious commitment to live by His Word.

We saw in our previous studies that God defines a Christian as one whom He has begotten by His Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9-11). In a powerful sermon not long after that memorable day of Pentecost (Acts 2), Peter pointed out something most vital concerning the receiving of God’s Spirit. Notice Acts 5:32: "And we are witnesses to these things [Christ as Savior], and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him" (RSV).

A willing and obedient attitude is one of the things God looks for in a potential Son of His. God inspired Isaiah to write: " ...to this man will I look, even to him that is poor [humble] and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word" (Isa. 66:2).

A Christian will therefore want to obey the fourth commandment!

Keeping the Sabbath sometimes involves considerable faith on the part

Inasmuch as the seventh commandment against adultery includes, in principle, prohibition of all forms of illicit sexual conduct, so the fourth commandment, by amplification, includes other special God-ordained days which were given to Israel when the Old Testament Church began in the wilderness. As the weekly Sabbath is holy time to God, so are seven annual Sabbath days holy to God—all for a very good reason.

The seventh-day Sabbath looks backward as a memorial to remind us of the fact that God is Creator, Ruler, Sustainer; and it looks forward to Christ’s coming rule in the Millennium when mankind will experience "rest" from war, poverty, fear and suffering. It also reveals that God has a great and wonderful purpose and a plan for all of mankind!

The weekly Sabbath and each of the annual Sabbaths are special times committed to physical rest and spiritual worship of God. In a sense we give these portions of time back to God. As we do we are rewarded with greater understanding of His way, even as we are rejuvenated and renewed physically and spiritually on these days.

Likewise, God requires that His children return a portion of their income for His use and purpose on this earth. Even though the Creator God is not limited by physical resources, He has always conducted a Work among and through human beings. Today, God desires that Christians have an active role with Him in introducing the knowledge of His way to others by helping finance His Work on earth.

Long ago, even during the time of Abraham, God used the tithing (or "tenthing") system to underwrite His Work for that time. His Church in the twentieth century employs the very same method to conduct His Work of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.

Although the true Christian strives to be obedient to all the laws of God, he knows he cannot obey them perfectly. He soon discovers he still has besetting and recurring sins, as well as bad habits that are not easy to cast aside.

The Christian life, as revealed in the Bible, is one of overcoming and growing spiritually toward the goal of being spiritually mature like Christ. Through our studies we learned that this final change to immortal, spiritual perfection will occur at the resurrection of the dead in Christ. In the meantime, God expects Spirit-begotten Christians to be developing more and more of the very character of Christ as they learn to follow His way of life.

But overcoming and conquering sin is impossible by human strength alone. It must be accomplished in partnership with God by the very faith of Christ—a gift from God through His Holy Spirit which He promises to give us upon repentance and baptism.

As Christians, we will still, through temptation, sometimes stumble spiritually and sin. But our loving and most merciful Father in heaven is ready and willing to forgive and restore us to the right path of overcoming and growing—if we will acknowledge our sins and ask His forgiveness.

How beautiful, encouraging and rewarding is the way of God when we understand it!

What is a real Christian? Could you give the Bible definition? Few have studied the Bible to learn what God expects of them. A precious few know what the Christian way of life is really all about.

Jesus gave us the very basis of real Christianity in what is commonly called the "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew, chapters 5-7). This occasion actually started out as a private, personal lesson He gave to His disciples (students or learners). Jesus pointed out those characteristics, often called "beatitudes," which would clearly identify His true followers.

Before we pick up the story in Matthew 5 and focus on a few specific aspects of biblical Christianity, we suggest that you first read the entirety of chapters 5, 6 and 7.

1. What did Jesus say belongs to the poor in spirit? Matt. 5:3. When He spoke of the "poor in spirit," did He mean that they would be lacking the Spirit of God? Rom. 8:9; Luke 11:13.

COMMENT: No, Jesus isn’t suggesting that they must lack God’s Spirit, as did the five foolish virgins in the parable of Matthew 25. Rather, He went on to show that those who are truly humble in attitude of mind would be blessed and assured of being in God’s Kingdom.

2. What are the meek in Christ destined to inherit? Matt. 5:5. Was Jesus "meek"? Matt. 11:29. Will a Christian exhibit the characteristic of meekness in the way he conducts his daily life? Eph. 4:1-2.

COMMENT: There is a difference between being meek and being weak. Jesus was meek but not weak! He endured abuse and injury with patience and without resentment. He didn’t deliberately try to stir up arguments and trouble.

A meek person will not try to justify the self, especially when he is wrong. Neither does he feel he is superior to others. He does not try to "get even" with others, nor get revenge.

3. What will a true follower of Christ—a Christian—be "thirsting" for?

Matt. 5:6. What is the Bible definition of "righteousness"? Ps. 119:172.

Did Jesus come to destroy God’s great law, or to keep it? Matt. 5:17-19.

COMMENT: To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to yearn and be deeply motivated to be obedient to God—to keep His laws, which are given to us in loving concern for our own good.

Those who are truly hungering and thirsting for righteousness will be studying for true understanding, and will be willing to change when they see they’ve been wrong, admitting their wrong beliefs, their mistakes, their sins. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God..." (II Tim. 2:15), wrote Paul to Timothy. "Prove all things..." (I Thes. 5:21), Paul said to the Thessalonians.

• to "walk" with Him? I Pet. 2:21; I John 2:6.

The Jesus Christ of your Bible always preached the gospel of the government (or kingdom) of God. He proclaimed: "...repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15). Over and over again the Bible teaches repentance from sin, which is the breaking of God’s great spiritual law (I John 3:4) summed up in ten great universal principles—the Ten Commandments.

As we have already learned in our study of the Bible, repentance is the first step toward salvation. Before God will forgive our sins, we must repent of (turn from) breaking His law.

Solomon concluded: "... Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" (Eccl. 12:13). Modern man is frustrated and incomplete because he lacks the living, vital contact with God that can come only by obedience to His Commandments!

Let’s review several vital facts about the Ten Commandments, and see how they apply to the Christian way of life.

1. Are all ten of God’s commandments conveniently listed for us in the Bible? Ex. 20:1-17; Deut. 5:6-21.

2. Since neither of the two previous biblical listings of the Decalogue is numbered in the text, how may we know that there are ten? Ex. 34:28; Deut. 4:13; 10:4.

COMMENT: It is interesting to note that the second commandment is omitted from some early non-biblical listings, and the tenth commandment arbitrarily divided into two parts to make the number add up to ten.

But it is not logical to divide the commandment against coveting into two parts consisting of not coveting 1) our neighbor’s wife and 2) our neighbor’s house. The last phrase of number ten plainly summarizes both aspects of coveting by telling us not to covet "any thing that is thy neighbor’s" (Ex. 20:17). It is evident that Paul understood this commandment by his simple statement: "Thou shalt not covet" (Rom. 7:7). (If you haven’t done so already, be sure to send for our free booklet, The Ten Commandments, for a much more detailed study of all ten points.)

3. Did the patriarch Abraham—the "father" of the faithful (Rom. 4:16)-- think it was important to keep God’s commandments? Gen. 26:5. What was the prophet David’s attitude toward obeying God’s law? Read Psalm 119 in its entirety.

COMMENT: Both Abraham and David were commandment keepers. They had great respect for God’s law. That is one of the reasons why they will both hold very responsible positions in the future government of God on earth.

David wrote: "O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day" (Ps. 119:97). David’s daily habit was to ponder and study God’s law. It was a lamp unto his feet and a light unto his path (verse 105). His obedience to God’s commandments made him wiser than his enemies (verse 98). Throughout this Psalm, David declared how he loved God’s law and used it as a guide in his life.

4. Did Jesus Christ Himself obey the Ten Commandments? John 15:10. Did He teach others to obey them? Matt. 19:17-19.

COMMENT: These verses in Matthew 19 clearly show that Jesus specifically meant the Ten Commandments. He knew that God’s ten-point law would bring peace, fulfillment and joy to any individual or nation that would choose to obey it.

5. Does the Bible show that the very church Jesus built would today be teaching obedience to, and literally endeavoring to keep, the Ten Commandments and other instructions of Christ? Rev. 12:17; 14:12. (Chapter 12 of Revelation personifies God’s Church as a woman.)

COMMENT: The Worldwide Church of God today upholds God’s law. It recognizes that God set in motion a law that, to the degree it is obeyed, would bring humanity every good thing—abundant well-being—a full life. God’s Church says with David: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Ps. 119:105). It recognizes that God’s law is one of His greatest gifts to mankind.

6. Is the law of God holy, just and good? Rom. 7:12. Does peace of mind come from keeping the Ten Commandments? Ps. 119:165.

COMMENT: No one who consistently breaks God’s law can have real peace of mind. He will have fears and frustrations, and often a guilty conscience. But the person who keeps God’s laws has a clear conscience. He is at peace with God, with himself, and with his neighbor. He has "the peace of God which passeth all understanding" (Phil. 4:7).

The law of God is the way to peace, to happiness, to joy. It is one of God’s greatest gifts to mankind—given to make man happy, to lead him into the full, abundant life, to protect his happiness and lead him into eternal life. All the evil extant in the world today is caused by disobedience to the Creator’s laws.

7. How did Jesus expand the keeping of the Ten Commandments? Matt. 5:21-22, 27-28. Did John understand this principle? I John 3:15. Did Paul understand the spiritual aspects of God’s law? Rom. 7:14.

COMMENT: Contrary to the belief of some, Jesus came not to do away with the Ten Commandments, but to teach and show by example how to live by the spiritual intent of the law.

In Old Testament times God required only a physical, mechanical and visible obedience from the "church." In other words, obedience only in the letter. This, as we know, was because the Old Testament Church of God—the nation of Israel—was not given opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit to help them obey the spiritual intent of the Ten Commandments, as well as the letter of the law. But in New Testament times God has made His Holy Spirit available. He desires that His Spirit-begotten children follow Him in the spirit—the fullness—of His law.

To be sure His disciples of all ages understood this new, "magnified" (Isa. 42:21) style of law keeping, Jesus singled out the commandments barring murder and adultery as vivid examples. He taught that now we are not only to abstain from the physical acts of murder and adultery, but we are also to eschew hatred and adultery in our thoughts as well.

Hatred against another human being is the spirit of murder. Sexual lust is the spirit of adultery. Christ extended the influence of God’s commandments to include our innermost thoughts and attitudes. Let’s notice how the Bible shows this seemingly impossible task can be accomplished, albeit still imperfectly because of our humanity.

8. How did Jesus Christ of Nazareth sum up the great Ten-Commandment Law of God? Matt. 22:36-40. What is the basic characteristic of God’s very nature and character? I John 4:16.

COMMENT: The Ten Commandments are expressions of the divine love of God because they reflect the very character of God, which is summarized by the word love. This love, as we learned in the previous lesson, is not just another form of human love, but the divine love that comes directly from God through the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22).

Since God is love, Jesus showed that the whole spiritual intent and purpose of God’s law is love. The first four commandments show us how to love God, while the last six of the Ten Commandments show us how to love our neighbor—all fellow human beings.

9. If we possess and exercise God’s Spirit, will the love of God that it imparts enable us to "fulfill"—to obey—God’s spiritual laws? Rom. 5:5;

13:10.

COMMENT: The divine love of God imparted to human beings by the Holy Spirit is expressed within the bounds of God’s law—the Ten Commandments. It is manifested first of all in adoration and worship of God and literal obedience to Him; and then in outgoing concern, compassion, kindness and service toward other human beings.

The love of God enables us to fulfill the spirit of the law. It was the very tool that Jesus Christ used to intensify, magnify and fulfill the law Himself. As the apostle Paul explained: " ...he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, you shall not covet,’ and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law" (Rom. 13:8-10, RSV). (More about how God helps us to keep His spiritual laws will be covered later in this lesson.)

10. Could there be any truth whatsoever in the widespread belief that love fulfills the law of God in such a way that the keeping of it is no longer necessary? I John 5:2-3; John 14:15; 15:9-10; II John 5-6.

COMMENT: The apostle John placed a great deal of importance upon love. But never did he or any other inspired writer of Scripture say that love put away, superseded or destroyed the law of God. John, who was a close friend and disciple of Jesus Christ, made it plain that one who truly has the love of God is obeying all of the commandments of God.

11. Is it possible to "earn" one’s salvation through obedience to God? Rom.

6:23. And yet, can anyone enter God’s Kingdom as a lawbreaker? Matt. 7:21;

19:17-19.

COMMENT: A word of qualification is necessary here. We are not saying that you can "earn" your salvation by keeping either the Ten Commandments or any other law of God for that matter. Eternal life is clearly a gift from God! No man or woman could earn it in ten thousand lifetimes of keeping the Ten Commandments!

The majority of churches today envision Sunday as having replaced the seventh-day Sabbath. Somehow they have come to assume that the fourth commandment is no longer applicable in what they call the "New Testament Dispensation." Then there are those who feel that it is not necessary to keep any specific day as a Sabbath at all. To them, every day is a "spiritual" Sabbath.

Let’s look directly into the Word of God for the truth about this key commandment.

1. When, how and by whom was the Sabbath "made"? Gen. 2:1-3; Mark 2:28.

COMMENT: Jesus Christ is the "Lord of the Sabbath because He made it! (Recall from our past studies that Christ is the "Lord" of the Old Testament, and the Creator of all things.)

Christ "created" the Sabbath by the act of resting on the seventh day of creation week. He put His divine favor upon and set apart for a special use and purpose a 24-hour period of time that was to occur once every seven days following that first Sabbath.

2. For whom did Jesus say the Sabbath was specifically made? Mark 2:27.

COMMENT: "The Sabbath was made for man," declared Jesus. It was made far less than a day after man himself was created. The Sabbath was set apart at Creation for the benefit of all mankind. (Since Adam was the first man, he therefore stood as the representative of the whole human race which has descended from him.)

3. How did Christ intend the Sabbath to serve man’s needs? Ex. 20:8-11;

Deut. 5:12-15.

COMMENT: Notice that God made the seventh day of the week holy—and He commands us to keep it that way. The Sabbath, then, is holy time. And it was made to be a great blessing for all humanity.

The word "Sabbath" means "rest" in the original Hebrew. Simple physical and mental rest and refreshment after a grueling work week is an obvious reason for the Sabbath. Human beings need periodic rest and deliverance from the trials and troubles that seem to result from "just living." Man needs a retreat from the normal routine, time off in which to rest and reflect, to be recharged, reenergized and restored physically.

But the true meaning and purpose of the Sabbath goes far beyond physical, mental and perhaps even emotional respite. For the seventh-day Sabbath is inextricably interwoven into God’s transcendent purpose for creating man in the first place.

Modern man desperately needs this period of time in which to have spiritual union with God. Time in which to think more about God, to worship Him (both in private and in fellowship with others), to meditate upon man’s place in the universe and grasp more fully the PURPOSE for his existence.

4. Was the observance of the Sabbath day to be a special "sign" of identification between God and His people Israel? Ex. 31:13-17.

COMMENT: A quick review of a portion of Israel’s history is in order at this point. Recall that the Israelites had been the slaves of Egypt for several hundred years. While in Egypt, Israel was forbidden to worship the true God. They were forced to work seven days a week. Consequently, they forgot God’s laws and the knowledge of the true Sabbath day which they had received from their progenitors Jacob (renamed Israel), Isaac and Abraham.

After God miraculously delivered Israel from the hands of their cruel taskmasters, He revealed the exact seventh day to them by supplying a double portion of manna on the sixth day of the week (Friday) and withholding it on the seventh day (Saturday), and commanding them to rest on that day (Ex. 16:22-26). (Recall also that the miracle of the manna continued for their entire 40-year sojourn in the wilderness—verse 35.) After revealing the true Sabbath day, God codified the Sabbath commandment at Mount Sinai by including it as one of the ten great commandments which He wrote on two tables of stone.

In order that Israel would especially remember that the eternal God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Supreme Ruler over all His creation, God singled out Sabbath observance as the one great "sign" by which they could always be reminded of who He is, and who they were.

Many other nations had laws which paralleled some of the laws of God. Some had fairly tight moral laws, usually criminal ones (i.e. against murder, stealing). But none had a law requiring them to keep the Creator’s Sabbath day. Therefore it was the one law of God which would make Israel stand out.

And so God doubly commanded Sabbath observance by making a separate covenant with His people Israel. (The Sabbath was already one of the Ten Commandments which were given to Moses shortly before.) It was to be an everlasting covenant (Ex. 31:16), and would identify the people of God.

Likewise today, the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath is one of the "signs" which helps to identify those who compose the true church of God on earth.

5. Doesn’t the Bible plainly reveal that a real Christian is one who has become a spiritual Israelite—has become one of Abraham’s "seed" through Jesus Christ? Gal. 3:28-29; Rom. 4:16; 9:4.

COMMENT: God made the special Sabbath covenant with Abraham’s physical "seed." It was to be obeyed throughout their generations. Today, all Spirit-begotten Christians have become Abraham’s spiritual "seed" through faith in Christ, and are therefore under. the same obligation to keep the Sabbath day!

6. Was Jesus Christ a Sabbath keeper? Luke 4:16, 31.

COMMENT: Jesus regularly attended the local synagogue on the Sabbath in His own town "as His custom was." He met with them in fulfillment of His own command to convoke for worship services every Sabbath day (Lev. 23:3). This is the day He would obviously observe since He is the One who originally made the Sabbath and ordained that it be kept holy!

7. Is there biblical evidence that the early New Testament church also observed the Sabbath? Acts 13:13-15, 42-44; 14:1; 17:1-2; 18:1-11.

8. Was it Paul’s "manner" (Acts 17:2), even as it was Christ’s "custom" (Luke 4:16), to keep the Sabbath because he felt like it, or because Jesus Christ dwelt in him? Gal. 2:20. Does Christ’s will remain the same forever? Heb. 13:8.

COMMENT: It is quite plain that the apostle Paul observed the Sabbath day. And if Christ lives His life in us today through the Holy Spirit as He did in Paul, then we will also be keeping the same day Jesus and Paul kept!

9. What are all Christians warned in Hebrews 3:8-13? Was rebellion, especially Sabbath breaking, the reason God prevented those ancient Israelites from entering His "rest"? Ezek. 20:12-13, 15-16.

COMMENT: Because Israel had become rebellious and polluted His Sabbaths, God did not allow that generation to enter the Promised Land—a symbolic type of the Kingdom of God. Those Israelites under Moses were on their way to the Promised Land, even as God’s Spirit-begotten people today are aiming at the goal of entering into God’s Kingdom. That is what the writer is saying in Hebrews, chapters 3 and 4! Let’s notice further:

The word "rest" in Hebrews 3:11 is translated from the Greek katapausis and is defined as "rest" or "place of rest." As used in this verse, it denoted for ancient Israel the rest from the rigors of the wilderness by entering the Promised Land. This is a TYPE of the Christian’s spiritual rest—being born into the KINGDOM OF GOD—made immortal!

10. Was it primarily because of their unbelief that the Israelites disobeyed, and therefore were prevented from entering God’s "rest" for them—the land of Palestine? Heb. 3:19; 4:1-2.

COMMENT: Because the Israelites disbelieved God and therefore lacked faith in Him, they "hardened their hearts." They went on to profane God’s Sabbaths when He made that the very testing point ("that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no"—Ex. 16:4); therefore God said of that generation, "They shall not enter my rest."

And none, but faithful Joshua and Caleb of that generation, did enter the Promised Land. But the children born along the way during the 40 years did enter with Joshua. God had originally promised this land to Abraham for his descendants, and regardless of Israelite sins, God was bound by His promise.

Notice that before the second generation of Israelites crossed the Jordan River into Palestine Joshua said to the men of three tribes: " ... The Eternal your God bath given you REST, and bath given you this land" (Josh. 1:13).

11. But if New Testament Christians believe, and obey God, may they enter their "rest"—eternal "rest" in God’s Kingdom? Heb. 4:3, first nine words.

COMMENT: The equation is very clear: Real belief in God equals active obedience! If a person truly believes God’s Word, he will be obeying it.

12. Will true believers be keeping God’s weekly Sabbath day as a symbol of their future rest in God’s Kingdom? Heb. 4:9.

COMMENT: The vital meaning of this verse has been obscured by the King James rendering of the word "rest." Everywhere else in chapters 3 and 4 of the epistle to the Hebrews, the English word "rest" is translated from the Greek word katapausis. However, in verse 9 of chapter 4, "rest" is translated from the Greek sabbatismos, meaning the keeping of the Sabbath.

So, because of the future "rest" (katapausis)--the Kingdom of God-

• spiritual Israel is to enter, there remains for them a sabbatismos—a keeping of the Sabbath day. This means that Christians will enter the future "rest" of God’s Kingdom even as they now keep the weekly Sabbath which looks forward to it!

Most other translations correctly render Hebrews 4:9 in the English. Even the margin of the King James version renders it: "There remaineth therefore a keeping of a Sabbath to the people of God." The Revised Standard Version has it: "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God." The Jerusalem Bible: "There must still be, therefore, a place of rest reserved for God’s people, the seventh-day rest."

13. What further encouragement are Christians given about entering God’s eternal "rest"? Heb. 4:10-11. Where may they go for the help—the faith--needed to obey God? Verses 14-16.

COMMENT: Notice how the Revised Standard Version renders verses 10-11:

"For whoever enters God’s rest [the Kingdom of God] also ceased from his labors as God did from his [on the seventh day following the six working days of creation]. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience [as did ancient Israel]."

God’s seventh-day Sabbath is not to be treated lightly, for the Sabbath is both a memorial and a shadow. It is a memorial of Creation and a foreshadow of the coming eternal "rest" that Spirit-begotten Christians will enter when born into God’s eternal Family.

14. Did God command the entire nation of Israel to assemble ("convoke") on the Sabbath? Lev. 23:3; Num. 28:5. What are New Testament Christians admonished regarding the assembling of themselves? Heb. 10:25-26.

COMMENT: YOU may be interested to know that as early New Testament Christians assembled together on the Sabbath day, likewise God’s Church in this age assembles for worship services on God’s holy Sabbath. The Worldwide Church of God has congregations all over the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Europe and other parts of the world. Every Sabbath, God’s people meet to receive spiritual instruction and inspiration from the Word of God as expounded by the ministry of His Church (Eph. 4:11-13).

God has a master plan by which He is bringing about the fruition of His awesome purpose for mankind. And His Son, Jesus Christ, plays the central role in God’s little-known plan for man. This plan is outlined in the form of seven annual Sabbaths/festivals which Christians are to observe for a vital purpose.

Just as the weekly Sabbath pictures the Christian’s goal of entering into eternal "rest" as a glorified, Spirit-born member of God’s Family, these annual observances give the step by step overview of the working out of God’s plan for man. Not only does each festival picture a great event in God’s plan in vivid terms, but the yearly observance of these days by God’s people further impresses the knowledge of God’s plan on them, and continually reminds them of their part in it.

It was not until the days of Moses that God began to reveal the details of His plan for working out His purpose for mankind. God formally introduced these festivals through Moses to His nation Israel—His "church in the wilderness" (Acts 7:38).

Since throughout most of human history man has been close to the soil in providing his own food and sustenance, God originally used the yearly agricultural harvests of Palestine as symbolic types of His spiritual harvests of human beings. Today, however, due to large segments of the world’s population neither farming nor even living close to agricultural areas, sometimes it is difficult to appreciate, in a spontaneous way, the spiritual analogies and understanding to be derived from these festivals.

Today we can understand from the teachings of Christ and the apostles, that God intends the spring harvest festivals to picture to His Church repeatedly year by year the fact that all of those He has called to become His Spirit-begotten children since Christ’s first coming are only the "firstfruits"—only the relatively small beginning of His great spiritual harvest of human beings into His immortal family. Later, as pictured by the festivals of the autumn harvest season, God will call the rest of humanity to salvation!

In the 23^rd chapter of Leviticus, we find a summary of these festivals. The first three festival periods, beginning with the Passover, are memorials of the first part of God’s plan. They picture the "first-fruits" of God’s spiritual harvest. The last four festivals look forward to the future and show how God will reap the latter great autumn spiritual harvest of billions of people.

As we commence this introductory study of God’s annual festivals and what they signify for modern man, let’s notice a few facts from history.

The Encyclopaedia Britannica bears witness to the fact that the early New Testament Church of God kept the biblical festivals in a new and different way. "The sanctity of special times [current religious festivals such as Easter and Christmas] was an idea absent from the minds of the first Christians, who continued to observe the Jewish festivals [of Lev. 23], though in a new spirit, as commemorations of events which those festivals had foreshadowed" (vol. 7, p. 859, 14^th edition, emphasis ours).

Most Bible commentators and scholars will agree that the many passing references to these annual occasions in the New Testament indicate that in the times and environment of the early church their observance was known, accepted—even taken for granted. Most importantly, Christ and the Church of God customarily kept the annual festivals and their Sabbaths: "In the early Christian Church the propriety of celebrating the festivals together with the whole of the Jewish people was never questioned, so that it needed no special mention" ( The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, vol. 1, p. 628).

However, it is obvious from a study of the Bible that God’s annual festivals took on a new significance in the apostolic Church and were transformed into Christian celebrations. Jesus Himself played a major role in this by His teaching and example.

1. Who does the Bible say originated these annual festivals and their Sabbaths? Lev. 23: 1-2.

COMMENT: Notice that these are not the "feasts of the Jews" or "feasts of Moses," as some have thought—they are God’s own feasts which He originated and gave to His people to keep year by year.

2. Did God specifically say that His annual feasts were to be observed in addition to the weekly Sabbath? Lev. 23:37-38.

3. What is the first festival to be observed each year? Lev. 23:5. When did God institute the very first Passover? Ex. 12:1-14.

COMMENT: The festival of the Passover begins God’s master plan for mankind. The Passover pictured in advance the great sacrifice—the crucifixion and death—of Jesus Christ ("our Passover lamb"—I Cor. 5:7; I Peter 1:19) for the sins of mankind. After His death, the Passover became a memorial of that sacrifice. Notice:

4. What new way of observing the Passover did Jesus institute shortly before His death as He kept the Passover with His disciples? Luke 22:8, 15-20.

COMMENT: While instituting the new symbols of the wine and the bread, picturing His shed blood for the forgiveness of our sins, and His broken body for our physical healing (I Pet. 2:24), Jesus gave a command: "This DO in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). The Passover is a memorial of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins which He wants Christians to especially "remember" once every year of their lives.

5. What completely new ceremony did Jesus also institute in connection with this New Testament Passover observance? John 13:1-17, especially verses 14-15.

COMMENT: On the occasion of His "last supper," Jesus left a very significant example for His disciples to follow henceforth. Notice that this ceremony of the washing of His disciples’ feet had nothing whatsoever to do with the Old Testament observance of the Passover. It was then being instituted for the very first time by Jesus Christ Himself. He was taking this last-minute opportunity to institute an observance which His disciples in all ages were to keep annually from that time forward!

Foot-washing depicts the attitude of humility and service to others which Christ always exhibited, and which He desires that each Christian strive to imitate (verse 16-17).

6. What observance follows immediately after the Passover? Lev. 23:6-8; Ex.

12:15-20.

7. Were the first and seventh days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread holy days on which the people were to assemble themselves, much the same as they would on a weekly Sabbath day? Ex. 12:16; Lev. 23:7-8.

8. Did New Testament Christians ever observe this festival? I Cor. 5: 7-8.

What is the obvious meaning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread? Verses 1-2, 6-7.

COMMENT: A study of these passages in I Corinthians 5 shows that the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which the Corinthian Christians were observing, pictures the putting away of sin. Leavening, therefore, is a biblical type or symbol for sin (verse 8) because sin, like physical leavening used in bread to make it rise, not only can cause a person to swell with vanity and become puffed up in God’s sight (verses 2, 6), but can also spread throughout a group of people.

Paul warned the Church of God at Corinth that they should put out of their fellowship the person who was openly sinning (verse 1). Paul urged decisive action because, as he reminded them, "...a little leaven leavens the whole lump" (verse 6). Permitting sin to continue unabated and openly before all the congregation would, in time, cause others to gradually let down and begin slipping back into former sins. Sin would spread into the lives of other Christians by the poor example of just one as certainly as a little leavening in bread dough eventually causes the whole loaf to rise--to become puffed up!

We saw that the Passover is to remind us that Jesus paid a tremendous price for our past sins. He offered something more valuable than anything we could offer—the sacrifice of His perfect, sinless life.

Then the Days of Unleavened Bread, which immediately follow the Passover, remind us that we must strive to put all sins OUT of our lives. This festival pictures putting the leaven of sin away from us and our renewed resolve to live in harmony with God’s laws henceforth. Thus we are to annually rededicate our lives to continual spiritual growth—overcoming the remaining leaven of sin in our lives, and the recurring sins that beset all Christians from time to time.

9. What is the next annual festival that God ordained? Lev. 23:9-16. Was this another holy day of rest on which the people were to assemble themselves? Verse 21.

10. What new name was given in the New Testament to this Old Testament festival of "Firstfruits"? Acts 2:1.

COMMENT: The term Pentecost means "fifty" in the Greek. This is the only annual Sabbath whose exact calendar date is determined by counting. The first New Testament Pentecost occurred on the fiftieth day after Christ’s resurrection. (For a full explanation of how this day is properly computed, you may write for our free article titled "How to Reckon the Day of Pentecost.")

11. What is the vital meaning of the festival of Pentecost (or "Firstfruits") for New Testament Christians? Acts 1:4-5; 2:38. Are Spirit-begotten Christians the "firstfruits" of God’s great master plan? James 1:18; Rom. 8:23.

COMMENT: The New Testament festival of Pentecost is now a memorial which pictures the first arrival of the Holy Spirit from God to beget repentant believers for the first time. This first Pentecost therefore marked the birth of the New Testament Church. It was the first time God made the Holy Spirit available to mankind to this extent.

It was on this first Pentecost that the first of the "firstfruits" of God’s first small spiritual "spring harvest" began to be reaped. These new Christians were begotten by the power that would help them to overcome and grow spiritually, thus preparing them to be born into God’s Family at Christ’s coming.

God knows that for us to overcome our human weaknesses, to be thoroughly and successfully "unleavening" our lives, our puny human willpower and abilities are not enough. We need the supernatural strength of His Holy Spirit. This is the third logical step in God’s master plan intended to help each one of us succeed in our purpose for living.

12. What is the next festival, or annual "Sabbath," of the seven described in Leviticus? Lev. 23:23-24.

COMMENT: The Day of Trumpets primarily depicts the triumphant return of the powerful living Christ to set up the Kingdom of God on earth (Rev. 11:15). You will remember that the first resurrection occurs at the second coming of Jesus Christ which is announced by the blast of a trumpet (I Thes. 4:16-17; I Cor. 15:52).

13. Does the overall meaning of the Feast of Trumpets encompass more than the second coming of Christ? Rev. 8:1-2,6; 10:7.

COMMENT: Notice that it is the Feast of Trumpets, plural (Lev. 23:24), not just the "Feast of the Last Trump." When ancient Israel was wandering in the wilderness, they became accustomed to the blowing of trumpets for many purposes: the calling of assemblies, the signal to march or halt, "officer’s call," or as a warning. Much like the use of bugles in the military, ancient Israel came to recognize various sounds as having specific meaning.

There is a parallel between trumpets sounding alarms of warning in ancient Israel and the function of the Work of God today (Isa. 58:1). There is also a relationship between the angelic trumpet blasts, signaling the imminent return of Jesus Christ, and the continual warning and witness conducted by God’s Work today which is preparing the way for the return of Christ. The successive angelic trumpet blasts and accompanying cataclysmic events on a worldwide scale just prior to Christ’s return will serve as final warnings to a heedless, sin-ravaged world!

14. What annual Sabbath follows only nine days after the Feast of Trumpets?

Lev. 23:26-32; 16:2-34, especially verses 29-31.

COMMENT: The rituals required of the Old Testament Levitical ministry on the Day of Atonement are described in great detail in the 16^th chapter of Leviticus. Suffice it to say here that the live goat, upon whom all the sins of Israel were to be confessed, and which was led into the desolate wilderness, represents the restraining of the Devil upon whom the guilt of all the sins of mankind will be laid after Jesus Christ returns.

Satan, who is called the "god of this world" (II Cor. 4:4), and is described as the "prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Eph. 2:2), being the father of sin (John 8:42-44), will be restrained by Christ from further deceiving and leading the masses of mankind into sin. No longer will he be able to "broadcast" his attitudes of vanity, lust, and greed into people’s minds.

At the Devil’s "chaining" (Rev. 20:1-3), the symbolism of Leviticus 16 will have become reality. The minds of men, formerly closed tight by Satan and his demon cohorts, will now at last be opened by the Spirit of God, and all humanity will readily accept and receive forgiveness of their sins through Christ. They will be able for the first time to understand God’s master plan of salvation for them. Then, and only then, will mankind become "at one" with Christ and the Father, as symbolized by the Day of At-one-ment.

15. How are we to observe the Day of Atonement? Lev. 23:32.

COMMENT: The Day of Atonement is perhaps the most unusual holy day as far as what God expects us to do during it is concerned. For it is the one day on which God has commanded us to fast—to "afflict our souls" or bodies. (For biblical proof that afflicting one’s soul means to fast, compare the following passages: Ps. 35:13; 69:10; Isa. 58:3; Ezra 8:21.)

What, exactly, is fasting? What is its purpose? The purpose of fasting is to humble oneself—to help us to see ourselves as we really are. And to see God as He is.

Fasting on the Day of Atonement means denying oneself food and water for 24 hours—from sunset to sunset (or evening to evening—Lev. 23:32). Fasting is not penance—not a hunger strike to try to get one’s way with God. A Christian is to fast in order to humble his or her own fleshly mind with its carnal will, and to draw closer to God and His righteous way (Isa. 58:6-11).

Thus fasting on the Day of Atonement is a vivid reminder of the state of mind necessary for salvation—of the humility, the godly sorrow, the earnest seeking for God’s way—a condition to which this world will have been brought by the catastrophic events culminating in the return of Jesus Christ!

16. What important seven-day festival and integral annual Sabbath day follows the Day of Atonement? Lev. 23:33-35; Deut. 16:13.

COMMENT: The Feast of Tabernacles was also called the "Feast of Ingathering" (Ex. 23:16; 34:22) because this seven-day festival fell just after the autumn harvest season. The whole nation observed this feast after the final, main harvest was in (Lev. 23:39).

17. Did Jesus keep the Feast of Tabernacles? John 7:2, 8-11, 14. Did everyone know that Jesus always kept God’s feasts and was certain to be in Jerusalem for its observance? Verse 11.

COMMENT: Because of continually mounting persecution, Jesus wisely chose not to travel openly in Judea (verse 1). However, verses 1-10 show that He did risk His life to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. Even though He went secretly, He openly taught in the temple during the middle of the Feast (verse 14).

18. What is the divinely set theme for the yearly observance of the Feast of Tabernacles? Deut. 16:14-15. (Notice the words "surely rejoice." Other translations render this "be altogether joyful.") Does God intend for everyone—regardless of age, social strata or economic level—to rejoice in this feast? Verse 14.

19. Does God intend for a man to take his wife and children to rejoice with him at the Feast of Tabernacles? Deut. 16:14; 12:5, 7, 12. Are they to live in "booths"—temporary dwellings (corresponding to motel and hotel rooms, lodges, etc., today)--at the place designated for the observance of this feast? Lev. 23:42,40.

COMMENT: The Feast of Tabernacles is full of spiritual meaning for Christians today. Simply put, the Feast of Tabernacles portrays for us the wonderful World Tomorrow under the righteous rule of Jesus Christ--1,000 years of peace, prosperity and joy for the billions of mankind who will live in this utopian age. It is during the Millennium that the great "autumn harvest" of human lives will begin to be gathered into the Kingdom of God—born again as divine members of the Family of God.

Just think of it! Satan will have been immediately deposed at Christ’s return. Then there will follow one thousand years of peace and prosperity. Those who are the "firstfruits" of God’s spiritual harvest—first born into God’s Family and co-heirs with Jesus Christ—will join Him in ruling this earth. They will be given the privilege of bringing saving knowledge to every human then alive.

New generations will be born in the Millennium, and humans will soon again number billions! Perhaps these could be called "second fruits," for each will live a life of overcoming as Christians today will have lived.

Over and over God tells us that the Feast of Tabernacles is a time of exceedingly great rejoicing. For ancient Israel it was a time of rejoicing because the abundant winter’s store was taken in just before the Feast. But in the Millennium, the happiness, joy and prosperity pictured by the Feast of Tabernacles will come about universally under the enlightened rule of Jesus Christ. Obedience to the spiritual principles of God’s laws and God’s revealed way of life will make the World Tomorrow a gloriously happy place.

God’s great autumn festival gives His Spirit-begotten children today freedom to think on His purpose and how to fulfill it. The Feast of Tabernacles is intended to separate and free them from the world. Dwelling in temporary habitations for an entire week away from their everyday surroundings, away from their jobs, their customary thoughts, and most negative influences, they picture by their observance of these seven days the universal freedom and peace of the Millennium.

The Feast of Tabernacles as observed today is actually a tiny, but happy, foretaste of the joyful World Tomorrow when the Spirit of God will lead every human. These are days of concentrated teaching by God’s ministers—days of continuous, genuine Christian fellowship. Christians at the Feast demonstrate now, by the way they live together in harmony, what this whole sin-sick, unhappy world COULD and WILL be like!

Worldwide Church of God members enthusiastically look forward to observing the Feast of Tabernacles every autumn at one of dozens of festival sites located throughout the world. Outstanding convention sites are leased by the Church in the United States, Canada, the British Isles, Europe, Australia and other countries of the free world (and even in one iron curtain country!) to enable brethren to meet for services during this seven-day festival. Between services, members also participate in various exciting, fun-filled church-sponsored activities for young and old alike, as well as other special attractions which are unique to each site. The sincere concern and fellowship, the spiritual nourishment and just plain good fun whets one’s appetite for the next year’s feast, making the ordinary "vacations" of the past seem humdrum by comparison!

20. But does the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles mark the end of God’s plan for humanity? Isn’t it God’s will that all who have ever lived should come to the knowledge of salvation? II Peter 3:9; I Tim. 2:4.

COMMENT: Thus far we have seen how those who have been privileged to be called of God through the ages, especially from the first coming of Christ up unto the end of the Millennium, fit into God’s marvelous master plan. But what about the billions of people from the time of Adam down to our time (including perhaps most of your loved ones) who were not called of God?

Billions have never even heard the name of Christ, let alone heard of God’s great plan of salvation! What of the millions under atheistic Communism? Are they doomed to eternal death, never even having had a chance to hear the truth? Would this be fair of a loving God?

Can you imagine a merciful and just God condemning innocent little children—some of whose lives may have been cut short before they could either walk or talk—to remain dead for all eternity without the knowledge of God’s happy way of life?

How, then, are they to learn of salvation? The answer is revealed in the final step in God’s master plan.

God has, in His fairness, planned for everyone who has ever lived—men, women and children—to receive the very same opportunity for salvation you are being given. Just as the week is not complete without the Sabbath day, so God’s master plan is not complete without God’s seventh annual holy day.

Seven in the Bible is a number signifying completion and perfection. Without the knowledge of this seventh annual holy day, you can’t understand the perfection of God’s master plan—that God’s mercy to mankind extends even beyond the Millennium!

In order to understand this final phase—the windup—of God’s plan, we must understand the last of God’s annual holy days, symbolizing the Last Great Judgment.

21. Was there an "eighth day" of worship held immediately following the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles? Lev. 23:36. Is it the final festival—the final annual Sabbath of rest? Verse 39.

COMMENT: The last annual High Sabbath is observed immediately after the Feast of Tabernacles. But because of its close proximity to this feast, it naturally was associated with the Feast of Tabernacles and was called the "eighth day." In the New Testament it is referred to as the "last day, that great day of the feast" (John 7:37).

22. Revelation chapter 20 holds the key to the meaning of the "Last Great Day." As we already know, verses 4-6 essentially speak of the resurrected saints ruling with Jesus Christ on earth for 1,000 years. But exactly what is said in the first sentence of verse 5?

COMMENT: These are not "the dead in Christ," but simply—the dead— those billions who are not Christ’s—who have never been begotten and converted, who may never have even heard the name of Jesus Christ.

Note that the first part of verse 5 in the King James Version is in reality a parenthetical expression. Here’s how it should read: "(But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.) This is the first resurrection."

The sentence, "This is the first resurrection," refers to the resurrection of the righteous dead in Christ just before the 1,000 years. "But," John makes clear, "the rest of the dead"—those who never had a chance to understand God’s truth—would not come up in a resurrection "until the thousand years were finished." This resurrection—after the 1,000 years are finished—is the second resurrection in time order.

23. How does John further elaborate on the second resurrection? Rev.

20:11-13. How are these people judged? Verse 12.

COMMENT: The Greek word translated "books" in Revelation 20:12 is biblia, and it is from this exact word that we derive our English word "bible." Check it in your dictionary. The "books" that are opened are the books of the Bible! They will be opened to the understanding of the billions of people who have never yet heard the name of Christ or been able to understand the true message of God’s Word—those who have never before been able to participate in God’s master plan of salvation. This is the same outpouring of the spirit of understanding—of "living waters"—that Jesus Christ referred to on that last great day of the Feast of Tabernacles! (John 7:37-39.)

24. How did Jesus refer to this special "day," or period of judgment for peoples who have yet to hear the wonderful message of salvation? Matt. 10:15; 11:20-24; 12:41-42.

25. Where else in the Bible is this resurrection to judgment described?

Ezek. 37:1-14. Are these dead clearly raised to physical human life—again to have corruptible human bodies made of flesh and bone—to rely on air to sustain their physical existence? Verses 5-10.

26. What is God’s promise to these resurrected peoples? Verses 13-14. Isn’t this obviously the same outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit that Jesus Christ spoke about in His enigmatic sermon on the "last great day" of the Feast of Tabernacles? John 7:37-39.

COMMENT: Recall in chapters 10, 11 and 12 of Matthew that Christ first mentioned the peoples of Sodom and Gomorrha. Then in order: Tyre and Sidon, Sodom again, Nineveh in Jonah’s time, and finally the Queen of Sheba. All of these examples (people who lived in different generations) are compared to the citizens living in the cities and towns of Jesus’ generation (the vast majority of whom did not understand or believe Christ’s message). Jesus tells us that they all are to be resurrected with the generation that lived during His time on earth!

Jesus gave enough representative examples of generations of people living at widespread and different times in human history to substantiate the fact that most of humanity will be alive, together, at the same time on this earth. There will be pre-Flood men and women, all twelve tribes of Israel, those who lived during the Middle or Dark Ages, etc., and everyone living even now who will not have had the opportunity to come to Christ simply because they were not called by God to receive their opportunity for salvation during their lifetime. (See John 6:44,65.)

This group includes all people of all times everywhere on this earth, excepting, of course, those who will be born of God in the first resurrection—or those relatively few incorrigibly wicked people who will be resurrected in the third resurrection to have their part in the lake of fire, which is the second and final death (Rev. 20:14-15).

If many of the ancient peoples described in Matthew’s gospel would have repented, as Christ Himself said they would have if He had personally come to them in their day; they will most surely repent when resurrected after He has already ruled for a thousand years on an earth dominated by peace, prosperity and well-being.

This vast resurrection to mortal life opens their period of judgment— not sentencing. (Sentencing is merely the final act in the process of judgment.) A decision must be rendered based on how each individual responds to the Word of God. (This same "judgment" is now upon Christians who have been begotten by God’s Holy Spirit today—I Peter 4:17.) And since every individual will have the fullest single opportunity for salvation, each will in effect be rendering their own verdict by the choices they make while living during this period of "judgment."

But if you become a Christian now in this age, and if you remain faithful unto death, you will be privileged to partake of a "better resurrection" (Heb. 11:35) at Christ’s second coming. It’s better simply because you have the opportunity to receive a greater reward than those who will live the Christian life during the last judgment period, or even those who will have lived during the Millennium! (More about your potential "reward" a little later in this lesson.)

We have seen that all of God’s annual Sabbaths/festivals are built around the annual harvest seasons in Palestine. But it is the spiritual harvest that God is interested in! Old Testament Israel was reminded of their dependence upon, and relationship to, Almighty God by this seasonal cycle of harvest festivals. Now God’s faithful New Testament Christians can receive the vital lifesaving knowledge of God’s master plan for His spiritual harvest through the observance of these SAME DAYS!

What one wants to remember, he must review regularly. As Spirit-begotten Christians observe each annual festival in its season, they are reminded of God’s master plan for the salvation of all mankind, and their individual part in it. God’s annual holy days give one the opportunity to "act out," in a sense, the purpose for which he or she was born.

Through the years, God’s church has grown in the understanding of the spiritual meaning of these annual holy days. Unlike the world’s holidays which show no practical purpose or plan whatsoever for human existence, God’s annual Sabbaths/festivals reveal the full scope and meaning of His great purpose for mankind.

In this introductory study we learned that God’s annual Sabbaths and their related festivals not only teach us His plan of salvation, they point us directly to our Savior Jesus Christ. He is "our Passover" (I Cor. 5:7).

It is by "putting on" Christ that we put sin out of our lives, as pictured

by the Days of Unleavened Bread.

Christ is the first of the "firstfruits," and it was after His resurrection that He sent the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit was sent to spiritually beget those whom the Father would call, thus enabling them to fulfill His law, successfully overcome sin in their lives, and grow spiritually.

It is Christ who is going to intervene in world affairs, pictured by the Feast of Trumpets and become King of kings and Lord of lords, putting down the despotic rule of man and Satan, the arch deceiver, as portrayed by the Day of Atonement. With the influence of the devil and his demons now gone, all mankind will have opportunity to become "at one" with Christ through baptism and the receipt of the Holy Spirit.

Christ is coming to set up His government in the Millennium, making this earth a veritable utopia—pictured by the Feast of Tabernacles. Billions will be born into the Family of God during this golden age. His people, which the Bible terms "saints," are now preparing the way for, and are representatives of, that Kingdom by following in Christ’s footsteps.

Finally, Christ shall make salvation available to everyone who ever lived, but never heard or understood the truth, in the last great step—the Last Great Day picturing the last judgment period—in His plan. This will be the conclusion of His personal sacrifice as the Savior of mankind.

God’s church today has retained the precious truth concerning His master plan and purpose here on earth for you! Around the world God’s true church—composed of converted, Spirit-begotten children of God—is faithfully observing all of God’s festivals every year.

We have seen that the weekly Sabbath and the annual Sabbaths/festivals, and many other Old Testament laws, are now observed by Christians with a new and different spirit and approach (Matt. 5:21-22, 27-28). We are about to see that God’s law of tithing also takes on new meaning today. Remember the apostle Paul wrote that "... We are able ministers of the new testament [or the New Covenant]" (II Cor. 3:6).

Christianity is a way of life. It has everything to do with the way we live our daily lives—our day-in, day-out association with others, our business practices—even the way we handle our money.

Remember that God is Creator, Owner, and Proprietor of everything we see around us. God therefore has a prior claim to ownership of all that has been produced out of the earth. As David wrote: "The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" (Ps. 24:1). All the gold and silver belongs to God (Hag. 2:8). God created everything and by virtue of that creation He owns it all—including mankind. There is really no way that we can "reimburse" God for what He has done for us as our Creator.

So why give a tithe of our increase to God?

Tithing is a part of God’s "give way" of life. God wants us to learn

how to give and share for the good of others, and for our own good!

God uses the tenth He claims for Himself for proclaiming to the world His gospel of peace, joy, happiness, prosperity and eternal life. For lack of this knowledge, the world has been under a curse!

God’s law concerning what we produce and earn can be compared to a contract. He wants us to understand that we are working with Him in a partnership. God allows us to live and work on His earth—to cultivate the land and produce the food we eat. He allows us to cut down His timber and build the houses we live in, and to use all His resources in producing thousands of products for our own use.

But God is a very generous partner. He basically reserves only 10 percent for His Work on earth.

In the Garden of Eden, God reserved just one tree for Himself. That remained His. He never gave that one tree to Adam and Eve for their use. They had no right to eat of its fruit. When they, filled with greed to possess all, reached out and took the fruit of that forbidden tree, they sinned—they STOLE from God.

Today, the same Satan that deceived Eve would gladly have you believe that all of your income—or all the produce of your land—is yours. But don’t you believe it! Let’s understand what the Bible has to say about tithing.

The Word of God tells us that all who will follow the Christian way of life will have to face three deadly enemies. These three enemies tend to discourage us from overcoming sin and developing the very character of Christ.

These deadly foes tend to lead us away from faith in God, from relying on God, from walking with God. They can come between us and God—divide us from Him. They tend to put wedges into our minds that will grow and grow, separating us from the guidance and power of God’s Holy Spirit.

God says these deadly enemies must be defeated and He tells us how to do it!

The Bible speaks a great deal about "overcoming." Let’s understand exactly why it is so important in living the Christian life, and what bearing that overcoming has on the "occupations" of born-again Christians in the Kingdom of God.

Many are surprised to learn that the Bible says so much about ruling in the Kingdom of God. Some doubt that they could ever qualify to rule over others. Perhaps even you have thought, "But I don’t want to rule. I just want to serve God and live my life as a Christian."

History right down to the present is replete with accounts of rulers, politicians and bureaucrats who have abused their power and served their own interests, while calling themselves "benefactors" or servants of the people (Luke 22:25-26). Small wonder that many people have little desire to emulate such authority.

Jesus Christ, who has qualified for the greatest position of rulership under the Father in the coming Kingdom of God, said He came to be a servant (Luke 22:27). What an apparent paradox! Let’s see how and why service to God actually entails rulership.

1. How does a truly converted Christian express service to God? Matt.

25:24-36.

COMMENT: We serve God when we help and serve our fellowman. Christ said "... Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me" (verse 40).

This troubled world is filled with needy, sick, and lonely people. Hundreds of millions in this world would benefit from even basic instruction in how to improve the quality of their physical lives, including their everyday cleanliness and hygiene! Above all, they need to know the very truth of God—His purpose and plan for mankind, and how to assure their entry into God’s Family. This whole world has a crying need to understand the Word of God!

Christ came to serve, not to be served (Matt. 20:28). The foot-washing ceremony which He established shortly before His crucifixion symbolized this attitude of service. We should want to imitate Christ’s example (I Pet. 2:21; John 13:17).

A deeply converted Christian will want to help change this world and help others to share in the blessings of God’s way of life. That is, in fact, what the return of Christ and the establishment of His Kingdom [government] is all about! All Spirit-begotten Christians are, in reality, now training for a vital role in that government of the wonderful World Tomorrow under Christ’s leadership and rule.

The Christian life, then, is one of overcoming, growing, preparing, and developing for service through rulership in the Millennium, as well as serving others here and now!

2. What will the saints be doing in the Kingdom of God during the Millennium? Read Revelation 3:21, 2:26, 20:4-6 once again.

COMMENT: We read of "thrones," "judgment" and "reigning." These scriptures indicate that Christians will receive positions of rulership in God’s Kingdom. All who are converted and learning to overcome now will eventually be "kings and priests," or rulers of various kinds in the Kingdom of God (Rev. 5:10). That is the very purpose for which we were created. Our ultimate destiny, if we accept God’s calling, is rulership of the world—and eventually the entire universe—under Christ. Yes, we were BORN TO rule.

3. By what principle can a person of ordinary ability and humble opportunity in this life ever qualify to take on far greater responsibility in the Kingdom of God? Luke 16:10.

COMMENT: We learn to rule by being faithful—conscientious—in whatever we do. We must put into practice in our daily lives the principles and laws we learn from God’s Word. Even the person who considers himself or herself as having only a little ability and natural talent, can qualify to rule in God’s Kingdom. We learn to rule tomorrow by learning to manage our own affairs and responsibilities today, no matter how small they may be.

God is no respecter of persons or sexes (Rom. 2:11; Gal. 3:28). What sex we were born has no bearing on our reward in God’s Kingdom. Our future reward will be determined solely by the degree of our "works" in this life. Note: It is by God’s "grace" that we will attain His Kingdom—attain immortality as God’s gift. But it is by our works that we will attain an office of responsibility—an opportunity for greater service, for doing more good—once we are born into God’s ruling Family.

As our Savior and elder brother—"the firstborn among many brethren"-

• Jesus Christ has already qualified for the highest office under God the Father in the coming World Tomorrow. No one else can ever receive the position of rulership the Father has promised Him. Notice a few other positions which are mentioned specifically in scripture.

The newly Spirit-begotten Christian has embarked on an exciting new way of life. But as with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and Paul, God knows that Christians will occasionally stumble spiritually—they still can and will sin (I John 1:8-9). But our merciful God promises to forgive us if we repent, and will strengthen us so we can continue to overcome and be granted eternal life in His glorious Kingdom.

God does not call people to the true Christian way of life to be losers. He does not want any to miss out on the rewards and joys of eternal life in His Family (II Peter 3:9; I Tim. 2:4).

But God will not do it all for us. We have our part to do!

How is it possible to continue to overcome, to press on toward the

Let’s understand.

You were born with the potential to become a member of the universe-ruling Family of God—to have a part in governing, teaching, and guiding the world in the Millennium and in the Last Judgment period—and after that, to help rule the entire creation of God for eternity!

This is the awesome destiny God offers to mankind!

Have you begun the salvation process toward this marvelous goal?

Analyze your own life and character. Have you begun obeying God? Are you growing spiritually? Are you developing—growing—in self-control? In the ability to restrain wrong desires, selfish motives or vanity? Are you replacing bad habits and attitudes with right thoughts and deeds?

If you suddenly had some really great responsibility thrust into your hands to direct—perhaps a major department of a city—perhaps a vast manufacturing concern with many subsidiaries—would you be able to direct and carry out that responsibility as God would have it done?

Well, the test is this: If you are now rightly directing the little powers in your control, such as your temper, your voice, your passions and emotions, or your present perhaps small income, then you probably could be entrusted to properly carry out at least a somewhat larger responsibility.

But if you have not yet begun to learn to control and constructively guide even these little powers in your care, then how could God entrust you to handle far greater responsibilities in the Kingdom of God? If you don’t learn to be faithful even in the use of your present income, who will entrust to your care the true riches, and the great powers of God?

Ask God for the understanding and wisdom to rightly use and direct the comparatively little powers, abilities and responsibilities that are now yours so you can be a faithful and productive servant of God.

Strive to be faithful over what God has already given you, so that one day Christ can say to you: "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over MUCH..." (Matt. 25:21, RSV).

This life is the training ground. We learn to rule by performing our responsibilities faithfully and by learning to rule over ourselves as we live the Christian way of life.

Preparing to rule in God’s Kingdom begins with submission to His rule now. God will not save any person He does not govern. So learn God’s laws. Study them. Think about them. Live by them. And with the help of God’s Holy Spirit, overcome your human nature, the pulls of the world, and the wiles of Satan the devil.

Seek God by drawing closer to Him in prayer and study. Change! Grow spiritually. Continually build the character of God until death, or until the moment Jesus Christ returns when God will instantly change our weak, inadequate bodies into powerful, sinless, glorified spirit bodies! (Phil. 3:20-21.) Then you will be ready to rule with Christ.

Our awesome destiny is that of helping to rule the earth and the universe beyond as a member of the God Family!

It’s a breathtaking, exciting, incredible calling! A glorious, wonderful future! Have you begun to qualify for it?

This quiz is designed to help you remember the important facts you learned in the lesson. You simply circle or underline each correct answer. After you’ve finished the test, check your choices with the correct answers at the end of this lesson, and then rate yourself.

16. Obedience to God A. Responsibilities

B. Curses

17. God’s tithe C. Jesus Christ

D. Houses

18. "Mansions" E. A tenth

F. Passover lamb

19. Our Passover G. An offering

H. Blessings

20. Christians I. Spirit-begotten

J. Devout

ANSWERS TO QUIZ Rate Yourself

1-D 5-B 9-C 13-F 17-E 19-20 correct excellent

2-B 6-B 10-D 14-T 18-A 16-18 correct good

3-D 7-C 11-F 15-T 19-C 13-15 correct fair