Pagan Christmas and Pagan Easter - both holidays condemn our countries!

The Vatican versus the Fourth Commandment

2011-02-18T06:56:00.001-08:00

Commentary: The Vatican versus the Fourth Commandment

By Wyatt Ciesielka | Saturday, February 12, 2011

On January 25, Pope Benedict XVI again proclaimed his desire "to ignite a fervent missionary movement in the Catholic Church," stating he wants to advance "the entire Catholic Church into a new missionary age" in 2011 (catholic.org, January 28, 2011). While this movement will ultimately contribute to fulfilling prophecies such as Isaiah 47:8-9 and Revelation 17:2-5, an aspect of this rejuvenated "fervent missionary movement" already affects billions. This is the growing emphasis on Sunday observance. Read more

Beyond Babylon

2011-02-10T17:28:00.001-08:00

Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall is destined to become a national debate and an international controversy because it dares to speak the plain truth in a world of lies!

Beyond Babylon
Introduction

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 1
Survival Guaranteed!

The DEVASTATION unleashed against America and her British allies was without precedent. Destruction was everywhere and a body count impossible. The catastrophe was beyond calculation.

Europe - gripped with a messianic furor - justified this mass destruction of the body to "save the soul." Besides, they have the blessing of the pope. His white robes are stained with the blood of many martyrs.

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 2
Why National Defeat?

Why are we in mortal danger? Why will the American, British and Jewish people SUFFER national defeat? How could Europe ever turn against us?

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 3
Truth or Consequences

As global tensions increase, and threats of confrontation escalate, we might very well wonder whether humanity will survive. Unless there’s a GOD to intervene, we have a bleak future indeed: a DEAD PLANET! Will earth become a nuclear fireball? Will charred bones - aftermath of unleashed atomic fires - and the smoldering ruins of a suicidal civilization be all that’s left?

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 4
Victims of Tradition

Whenever our behavior gets out of control, God lets us loose control! When we’re held hostage to bad habits, and refuse to let them go, we go into captivity! A national lack of discipline results in God sending corrective punishment! Then we wake up and get with it, and beg God to save us. The whole purpose is to bring us to our knees and senses.

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 5
Europe's Fate

What’s going to happen to Europe? We know what’s going to happen to the American and British peoples, as well as to our Jewish brethren. The coming WORLD CRISIS is prophesied to fall especially hard on them. Why?

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 6
Jesus and the Jews

Why don't the Jews accept Jesus?" I've been asked that so many times. My usual reply? "Why haven't the Christians?" At least the Jews are waiting for the proper imperial restoration. The Messiah's coming to sit on DAVID'S THRONE - not Caesar's or "St. Peter's." The Anointed One's going to rule from JERUSALEM - not Rome!

Beyond Babylon
Chapter 7
Elijah's Key Role

Israel's about to host the greatest showdown on earth! A spiritual conflict of interests will create such a scene in Jerusalem that the whole world will watch! Zion will be an arena of prophets and sorcerers, warriors and kings! The forces of good and evil are set to duel: the sons of light will battle the sons of darkness, and truth will confront error head-on!

Beyond Babylon

2011-02-10T17:26:00.001-08:00

Bible study

2011-01-22T09:17:00.000-08:00

BibleStudy.org handles 10,000th Bible question, has record year

FARMINGTON HILLS, Michigan - In 2010 God blessed THE Bible Study Web Site at BibleStudy.org with its best year in its fifteen-year history, reports full-time Webmaster and owner Alan Ruth.

In 2010 the site attracted 5,185,156 actual visitors, an increase of 30% above the previous year. These visitors requested 11,540,657 pages of Bible-based study materials, an incredible 31% above the previous year and the largest raw jump in study materials viewed (+2.7 Million) ever.

Last year the site was also blessed with achieving a MAJOR milestone in reaching the whole world with the Gospel. BibleStudy.org's Personal Answers to Bible Questions service received its 10,000th Bible question from the public during the year. Alan further reported:

"The site's Question and Answer service started in September 2002 and is staffed by several hard-working, mature Christian volunteers known collectively as the Email Evangelists. Their dedication to serving God by answering sometimes difficult and heart-rending personal questions makes the service possible. The Personal Answers to Questions outreach ended 2010 with a total of 10,065 questions handled since the service began.

"BibleStudy.org's popularity, in terms of visitors, has increase an amazing 428% compared to year 2004 totals. The total number of Bible articles viewed since 2004 has also dramatically increased by 260%.

"The Bible teaches not to despise the day of small things (Zech. 4:10) and that with God involved anything is possible. God has used the less than $2,000 donated for the year to do some great things."

BibleStudy.org's goal for 2011 is to serve 7 Million visitors who request 15 Million of its Web pages.

PERSONAL ANSWERS TO BIBLE QUESTIONS SERVICE FAST FACTS

* In its first year the site handled 1,811 questions from the public!

* 95%+ of all questions are submitted by those with NO church of God background or exposure.

* The current group of Email Evangelists answering Bible questions from the public are:

Rick and Eileen Beltz, Charlotte Grantham, Arnold Mendez Sr., Al and Debra Murrey, Eric Snow, Mike Summers, Les Turvey, Tommy West, Margaret Vidal and Clay Willis

* Seven of the ten current Email Evangelists have been faithfully answering Bible questions since the service started in 2002!

* Answers from the Email Evangelists, posted on BibleStudy.org, are collectively the MOST POPULAR part of the site. In 2010 Email Evangelist answers were read a total of 2.4 MILLION times!

The Five Most Read Answers to Bible Questions in 2010

1. HOW and WHERE did the Apostle Paul die?

2. Does the Bible APPROVE of smoking POT (marijuana)?

3. When was Satan THROWN OUT of heaven?

4. What does THOU SHALL NOT KILL in the Ten Commandments MEAN?

5. What is meaning of ELI ELI LAMA SABACHTHANI cried out by Jesus on the cross?

To make a donation in support of BibleStudy.org's ministry please visit:http://www.biblestudy.org/donate.html

To Subscribe to The Journal Newspaper visit:http://www.thejournal.org/contact.html

Will to live

2010-11-16T06:24:00.001-08:00

"Don't let the darkness destroy your will to live in the light."
- a friend years ago

The Last Great Day

2010-09-30T15:24:00.001-07:00

Holy Days:
Last Great Day
by Martin G. Collins
Forerunner, "Bible Study," September-October 1996

This study concludes the series on God's annual holy days. We have seen that Passover, the first festival, memorializes Jesus' sacrifice for man. The Days of Unleavened Bread instruct Christ's disciples in holy conduct. Pentecost pictures God's Holy Spirit given to His church. The Feast of Trumpets warns mankind of impending war and the return of Jesus Christ. Atonement depicts Satan being restrained and man finally becoming one with God. The Feast of Tabernacles pictures Christ's thousand-year reign of unprecedented peace and prosperity.

The final festival is the Last Great Day. It looks forward to a time after the Millennium when an awesomely wonderful period of salvation will take place. During this time the majority of mankind—rich and poor, young and old, men and women—will be resurrected and have an opportunity to inherit eternal life. Billions will qualify to enter the God Family! On the other hand, those who will not repent, who will not submit to God and His way, will be cast into the Lake of Fire and die the second—eternal—death. What a fair and merciful God we have!

Read more: http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/BS/k/404/Holy-Days-Last-Great-Day.htm#ixzz113Pj4cJ0

Muslim confiscates Christian Bible on Temple Mount

2010-09-30T10:35:00.001-07:00

Jewish guards prevent Christians and Jews from exercising their religious right to pray on the Temple Mount? That's right! Only Muslims have unlimited access to Judaism's most holy site. Only the Koran is permitted within. The Tanach (Jewish Scripture, known to much of the world as the "Old Testament") and Christian Scriptures (the New Testament) are forbidden. Yet Israel claims to respect the religious rights of all people.

Read more...

A House of Prayer For All Peoples?

Worldwide Church of God Feast of Tabernacles

2010-09-23T14:53:00.001-07:00

The first time I visited Israel was with the Worldwide Church of God in 1980 to celebrate Sukkot -- the biblical Feast of Tabernacles. (Some Christians understand that Israel's harvest festival foreshadows the peace and prosperity that everyone will soon enjoy under the Messiah's golden rule). But that whirlwind experience only whet my appetite...

From Toledo to Jerusalem

Holidays or Holy Days - Does it Matter Which Days We Observe?

2010-09-22T17:13:00.001-07:00

Crucial Questions
Many people are shocked to discover the origins of our most popular religious holidays. They are also surprised to find that the days God commands us to observe in the Bible—the same days Jesus Christ and the apostles kept—are almost universally ignored. Why? Also, why are today's supposedly Christian holidays observed with so many rituals and customs that are not sanctioned anywhere in the Bible? In this booklet you'll discover detailed answers to these questions.

Christmas: The Untold Story
Christmas is one of the world's most popular holidays, celebrated by people of many faiths. Yet the holiday has a strange and convoluted past, one hinted at in such puzzling symbols as decorated trees, holly wreaths and mistletoe.

How Christmas Grew

Christmas vs. the Bible

Biblical Evidence Shows Jesus Wasn't Born on December 25

Easter: Masking a Biblical Truth

Many millions of people believe Jesus Christ rose from the dead on a Sunday morning. But do the Scriptures tell a different story? And how did rabbits and colored eggs come to be associated with Christ's resurrection?

The Resurrection Connection

Fertility Symbols: Beneath the Dignity of God

The Chronology of Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection

Halloween: A Celebration of Evil
Why would anyone celebrate a holiday emphasizing the morbid and macabre? Where did such strange customs originate?

What About Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Purim?
An important distinction between acceptable holidays and those rooted in paganism (like Christmas and Easter) is that they do not alter, replace or distort the meaning of a festival of God or other biblical truths.

God's Days of Worship
Many are surprised to learn that the Bible nowhere encourages us to celebrate Easter and Christmas. It does, however, show that God revealed a series of festivals that teach mankind about His great plan for all of us!

God's Festivals in the New Testament

Does It Matter to God?
History shows that religious authorities systematically set aside the Bible's days of worship and substituted other practices and celebrations with distinctly non-Christian origins. Is God pleased and honored with such worship?

An Ancient Cultural Clash

The Delights of Obedience

Yom Kippur at Sdot Yam

2010-09-18T13:23:00.001-07:00

Tradition - even empty, hollow, shallow - has assisted Jewry to preserve this Day, however imperfectly; yet I also couldn't help but think of God & Kahane who might dismiss such "worship" as vain and such "devotions" as void. Liberal, Hellenist, humanists who have nothing to do with God and are ignorant of or deny His Word as a general rule, as hypocritical & unacceptable as professing Christianity on the pagan days of Christmas and Easter...

Yom Kippur at Sdot Yam

Are We CURSING Our Land?

2010-09-14T13:00:00.001-07:00

Good News
December 1960
Vol. IX, Number 12

Are We CURSING Our Land?

Today we have severe drought in some areas -- unexpected floods in others. It has not always been this way. Why the change? Read who is responsible!

by J. W. Robinson

LARGE portions of the United States, Australia, South Africa, which were once productive, are now drought stricken or ravaged by floods. Streams and springs are drying up in many areas! Much of the topsoil is eroding. Hurricanes are sweeping inland farther, and with greater frequency, than ever before!

Why all this distress? Is it a NATURALLY CAUSED situation which can be explained away? OR IS IT PUNISHMENT FOR SIN?

If it is punishment, for whose sin are YOU being punished?

Here certainly is a question not only our brethren on the farm need to understand, but all of us everywhere!

Why Climatic Rampage?

Here is the answer --

When God gave Israel the law in Mount Sinai, He told them to cultivate the land and harvest its fruit for six years (Ex. 23:10-11). But He also included this little-known, though vitally important statute: "THE SEVENTH YEAR YOU SHALL LET IT REST AND LIE STILL ... In like manner shall you deal with your vineyard and your oliveyard."

God made this law a part of His overall law of love. He knows that the land needs a rest every seventh year.

God did not say, "Do it if you WANT to." He made it a definite command FOR OUR OWN GOOD!

But why the increase in floods, in drought, in blowing topsoil and in tornadoes? And why the coming war and captivity of this whole people? What have the people done to merit such devastation?

Let Leviticus 26:34-35 tell us. "Then [in the near future] shall the land enjoy her sabbaths AS LONG AS IT LIES DESOLATE, AND YOU BE IN YOUR ENEMIES' LAND; then shall the land rest, AND ENJOY HER SABBATHS. As long as it lies desolate it shall rest; BECAUSE IT DID NOT REST IN YOUR SABBATHS, WHEN YOU DWELT UPON IT."

It is all very clear. The land becomes desolate BECAUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO REST AND KEEP ITS SABBATHS!

Some who call themselves Christians show a great lack of concern for God's sabbatical year. Does THAT show an attitude of SUBMISSION? No, it typifies the indifference of this modern age!

Don't think for a minute that you are on a band wagon with an easy ticket into the Kingdom of God. YOU MUST OBEY GOD! Otherwise you will suffer with the nation when it pays in full for its sins.

In the Scriptures God isn't speaking just to your neighbor. HE IS SPEAKING TO YOU!

God's Conditional Promises

Are you occasionally plagued by disease among your livestock, by insect pest, or by drought? If so, you may have been neglecting to DESERVE God's promised blessings. God promises the obedient that He will "... satisfy your soul in drought ... and you shall be like an irrigated garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not" (Isa. 58:11).

God commands us, in Exodus 23:25-26, "And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land."

Again, in II Chronicles 7:13-14 God promised us, "When I shut up the heavens that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, IF My PEOPLE [Christians today] who are called by My NAME HUMBLE THEMSELVES and PRAY and SEEK My face, and TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and HEAL their land."

There it is! God's people must obey God -- and that includes the keeping of the Sabbath year. Now is the time we need to learn TO PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER, "Casting all your cares upon Him; for He cares for you" (I Pet. 5:7).

Punishment for Disobedience

Notice what happened once before when the people refused to obey this law. We have a record of this in II Chronicles 36:20-21: "And them that had escaped from the sword carried he [Nebuchadnezzar] away to Babylon; where they were servants of him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: TO FULFILL THE WORD of the Eternal by the mouth of Jeremiah, UNTIL THE LAND HAD ENJOYED HER SABBATHS: for as long as she [the land] lay desolate SHE KEPT SABBATH, to fulfill threescore and ten years." Every sabbatical year unkept meant a year in captivity for Judah! God's corrective measures are sure -- Israel, too, WILL be desolate and the land will soon ENJOY her Sabbaths because the people refuse to turn to God and keep His sabbatical years.

God warned Israel in Leviticus 26:14-35 what would happen IF THEY DISOBEYED this law. Israel was to receive severe punishments in four progressively worsening stages unless the nation repented.

Some have thought this prophecy apples only to Israel's first punishment, and isn't for us today. They quote verse 22: "I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you FEW in number; and your ways [roads] shall be desolate."

Those who are scoffers will say, "That is no concern of ours: there are not enough wild beasts in this nation to do any serious damage." Don't you believe it! We are already getting a foretaste of this condition. Rabies and other diseases that are spread by animals are becoming increasingly more destructive, especially to our children. A typical report which illustrates this point is the following news item from Toronto, Ontario, Canada: "Red foxes are bringing an EPIDEMIC OF RABIES into heavily populated southern Ontario ... SCHOOL CHILDREN in Grey County recently began carrying clubs while waiting for school busses after one girl drove off an attacking fox ... Anti-rabies vaccine has been given to 400 persons so far this year, compared to 200 for ALL 1957 ... CATTLE have been hit by the disease" (quoted from the "Dallas Times Herald," Nov. 1, 1958).

Besides the rabies that is being spread far and wide by foxes, skunks, mice, bats, and dogs, there are many more diseases that are bringing great destruction to our children and cattle. Diseases, however, are not the only source of trouble from animals. Man has so abused his natural surroundings that wildlife populations and their food supplies are becoming unbalanced. When a species becomes too numerous, or its natural food supply runs low, it is likely to cause abnormal destruction due to sheer hunger madness. Consider the following report from TRUE MAGAZINE, March, 1960:

"There are twice as many rats in the world as people -- about five billion (400 million rats in the U. S.). EVERY 12TH FARM IN THE WORLD PRODUCES FOOD ONLY TO FEED RATS; a total of about two million average sized modern farms! ..." Wild animals are destined to become even more destructive THROUGHOUT the world BECAUSE MEN HAVE SEVERELY ABUSED THE LAND.

How to Keep the Sabbath Year

We know that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in RIGHTEOUSNESS" (II Tim. 3:16). We know also that we are COMMANDED to keep the Sabbath year and that "ALL {GOD'S} COMMANDMENTS are RIGHTEOUSNESS (Ps. 119:172)." Therefore let us look into the Scriptures for instruction in the keeping of the Sabbath year.

God's instructions, in Leviticus 25:3-7, for the Sabbath year are very thorough and complete and are easily understood. [I quote from the Moffatt translation here because it is more easily understood than is the King James Version. The meaning, however, is identical in both].

"For six years you may sow your field, for six years you may prune your vineyard, and gather in the produce; but the seventh year shall be a Sabbath of ENTIRE rest FOR THE LAND, a Sabbath in honor of the Eternal, on which you must neither sow a field nor prune a vineyard, on which you must not even gather the after growth of your harvest nor grapes from your undressed vines honor of the Eternal, on which you must neither sow a field nor prune a vineyard, on which you must not even gather the after growth of your harvest nor grapes from your undressed vines produce of the land shall serve as food for you, for yourself and your slaves, male and female, for your hired servant and any outsiders staying with you, furnishing food also for your cattle and livestock!

READ THESE VERSES AGAIN VERY CAREFULLY. THEY ARE IMPORTANT. Notice that the sabbatical year is a year of ENTIRE rest FOR THE LAND. Verse five tells you that you must not gather your crops or fruit for commercial use or to store up in that year. They must, in general, be allowed to return to the soil. Yet verse six tells you that the NATURAL produce of the land -- that which grows voluntarily -- in the sabbatical year shall serve as food for you, your servants, and strangers or guests that are with you.

Some people are temporarily confused when reading these two verses, thinking YOU must not harvest the produce of the land in order to sell it. Neither are you to store up the produce of the Sabbath year for future use. You may use the voluntary produce for day-to-day needs. God wants you to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables when they are in season, even in the Sabbath year.

The natural produce of the land in that year will also furnish food for your cattle and other livestock which may graze on the land (verse 7). This clearly shows that it is permissible to allow cattle to graze the fields in addition to the pasture in the Sabbath year. To take advantage of this liberty it is permissible to allow your cattle herd to increase while they are grazing the whole farm. One man, WHO DID NOT STUDY THESE SCRIPTURES, mistakenly assumed he should sell all of his cattle the Sabbath year!

Definite proof that we should not plant a garden in our sabbatical year, nor harvest or can its produce, is found in Leviticus 25:20-21: "And if ye shall say, What shall we eat the seventh year? behold, we shall not sow nor gather in our increase ..." Notice that God is making provision for those who will be concerned about what they are going to eat during the year in which their land is resting. If we could plant a vegetable garden in the sabbatical year, no one would wonder where his food is coming from, because a well-managed garden can be depended upon to provide an abundance of fresh food. Under such a condition, there would be no test of the faith of the individual.

God's Blessings Promised

Some are sure to say, "How can we make a living in the Sabbath year? A little fresh fruit and vegetables will not support my family. I need a cash crop. I THINK God wants us to use our minds and learn to draw our own conclusions; and I THINK we should let one-seventh of the farm lie idle each year." This looks good to the natural reasoning of some people, but WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT IT?

God DOES want you to use your minds. And if you use them properly, you will come to the conclusion that EVERYONE must learn God's point of view and live by it. The only other recourse is to follow human reasoning, independent of the Scriptures, which leads only to heartaches, sorrows, and wretchedness. Therefore, let us turn to God's Word so that He will tell us HOW to keep the Sabbath year.

God tells us in Leviticus 25:20-22, "And if you shall say, 'What shall we eat the seventh year? Behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase.' Then I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year; and it shall bring forth produce for three years. And you shall sow the eighth year, and eat yet of old produce until the ninth year; until her produce comes in you shall eat of the old produce."

There you see a definite command that one particular year should be set aside in which the WHOLE FARM should rest by being uncultivated. Also you see a VERY DISTINCT PROMISE that God will so abundantly bless you in the sixth year that your produce will last until the fall crops are harvested in the end of the eighth year to give you food for the ninth year.

You should be diligent in your work, but not overly concerned with such matters as your physical needs, because there is very little that YOU can do about it. MAKING YOUR CROPS GROW IS ONE OF GOD'S JOBS. Strive for greater spiritual growth and God will supply your needs. "For your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask Him" (Mat. 6:8).

"Take no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, With what shall we be clothed?' -- for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you" (Mat. 6:25-34).

What about shrubbery and flowers? How should you care for them in the Sabbath year? The answer is that you should keep the house and its surroundings neat with whatever lawn and hedge trimming may be necessary. God would not want you to let your home become run-down and dilapidated looking. The law of the sabbatical year involves ONLY THAT LAND FROM WHICH CROPS ARE HARVESTED, REMOVED, SOLD OR STORED. It does not include your pasture or the lawn, shrubbery, and flowers around your home.

How to Figure Your Sabbath Year

The Sabbath year is counted according to the Old Testament from about one Feast of Tabernacles to the next, beginning and ending in the autumn of the year. In ancient Israel the sabbatical years included the Jubilee every 50th year. The Jubilee is reckoned ONLY WHEN THERE IS A GOD-GIVEN PERMANENT INHERITANCE.

After the Jews returned from captivity under Ezra and Nehemiah they were not given any permanent inheritance. Therefore God did not require them to keep a jubilee -- but only the sabbatical years every seventh year.

After the Jews returned from the Babylonian captivity they reckoned sabbatical years, without Jubilees, from the time they REOCCUPIED the land. WE ARE IN A SIMILAR SITUATION TODAY.

We have no permanent inheritance. It is apparent that God intends us to use a personal, and not a national, system. YOUR SABBATH YEAR WOULD BE THE SEVENTH YEAR from the time that this knowledge comes to you -- or from YOUR CONVERSION, COUNTED FROM ONE FEAST OF TABERNACLES TO THE NEXT. Count the year of your conversion as your first year if it is more than half a year.

Is This Your Problem?

Someone is sure to ask, "Should renters, as well as landowners, keep the Sabbath year?" The answer is an emphatic "yes."

There may be landowners who will not allow their renters to let the whole land rest for a year. Renters do not have the authority to force the issue in this case but must submit to the demands of the owner. In this case the renter should let a portion rest each year until it has all rested. Through this method the land will at least have its recuperative rest.

The exact year that the land rests is not of primary importance because CHRISTIANS ARE NOT NOW AN ORGANIZED COMMUNITY. THEY DO NOT ALL HAVE THE SAME SABBATH YEAR ANYWAY.

Since renters do not own the land, they must not insist that the owners obey God. Instead, they may have to find, work and a farm elsewhere.

Actually, all land renters who are obeying God should, AFTER WISE COUNSEL, aim to become landowners so that they will have full authority to farm according to God's principles. (But don't buy a farm in a drought-stricken area!)

If you are obeying God, you, like Abraham, must be willing to leave the locality in which your ancestors lived. But BEFORE you move into a new area, MAKE SURE YOU CAN MAKE A LIVING THERE. God is not obligated to supply your needs if you move into a desolate, drought-stricken area, or if you grow up in such an area and stay there. You should start your farming venture in an area that is not yet suffering.

Then, AFTER YOU HAVE FULFILLED YOUR NORMAL OBLIGATIONS AND ARE OBEYING AND TRUSTING GOD TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY, GOD WILL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS! Of this, you have His SURE PROMISE in Deuteronomy 28:1-6, 11-12 and Matthew 6:25-34. Read these scriptures carefully.

Land Left Fallow Every 2nd or 3rd Year?

There may arise the question, "What should be done with land that is already being left idle every second, third, or fourth year? How should it be handled in order to conform to God's Sabbath year?

Three general types of land are being managed in this manner. The first type to be considered is GOOD, PRODUCTIVE LAND that is periodically being left idle, usually being seeded to a winter legume or other soil builder. Such a practice builds the soil up to a richer, more productive capacity and should in no way be discouraged. However, this should be IN ADDITION to the sabbatical rest.

In some Plains States areas there is fertile soil that must be SUMMER FALLOWED every other year because it receives so little rainfall that it will not produce yearly crops. In such an area, it would be permissible to summer fallow in a sabbatical year so that the land will not be sapped of all its surface water, which is needed for the following year's crop. Some in dry areas have not summer fallowed their land, letting weeds grow to maturity. They did not raise a crop in the eighth year. But in each succeeding year the production has steadily increased WELL BEYOND ANY PREVIOUS YEARLY AVERAGE.

If you were to summer fallow during your sabbatical year, you should allow some growth to spring up, but disk it into the soil while it is young and tender enough to decompose rapidly. In the Jewish translation of the Old Testament, the word "rest" is translated by "lie fallow."

Another grade of soil is occasionally left idle because it is too poor to produce crops any more often. Such soil is gradually wasting away and is so thin that it should not be cultivated in the first place. Rather, it ought to be seeded to a good pasture grass AND TURNED INTO PERMANENT PASTURE.

It is VITALLY IMPORTANT, however, that you DO NOT OVERGRAZE YOUR LAND! One cause of the present distress in our Western states is that much of the land has been overgrazed in the interest of TEMPORARY higher profits.

If too many cattle are on the land they will nibble the grass SO SHORT that it will afford no PROTECTIVE COVERING for the soil. The land will then dry up -- the grass will starve -- the topsoil will be blown away.

Some land is overgrazed even under the best grazing arrangement. Such land has already been worn out and should be left to nature so that shrubs and trees may take over and enrich the soil and, at the same time, produce a tree crop for future generations. Do not think of PRESENT PROFITS ONLY. Think of future generations who will reclaim this land after the captivity -- after the land shall have kept its Sabbaths.

What Work Should One Do in the Sabbath Year?

Some will want to know, "What should I do on the Sabbath year? I know I shouldn't become idle. Should I get a job in town?"

Considering the purpose of the Sabbath year, you should not get a job UNTIL YOU HAVE PUT YOUR FARM IN GOOD REPAIR. The Sabbath year does for your land what the Sabbath day does for your physical body. One rejuvenates the physical body; the other rejuvenates and improves the land. Surely you have buildings and fences that need repairing. Do you need new fences? Then build them. Digging post holes will not be a violation of the principle of letting the land rest. The Sabbath year is A SABBATH FOR THE LAND. It's the year you work for the land instead of the land working for you.

Possibly your home needs remodeling and painting. Take time to renovate it thoroughly in your seventh year. That will be the best opportunity you will have to make of it the kind of home you want. Overhaul or repair all of your machinery -- make sure that everything is in good condition before the beginning of the eighth year.

After all this is accomplished, why not take an EDUCATIONAL VACATION? Go to the cities' libraries and museums to study and broaden your understanding of the world around you. You might also visit some of the nation's beautiful parks or attend concerts that would be inaccessible in the other six years.

When you have done all of these things that you CAN AFFORD -- go ahead and set a job for the remainder of the year! IT IS GOOD TO STAY BUSY, and the extra money can certainly be useful.

Trust God

Remember that the Sabbath year is a time for rejoicing, created for the benefit of man. If you OBEY God and TRUST Him, in FAITH, He will fully supply all your needs. In Deuteronomy 11:13-15 God promises you that if you OBEY Him, He will send you rain at the right season so that your fields will produce abundant crops and your pastures plenty of grass "... that you may eat and be satisfied."

Do you think it would be difficult for God to punish the nation WITHOUT INJURING YOU? Turn to Psalm 91:7-10 and read God's answer to this question: "A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the Eternal, who is my refuge, and the Most High, your habitation; there shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling."

Turn to Amos 4:7, also, and read: "I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered." This definitely PROVES that God can give YOU rain while your neighbor suffers from drought. If you doubt that this refers to our day, read carefully verses 6-12. The statement, "Prepare to meet your God, O Israel" at the end of verse 12 shows that this Scripture is for our day -- just before the return of Christ.

Could you want stronger promises? What could be stronger than these assurances taken directly from God's inspired word? Do you believe God? If you do not, you have a very wretched life ahead of you! Anyone can see that conditions are worsening the world over. Human scheming certainly cannot save you from the rapidly approaching chaos and ruin. Are you going to continue disobeying God like the world around you and suffer for it? Or will you OBEY Him so that He can heap HIS BLESSINGS upon you?

Just keep the 10 Commandments?

2010-08-30T05:51:00.001-07:00

Just keep the 10 Commandments?

Recently several of my senior neighbors and I were discussing religious differences. I commented whether Methodist, Catholic or Baptist, they all believe in the same basic beliefs: the Babylonian Mystery religious doctrines of "going to Heaven or Hell," Sunday over Sabbath, Christmas, Easter. They agreed everybody should "just keep the 10 Commandments."

Jesus did say we should keep the commandments, in spirit and in truth (Matthew 19:16-17). But neither Catholics or Protestants keep the commandments! They reject the plain truth of the Bible to keep their idolatrous traditions.

I asked my friends (who said we should "just keep the 10 Commandments") whether they were ready to stop keeping Sunday and start keeping the Sabbath - to "remember the Sabbath to keep it holy." Apparently the question caught them off guard as neither replied. How about you? Will you keep the commandments, so help you God, including the Fourth Commandment?

Feast of Tabernacles

2010-08-23T08:38:00.001-07:00

Feast of Tabernacles & Last Great Day Related Resources

The Feast of Tabernacles: Jesus Christ Reigns Over All the Earth
The seven-day Feast of Tabernacles pictures the 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ over the earth after His second coming.

The Feast of Tabernacles
How is the festival that represents the sixth step in God's plan to be observed?

The Last Great Day
The seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles are followed by another high day, on which God commands an assembly. This eighth day is the Last Great Day of the fall festival season, and it represents the final, or seventh, step in God's plan of salvation.

The Feast of Peace
God instructed the ancient Israelites to leave their homes every year to observe a festival in a location He chose. What is the significance of this feast, and what does it mean for you?

Are the Biblical Holy Days Christian Festivals?
Why do most people keep holidays that are different from the festivals listed and described in the pages of the Bible? When were the biblical feasts abandoned, and why? How can we be sure which sacred days Christians should observe? Here are the answers!

The Biblical Festivals That Reveal Christ's Role in God's Plan
Jesus Christ celebrated seven festivals every year that most Christians today can't even name, yet they have His imprint all over them. He is the reason for each of these seasons, and they have great meaning for anyone who would like to follow Him better. What are these festivals, and what do they reveal about our Savior and King?

The Biblical Festivals That Show How God Will Bring World Peace
Will mankind ever experience lasting peace? Humanity's track record isn't very good. But a series of biblical feasts reveals how God will indeed bring lasting world peace!

Should You Keep the Festivals Jesus Observed?
Jesus observed the Passover, the Feast of Tabernacles and the other festivals that God gave to Israel. Should you follow His example? Are those sacred festivals still applicable for Christians?

God's Harvest Feasts: His Assurance of Hope for Mankind
Despite the enormous problems facing humanity today, mankind has great hope for the future. Proof of that hope lies in God's harvest celebrations laid out in the Bible.

Knowing God for the First Time
A time is coming when all mankind will come to know God. But meanwhile, through His festivals, God offers us the opportunity to experience now what the whole world will experience in the future.

The Biblical Map to Jesus Christ's Return
Maps show the way from where you are to your final destination. The Bible provides the only spiritual map to our ultimate destiny. Doesn’t it make good sense to plan your life's journey by learning how to read the genuine biblical map?

God's Plan to End Evil and Suffering
Is God blind to evil and human suffering? Why doesn’t He intervene to put a stop to it? Or could it be that it’s we who are blind to what God is doing and that humankind must learn some major lessons before He puts an end to evil?

Coming: God's Solutions to the World's Problems
Nearly everywhere we look, the world seems to be spinning out of control. Why do we see so many problems? Can we find a solution? Does the Bible offer hope for answers?

Sodom in Prophecy

2010-08-20T05:14:00.001-07:00

The debate over same-sex “marriage” is merely a symptom of a society that has already cast off moral restraint.

Those who defend same-sex “marriage” often argue that whether homosexuals marry or not has absolutely no impact on traditional families—that is, the rest of society. But they miss the point—as do most opponents of same-sex “marriage”: The homosexual cause has already impacted our society. A debate over homosexual “marriage” would only be possible in a society that has already cast off moral restraint.

read more:

Sodom in Prophecy

"One shall say, I am the LORD’S; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel"

2010-08-15T08:14:00.001-07:00

Who and What is a Jew

DavidBenAriel says:

August 15, 2010 at 4:52 pm

pagan man-god myths - Shy Guy

Your stereotypes sadly enslave and blind you. I don't believe Yeshua was divine when he was in the flesh and reject the accursed trinity doctrine.

"The Gentilized Israelites (many Catholics and Protestants) must confess and forsake our baptized paganism, our whitewashed heathen customs that Roman wolves have polluted the world with and misled the masses, and Judaism must reject its Babylonian relics of astrology, amulets, "hell" and other religious lies, as Zechariah proves Judah isn't perfect either. Gentilized Jews, assimilated Jews, must remember their Hebrew roots and biblical responsibilities and act accordingly."
- Israel and Judah Must Get House in Order Before King Messiah Arrives

Hoover

Insecure Jews begrudge I exercised my prerogative to legally change my name to a Hebrew name, while secure Jews respect it and admire it (knowing the list of Jews who have taken "Christian" names is endless). Ironically, I doubt "Yamit" or "Shy Guy" are legal surnames, while they obsess over mine. Regardless, "One shall say, I am the LORD’S; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel" (Isa. 44:5).

As for who and what is a Jew:

Not All Twelve Tribes of Israel are Jewish?

Joseph isn't Jewish!

The real truth about David Pack and Ron Weinland

2010-08-13T10:29:00.001-07:00

David Pack & the Restored Church of God

When David Pack said something to the effect that the Global Church of God was not for me, I asked him why he invited me then and he then acknowledged he only invited me along with the others because he felt they were good candidates for membership. In other words, he was being deceitful.

"The Real Truth" can't handle the plain truth

Why Rhodesia is in Ruins

The Plain Truth About Ron Weinland

Ron Weinland is drunk on his delusions...
Ron Weinland is a FALSE PROPHET and illegitimately claims to be one of the Two Witnesses.

www.davidbenariel.org

Is it safe to read PCG literature?

2010-08-12T07:08:00.001-07:00

As a former member of the Philadelphia Church of God (PCG), some have asked what I think about their literature, their Philadelphia Trumpet magazine and their pastor general Gerald Flurry.

I would prayerfully read the Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) literature with a grain of salt, like all religious literature in light of the Word of God, gleaning from it, but would avoid their organization like the plague since they’re too cultist with egomaniac Gerald Flurry.

Check out Living Church of God or United Church of God. Here's also a list of Church of God Web Site Links (for better and for worse).

Great observations

2010-08-10T16:06:00.001-07:00

Encouraging email received:

Dear David,
Just found your sites today and really like what you have to say, you have a lot of great observations. I don't know who would have the courage to speak out against interracial marriage, well put. I'll be honest though---I'm a little skeptical about Herbert W. Armstrong but your info is a wealth of knowledge. Did I read in one of your posts that you have AIDS? How did that happen? What would you suggest for someone to do who wants to grow in truth, knowledge and grace?
Well, keep up the great work!

David Cavall in southeastern North Carolina.

David Ben-Ariel refutes false accusations on Israpundit

2010-08-10T13:38:00.001-07:00

Christians at it again! Giant Brazilian Temple Replica Panned as 'Mockery'

DavidBenAriel says:

August 10, 2010 at 10:10 pm

…ron my apologies to you but not to David Hoover (DavidBenAriel) who failed attempting to blow up the Dome of the Rock and was caught and kicked out of Israel and banned from returning. Failure has it’s price. -Yamit

Yamit, the failure is all your own. Why do you refuse to let the plain truth set you free? Why did you fail to document what you hatefully allege? Put up or shut up. I love Jerusalem, Jews and Israel, despite ignorant and prejudiced people like you (not representative of Jews or Israelis), and corrupt Israeli officials. Zion shall be redeemed with justice.

Israeli police sent on wild-goose chase

The Israeli police knew they didn’t have a shred of evidence against me other than some hateful letter filled with false accusations that misled them.

I was born David A. Hoover. However, I legally changed my name to David Ben-Ariel (with the help of my Jewish lawyer) during the Spring of 1989, as related in God-given names (otherwise you wouldn’t know about my former name).

Furthermore, this Christian Zionist doesn’t believe in the trinity, keeps Sabbath rather than Sunday, the biblical festivals (not holidays of pagan origin), the dietary laws, etc.

Most Israelites aren't Jews!

2010-08-08T07:00:00.001-07:00

Feedback from Tom:

Reading your last commentary [The Triumph Of Jewish Survival] has reminded me you are a complete moron. You think America and England are Jews? LOL. You fool, read history, in fact, read the Bible. Your actions will come to bear you out when stand before Him. Think before you do.

You have been fooled to think this, you need to get on your knees and ask God to show this to you. There is just too much information on this matter. Nothing else to say about this.

Response to Tom:

How foolish you appear since you still don't recognize the difference between Jews (Judah) and Israel (the "lost 10 Tribes). Such ignorance is inexcusable. Satan hates this plain truth and works hard to keep folks in the dark. God knows I'm doing what I can to help spread the light about how God is faithful to Joseph and Judah and can also be trusted for His other prophecies to come true.

Israel in the Isles

The English-Speaking Nations of White Israelites

The Plain Truth about the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel

Joseph isn't Jewish!

Not All Twelve Tribes of Israel are Jewish?

Israel and Judah Must Get House in Order Before King Messiah Arrives

Congressman at Town Hall: ‘The Federal Government Can Do Most Anything in This Country’

2010-08-07T06:55:00.001-07:00

The United States is in the terrible situation we are today, where the Constitution is trampled daily, because the voters permitted it to get this way with the steady erosion of our Constitutional rights. As Chuck Baldwin proves in many disturbing articles, both Democrats and Republicans are to blame.

It appears we are under a curse, our Republic sick and dying, and the German-dominated United States of Europe will deal us the death blow before the King of the Jews, the King of Israel, comes and saves us from ourselves and our enemies and establishes the Kingdom of God.

The Triumph Of Jewish Survival

2010-08-03T06:17:00.001-07:00

The Triumph Of Jewish Survival
God promised to preserve all Twelve Tribes of Israel throughout the generations because of His love for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - not because of our righteousness. Furthermore, not all 12 Tribes are Jewish - most aren't Jewish. The prophecies concerning Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh are fulfilled in the British-Israelites - the British Commonwealth and the United States.

(read more ...)

The NAACP is out of order!

2010-07-13T11:02:00.001-07:00

Re: Michelle Obama Encourages Blacks To "Increase Intensity"

************

Before I understood the Israelite origins of the West, our Hebrew roots, I considered myself a Gentile and I thanked God for opening up salvation to "us Gentiles." I didn't get angry at Him or Jews and call them or Him racist or have some inferiority complex or double standards where everybody can have "black pride" or "brown pride" and mention their color in their many race-conscious groups and organizations (BET, Miss Black America, Black Congressional Caucus, United Negro College Fund, NAACP, The Black Pages, the BlackMarketPlace, Brown Pride Forum), but don't you dare mention anything about the color white or proper white pride, heritage or integrity!

- The English-Speaking Nations of White Israelites

It's past time white Israelites reclaim the United States and remove those who clearly don't belong here, who are out of place (some more than others), who are out of order, who prove it's unnatural for them to remain among us by their treacherous talk and militant hatred for people of white color - a threat to themselves and others, a menace to mankind.

The United States by Grand Design (White and Christian)

RenewAmerica by Restoring White Dominance

Women preachers are in rebellion

2010-07-11T08:06:00.001-07:00

I just read an abominable article written by a proud and stubborn woman attempting to justify rebellious women doing what only God has ordained men to do: preach from the pulpit as ordained ministers.

God Doesn't Ordain Women Preachers!

Black Hypocrites: Move to Africa!

2010-07-09T13:46:00.001-07:00

Whitewashing Black Racism
By Michelle Malkin
Why haven’t national media outlets reported on the vile and violent rants of the New Black Panther Party thugs whose 2008 voter intimidation tactics got a pass from the Obama administration? Simple: Radical black racism doesn'’t fit the Hope and Change narrative.

**********

Such black fools fulfill many stereotypes about black people. If they hate people of white color so much, then let them return to Africa where they belong; let them stop wearing clothes made possible by white inventions and using electricity and running water and driving cars or taking buses or listening to the radio or television, etc. Their dark hearts and mindsets are already primitive, so let them stop being such hypocrites and go all the way and live in huts and wear grass skirts and fight other black African tribes like they have gangs here. Good riddance!

The Curse of Jeremiah Wrights

Diversity Demands: Segregate Now!

Black to Africa: Facing the Crisis in Black America

Speaking of Colossians 2:16

2010-07-03T18:25:00.001-07:00

It's ironic that those who would foolishly condemn keeping the biblical festivals are steeped in the whitewashed paganism of the Babylonian Mystery Religion (with its baptized paganism, its hollow daze) and refuse to see anything wrong with their spiritual adultery and idolatry!

"[Paul] warned the brethren not to be intimidated by some who were questioning their manner of keeping God's feasts, as well as the Sabbaths, new moons, and eating and drinking. He said, "So let no one judge [criticize or condemn] you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come . . . Let no one cheat you of your reward ..." (Colossians 2:16-18).

Paul was combating a group of ascetics who were introducing several strange doctrines, including worshiping angels (verse 18) and abstaining from wholesome food and drink (verse 21). He told the brethren to ignore them and continue observing what he had taught (and he certainly taught keeping the Passover, as we have seen). Regrettably, the Colossian brethren had been cowed by these self-righteous intruders and were starting to shy away from observing these feasts.

So Paul mentions how important they are, as foreshadowing coming events in God's plan for mankind. These events have not been completely accomplished so far, and many are still in the future."
-
The Biblical Festivals That Teach Us About Jesus Christ

Colossians 2:16-17: Are God's Laws Obsolete?

Colossians 2:16-17 by Larry J. Walker

Colossians 2:16 Shows Gentile Christians Kept the Holy Days

Blood and Birth

2010-07-03T13:22:00.001-07:00

Obama: Being American is 'not a matter of blood or birth'

matter of blood or birth

Should we expect anything different from the African bastard?

Obama's driven to destroy America

Ideally, being an American would be predominately based upon these factors:

The United States by Grand Design (White and Christian)

Renew America by Restoring White Dominance

Obama's driven to destroy America

2010-07-03T12:17:00.001-07:00

"Whom God would destroy, He first sends mad." The United States elected a lie, clearly under strong delusion, and are now suffering the consequences for refusing to hear or believe the plain truth about the light-skinned soap opera black (that New Age Oprah cast her spell for over her touchy-feely audience and cursed America by promoting Obama's books - undoubtedly ghost-written - and now many are crying).

It was a sin to vote for Obama. In light of the dark days the United States has experienced under the president usurper, the fraud and foreigner, the con man from Kenya, the bastard from Africa - Obama/Soetoro/Obama -enabled by conservative cowards to occupy the Oval Office and pollute the White House, it's befitting to review and reflect upon the self-evident truths BLACK DAY IN AMERICA: Obama Wins, America Loses -

What nation in its right mind, after 9/11, after Osama (at least his collaboration with the powers that be on it), after our alleged war on terrorism, would elect a questionable and dark character who is pro-Muslim, raised during his influential years in Muslim countries, has attended a hateful Afro-racist congregation that preaches anti-American and anti-white sermons typical of Black Liberation Theology, is endorsed by avowed Black racists and rabid Nazi Muslims, etc. would let Barack Hussein Obama even entertain the notion of running for president for a second? It certainly appears America is under a curse and those who treacherously voted for that fraud and foreigner are helping to make Marxist Jeremiah Wright’s wish come true that God damn America. Shame!

Jeremiah Wright, Al Sharpton, Barack Obama, Louis Farrakhan, Jesse Jackson and others all represent the curse of reverse discrimination, the tail wagging the dog, the animals running the farm, the serious consequences for White Israelite disobedience to God.

Deuteronomy 28:43
43 “The alien [Gentile] who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower.

Deuteronomy 17:15
15 ...you shall surely set a king over you whom the LORD your God chooses; one from among your [white Israelite] brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.

We've failed to learn from history and have an illegitimate president elect; we've been deaf, dumb and blind to the two witnesses of raped Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe ruins) and besieged South Africa (that testify against our madness); and we've rejected common sense. Now we'll have hell to pay for it! God save us all!

"I will say, then, that I AM NOT NOR HAVE EVER BEEN in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the black and white races---that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of making voters or jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with White people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the White and black races which will ever FORBID the two races living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together, there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I, as much as any other man, am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the White race."

- Abraham Lincoln

Morbid but mature

2010-07-02T06:34:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I prearranged my cremation and found it morbid but mature. Why leave it for others to do?

Does the Bible say anything about cremation?

Pearly Gates (David Ben-Ariel YouTube Video)

Dead & Buried (David Ben-Ariel YouTube video)

Why do blacks destroy and devour?

2010-06-30T09:09:00.001-07:00

“I have given my life to alleviate the sufferings of Africa. There is something that all White men who have lived here like I have must learn and know: these individuals are a sub-race. They have neither the mental or emotional abilities to equate or share equally with White men in any functions of our civilization. I have given my life to try to bring them unto them the advantages which our civilization must offer, but I have become well aware that we must retain this status: White the superior, and they the inferior. For whenever a White man seeks to live among them as their equals, they will destroy and devour him, and they will destroy all his work. And so for any existing relationship or any benefit to this people, let White men, from anywhere in the world, who would come to help Africa, remember that you must maintain this status: you the master and they the inferior, like children whom you would help or teach. Never fraternize with them as equals. Never accept them as your social equals or they will devour you. They will destroy you”

Attributed to Albert Schweitzer (I couldn't find any definite quote or source to confirm this quote, only a vehement denial by Dr Lachlan Forrow, President of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship).

Regardless of who said it, it contains too much truth for those indoctrinated in the humanist politically correct dogma to handle. Any objective review of African history proves people of white color built up those areas they colonized (as prophesied) and people of black color tore it down when left to themselves. Raped Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe ruins) and beleaguered South Africa testify against their dangerous denial.

However, this quote from Abraham Lincoln is confirmed:

"I will say, then, that I AM NOT NOR HAVE EVER BEEN in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the black and white races---that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of making voters or jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with White people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the White and black races which will ever FORBID the two races living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together, there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I, as much as any other man, am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the White race."

— 4th Lincoln-Douglas debate, September 18th, 1858; COLLECTED WORKS Vol. 3, pp. 145-146

"There goes the neighborhood..." now includes, "There goes the nation."

Aid for Africa?

Fellowship with besieged white South Africans

Will we learn or is it too late?

The United States by Grand Design (White and Christian)

Renew America by Restoring White Dominance

www.davidbenariel.org

The White Man and Western Civilization

2010-06-27T07:24:00.001-07:00

The White Man's Burden: Rudyard Kipling was Right
Replace “White Man” with “Western Civilization” and Kipling is as right today as he was in 1899
by Bill Levinson

************

Rudyard would be considered racist by today’s perverse standards, and so what? The English-Speaking Nations of White Israelites have civilized the Gentile world, as prophesied. I’m gladly as racist as the ethnocentric Bible (with its focus on the family of Jacob) teaches me to be and wholeheartedly support Israel in the Isles – regardless if that’s condemned by lesser peoples as “racist,” “colonialism,” “imperialistic,” etc.
God save South Africans and raped Rhodesia, Zimbabwe ruins, from the primitive Gentiles.

Why invoke that liberal Jewish-pimped fraud, that adulterer, that plagiarizer Michael Luther King as if he is something worthy to emulate? He’s a forged hero created by godless Jews like the terrorist Nelson Mandela – why aid and support their BIG LIE? That’s a politically correct form of racism.

Invictus Idolatry

Weather and War

2010-06-26T09:41:00.001-07:00

Thomas Jefferson was moved to remark: "My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!"

Ravaged by Weather and War

Have you heard the Gospel?

2010-06-23T15:45:00.001-07:00

Have you heard?

Recently I told someone that my doctor said I was definitely in "decline" (I have AIDS).

He said, "Can I preach the gospel to your unconverted family and friends at your funeral?" I said, "No" (for many reasons). I also said I wasn't going to have any funeral and plan on being cremated. I commented my family and friends already heard the gospel. I said, "Everybody in America has heard the gospel," and he said he wasn't so sure about that. His doubts notwithstanding, anybody who knows me knows how outspoken I am about my beliefs and how I've written extensively about them in many articles and within my book, Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall.

Beyond Babylon fulfills the need to proclaim the gospel and warn the world; it includes the truth about our Hebrew roots and responsibility (the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic peoples are an important part of the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel, the Tribe of Joseph specifically); about God's Sabbath and "Jewish" (biblical) Holy Days versus Satan's counterfeit Sunday and whitewashed pagan holidays like Christmas and Easter that God hates; about Israel's demise and Europe's rise - these are foundational truths.

Have you heard the gospel of the Kingdom of God is that we can be forgiven any sin we confess and forsake, so help us God, receiving the pardon and the power, that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ has got us covered; the good news of the Kingdom of God is that God is a Kingdom-Family into which we may be born again at the resurrection - born again as literal God-Beings! The good news is that the Kingdom-Family of God will be a literal government of God-Beings that will establish justice and righteousness from Jerusalem and save the earth and mankind from complete destruction and annihilation. If you hadn't heard this GOOD NEWS before, you have now!

Additional reading:

What is the TRUE GOSPEL?

Just What Do You Mean...Kingdom of God?

Rapture nonsense refuted!

2010-06-18T05:55:00.001-07:00

Don't Fall for the Rapture!
We meet the returning Christ in the air and RETURN TO EARTH - to the Mount of Olives - and reign with but under Him, composing the Kingdom of God: just like the Bible clearly says once we remove traditional blinders.

The Rapture or Place of Safety?
We know those who are accounted worthy to escape WWIII, those with a prayerful attitude and watchful spirit, growing and overcoming and sensitive to the lead of the Holy Spirit (Luke 21:34-36), will be more than provided for in "Her Place," as our gracious Lord of Hosts has promised (Revelation 12:14).

The REAL JESUS Can't Return Until...
Prophecy clearly reveals that the REAL JESUS CHRIST will not return to Earth from Heaven (in full view of all mankind -- not from some secret EU or Vatican chamber or desert cave) until after Jerusalem has suffered under a Gentile EU occupation for three and one half years

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

All About Water Baptism

2010-06-15T08:08:00.001-07:00

IS WATER baptism essential to salvation? What about the "thief on the cross"? Was he saved without it? What is the proper form, or mode -- sprinkling, pouring or immersion? Should babies and children be baptized? Suppose you were baptized by a minister you have since lost confidence in. Should you be baptized over again? Suppose you were baptized "in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost [Spirit]." Should you be baptized again "in the name of Jesus" only? Should one be baptized IMMEDIATELY, or only "after a six months' probation"? Must the ordinance be performed by an ordained minister?

Read more:

ALL ABOUT WATER BAPTISM
by Herbert W. Armstrong

David Ben-Ariel Article Performance

2010-06-14T18:02:00.001-07:00

Information from EzineArticles.com -

Top 3 Performing Articles (Lifetime):

Not All Twelve Tribes of Israel are Jewish?
Lifetime Views: 34,019

Top Keywords Used To Find This Article During May 2010:
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Herbert W. Armstrong Was Ahead of His Time!
Lifetime Views: 19,562

Top Keywords Used To Find This Article During May 2010:
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The Plain Truth About The "Lost Ten Tribes" And Why You Need To Know
Lifetime Views: 18,680

Top Keywords Used To Find This Article During May 2010:
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Top 3 Performing Articles (May 2010):

Not All Twelve Tribes of Israel are Jewish?
May 2010 Views: 506

Top Keywords Used To Find This Article During May 2010:
See results above

David Pack & the Restored Church of God
May 2010 Views: 275

Top Keywords Used To Find This Article During May 2010:
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The Plain Truth About The "Lost Ten Tribes" And Why You Need To Know
May 2010 Views: 251

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These articles can also be found at www.davidbenariel.org

Not All Twelve Tribes of Israel are Jewish?
Some, in clear contradiction of the Holy Bible, pretend that all Twelve Tribes of Israel are Jewish. Such woefully ignorant or deceptive people deny the biblical distinctions between the 12 Tribes and pretend there's only one tribe: Judah.

Herbert W. Armstrong Was Ahead of His Time!
Mr. Armstrong was ahead of his time. The principles of prophecy he spoke of remain absolutely true: a final revival of the unholy Roman Empire is prophesied and the EU is forging ahead with that Frankenstein Monster now.

The Plain Truth about the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel
In order to warn Israel about the many prophecies that preview our coming captivity (due to our idolatry and immorality), it was first necessary for God to restore our identity. God has now restored our identity, He's again warning our nations, and it's up to us what will happen next.

David Pack & the Restored Church of God
When David Pack said something to the effect that the Global Church of God was not for me, I asked him why he invited me then and he then acknowledged he only invited me along with the others because he felt they were good candidates for membership. In other words, he was being deceitful.

SUNday?

2010-06-13T07:27:00.001-07:00

Have you fallen for SUNday?

When you're out and about, notice all the signs inviting you to SUNday services, offering you a welcome this SUNday, but none saying "SUNday is for pagans - we've repented and now keep the Sabbath" or "Never on a Sunday! Jesus kept the Sabbath and so do we!"

Either the ministers of those professing Christian churches are ignorant of the Scriptures and history (that only sanction the seventh day Sabbath) or they're just plain dishonest with themselves and their poor flock (that have been robbed of the plain truth).

There's no excuse for Sunday! Jesus, his disciples - the apostles - and the entire early Church of God composed of converted Jews, Israelites and Gentiles kept the seventh day Sabbath! The original faith once delivered to Jerusalem (that included the observance of the seventh day Sabbath) became corrupted by Gentilizers, Romanizers, false converts who misled folks to keep Sunday, cleverly keeping both the Sabbath and Sunday at first until they gained enough power and influence to oppose the biblical Sabbath for their traditional Sunday.

Question your minister if he's a Sunday keeper and ask your friends why folks are keeping Sunday - the first day of the week - when the Sabbath is the seventh day. Most have never thought about it, sheeple to the slaughter, but now God is bringing it to the attention of many and expects us to repent of keeping Sunday and start keeping the Sabbath that is holy to Him.

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." - Exodus 20:8

"There remains therefore a rest [keeping of the Sabbath] for the people of God." - Hebrews 4:10

"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent." - Acts 17:30

Which day is the Christian Sabbath?

Roman Catholic and Protestant Confessions about Sunday
The vast majority of Christian churches today teach the observance of Sunday, the first day of the week, as a time for rest and worship. Yet it is generally known and freely admitted that the early Christians observed the seventh day as the Sabbath. How did this change come about?

Remember the Sabbath
Did you ever stop to think why Christians keep Sunday? Did they get it from the Bible? Is there a clear-cut command that says, "Thou shalt keep Sunday?" Why did Jesus worship on Saturday? Was it only because He was a good Jew? Or does it go beyond that?

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

God has marked the American people as his chosen nation

2010-06-11T18:39:00.001-07:00

The man who coined the term, journalist John L. O'Sullivan, insisted that it was "by the right of our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent which providence has given us for the great experiment of liberty and federated self-government." Decades later, after the closing of the frontier, writer Robert Ellis Thompson penned a study of The Hand of God in American History, which likewise proclaimed that from the time of the first settlements to the Spanish-American War God had "shaped the course of our national history for his own ends." It was a sentiment amplified by statesman-historian Albert J. Beveridge in a speech before the U.S. Senate in which he voiced unambiguous support for American annexation of the Philippines. As far as Senator Beveridge was concerned, God

has given us the spirit of progress to overwhelm the forces of reaction throughout the earth. He has made us adept at government that we may administer government among savage and senile peoples. Were it not for such a force as this the world would relapse into barbarism and night. And of all our race he has marked the American people as his chosen nation to finally lead in the redemption of the world.

Calvin and American Exceptionalism
http://www.tnr.com/blog/damon-linker/calvin-and-american-exceptionalism

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The United States by Grand Design (White and Christian)
President Teddy Roosevelt said, "The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing as a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities."
(read more ...)

Renew America by Restoring White Dominance

Christians reject the New Testament?

2010-06-10T16:06:00.001-07:00

Why don't the Christian Peoples Accept the New Testament?

Many ask, "Why don't the Jewish People accept the New Testament?" Perhaps a better question would be:

Why don't the Christian Peoples accept the New Testament?

Consider these articles that dare to share the plain truth of the Bible and history:

Apostate Christians

A Nation of Drunks and Whores

Plea to Diehard Catholics & Protestants to Repent

Unclean Christianity vs. Peter's Vision

Do You Prefer TRADITION Over Truth?

The Plain Truth About Easter

God Doesn't Ordain Women Preachers!

The Gentilized Israelites (many Catholics and Protestants) must confess and forsake our baptized paganism, our whitewashed heathen customs that Roman wolves have polluted the world with and misled the masses, and Judaism must reject its Babylonian relics of astrology, amulets, "hell" and other religious lies, as Zechariah proves Judah isn't perfect either. Gentilized Jews, assimilated Jews, must remember their Hebrew roots and biblical responsibilities and act accordingly.

- Israel and Judah Must Get House in Order Before King Messiah Arrives

From Sabbath to Sunday

2010-06-05T05:03:00.001-07:00

From Sabbath to Sunday

How did Christianity begin worshipping God on Sunday? What influence did the Roman Empire, Jews and church politics have in moving worship from the seventh to FIRST day of the week? Can the fourth commandment, the writings of the Apostle Paul and early church practices be rightly used to promote Sunday as THE Sabbath to keep?

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Remember the Sabbath
Did you ever stop to think why Christians keep Sunday? Did they get it from the Bible? Is there a clear-cut command that says, "Thou shalt keep Sunday?" Why did Jesus worship on Saturday? Was it only because He was a good Jew? Or does it go beyond that?

Which day is the Christian Sabbath?

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Jews, Jesus and the Devil

2010-06-04T16:00:00.001-07:00

Did Jesus Call Jews the Children of the Devil?
Jesus acknowledged that Abraham is the father of the Jews physically, but not always spiritually (John 8:37, 39, 42, 44). The same can be said and is true about all Twelve Tribes of Israel. In fact, the commission of the Two Witnesses - in the spirit of Elijah - is to restore our relationship with our Fathers (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) and thereby through their true religion reconcile us to our Heavenly Father (Malachi 4:6; Isa. 49:5-6).

Synagogue of Satan?
"And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, but thou art rich and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." (Rev. 2:8-9)

Plea to Diehard Catholics & Protestants to Repent

Imagine There's No Border

2010-05-30T06:42:00.001-07:00

Pajamasmedia — May 20, 2010 — The Audacity of Arizona. The Grand Canyon State decides it's going to enforce immigration policy and everybody goes crazy. Andrew and his wonder dog Virtue offer in-depth analysis of America's border folly. http://www.pjtv.com/.

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The United States by Grand Design (White and Christian)
President Teddy Roosevelt said, "The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing as a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities."
(read more ...)

Renew America by Restoring White Dominance
We must renew America by restoring the racial dominance of people of white color as our former immigration policy insured (that the treacherous drunk and murderer Senator Ted Kennedy perverted in 1965).
(read more ...)

Renew America

2010-05-25T08:15:00.001-07:00

Renew America by Restoring White Dominance

David Hines - a columnist at RenewAmerica.com - angrily responded to The United States by Grand Design (White and Christian) ...

David Ben-Ariel wrote:

Diversity demands: segregate now!

The Balkanization of America must end or our Republic will!

What the hell do you think Balkanization is?! It's the very fragmentation into factions that you advocate!

You think that your ancestors, not your efforts, entitle you to certain things such as telling blacks to go back to Africa. This is to be preferably voluntary, but if not, under coercion. In other words, "Get out please, or get the hell out!"

The great majority of American blacks have no real ties to Africa. No linguistic ties, no economic ties, no personal ties. Many have paid their dues, working for a living and paying taxes. For generations. What makes their ancestral inheritance in this land less than yours? Mere skin color?

Who's next to be ordered out? Us Pollacks? Us Germans? Or is about five eighths British Isles ancestry enough to earn a pass?

************

I encourage you to go educate yourself about what Balkanization means. (See Balkanization Of America Accelerating and The Balkanization of America). Then you will hopefully understand I am merely exposing what has been happening in these United States of America and offering the biblical solution to this national sickness that threatens to divide and destroy us, even as it has destroyed Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe ruins) and South Africa where the animals are running the farm and the tail is wagging the dog! Yet too many Americans remain ignorant or indifferent to these two witnesses who testify against us and still imagine the smooth-talking terrorist Nelson Mandela is a hero (and he is to Communists, Socialists, atheists, and humanists - see and read Invictus Idolatry ).

My call to renew America, to remember our roots and restore the proper racial dominance of people of white color - specifically Anglo-Saxon-Celtic peoples (White Israelites to whom Providence promised this land: The United States is Manasseh) - will not lead to any "fragmentation" (it already exists due to an unnatural and adulterous racial mix) - but hopefully will lead to greater unity among white people who must wake up and assert our God-given rights to rule in our God-given country!

Abraham Lincoln was a white supremacist and naturally wanted white people to remain in power. Such common sense once ruled in our country. Later minorities clamored for equality as a stepping stone to supremacy and foolishly, suicidally, like the self-hating and/or misguided Rhodesians and South Africans, we gave them the vote. As the election of the fraud and foreigner Obama/Soetoro/Obama proves, blacks have no qualms about voting for one of their kind!

President Teddy Roosevelt said, "The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing as a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities."

We must remember "Providence has been pleased to give this one connected country to one united people -- a people descended from the same ancestors, speaking the same language, professing the same religion, attached to the same principles of government, very similar in their manners and customs..." [Federalist # 2 John Jay].

We must renew America by restoring the racial dominance of people of white color as our former immigration policy insured (that the treacherous drunk and murderer Senator Ted Kennedy perverted in 1965).

We must enforce some improved "Project Wetback" (Eisenhower) and "Mexican Repatriation" (Hoover) and deport millions of illegal aliens (Truman deported over 2,000,000 illegal aliens). We must end illegal immigration - after all, whose country is this?

We must say no to demands for "reparations" and encourage repatriation for African-Americans (talk about hyphenated Americans). I address these issues in Black to Africa and Chocolate Continent Awaits the Great Black Return! In fact, the president of Senegal has offered Haitians the opportunity for repatriation and free land, so let us hope he would be as generous to black Americans and that other African leaders and countries would follow his example inviting blacks to return.

The United States of America was primarily founded by and for white people, as Manifest Destiny confirms. We must secure our biblical borders and inheritance without apology or hesitation. If we fail to, if we permit the browning of America to continue, refuse to treat the Mexican invasion as an act of war and defeat it, we will have only ourselves to blame for the death of America.

"I can only wish that the glorious truth committed to our keeping may be cherished, and that we, as a nation, may work out our God-assigned task. The future has work and some trouble in reserve, but if we are faithful… we need fear no evil..." - Manasseh and the United States

White and Christian

2010-05-23T05:19:00.001-07:00

The United States by Grand Design (White and Christian)

The politically correct cultists seethe with anger whenever White Israelites - those of Anglo-Saxon-Celtic origins - dare to share the plain truth about our unparalleled contributions to world civilization and our unique role in fulfilling Manifest Destiny. Yet the flaming hypocrites ignore or downplay the double standards of militant minorities and reference to themselves as "La Raza" (The Race), insistence on undermining English as our official language, subverting the Protestant (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) foundation for Catholicism, etc.

President Teddy Roosevelt said, "The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing as a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities."

This Balkanization of America has been noted by those who don't fear to expose the importance of race and religion. despite being hatefully branded as racists and bigots. Race matters, as everybody but people of white color seem to realize! We must face the plain truth about race and responsibility. Diversity demands: segregate now!

The Balkanization of America must end or our Republic will! Most illegal immigrants are Roman Catholic and would vote Democrat and the dark powers that be know it. They are behind the destructive browning of America.

"I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scene and design in providence, for the illumination of the ignorant and the emancipation of the slavish part of mankind all over the earth." - A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law, 1765

That was all made possible, by the grace of God, because we were primarily all people of white color and Protestant, since our Great Creator God decreed the United States of America would fulfill the biblical inheritance of Manasseh, the son of Joseph.

Federalist # 2 John Jay
With equal pleasure I have as often taken notice that Providence has been pleased to give this one connected country to one united people -- a people descended from the same ancestors, speaking the same language, professing the same religion, attached to the same principles of government, very similar in their manners and customs, and who, by their joint counsels, arms, and efforts, fighting side by side throughout a long and bloody war, have nobly established general liberty and independence.
This country and this people seem to have been made for each other, and it appears as if it was the design of Providence, that an inheritance so proper and convenient for a band of brethren, united to each other by the strongest ties, should never be split into a number of unsocial, jealous, and alien sovereignties.
Similar sentiments have hitherto prevailed among all orders and denominations of men among us. To all general purposes we have uniformly been one people each individual citizen everywhere enjoying the same national rights, privileges, and protection. As a nation we have made peace and war; as a nation we have vanquished our common enemies; as a nation we have formed alliances, and made treaties, and entered into various compacts and conventions with foreign states.

www.davidbenariel.org

Sunday is illegitimate!

2010-05-21T09:37:00.001-07:00

Gerhard Ebersöhn commented on The Scriptures clearly support the seventh day Sabbath

Yes, there's no doubt the Law demands and commands the Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the LORD God of the CHRISTIAN.

There's no doubt 'Sunday is illegitimate'.

But that is not the issue among Christians. The fundamental issue is that the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead DID NOT OCCUR ON THE FIRST DAY, BUT ON THE SABBATH OF THE LORD GOD THE SEVENTH DAY of the week so that the reason why "a keeping of the Sabbath Day remains valid for the People of God” the 'heathen' Christians, is Jesus' Resurrection and that He through and in Resurrection from the dead invested the Seventh Day Sabbath of the LORD God with a meaning and mandate it before DID NOT HAVE, which honour in no way ever, belonged to the First Day of the week, much less to Pagan Sunday!

Re:
"the Bible actually warned about those who would think to "change the times and the seasons." "

GE:
'Change the times and ....LAW' of God, it says..... Nevertheless, the New Testament is just as much the 'Law' of God as the Old Testament; and the New Testament has been MORE TAMPERED with than even the Ten Commandments WITH THE VIEW TO THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT!

Because there has NO text concerning the Sabbath's Resurrection of Jesus Christ in the New Testament been left uncorrupted by deliberate MISTRANSLATION TO MAKE IT LOOK He resurrected on Sunday!!

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Great Britain's name fulfills prophecy!

2010-05-20T04:59:00.001-07:00

God Bless British Israel!

Chris Newnham comments:

There seems to be no end to the scale and desperation of certain "scholars" on the Internet to disprove British Israel. I am dumbfounded how such Christians claiming to be in the Bible Scholar area of knowledge can deny such a truth! If they make it to heaven they are in for a shock! Any angel will correct their thinking! No nation other than Great Britain claims the name great! God said of Israel "I will make thy name Great!" No other nation can possibly claim the promise to Ephraim that he would become a "Nation and a Company of Nations"! These so called scholars with an axe to grind have become blinded by their own dizzy focus and are just straining at Gnats. It occurs to me that none of them has ever studied this subject in real depth or historical detail. Maybe they are suffering from laziness in this particular realm and just are too afraid to admit that this might be their trouble!

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Judaizer

2010-05-18T06:24:00.001-07:00

Judaizer?

That's how apostate Christians, Gentilized Christians, misled by Romanizers, spiritual drunks and whores, hatefully refer those who reject their counterfeit Christianity to faithfully keep the same biblical ("Jewish") Sabbath, the same biblical ("Jewish") festivals, the same biblical ("Jewish") dietary laws and beliefs as Yahshua, the King of the Jews, and the early Jewish Church of God observed and taught. The Gentile converts Polycarp and Polcrates were also "Judaizers!"

The Sabbath-keeping Church of God are pioneers of the wonderful World Tomorrow when all idolatrous traditions of unclean Christianity, baptized paganism pretending to be Christian, will be history! Come Lord Yahshua!

Do you follow Constantine or Christ?

Pentecost

2010-05-18T05:29:00.001-07:00

Pentecost
by Mario Seiglie
Pentecost: Is Christ at the center of this feast?
(read more ...)

Pentecost

2010-05-16T19:27:00.001-07:00

Pentecost: Is Christ at the center of this feast?

In the Old Testament, the Feast of Pentecost is called the Feast of Weeks (Exodus 34:22). This is because Leviticus 23:15-16 mentions counting seven weeks (or Sabbaths) or "fifty days" from the day the wave sheaf was offered during the Days of Unleavened Bread. Thus the feast acquired the name of "fiftieth," which is what Pentecost means in the Greek language of the New Testament.

In the New Testament, 50 days after Christ had been resurrected, the first Christians were celebrating Pentecost, one of the feasts of the Lord. And, as recorded in Acts 2, what a day that was! On it they received the Holy Spirit from God. Suddenly the Old Testament Feast of Weeks had taken on a new meaning for them. The shadow of this feast had now become a reality! Pentecost would become the Church's anniversary of the receiving of God's Spirit.

Jesus Christ revealed the significance of this feast by sending the Holy Spirit to His brethren in the faith. He had told them, "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49; compare John 16:7).

God's Spirit plays a crucial role in the life of Christians today as it did then. When a person receives God's Spirit upon repentance and baptism, that Spirit begins a process of spiritual transformation in the person's life, a transformation the Bible calls conversion (to learn more, request or download the free booklet Transforming Your Life: The Process of Conversion).

Through this process, we shed our own way of thinking and living and allow Jesus Christ's attitude and way of life to guide everything we do. Paul described this life-transforming change in Galatians 2:20:

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (King James Version).

Thus we see that Jesus is at the center of the Feast of Pentecost as well. Yet the ultimate fulfillment will only be realized after He returns to earth to establish God's Kingdom, when all will have access to God's Spirit. So this feast should still be kept as a memorial and a shadow until its purpose is completely accomplished.

Do we find the first-century Church continuing to keep Pentecost? In the book of Acts, we read of the apostle Paul hurrying to be in Jerusalem to keep this feast with the brethren. "For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost" (Acts 20:16).

Even in one of Paul's epistles in which he writes so much about the gospel message, he refers to his plans to remain in Ephesus to observe Pentecost with the Church members there before traveling to Corinth.

He writes: "I do not want to see you now just in passing, for I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost" (1 Corinthians 16:7-8, New Revised Standard Version).

- excerpt from
The Biblical Festivals That Teach Us About Jesus Christ

Shavuot/Pentecost is May 18-19

2010-05-16T06:39:00.001-07:00

Shavuot/Pentecost is May 18-19

Shavuot/Pentecost (Sivan 6) begins at sunset Tuesday, May 18, 2010 and concludes at sunset Wednesday, May 19, 2010.

The Oracles of God
God's empowered the Jews - despite themselves - to preserve His Word. They are the only people on Earth that God has blessed and ordained to fulfill such a calling! God will not retract His Word or renege on this gift and responsibility that He's graciously bestowed upon Judah.

The Pharisees
Who isn't aware of the sins of the Pharisees? Especially the Accuser of the Brethren? But does that mean the truths they teach, even if they don't live them, are no longer true?

Passover and Pentecost Differences Settled!
The correct dates to observe God's holy days should not be a Church of God issue, having been settled by God thousands of years ago and preserved throughout the ages by faithful Jews.

Raymond McNair Rejects God's government

Did Herbert Armstrong Ever Observe Pentecost on Sivan 6?

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

United Church of God Literature

2010-05-15T06:24:00.001-07:00

Literature Library

The following free literature is available for download. You may also request printed copies.

Good News Magazine
Each issue of The Good News magazine is packed with articles about world trends and events, family and social issues, prophecy in the news and The Good News' eye-opening, in-depth perspective of the Bible.

World News & Prophecy
The purpose of the World News and Prophecy is to help readers discern the times and increase their awareness and understanding of current events in the light of Bible prophecy.

Vertical Thought
Vertical Thought—a magazine of understanding for tomorrow’s leaders—strives to serve up relevant content to help young adults and teens discover and live God's way of life. Thinking vertically is a challenge God offers all of us. Even though we human beings are presently temporal, flesh-and-blood beings, as Christians we are empowered to "seek those things which are above, where Christ is," and to set our minds "on things above" (Colossians 3:1-2). Vertical Thought exists to help you not only think about, but act on, these things from above—the things that are really most important in life.

United News
United News is the official church newspaper of the United Church of God, an International Association. It covers news from the Council of Elders, home office, regional and national offices around the world, local congregations and members. It also features articles of spiritual and biblical interest to members, as well as announcements of births, weddings, anniversaries and obituaries. Reader feedback and involvement is encouraged.

Booklets
Explore our large library of booklets covering a wide variety of biblical, family, and social issues and themes.

Bible Study Guides
The Bible is a unique book full of inspiration, wisdom and practical answers. But it doesn't claim to be an easy book. It can be intimidating and overwhelming on first glance. These Bible Study Guides are designed to help. Our authors search the Scriptures with you in mind, considering what practical answers you need to deal with the real challenges in your life today. We want these lessons to be relevant, engaging and life-changing—making your life better now, and giving you a real, solid hope for your future.

Bible Study Lessons
Only one book gives us the answers to life's crucial questions: Why are we here? Where is the world headed? What does the future hold? Our eye opening 12-lesson study course will make the Bible come alive as it leads you through the biblical answers to these and other questions!

UCG Commentary
Weekly commentaries by the United Church of God written on world news and trends, from a biblical perspective.

This is the Way
Receive short, biblically based e-mail messages that help you deal with events in your daily life, including the search for meaning in life and subjects of current interest and value.

Good News Bible Reading Program
The Good News Bible reading program has been developed to involve the entire Church and any others interested in an in-depth study of the Bible. The program spans over three years in which we read through the entire Bible, book by book.

We cover the background, history and authorship of each book, discussing its time frame and major themes, the many intriguing people whose lives the Bible records for us, many of the doctrinal truths presented, interesting facts that bear on the readings, and the crucial lessons God wants us to learn.
Participants are also sometimes directed to supplementary, though usually optional, reading material from Church publications. Additionally, there are occasional sermons, sermonettes and Bible studies to supplement the program.

Breaking Free Journal
Breaking Free Journal is the online magazine that helps members of the Church who struggle with alcoholism, substance abuse, sexual addictions, same sex attraction, mental disorders and other forms of dysfunctional behavior. It will also help those who seek a deeper understanding of these issues.

Virtual Christian Magazine
The Virtual Christian magazine's mission is to provide hope and encouragement for the real world. This on-line magazine provides practical Christian living and inspiration for the 21st century.

The United Church of God offers the literature on this site absolutely free, with no cost or obligations to you.
The free literature on this site (and by mail) is provided by the voluntary contributions of members of the United Church of God, an International Association, and our extended family of coworkers and donors who help share the message of hope with others. We are grateful for the generous tithes and offerings of the members of the Church and other supporters who voluntarily contribute to assist in this effort to proclaim the true gospel to all nations. While we do not solicit the general public for funds, contributions to help us share this message of hope with others are welcomed. The United Church of God, in accordance with responsible financial stewardship, is audited annually by an independent accounting firm.

White Genocide in South Africa

2010-05-03T06:30:00.001-07:00

I don't agree with everything David Duke believes (nor is it necessary), but it's pretty bad when folks like him are nearly the only ones willing to stand up for people of white color and expose the brutal genocide against White Israelites in South Africa (and raped Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe ruins) and the hypocrisy of the media and others who say they care about human rights. Obviously human rights for everybody but white people!

Send illegal aliens running with tails between their legs!

2010-05-01T07:08:00.001-07:00

Stand Up for Arizona
By Patrick J. Buchanan
Since Gov. Jan Brewer signed a new immigration law a week ago, Arizona has been subjected to savage attack as the modern embodiment of Jim Crow, apartheid and Nazism. Few have risen in the state's defense. In a particularly offensive smear, Mexican President Felipe Calderon charged Arizona with opening the door to intolerance, hate, discrimination and abuse in law enforcement.” And what was the reaction of the Great Apologist Obama to this slander of an American state by the leader of a neighboring nation? None. One wonders if Barack Obama will ever stand up to foreign leaders abusing the nation that awarded him its highest honor.

************
Of course the bastard from Kenya, the president usurper, the fraud and foreigner Obama/Soetoro/Obama who was indoctrinated for over 20 years in racist Jeremiah Wright's haven of hatred against the United States and people of white color, won't defend the honor of our beloved white Israelite country and precious Republic because he has no honor. That's apparent by the fact Hussein Obama has failed to be transparent with his long form birth certificate, among many other documents he keeps in the dark.

Regardless of Hussein Obama's shameful silence in the face of such a internationally-reported slam against Arizona and the United States by the corrupt Mexican President Felipe Calderon, we - legitimate Americans - must stand up for Arizona and stand up for the United States!

Isn't it hypocritical that non-white races can freely be proud of their race (LA RAZA - THE RACE) and have racist groups like the NAACP and exclusivist organizations like the Congressional Black Caucus, yet whenever people of white color seek to enforce our laws, in this country founded primarily by and for Anglo-Saxon-Celtics (as Manifest Destiny proves), with all its wonderful accomplishments and blessings the Gentiles covet, Joseph's Birthright, the militant minorities howl!

The plain truth is race matters. We need to be reminded of our Hebrew roots and biblical responsibilities and act accordingly, without apology, so help us God!

The sooner we enforce our laws and treat the curse of illegal immigration as a FOREIGN INVASION - with as much manpower and force as necessary to turn the tide and reclaim our country - the greater respect we will have for ourselves and others will take note and warning not to dare bark against us or they will be sent running with their tails between their legs!

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Is one-world government coming?

2010-04-26T04:54:00.001-07:00

Secret societies such as the Trilateral Commission, the Bilderbergers, the Illuminati, the Burschenschaft, and Opus Dei, are favorite topics of talk radio, Internet sites, books and movies. From blockbuster movies such as “Enemy of the State” and “Angels and Demons” to “Doomsday 2012: End of Days,” from talk radio hosts such as Michael Savage and Glenn Beck to Alex Jones, society is fascinated by conspiracy theories and the clandestine organizations supposedly manipulating the masses.

Is one-world government coming? Are governments and pharmaceuticals spreading autism, AIDS and other diseases to make profits now and create a weakened and subservient population later? Was the economic crisis engineered? Are secret societies and conspiracy theories real?

read more:

Satan’s secret society and true Christianity

The Scriptures clearly support the seventh day Sabbath

2010-04-20T06:53:00.001-07:00

Excerpt from email received:

My question to you now is what day do you go to church? If you don't mind sharing, by no means am I attacking, I just need scriptural feedback. Truthfully the argument over the day is getting so redundant it is beyond fathom...

Good morning,

There shouldn't be any argument or confusion over the Sabbath day, since both the Bible and history clearly prove the only biblical Sabbath is the seventh day Sabbath (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset).

Sunday is illegitimate and has been pimped by the Roman Catholic Cult and deviant daughters, misleading the masses, some blathering the lame excuse the Sabbath was "changed" due to the alleged authority of the RCC and others carelessly fall for the myth of a Sunday resurrection (The Resurrection Was Not on Easter Sunday!) - even though that is non-sequitor and a dangerous leap in human logic, especially since NOWHERE does the Bible change the Sabbath day from the seventh day to the first day (or any other day) of the week and the Bible actually warned about those who would think to "change the times and the seasons."

Most sheeple just keep Sunday, never having questioned it (Constantine or Christ?), blindly following tradition. Now God graciously brings these facts to light and commands such folks to examine their faith and repent of traditional error and let the plain truth of the Bible and history set them free.

Roman Catholic and Protestant Confessions about Sunday
The vast majority of Christian churches today teach the observance of Sunday, the first day of the week, as a time for rest and worship. Yet it is generally known and freely admitted that the early Christians observed the seventh day as the Sabbath. How did this change come about?

Remember the Sabbath

Which day is the Christian Sabbath?

Thank you for your question.

David Ben-Ariel

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Traditional Christians need to be circumcised of their Gentile ways!

2010-04-19T11:17:00.001-07:00

I am HaShem your Healer

#20. To: McCain_Rocks (#16)

vimcomte13's simple question

************

How many times must I answer it? Read this: Circumcision.

IF you and your unclean kind - apostate Christians, drunks and whores - were honest with yourself and others, which you've sadly proven time and again you're not ("Christians" in denial), you would know and agree circumcision isn't even an issue today as it was in the days of the early Sabbath-keeping Church of God. However, your unclean kind vomit it as a diversionary tactic, a dishonest distraction, refusing to be circumcised of your unclean hearts and Gentile practices, your modified pagan holidays, preferring your strange perversions of Sunday instead of Sabbath and doctrines of demons instead of the plain truth of the Bible.

You seriously need to be circumcised of your traditional idolatry and Christian immorality, or Yahshua will cut you off forever, as you've been warned.

Plea to Diehard Catholics & Protestants to Repent

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Happy Birthday Israel! (62 years young)

2010-04-19T07:01:00.001-07:00

I wrote this last night, on the eve of Yom HaZikaron, our Remembrance Day for Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism. The siren sounded and the country stood in silence and in remembrance of the price that others paid for our independence.

Today, Monday, folks will be visiting cemeteries. A painful and sombre day. Tonight at sundown, Yom HaZikaron will end and the celebration of Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day begins.

I wanted to do a cartoon to show how short a time 62 years really is. I wondered if I'd be able to write out every year in a cartoon. It turned out that I could do it as a border and still have room for Mr. Shuldig and his dog Doobie!

-Dry Bones - Israel's Political Comic Strip Since 1973

************
62 years young! May Israel mature into a truly Jewish homeland and reclaim the Temple Mount and liberate all the Arab-occupied biblical lands and be blessed and a blessing to all nations.

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

A Jewish Homeland

2010-04-18T11:14:00.001-07:00

Weren't the Jews prophesied to return to Israel? Are the Jews ethnic Jews or merely converts? How should Israel treat their resident Arabs? Why does the world focus on Jerusalem?

A Jewish Homeland

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

More prayer?

2010-04-18T06:47:00.001-07:00

America doesn't need more prayer!

The Washington Times
EDITORIAL: America doesn't have a prayer
If there is one thing this country needs right now, it is prayer. Thus, it was a singular case of bad timing last week when ...

************

What America needs is heartfelt repentance, a change of heart, attitude and actions, not merely more lip service (prayer) that professing Christians are known for, as Isaiah 58 states:

1 "Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression [the Church and Synagogue], And the house of Jacob [the family of Israelite nations - all Twelve Tribes of Israel] their sins. 2 Yet they seek Me daily, And delight to know My ways, As a nation that did righteousness, And did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; They take delight in approaching God."

This hypocritical nation of spiritual drunks and whores, apostate Christians, would rather simply pray than turn from modified pagan holidays, replacement theology of Sunday for Sabbath, doctrines of demons and popular myths and traditional error, refusing to repent or let the plain truth set us free. Therefore our Great Creator God, the God of the Bible, the God of Israel, will enable the German-Jesuit EU to bring us to our knees in true repentance.

Death to America? (David Ben-Ariel YouTube video)

Drunks and Whores (David Ben-Ariel YouTube video)

Europe Nukes US! (David Ben-Ariel YouTube video)

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

David Ben-Ariel on WND

2010-04-16T10:18:00.001-07:00

Here are a few comments from BLOGNETDAILY by WND

http://forums.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=11

RE: For David Ben-Ariel
Posted by David Ben-Ariel on Apr 16, 2010 08:20

I'm glad you googled me, which should have revealed blogs (besides my website) that include this information on the right side:

About Me
Name: David Ben-Ariel
Location: Toledo, Ohio, United States
Author, Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall

View my complete profile

If you click on that complete profile it offers my email address.

I'm glad you love Israel too! I pray everybody who is thrilled about the Holy Land of Israel and its rich history, concerned about its pulsating current events and who share the hope of its bright future (after the Storm has passed) can go up to Jerusalem and explore throughout the Promised Land of Israel and let the Scriptures come further alive!

You could say I have a God-given love for the Jews and the nation of Israel (Isaiah 62:6-7). That sacred bond has been strengthened over the years by the fact that I've been blessed to have lived all over Israel, getting to know its land and people quite well.

Apart from 5 months at Ramat Yohanan (where I met my "kibbutz mother," Miriam Weiss) I've also stayed at Sdot Yam on the Mediterranean, next to Caesarea, the site of my first ulpan (intensive Hebrew course), and where Israel's heroine, Hannah Senesh, was from; Regavim, near Zichron Yaakov, where I continued my Hebrew lessons amid its rolling green hills; Reshafim, near Bet She'an, with Mt. Gilboa practically in our backyard, and Jordan's mountains in lovely view out front; Adamit, on Lebanon's border, high up on a mountain, from where on clear days you can see all the way to Haifa's Mt. Carmel; Shoval, a rose in the Negev desert, just north of Be'er Sheva; Dan, way up in the northernmost part of Israel, in between Syria and Lebanon, next to the majestic snow-covered Mt. Hermon, where I was living when "Operation Desert Storm" blew in; and Ha'On, with its campground and ostrich farm on the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee, across from Tiberias; and last but not least, my beloved Jerusalem, next to my favorite spot on earth: the Temple Mount.

Reply to: stormy
I looked you up on google, and I'm hoping there is a site, that has a email address so I could write to you. If there is an address, I hope I can find it. I don't understand all of your stances, but I'd like to learn. All I know is I love Israel, and am forever grateful for the Israelites writing the Bible. Without them, we would not have the OT, NT. Some people forget, that many Jews believed on Jesus when Jesus was on the earth, and also after when He went back to the Father. The Jews are the chosen, and I know salvation is open to all, and the time of the gentiles will end soon. I would like to live in Israel someday. Maybe they will all return to the land God gave to them soon. I saw some of the you tubes you have. I don't understand why Zionist Jews are bashed by people, God will curse those who curse them.... Thanks, take care

RE: RE: For David Ben-Ariel
Posted by David Ben-Ariel on Apr 16, 2010 07:59

Yes, as a Christian-Zionist my articles dare to share the plain truth about the good and bad Jews (and good and bad Christians), contrary to the unsubstantiated charges that those who love the United States and strongly support the Jewish homeland of Israel turn a blind eye to Israel's faults. As necessary, such love includes "tough love" in the holy spirit of Yahshua who said, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous therefore and repent" (Revelation 3:19), as well as following the spiritual principle of Proverbs 27:5 - "Better is open rebuke than hidden love."

Reply to: VinceB.
As best as I can decipher, from Ben's site and others, is such as is typical of the whole human race: there's good Jews and there's bad Jews...wheat and tares...

Just as there's good patriotic Christian Americans like Chuck Baldwin (no pretense), there are bad patriotic Christian (false-pretense/pseudo) Americans like George W. Bush - whom to the Messiah rejecting world, we all look the 'same'!

George W. Bush will masquerade as a Christian patriotic American so as to dupe real Christians - while he's knowingly helping to create a backlash, a hostile environment, against the real Christians by those who aren't (ie the Christ rejecting world around us etc.)!

Again, from what I understand, there's Jews that have, and continue to feed off others at the expense of the good Jews...Kind of like when the world wants to know what Christians think about this social issue or another, they run to the Roman Catholic Church to hear from the Pope...they don't run to a David Wilkerson, Pastor Chuck Baldwin, Chuck Smith, others of fundamental Christianity...

That's kind of how I see Ben's work as expounding upon...I could be wrong though; I'm open to learn as I sojourn along on my way to glory/esteem in heaven...

http://forums.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=11

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Israeli Police and David Ben-Ariel

2010-04-15T07:43:00.001-07:00

Israeli police sent on wild-goose chase
The Israeli police knew they didn't have a shred of evidence against me other than some hateful letter filled with false accusations that misled them.
I received a call (at the Palm Youth Hostel in Jerusalem where I lived and legally worked) from a friend in the United States that "KP" sent him a copy of a letter he reportedly also sent to the Israeli authorities, claiming I was involved in some plot to blow up the mosques to stop the peace process and prepare the way for the Temple; was involved in arms smuggling (distorting my travels through the war-zone of Yugoslavia by train from Germany and visit to South Africa and Zimbabwe, as well as other adventures - thanks to a gracious inheritance from my Hoover grandparents) and that I wasn't Jewish. I told my friend the Israeli police would recognize "KP" was a crackpot and would dismiss his bizarre letter. I wasn't worried about it...
(read more ...)

Prayer for Israeli Police

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Grumpy Old Man or Concerned American?

2010-04-13T05:25:00.001-07:00

Is David Ben-Ariel, author of Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall, a grumpy old man or concerned American? Obama has yet to prove he's a natural born citizen, continues to disrespect the Constitution and We The People; American taxpayers' money is dumped into the black hole of Haiti while no help is found for our homeowners who lost their dreams; South Africa says it will follow Zimbabwe's terrible example of stealing farms from white people, meaning bloodshed will increase...

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Catholic Europe endangers freedom worldwide

2010-04-07T21:11:00.001-07:00

The Catholic roots of Europe will strangle freedom!

"Jesus cut through all the red tape of entangling human traditions, and kept the Sabbath day as God intended (Mark 7:7). Yet it was prophesied that some would tamper with how and when we're to observe God's Sabbath day, and forcibly attempt to replace it with their own (Dan. 7:25; Rev. 17:5).

This Sabbath question is destined to become a bloody issue again (Rev. 13:17; 14:13)." - Remember the Sabbath

It appears the bloody issue of Sunday over Sabbath has raised its ugly head again, as Europe's new empire prepares to enforce SUNday! A cleverly coordinated campaign is underway to make Sunday a legal day of rest, under the pretense of promoting better health and family life ("Mum and dad belong to us on Sunday"). "Hundreds of Euro-MPs have signed an appeal to the European Commission to consider "work-free" Sundays" (Brits will be banned from working on Sundays if Brussels gets its way). Precious voices of dissent condemn such interference, as Stephen Booth of Open Europe decries: "There is absolutely no need for the EU to be deciding what days people can work." Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg. Certainly Emperor Constantine would be impressed with how the Roman wolves cloak themselves in sheep's clothing!

"On the venerable day of the Sun let the Magistrates and the people residing in the cities rest, and let all workshops be closed." - Edict of Constantine A.D. 321

Which day is the Christian Sabbath? The same seventh day Sabbath it has always been and always will be, as honest Roman Catholic and Protestants confess! Yet Protestant prostitutes are shamefully bowing before papal authority and collaborating with Catholic politicians to promote the big lie of Sunday, empowering the Vatican's vice grip on Europe that will again apply undue pressure on all to submit to this folly and other imminent measures or suffer the consequences.

What seductive offers has Rome offered these pawns to consolidate Catholic control of the Continent? Which European royals will join the chorus and fall in line with the danse macabre led by German-Jesuit choreographers? Will any stand strong and resist being swept away by the bewitching sorcerer-pope as he misleads the masses?

“In his first weekly papal audience, on April 27, Ratzinger used the occasion ‘to express what may become a central theme of his papacy: the Christian roots of Europe’ (International Herald Tribune, April 28, 2005).

The bitter roots of Catholic Europe will strangle freedom! Initially covert Catholic decrees imposing Sunday and such will all seem so harmless, but the thumbscrews will continue as suggestions become demands as history testifies:

Ban On Buying and Selling

Not only did Constantine enforce SUNday observance in the Roman empire, Pope Alexander III decreed at the Council of Tours in A.D. 1163: "Whereas a damnable heresy [Sabbath-keeping] has for some time lifted its head...and spread infection...concealing itself like a serpent in its folds; as soon as its followers shall have been discovered, let no man afford them refuge on his estates; neither let there be any communications with them in buying and selling..." (Rev. 13:17). People were forbidden to engage in commerce with those branded as a heretic or Judaizer!

The Roman Catholic Storm is about to strike! Can't you hear the rumbling thunder? The final revival of the "Holy Roman Empire" prepares to make its mark on mankind! First folks are encouraged to rest on Sunday, later they're threatened to rest on Sunday and those who expose and resist such deathblows to political and religious freedom will be ostracized and their lives endangered! Think it can't happen again? That Europe is too secular and advanced today? Think again. That's what folks were disarmed to believe about Germany prior to WWII. The plain truth is European secular and religious leaders, for their own reasons, have joined dark forces to forge Germany's Fourth Reich - just like Herbert W. Armstrong warned!

Jericho fell on 7th day of Unleavened Bread

2010-04-05T14:14:00.001-07:00

UCG Bible Commentary
Commentary > Joshua

And the Walls Came Tumblin' Down (Joshua 6)

It is apparently on the First Day of Unleavened Bread that Joshua receives instructions from the preincarnate Christ—"the Commander of the Lord's army" (5:15)—about how Jericho is to be taken (6:2-5). Their first march around the city seems to have occurred later that day. The city being only a mile away and their march around it measuring about another mile, this would not have taken long. The subsequent marches begin early in the morning (verses 12, 14). The seventh day, the Last Day of Unleavened Bread, though a Holy Day, was not especially restful for them that year. God had His work for them to do. They rose at dawn and marched around the city seven times before giving a great shout with the trumpet blasts. So far, this was about eight miles of marching, but God's work was not yet done. At the sound of the trumpets and shout, the walls of the city "fell down flat," or, literally, "fell under itself," and permitted the Israelite soldiers to scramble up and over the debris, entering the city from all directions (verse 20).

Many archaeologists have pointed to Jericho as an instance in which the biblical account is unsupportable from evidence found at the site. However, this is based primarily on a misdating of a particular destruction layer by British archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon in the 1950s. According to archaeologist Bryant Wood: "She concluded that the Bronze Age city of Jericho was destroyed about 1550 bc by the Egyptians. An in-depth analysis of the evidence, however, reveals that the destruction took place around 1400 bc (end of the Late Bronze I period), exactly when the Bible says the Conquest occurred" ("The Walls of Jericho," Creation, March-May 1999, p. 37).

Indeed, findings from this destruction layer are remarkable. For instance, there was an upper (inner) and lower (outer) mudbrick city wall, the lower one resting on a retaining wall that held the earthen embankment beneath the city in place. Along with many buildings, the city wall did collapse and fell "beneath itself" to the base of the retaining wall, the debris creating a virtual ramp up into the city from all directions—all except one, that is. A short stretch of the lower city wall on the north side did not fall—and there were houses built against that wall, as Rahab's house is described! Moreover, this area, on the outer embankment, would have been a poorer area, just where a prostitute at the time would be living. There is also clear evidence of the city being burned, but only after the "earthquake" did its damage, again confirming the biblical account.

More remarkable still, "both Garstang [a 1930s excavator] and Kenyon found many storage jars full of grain that had been caught in the fiery destruction. This is a unique find in the annals of archaeology. Grain was valuable, not only as a source of food, but also as a commodity which could be bartered. Under normal circumstances, valuables such as grain would have been plundered by the conquerors. Why was the grain left at Jericho? The Bible provides the answer. Joshua commanded the Israelites that the city and all that is in it were to be dedicated to the Lord (Joshua 6:17, lit. Heb.).... [Also] such a large quantity of grain left untouched gives silent testimony to the truth of yet another aspect of the biblical account. A heavily fortified city with an abundant supply of food and water [as Jericho had, having a spring within it] would normally take many months, even years, to subdue. The Bible says that Jericho fell after only seven days. The jars found in the ruins of Jericho were full, showing that the siege was short since the people inside the walls consumed very little of the grain" (p. 39). The Bible tells us that "by faith the walls of Jericho fell down" (Hebrews 11:30). And the amazing evidence that this event really did happen can strengthen our faith that God will crumble any "walls" that stand in our way as we strive to live Christian lives before Him.

As with Egypt and Sodom, Jericho was a symbol of sin that God was destroying (verses 17-18). And, as already noted, Jericho was apparently destroyed on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread, a fitting symbol of the ultimate victory over sin. Forty years earlier, the Israelites had crossed the Red Sea, and God brought the waters of the sea down on Pharaoh's army, granting the Israelites victory and escape from the bondage of Egypt, symbolizing the final release from bondage to spiritual Egypt and death. The Red Sea crossing appears to also have been on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread, as Jewish tradition attests. Additionally, there is reason to believe that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah may well have been during the Days of Unleavened Bread, too (compare Genesis 19:3). This gives us three great victories over sin to remind and encourage us in our attempts to replace sin with God's way of life during the Days of Unleavened Bread.

In verse 26, Joshua pronounced a curse on anyone who would rebuild the city of Jericho. The site was sporadically occupied after this (Joshua 18:21; Judges 3:13; 2 Samuel 10:5), but never to any real extent. Joshua's curse, however, actually would be fulfilled in 1 Kings 16:34, when a man named Hiel actually laid new foundations and rebuilt the city gates. Many centuries later another city was built nearby and also named Jericho. This later city is the Jericho mentioned in the New Testament.

Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection

2010-04-05T09:25:00.001-07:00

The Chronology of Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection

Tuesday
Jesus ate an early-evening Passover meal with His disciples (at the beginning of Nisan 14, Jewish reckoning) and instituted the New Covenant symbols (Matthew 26:26-28). Jesus was then betrayed by Judas, arrested and during the night brought before the high priest.

Wednesday
Jesus was crucified and died around 3 p.m. (Matthew 27:46-50). This was the preparation day for the annual, not weekly, Sabbath, which began that evening (Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54; John 19:31). Jesus' body was placed in the tomb at twilight (Matthew 27:57-60).

Thursday
This was the high-day Sabbath, the first day of Unleavened Bread (John 19:31; Leviticus 23:4-7). It is described as the day after the Day of Preparation (Matthew 27:62).

Friday
The high-day Sabbath now past, women bought and prepared spices for anointing Jesus' body (Mark 16:1; Luke 23:56).

Saturday
The women rested on the weekly Sabbath, according to the Fourth Commandment (Luke 23:56; Exodus 20:8-11). Jesus rose around sunset, exactly three days and three nights (72 hours) after burial, to fulfill the sign of Jonah and authenticate His messiahship.

Sunday
The women brought the prepared spices early in the morning while it was still dark (Luke 24:1; John 20:1). Jesus had already risen (Matthew 28:1-6; Mark 16:2-6; Luke 24:2-3; John 20:1).

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Beyond Babylon at Buffalo Bill Dam!

2010-04-05T09:05:00.001-07:00

After visiting Devil's Tower I was en route to Yellowstone and discovered the Buffalo Bill Dam. I thought I could kill two birds with one stone (or paver block) by advertising Beyond Babylon and the Buffalo Bill Dam. Now I can say Beyond Babylon is set in stone!

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Goddess Easter Sunday

2010-04-03T15:11:00.001-07:00

What most ministers will FAIL to tell you Easter Sunday

The Resurrection Was Not on Easter Sunday!
Every year, billions rejoice at the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yet most do not realize that the Bible tells a very different story than they usually hear from the pulpit. What is the truth about Jesus’ resurrection?

The Plain Truth About Easter
Has it ever occurred to those stuffing their faces with Easter ham that Jesus would puke at the thought? Neither Jesus or Peter, James or John ever ate forbidden foods. They wouldn't feel too comfortable at plenty of people's dinner tables.

Easter or Passover: Which Is Christian?
Many believe that God's endorsement of Passover ended with Christ's death—and that He has since replaced it with the observance of Easter as a celebration of Christ's resurrection. But is that so?

The Big Lie of Easter
"Why do you perpetuate pagan fertility symbols of rabbits and eggs and don't have anything for Passover? No little lambs, nothing. John the Baptist called Jesus the 'Lamb of God' - not the Easter bunny!" - so I wrote a popular family restaurant about their country store and was informed they received my email and would respond.

Does your Church honor the goddess Easter?
Both the Bible and history condemn Easter as a spring goddess and yet these professing Christian churches aren't ashamed to blazon the name of the GODDESS EASTER on their church billboards!

Epitaph for America?
America is under a curse and those who treacherously voted for that fraud and foreigner are helping to make Marxist Jeremiah Wright’s wish come true that God damn America. Shame! -
"Black Day in America: Obama Wins, America Loses"

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Traditional Christians don't have a clue about the New Covenant!

2010-04-03T08:35:00.001-07:00

Re: You've got to change your evil ways

Get a clue!
You keep blathering about the "New Covenant" and clearly don't know anything about it. Here's a clue:

Hebrews 8
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them [not with His covenant as some slander], He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the LORD. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

"The law is done away" - don't you believe it!

What exactly IS the New Covenant God offers to man?

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall

2010-04-03T06:39:00.001-07:00

Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall is destined to become a national debate and an international controversy because it dares to speak the plain truth in a world of lies!

Beyond Babylon Introduction

Beyond Babylon Chapter 1
Survival Guaranteed!

The DEVASTATION unleashed against America and her British allies was without precedent. Destruction was everywhere and a body count impossible. The catastrophe was beyond calculation.

Europe - gripped with a messianic furor - justified this mass destruction of the body to "save the soul." Besides, they have the blessing of the pope. His white robes are stained with the blood of many martyrs.

Beyond Babylon Chapter 2
Why National Defeat?

Why are we in mortal danger? Why will the American, British and Jewish people SUFFER national defeat? How could Europe ever turn against us?

Beyond Babylon Chapter 3
Truth or Consequences

As global tensions increase, and threats of confrontation escalate, we might very well wonder whether humanity will survive. Unless there’s a GOD to intervene, we have a bleak future indeed: a DEAD PLANET! Will earth become a nuclear fireball? Will charred bones - aftermath of unleashed atomic fires - and the smoldering ruins of a suicidal civilization be all that’s left?

Beyond Babylon Chapter 4
Victims of Tradition

Whenever our behavior gets out of control, God lets us loose control! When we’re held hostage to bad habits, and refuse to let them go, we go into captivity! A national lack of discipline results in God sending corrective punishment! Then we wake up and get with it, and beg God to save us. The whole purpose is to bring us to our knees and senses.

Beyond Babylon Chapter 5
Europe's Fate

What’s going to happen to Europe? We know what’s going to happen to the American and British peoples, as well as to our Jewish brethren. The coming WORLD CRISIS is prophesied to fall especially hard on them. Why?

Beyond Babylon Chapter 6
Jesus and the Jews

Why don't the Jews accept Jesus?" I've been asked that so many times. My usual reply? "Why haven't the Christians?" At least the Jews are waiting for the proper imperial restoration. The Messiah's coming to sit on DAVID'S THRONE - not Caesar's or "St. Peter's." The Anointed One's going to rule from JERUSALEM - not Rome!

Beyond Babylon Chapter 7
Elijah's Key Role

Israel's about to host the greatest showdown on earth! A spiritual conflict of interests will create such a scene in Jerusalem that the whole world will watch! Zion will be an arena of prophets and sorcerers, warriors and kings! The forces of good and evil are set to duel: the sons of light will battle the sons of darkness, and truth will confront error head-on!

Change your evil ways or else

2010-04-02T19:03:00.001-07:00

Epitaph for America?

America is under a curse and those who treacherously voted for that fraud and foreigner are helping to make Marxist Jeremiah Wright’s wish come true that God damn America. Shame! -
Black Day in America: Obama Wins, America Loses

2 Kings 17
...they [the Ten Tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel] did wicked [religious] things to provoke the LORD to anger, 12 for they served idols [took part in pagan practices and heathen religious customs], of which the LORD had said to them, “You shall not do this thing.”

13 Yet the LORD testified against Israel... by all of His prophets...saying, “Turn from your evil [religious] ways [your idolatrous traditions and pagan holidays], and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets.” 14 Nevertheless they would not hear [stiff-necked and hard-hearted], but stiffened their necks, like the necks of their fathers, who did not believe in the LORD their God. 15 And they rejected His statutes and His covenant that He had made with their fathers, and His testimonies which He had testified against them; they followed idols [their self-righteous religious traditions that amounted to spiritual adultery, mixing and matching pagan error with biblical truth], became idolaters, and went after the nations who were all around them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them that they should not do like them. 16 So they left all the commandments of the LORD their God [to keep their own traditions and wallow in their baptized paganism]... and [prostituted] themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger. 18 Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight...

Most folks imagine those who need to repent are the immoral, the adulterers, the liars, the promiscuous, those who engage in the practice of homosexuality, who have abortions, who abandon their children, who rape and steal and murder. And such sinners are in serious need of a change of heart and actions, so help them God. However, notice God's condemnation of our Israelite forefathers concerned their "evil ways," the "evil" they weren't ashamed to commit in front of God that led to their eviction notices: pagan religious practices and "harmless" traditional heathen customs!

Ancient Israel, like apostate Christianity today, thought it was perfectly acceptable to mix and match pagan error with biblical truth, even though God's Word clearly forbids it! “You shall not do this thing.” They were told, time and again, God rejected their traditional religious beliefs, their evil ways, but they wouldn't listen to His warnings to return to His ways, His holy commandments, and reject their popular pagan practices and whitewashed heathen ways (Deuteronomy 12: 30-32; Jeremiah 10:2) .

Ancient Israel, like apostate Christianity today, claimed their worship, their offerings, their sacrifices, were to the God of the Bible but He rejects such unclean, impure, adulterated worship and exposes it as demonic! (Deuteronomy 32:16-18; Psalm 106:36-38; Amos 5:25-27).

The two witnesses of the Bible and history testify against proud Christian idolatry and stubborn Christian iniquity and leave us without excuse (1 Corinthians 10:10-12).

1 Samuel 15
23 For rebellion and is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD [to keep your own traditions], He also has rejected you...

Hosea 4:6
Because you have rejected knowledge [the biblical Sabbath and festivals], I also will reject you... Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

Mark 7
"Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: " 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' 8You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."

9And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!... 13Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."

Christian reprobates, apostate Christians, like the ancient Israelites, won't hear the plain truth of the Bible and history that condemn their religious ways as abominations that God hates! They refuse to change their evil ways! Such Gentilized Christians refuse to remember our Hebrew roots and biblical responsibilities and return to the Faith once delivered and remain in denial (Jeremiah 6:16). They hatefully brand those expose their fraud as a Judaizer.

Traditional Christians - who put their traditions above God's commands - are nothing but a nation of drunks and whores who have been living a lie.

"Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins. 2 For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God" (Isaiah 58:1-2).

The sinful election of the Gentile Barack Hussein Obama is further evidence of the divine punishment upon this nation for its idolatry and immorality, for living a lie, for rejecting the plain truth, for preferring the mass delusions of SUNday, Christmas and the big lie of Easter (2 Thessalonians 2:11; 2 Timothy 4:4)- all pagan Gentile religious lies that lost and wandering Israelites have shamefully chosen over the plain truth of the Bible, the biblical Sabbath and biblical festivals (Jeremiah 16:19), even though we've been warned: “You shall not do this thing.”

Epitaph for America?

"...they did wicked religious things to provoke the LORD to anger, for they took part in pagan practices and heathen religious customs every Christmas and Easter, of which the LORD had said to them, “You shall not do this thing.”

Yet the LORD testified against the United States and British-Israelite nations... by all of His servants, saying, “Turn from your evil religious ways, your idolatrous traditions and whitewashed pagan holidays, your pagan fertility symbols that pollute the land, that you've inherited and carelessly passed down from generation to generation, and keep My commandments, My seventh day Sabbath and My holy days.” Nevertheless they would not hear [being proud and stubborn, stiff-necked and hard-hearted]... And they rejected the plain truth of the Bible and the covenant that God had made with their fathers, and His indictments which He had testified against them; they followed their self-righteous religious traditions that amounted to spiritual adultery, blending pagan error with biblical truth [1 Corinthians 10:19-21; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18], concerning whom the LORD had charged them that they should not do like the pagans before them who were destroyed and to remember how Israel and Judah were deported for such unclean things. So they rejected all the commandments of the LORD their God to keep their evil ways and tote their traditions and wallow in their baptized paganism, and prostituted themselves to do what's dead wrong in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger. Therefore the LORD was very angry with the United States and British-Israelite nations, and removed them from His sight...".

How long before the United States' economy collapses, anarchy reigns with chaos and confusion, and the German-Jesuit EU takes full advantage of our situation and deals us the death blow? God let ancient Israel and Judah suffer national destruction, defeat and deportation for their modified pagan holidays. Do we foolishly think God will permit our evil religious ways, our idolatry and immorality, to continue unchecked?

www.davidbenariel.org

Passover or Easter?

2010-04-01T05:48:00.001-07:00

By Rod Reynolds

Most Churches that claim to be Christian keep as holy days, festivals that Jesus never kept. At the same time, they don’t keep the Holy Days He did keep. One of those festivals kept by Jesus that long ago ceased to be observed within popular Christianity is the Passover.

So why keep Passover and not Easter?

The most common term used in the New Testament for a follower of Jesus is disciple. (Greek: mathetes, a learner). “A ‘disciple’ was not only a pupil, but an adherent; hence they are spoken of as imitators of their teacher...” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, p. 171). Christ’s disciples were to not just hear, but to follow His example and abide in His word (Luke 14:26-27; John 8:31).

Jesus ate the Passover, and said Christians are to do it in remembrance of Him (Luke 22:7-19). Paul gave the predominantly Gentile church in Corinth instructions on how to eat the “Lord’s supper,” the Passover, not as a riotous banquet but as a solemn remembrance of His suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:23-28).

The lambs slain for the old covenant Passover were emblematic of Jesus Christ, who is referred to as the Lamb numerous times in the New Testament, hearkening to the significance of the Passover sacrifice of Jesus Christ for Christians (1 Corinthians 5:7).

So, following the example of the Savior Jesus Christ and in obedience to His command, Christians keep the New Testament Passover as a memorial of the willing sacrifice of His life to save our lives.

A second reason Christians keep the Passover is because in doing so they are following the example of the original and true Church of God. The Church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-20).

The historical record is clear on this point. The New Testament apostles followed the teachings and example of Jesus Christ in keeping the Passover annually at its appointed time – not Easter. “The earliest Christians celebrated the Lord’s Passover at the same time as the Jews. ... By the middle of the 2nd century most churches had transferred this celebration to the Sunday after the Jewish feast” (Encyclopedia Britannica, “Christianity,” Multimedia Edition, 1998). “In the 2nd century, the Christian [Passover] celebration was transferred to the Sunday following the 14-15 Nisan, if that day fell on a weekday” (The New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, “Easter,” 1993).

A third reason to keep the Passover and not Easter is that Easter is a blend of corrupted biblical and pagan traditions. The name Easter is ultimately derived from the Babylonian name (Ishtar) for the great mother goddess – the queen of heaven. This goddess was worshiped the world over under a variety of names.

In the Babylonian myths, Tammuz and his consort Ishtar (Easter) were resurrected together each year “that with their return all nature might revive” (The New Golden Bough, p. 285). Tammuz is a Sumerian term meaning “true son.” He was also known as Adon, or Lord, among the Babylonians, and the same deity came to be worshiped by the Greeks as Adonis (ibid., p. 286).

In various cultures at certain times of the year there were lamentations and weeping associated with the death of the god. In the Phoenician sanctuary of Astarte at Byblus, the death of Adonis [or Tammuz] was mourned every spring with weeping, wailing and beating of the breast. But it was believed he rose from the dead the next day (ibid., p. 289).

The root of the Easter celebration is pagan, not Christian. Jesus Christ never commanded the Church to have a festival observing His resurrection, but the Bible explicitly commands Christians to observe the Passover as a memorial of Christ’s death. It took the apostate church several centuries to settle on a consistent date for the celebration of Easter – further evidence that it was not of apostolic origin.

For more information about this subject – vital to any real disciple of Christ – see our booklet The Holy Days – God’s Master Plan.

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Passover or Easter?

The Resurrection Was Not on Easter Sunday!

2010-03-30T06:55:00.001-07:00

By John H. Ogwyn

Every year, billions rejoice at the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yet most do not realize that the Bible tells a very different story than they usually hear from the pulpit. What is the truth about Jesus’ resurrection?

Millions of professing Christians gather for Easter sunrise services every year. Even many who rarely go to church at any other time will attend worship services at the church of their choice on Easter Sunday. But did you know that the Good Friday-Easter tradition actually denies the only sign that Jesus offered the religious leaders of His day to prove His Messiahship? Incredible as that statement may seem, it is true—and you can prove it!

Did you know that the Bible nowhere makes the claim that Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Sunday morning? In fact, it teaches something else entirely! How, then, did Easter observance become almost universal among professing Christians? When did Christ’s resurrection really occur?

What do Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies, and little girls in frilly dresses have to do with Jesus of Nazareth? What is the connection between an Easter egg hunt and Christ’s resurrection?

Read on for the answer to these and other vital questions!

The Sign of Jesus’ Messiahship

For those who sincerely wanted to understand the truth, there were many proofs that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. When the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus following John’s arrest and imprisonment by Herod, notice what He told them: "And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me’" (Matthew 11:2–6).

John’s gospel records that Jesus performed a number of remarkable signs, beginning with the marriage feast at Cana where He turned water into wine (John 2:11). Notice why He performed these miracles: "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:30–31). Jesus’ disciples witnessed these signs, which confirmed their faith that He was, indeed, the promised Messiah.

From the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry, the religious leaders were aware of His message and the signs that confirmed His authority. John wrote: "There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him’" (John 3:1–2). This was during the first Passover season of Jesus’ ministry, in 28ad. Over the next three years, these leaders had many opportunities to grow familiar with Jesus’ message, and to hear about and witness many miraculous signs. None of this satisfied them.

In fact, they came to Him several times to demand a sign that would establish once and for all that He was the Messiah. On each of these occasions, Jesus told them that only one such sign would be given to them. John records that the first such exchange occurred during the Passover season of 28ad, when Jesus cleansed the temple by chasing out the moneychangers. Upon being accosted by the religious leaders, who demanded that He show another sign in addition to the miraculous healings He had performed in the temple, "Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up’.… But He was speaking of the temple of His body" (John 2:19–21). Matthew records a similar exchange: "Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, ‘Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.’ But He answered and said to them, ‘An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth’" (Matthew 12:38–40).

There you have it! The only sign Jesus offered to the skeptical religious leaders of His day was that He would spend exactly three days and three nights in the tomb. Did that sign come to pass? Absolutely! Notice the testimony of an angel, spoken to the women who came early Sunday morning to embalm the body. "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay" (Matthew 28:6). Jesus had promised that He would be exactly three days and three nights in the tomb and He rose just exactly as He said He would.

How is it possible to equate three days and three nights with the time between "Good Friday" and "Easter Sunday"? Count it yourself; it simply will not work! Some assert that "three days and three nights" is a Greek idiom and can mean any portion of three days and three nights. But this theory fails when we allow the Bible to define its own terms.

Note that Jesus was referring to Hebrew usage, not Greek. He specifically connected His stay in the tomb with that of Jonah in the fish’s belly. "Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights" (Jonah 1:17). This same expression was used when Queen Esther told her cousin Mordecai: "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me, neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day" (Esther 4:16). Each of these accounts was clearly describing a period of 72 hours—three days and three nights. This is exactly what Jesus meant, and the Pharisees knew it. Notice how they quoted his statement to Pilate, the Roman governor: "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise’" (Matthew 27:63). They knew that Jesus was not talking about a mere day-and-a-half, but rather indicating three full days.

When Was the Crucifixion?

"But," many will respond, "doesn’t the Bible say that Jesus was crucified and buried on Friday and that the tomb was empty on Sunday morning?" It is true that the tomb was already empty on Sunday morning, but the Bible nowhere speaks of a Friday crucifixion. It does say that He was crucified on the "preparation day" (Mark 15:42–45), but we must recognize which preparation day this was. Remember, the Bible speaks of annual Sabbaths—"Holy Days"—in addition to the weekly Sabbath (cf., Leviticus 23:4, 7, 24, 27–32). Jesus was crucified on the preparation day before an annual Sabbath, during the daylight portion of the Passover—Abib 14 on the Hebrew calendar. The following day—Abib 15—is an annual Holy Day, the first Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Passover fell on a Wednesday in 31ad, the year of Jesus’ crucifixion. Thursday was an annual Sabbath, the first Holy Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Jesus was buried just before sunset on Wednesday afternoon, and was in the tomb Wednesday night, Thursday, Thursday night, Friday, Friday night, and Saturday—three days and three nights, just as He promised. He was resurrected just before sunset on Saturday afternoon, exactly 72 hours after His burial. On Sunday morning, when the women came at dawn to embalm His body, He was already gone. They did not see the resurrection; they saw an empty tomb, and were told by an angel that He had risen just as He said He would.

Jesus Christ came as "the Lamb of God" to pay the penalty for sin (John 1:29). "For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us," Paul declared (1 Corinthians 5:7). A careful study of the gospel accounts shows that Jesus and His disciples ate the Passover meal after sunset at the beginning of Abib 14 (Mark 14:16–18, Luke 22:13–15, cf. Exodus 12:1–8). Later that evening, after supper, they went to the Mount of Olives (Mark 14:26), where soldiers, led by Judas Iscariot, found and arrested Him (vv. 43–46). Soon after dawn, the Sanhedrin met to formally charge Jesus and have Him delivered to Pontius Pilate (15:1). By 9 a.m. that morning—the "third hour" from daylight in Jewish usage (v. 25)—Christ, along with two criminals, had been led to a hill on the outskirts of Jerusalem and crucified in the characteristic Roman manner. From noon until Jesus’ death at about 3 p.m., there was complete darkness over the entire area (vv. 33–37).

Shortly afterward, Joseph of Arimathea sought an audience with Pilate and requested that Jesus’ dead body be released to him for burial (v. 43). After summoning the centurion in charge of the executions to ascertain that Jesus was really dead, Pilate gave Joseph permission to take and bury the body (vv. 44–45). Luke, in his gospel, emphasized that the burial was hurried and took place just before sunset (Luke 23:53–54, cf. John 19:41-42). This emphasis that Jesus was hurriedly buried shortly before the Sabbath began has confused many people into thinking that the crucifixion took place on a Friday. Many readers overlook John’s explanation that this "Sabbath was a high day" (John 19:31). It was not a weekly Sabbath; it was an annual "high day" Sabbath. Remember, Abib 15—the day after the Passover—was the first Holy Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the first of seven annual Holy Days commanded to ancient Israel (Leviticus 23:5–7).

The various gospel accounts make it plain that there were actually two Sabbaths that week—an annual Holy Day on Thursday, and the regular weekly Sabbath on Saturday. Notice Mark’s statement: "Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him" (Mark 16:1). Shops in Jerusalem would have been closed on both the weekly and annual Sabbaths. Jesus was buried right before the annual Holy Day Sabbath began, and the women were present for His burial (15:47). Their first opportunity to buy and prepare spices would have been on Friday, when the shops reopened after the Holy Day that began the Festival of Unleavened Bread. Note that Luke explains it was after the women prepared the spices and fragrant oils—a job that would have taken hours—that "they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment" (Luke 23:56).

How could they have waited until after the Sabbath to buy and prepare spices (as Mark clearly states), yet rest on the weekly Sabbath after they had prepared the spices (as Luke clearly states)—unless there were actually two Sabbaths in that week? Understanding this point is the key to understanding the duration of Jesus’ time in the tomb.

Why, then, did the women come to the tomb on Sunday morning? Was it to celebrate the first Easter sunrise service? Of course not! They were coming at the first available opportunity to embalm a dead body (Luke 24:1). When they arrived, Jesus was already gone—and the tomb was open so that all could see it was empty.

Why was this a special sign, to the religious leaders, confirming Jesus’ Messiahship? The religious leaders of Jesus’ day had their own hand-picked witnesses to the events of Jesus’ death and burial. Remember, Matthew explained that on the day after the crucifixion—early in the morning of the "high day" Sabbath—the Jewish leadership sent a delegation seeking Pilate’s permission to post an armed guard to secure the tomb. Pilate authorized them to do so, and instructed: "You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how" (Matthew 27:65). These guards were witnesses to the events that followed, and were the ones who informed the religious leaders of what actually happened (28:11). From the mouths of the very guards that they themselves had posted, these leaders learned that Jesus had fulfilled the sign of the prophet Jonah—just as He said He would!

Where Did Easter Come From?

Easter is never mentioned in the inspired text of the New Testament. While the King James translation does contain the word "Easter" in Acts 12:4, virtually every other translation says "Passover," which is the proper rendering of the Greek word pascha. You can easily verify this yourself by consulting almost any Bible commentary or Greek interlinear. The early first-century Church never observed Easter Sunday. Christians continued to observe the Passover, just as the original Apostles had done in Jesus’ presence. But although the New Testament Church kept the Passover, just as God has commanded, Christians made special use of the symbols that Christ had instituted at His final Passover. These symbols, a small piece of broken unleavened bread and a sip of wine, pictured Christ’s sacrifice—His body broken for our healing, and His blood shed for the remission of our sins.

Where, then, did Easter observance come from? There is no record of it in the Christian community until almost a full century after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Notice this striking statement by a scholar associated with the Pontifical Gregorian University Press in Rome: "There is a wide consensus of opinion among scholars that Rome is indeed the birthplace of Easter-Sunday. Some, in fact, rightly label it as ‘Roman-Easter’" (From Sabbath to Sunday, Bacchiocchi, p. 201).

In his Ecclesiastical History, the early Catholic historian Eusebius provides insight on the introduction of Easter. A contemporary of the Roman emperor Constantine, Eusebius described the late second-century controversy between Victor, Bishop of Rome, and Polycrates, disputing over whether to celebrate Passover or Easter. Eusebius wrote: "The bishops, however, of Asia, persevering in observing the custom handed down to them from their fathers, were headed by Polycrates… ‘We,’ said he, ‘observe the genuine day; neither adding thereto nor taking therefrom. For in Asia great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again in the day of our Lord’s appearing… Phillip, one of the twelve apostles… John, who rested upon the bosom of our Lord… Polycarp of Smyrna… All these observed the fourteenth day of the Passover according to the gospel, deviating in no respect, but following the rule of faith" (chapter xxiv). Eusebius then proceeded to quote from a letter of Irenaeus, a second century bishop of Lyons, which traced the observance of Easter as a substitute for Passover back to the days of Sixtus, bishop of Rome (c. 116–126ad).

In other words, Easter Sunday was not observed by the professing Christian community until almost 20 years after the death of the Apostle John, the last surviving eyewitness to the crucifixion and the resurrected Jesus. If God truly wanted His people to observe this holiday, why did it take so long to be established? If it really commemorated the events of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, surely it would have been observed from the beginning! Yet it was only introduced as a "Christian" holiday after all who had first-hand knowledge of the facts were dead. That alone should make us stand up and take notice.

Easter Sunday actually has its origins in the cult of ancient pagan sun worship. The very name "Easter" is derived from Ishtar or Astarte, names referring to the ancient Babylonian goddess who was worshiped as the mother of the sun god. Notice this admission: "The motif of the Sun was used not only by Christian artists to portray Christ [from the third century onward] but also by Christian teachers to proclaim Him to the pagan masses who were well acquainted with the rich Sun-symbology. Numerous Fathers abstracted and reinterpreted the pagan symbols and beliefs about the Sun and used them apologetically to teach the Christian message" (Bacchiocchi, p. 253).

Much of the symbolism associated with Easter, including rabbits and eggs, hearkens back to ancient practices that originated in Babylon and came down to us today by way of Rome. Roman emperor Constantine, a lifelong devotee of Sol Invictus, the sun god, forged an alliance with the Bishop of Rome in the early fourth century. It was from this alliance of church and state that most of the trappings that are associated with modern Christianity came to be forced upon the Christian-professing world.
Does it matter that the name "Easter," and many of the motifs associated with that holiday, can be traced back to ancient paganism? Many sincere professing Christians would protest that they attend Easter sunrise services to honor Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead, not to worship the sun god. Is it acceptable to take pagan customs and symbols and reinterpret them from a Christian perspective? No! God warned the ancient Israelites, as they prepared to enter the land of the Canaanites, to "take heed… that you do not inquire after their gods, saying ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way" (Deuteronomy 12:30–31). Rather, God told His people: "Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it" (v. 32).

Easter Sunday does not celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. It actually obscures the very point that Jesus said was the defining sign of His Messiahship—the three days and three nights in the tomb. Easter, like most of the symbols associated with it, has its origin not in Scriptural commands, but in the practices of ancient sun worshipers. It is high time that those who profess to be the people of God come out of spiritual Babylon and worship the Creator as He commands—in spirit and in truth!

The Resurrection Was Not on Easter Sunday!

Passover for Christians

2010-03-28T07:35:00.001-07:00

The Passover Memorial
When did God decree that Jesus could declare "it is finished" and die on the stake? Why at the very same time that THE JEWS were sacrificing their Passover lambs at the Temple! The Jews had always killed the Passover lambs during the final hours of the 14th. It was towards the end of the 14th, not at the beginning of the 14th, that the Passover lambs were killed.

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Rapture?

2010-03-28T07:06:00.001-07:00

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

GODDESS EASTER

2010-03-27T11:25:00.001-07:00

Does your Church honor the goddess Easter?

"Why do you perpetuate pagan fertility symbols of rabbits and eggs and don't have anything for Passover? No little lambs, nothing. John the Baptist called Jesus the 'Lamb of God' - not the Easter bunny!" - so I wrote a popular family restaurant about their country store (see The Big Lie of Easter). I could have just as easily written another popular down on the farm restaurant questioning why they're disrespectfully offering Easter ham when the Bible strongly expresses its distaste for such an abomination that Jesus and the apostles never ate and the Scriptures forbid (see Is All Animal Flesh Good Food?).

If you walk into any store or restaurant at this time of year, you quickly see how the pagan Easter rabbit has supplanted the Passover lamb. A myth has replaced the truth! It's totally absurd and illogical as both the Bible and history condemn Easter as a spring goddess and yet these professing Christian churches aren't ashamed to blazon the name of the GODDESS EASTER on their church billboards! Would they also advertise Venus or Ishtar? Are they all asleep in the pews? Don't their ministers have a clue? God says the names of these pagan gods and goddesses will be history and yet they're kept alive by apostate Christian ministers! "For I will take from her mouth the names of the Baals [false gods], And they shall be remembered by their name no more" (Hosea 2:17). Who are they serving? Certainly not our Great Creator God, the God of the Bible, the God of Jacob.

How can any professing Christian not take offense at this baptized paganism, these whitewashed heathen customs that mislead the masses? Shame on those (especially the worthless ministers) who continue to let folks get carried away with idolatrous traditions rather than set them free with the plain truth!

"How can you say, ‘I am not polluted, I have not gone after the Baals'?" (Jeremiah 2:23). You advertise the GODDESS EASTER with your Easter Egg Hunt, your Easter Egg Roll, your Easter ham, your Easter Sunday. Others pimp Easter and her fertility symbols of rabbits and eggs with Easter Egg trees and Easter decorations. We're a nation of spiritual drunks and whores in denial, whoring around with pagan gods and goddesses, going through the mindless motions of pagan traditions and flirting with heathen customs and we see nothing wrong with it since we're deaf, dumb and blind (Isaiah 42:19).

Such Easter "offerings" based upon colorful fables certainly aren't acceptable or cute to God ( 2 Timothy 4:3-5). “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall [the slain] at the time I punish them..." (Jeremiah 6:15). Traditional Christianity, like an adulterous woman, "…eats and wipes her mouth, and says, ‘I have done no wickedness...'" (Prov. 30:20).

Sin that's been dressed up, camouflaged, made to appear harmless, is still sin in God's eyes and He hates the mass religious deception that has been going on for too long and will hold the nation accountable for living a lie and promoting whitewashed paganism. The rotten ministers who have failed to stand in the gap, to expose such error and call upon the people to turn from such vain traditions, are especially guilty (Ezekiel 22:30-31).

Hosea 4:6
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest [minister] for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God [that you may keep your own traditions], I also will forget your children.

It's past time we remember our Hebrew roots and biblical responsibilities and return to the Faith once delivered - the Faith that focuses on the Lamb of God and keeps Passover - and stop mixing pagan error with biblical truth (spiritual adultery). We must serve the God of Israel wholeheartedly as Elijah encouraged (when he mocked Baal and Easter) or go into national captivity like Israel did who failed to take God's Word seriously! What will it be: return to the Faith once delivered or return to slavery?

The Plain Truth About Easter

Easter or Passover: Which Is Christian?

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

The Lamb of God

2010-03-27T10:29:00.001-07:00

Commentary: Why the world needs the Lamb of God

As I write, millions of Hindus in India are celebrating Kumbh Mela, the largest single religious gathering in the world. The Purna (Complete) Kumbh Mela is celebrated every twelve years in one of four cities, depending on the relative positions of the sun, moon and the planet Jupiter in Indian astrology. Between January 14 and April 28, 2010, at least 50 million pilgrims will have visited the ancient and (to them) holy city of Haridwar on the Ganges River. Read more

The Great Heresies of Traditional Christianity

2010-03-26T09:46:00.001-07:00

The Great Heresies

#9. To: gcruse (#0)

Heresies

The early Church of God faithfully kept the SEVENTH DAY SABBATH (sunset Friday to sunset Saturday) for several hundred years. Later, under political pressure and religious opposition, they backed down. They allowed the observance of “the venerable day of the Sun” back-to-back with God’s Sabbath. What a tragic mistake! We’re still suffering the consequences of such shameful compromise.

By sanctioning Sunday services, the Church gave SUNday the necessary clout to claim “equality.” That peaceful coexistence was short-lived, however. Soon the Gentile “converts” managed to make it illegal for Christians to keep the “Jewish Sabbath!” In 365, during the Council of Laodicea, they forcibly substituted Sunday for the seventh day Sabbath! Constantine or Christ? Yeshua said He was Lord of the Sabbath - the seventh day Sabbath is the Lord's Day.

Yet Constantine pimped SUNday and his Christian reprobates- apostate Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant followers - continue to keep it as an idolatrous tradition over the commandment of God. This plain truth angers many of the self-righteous!

Earlier, to promote “unity”—NOT the truth—the Council of Nicea (in 325 AD) ruled the Christian PASSOVER (commemorating Jesus’ death) had to go! Whoever disagreed faced the death penalty! Their religious fabrication supposedly emphasized Jesus’ resurrection—in direct violation of Christ’s command!

Eventually the apostates stopped their charade of keeping the Jewish Passover of the Lord, moved their new Roman holiday to a different date that the faithful - like Polycarp and Polycrates who kept the biblical Passover - opposed, knowing it was devised by deceived and deceiving Gentile men) and eventually even called their celebration Easter instead of Passover or Pascha.

But the apostates forgot to give it a Christian-sounding name. Easter’s the Babylonian spring goddess—Baal’s playboy bunny! They had given up the kosher Lamb of God for a rabbit trick! And to this day, many Gentilized Christians, misled by Romanizers, even go so far to add insult to injury by pigging out on Easter ham and having Easter egg hunts!

In time, anything even remotely “Jewish” about the Church of God came under attack. The Gentile minority-turned-majority demanded changes to reflect their “universal” appeal. They wanted to appear more inclusive—at the expense of the Church’s Jewish (read biblical) heritage. They were intent on destroying the doctrines they once held dear. - Apostate Christians

The great heresies of TRADITIONAL Christianity are the accursed replacement theology of SUNday for Sabbath, Easter for Passover, a Gentilized Jesus and gospel instead of the powerful Gospel of the Kingdom of God preached by the Jewish Yahshua, among many other traditional religious lies that have supplanted the plain truth of the Bible.

To learn more click on this link: The History of Early Christianity

Making Haste

2010-03-26T09:02:00.001-07:00

"And this is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste, it is a Passover offering to HaShem." (Exodus 12:11)

Nisan 11, 5770/March 26, 2010

"Haste makes waste." That's what they tell us. And we tend to accept this as axiomatic. But is it necessarily true? Torah tells us otherwise. Torah tells us that haste is an essential ingredient of the redemptive process. Our forefathers seized the opportunity which G-d created for them and left Egypt in great haste. This need for haste was eternalized by the Torah commandment for all generations for each family of Israel to prepare a lamb for a korban Pesach - Passover offering - make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, slaughter the lamb within the Holy Temple courtyard, roast the lamb in Jerusalem, and eat the lamb in its entirety before midnight. This process of haste could, in many cases, extend over two weeks time, beginning with the pilgrimage preparations, and concluding, in an ever greater sense of haste, with the eating of the lamb. Since the destruction of the Holy Temple, from which point in time the korban Pesach has not been offered, this sense of urgency has been embodied by the intense Passover preparations made in each individual home, often exhausting, often conducted right to the last minute, and concluding with the Passover Seder, again, which must be concluded by midnight.

Why did G-d insist that the children of Israel eat the Passover offering in haste? After all, G-d planned and carried out every detail of the exodus from Egypt, beginning with His first call to Moshe, continuing throughout the ten plagues, and concluding with the korban Pesach and the midnight escape. Nothing was left to chance. Why the last-minute rush?

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Ban the White House's Pagan Easter Egg Roll!

2010-03-26T05:31:00.000-07:00

Obama Excludes Private and Catholic School Children From Easter Egg Roll Ticket Giveaway
By Penny Starr

(CNSNews.com) – The Obama administration announced on Tuesday it has reserved 3,000 free tickets to the annual White House Easter Egg Roll for students in D.C.-area public and charter schools, but not for children who attend private or parochial schools.

Click here to continue

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The pagan fertility rites of an Easter Egg Roll have no place upon the lawn of the White House in this professing Christian nation. Easter - a pagan goddess - and her fertility symbols of rabbits and eggs are a disgrace. Besides, who is paying for the "live music, sports courts, storytelling, egg rolling – and cooking stations" - American taxpayers? I'm a Christian and I certainly don't want a single red cent going toward these heathen customs God hates as an an abomination. We should teach our children to avoid such whitewashed pagan practices like the plague - not mislead and deceive them that such unclean things are harmless, especially in light of the Bible and history that prove otherwise.

The Big Lie of Easter
"Why do you perpetuate pagan fertility symbols of rabbits and eggs and don't have anything for Passover? No little lambs, nothing. John the Baptist called Jesus the 'Lamb of God' - not the Easter bunny!" - so I wrote a popular family restaurant about their country store and was informed they received my email and would respond.

The Plain Truth About Easter
Has it ever occurred to those stuffing their faces with Easter ham that Jesus would puke at the thought? Neither Jesus or Peter, James or John ever ate forbidden foods. They wouldn't feel too comfortable at plenty of people's dinner tables.

Easter or Passover: Which Is Christian?
Many believe that God's endorsement of Passover ended with Christ's death—and that He has since replaced it with the observance of Easter as a celebration of Christ's resurrection. But is that so?

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

He Set Ephraim Before Manasseh

2010-03-25T13:42:00.001-07:00

As memories of the British Empire fade into the distant past, many think the United States is Ephraim and Britain Manasseh. There are sound historical reasons for this not being the case.

He Set Ephraim Before Manasseh

GN Commentary: Easter or Passover: What Does the Bible Teach?

2010-03-25T12:20:00.001-07:00

Maybe it's time to take a closer look at Easter—and instead learn about the biblical Passover, with its wonderful meaning. It can easily be found in the pages of your Bible.

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The Big Lie of Easter
"Why do you perpetuate pagan fertility symbols of rabbits and eggs and don't have anything for Passover? No little lambs, nothing. John the Baptist called Jesus the 'Lamb of God' - not the Easter bunny!" - so I wrote a popular family restaurant about their country store and was informed they received my email and would respond.

The Plain Truth About Easter
Has it ever occurred to those stuffing their faces with Easter ham that Jesus would puke at the thought? Neither Jesus or Peter, James or John ever ate forbidden foods. They wouldn't feel too comfortable at plenty of people's dinner tables.

Court told 'citizen' Obama actually may be alien

2010-03-25T07:54:00.001-07:00

'Under British Nationality Act … he was a British subject'

March 25, 2010
By Bob Unruh
© 2010 WorldNetDaily

Forget the dispute over the "natural born citizen" requirement of the U.S. Constitution for presidents, Barack Obama may not even be a "citizen," according to a new filing in a long-running legal challenge to his eligibility to occupy the Oval Office.

"Under the British Nationality Act of 1948 his father was a British subject/citizen and not a United States citizen and Obama himself was a British subject/citizen at the time Obama was born," says a new filing in the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in the case Kerchner v. Obama.

"We further contend that Obama has failed to even conclusively prove that he is at least a 'citizen of the United States' under the Fourteenth Amendment as he claims by conclusively proving that he was born in Hawaii."

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Pagan fertility symbols of rabbits and eggs...

2010-03-22T06:26:00.001-07:00

The Big Lie of Easter
by David Ben-Ariel

"Why do you perpetuate pagan fertility symbols of rabbits and eggs and don't have anything for Passover? No little lambs, nothing. John the Baptist called Jesus the 'Lamb of God' - not the Easter bunny!" - so I wrote a popular family restaurant about their country store and was informed they received my email and would respond.

How many folks actually stop and THINK? How many question why the focus is on an Easter bunny and not on the Passover Lamb? Why have professing Christians enabled this deliberate diversion and deception? Where has the outrage been among those who profess to love the Lord when they see society swept away with hare-brained traditions? Why the tacit approval by deathly silence and default?

You will find people celebrating Passover throughout the Bible, including Jesus. But you won't find people celebrating Easter. The word Easter comes from an ancient fertility goddess. It's spelled in different ways but usually pronounced "Easter" or something like it. For instance, the Babylonians called her Ishtar. The Phoenicians worshipped their goddess Astarte. The Germans had Ostara. The Hebrews called her Ashtoreth. This is all the same goddess, and God condemned the Israelites for having anything to do with this pagan goddess of fertility and the dawn. - Shocked by the Bible

How can a Christian nation have anything to do with a pagan goddess? With the fertility symbols of rabbits and eggs long associated with Easter and exposed by history and condemned by the Bible? Any observance of Easter is as impudent as a whore who feels no shame for her sins.

Those who dishonestly continue to partake of Easter's modified pagan practices, its whitewashed heathen customs, are guilty of spiritual adultery! Such perverse Christians are whoring around with foreign gods and goddesses and undoubtedly will incur the wrath of God upon our nation of drunks and whores and illegitimate children (who have been sacrificed to demons rather than consecrated to God).

“Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall [the slain] at the time I punish them, they shall be cast down, says the LORD” (Jeremiah 6:15).

Traditional Christianity, like an adulterous woman, "…eats and wipes her mouth, and says, ‘I have done no wickedness...'" (Prov. 30:20).

God let ancient Israel and Judah suffer NATIONAL DEFEAT, DESTRUCTION AND DEPORTATION due to their "harmless" religious celebrations! Has God changed His mind? Isn't Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever?

God condemns our countries for IDOLATRY — not just for immorality! Easter is both immoral and idolatrous, as are those worthless ministers who have let Easter take root and defile our land with its pagan pollutions. It is idolatry when religious folks continue to put pagan Easter above Passover (that the early Church of God faithfully observed), when they continue to pimp traditional religious lies of a "Sunday resurrection" - even though the plain truth of the Bible teaches: "After the women rested on the regular weekly Sabbath, they went to Jesus' tomb early on the first day of the week (Sunday), "while it was still dark" (John 20:1), and found that He had already been resurrected (Matthew 28:1-6; Mark 16:2-6; Luke 24:1-3)"- Easter: Masking a Biblical Truth .

Easter's not harmless; engaging in pagan practices like dying eggs and mindlessly decorating trees with eggs and eating Easter ham (an abomination!) is showing extreme disrespect to our Great Creator God, the God of the Bible, the God of Israel who thunders:

Jeremiah 10
2 Do not learn the way of the Gentiles...

Why not keep it simple and love and obey God and do as He says rather than blind tradition dictates? If not, stop calling yourself a Christian nation and be honest enough to admit you're a pagan nation and prepare to suffer the consequences!

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Easter’s five fatal flaws

2010-03-20T08:22:00.000-07:00

Easter’s five fatal flaws

By Wyatt Ciesielka | Sabbath, March 20, 2010

Millions of sincere Christians will soon attend Easter sunrise services supposedly celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. However, one of Satan’s greatest deceptions (Revelation 12:9) is in deceiving sincere people into worshiping a false Jesus on Easter Sunday! Easter Sunday does not honor Jesus. In fact, celebrating Easter greatly displeases Him, as do all idolatrous and heathen practices (Isaiah 1:14)!

Do you unknowingly worship a false Jesus? Do you plan to participate in Easter sunrise worship services this year, which are rooted in what your Bible calls "abominable" paganism? If you really love Jesus, then you should not.

Let us briefly review five fatal flaws of Easter:

1)      Jesus was not resurrected Sunday morning. A careful study of Scripture reveals that Jesus was in the tomb exactly three days and three nights as He promised He would be. To deny this is to reject Christ’s one and only claim to be the Messiah (Matthew 12:39-40)! Jesus died on a Wednesday afternoon, just before the "annual Sabbath" known as the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He was buried and then resurrected 72 hours later, just before the end of the weekly Sabbath (near the end of the day, Saturday).

2)      Sunrise worship services are indeed found in your Bible, and they are condemned as pagan “abominations” to God. Sunrise worship was an integral part of the Babylonish Mystery Religion and was core in worshipping Semiramis and her infant son, Tammuz. Semiramis claimed that Tammuz was Nimrod reborn as the Messiah. Later, Semiramis was represented as the goddess Astarte (or Ishtar), the “queen of heaven.”
Read Ezekiel 8:14-16 where the glory of the Lord shows the ancient Israelites committing an “abomination” by “weeping for Tammuz” during sunrise worship services (v. 16)! Worship of Semiramis (“the mother of god”) and Tammuz (a counterfeit Messiah) continues today in the form of Easter Sunrise services.

3)      Your Bible sternly condemns anyone who adopts pagan practices, regardless whether or not someone claims that they keep these customs “to honor Jesus.” Jeremiah 10:2 commands us to “Learn not the way of the heathen” and 2 Thessalonians 2:15 demands that we do not follow the “traditions of men.”

4)      Claiming we somehow “honor” Jesus by pagan practice simply defies common sense and sound reason. Analogies are rarely entirely adequate, but consider this question. If you knew that your human father enjoyed steak and potatoes as a special dinner … and that he hated ham sandwiches … but you refused to make steak and potatoes for him and instead kept making him ham sandwiches … could a rational person really argue that you are honoring or loving your human father by continually trying to serve him ham sandwiches?
God has shown how He wants to be worshipped through His weekly Sabbath and annual biblical Holy Days. Yet while perhaps well-intended, many supposed Christians and supposed Christian ministers and priests reject God’s Holy Days and claim to show their love to their Lord and their Heavenly Father by continually trying to serve Him with what He calls revolting, pagan and abominable! Jesus asks these people, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

5)      Finally, 1 Corinthians 6:9 and Revelation 22:15 condemn those who practice these pagan and idolatrous customs as not being allowed in the Kingdom of God!

For much more about the origins of Easter and what God says about true, righteous worship, please read the excellent articles: “The Sign of Jonah” by Mr. Rod McNair, “Holidays or Holy Days” by Dr. Douglas Winnail, or watch the excellent Tomorrow’s World telecasts, “The Resurrection was NOT on Easter” by Mr. John Ogwyn, or “Easter is Pagan” by Dr. Roderick Meredith.

For those who desire to learn how to truly please and honor their Lord and Heavenly Father by observing the Biblical Holy Days, please study the detailed booklet, The Holy Days—God’s Master Plan.

Traditional Christian iniquity and idolatry

2010-03-20T07:22:00.001-07:00

"No hunting on Sunday"

#41. To: Don (#39)

Armstrong was a false prophet.

Knee-jerk response from one stuck in the muck of Babylon, like typical spiritual drunks and whores who remain in denial, counterfeit Christians who refuse to repent of their SUNday-keeping Cult of Constantine, who prefer idolatrous traditions over the plain truth of the Bible that Herbert W. Armstrong faithfully taught.

Both the Bible and history condemn "Christian" idolatry and "Christian" iniquity.

1 Samuel 15
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you...

Revelation 21
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death" (the real Hell that will destroy the unrepentant - not torment them like a sadist).

Traditional Christian dishonesty is appalling and the deceit of counterfeit Christianity is repulsive, and proves such unclean Christians, Christian reprobates, are as much or more of religious liars, children of the Devil, murderous members of the Synagogue of Satan, as those who set Yahshua up and Stephen and Paul with false accusations - religious people lying through their teeth to keep their traditions because they hate the plain truth! Nothing new under the sun.

Herbert Armstrong was not a false prophet!

Apostate Christians make it abundantly clear they don't want their darkness disturbed by the facts, as both the Bible and history testify as two witnesses and condemn your traditional Christianity as baptized paganism, whitewashed heathen custons and doctrines of demons, but for the sake of others, others who are honest seekers of truth like the noble Bereans, who really hunger and thirst to know what the Bible really teaches on this or that subject and who don't get hung up on who God chooses to use to deliver the message of truth, I take the time to respond knowing some will be set free from the traditional bondage your unclean kind enjoy and will suffer the consequences for, having been more than warned to FORSAKE BABYLON.

Mark 7
"Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: " 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' 8You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."

9And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!... 13Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Herbert Armstrong taught the seventh day Sabbath

2010-03-18T18:48:00.001-07:00

"No hunting on Sunday"

#17. To: Don (#7)

Herbert Armstrong

I realize Herbert W. Armstrong deserves plenty of credit for teaching the plain truth of the Bible, like the apostle Paul, but Herbert W. Armstrong is not the author of these Scriptures you shamefully ignore that you may keep your idolatrous traditions:

“Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest” (Exodus 31:15).

“The seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it” (Leviticus 23:3).

“The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work” (Deuteronomy 5:14).

“Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God … For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:9- 11).

Isaiah reveals pagan SUNday keeping will be history, and everybody will keep the biblical seventh day Sabbath as God has ordained:

“‘And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,’ says the Lord” (Isaiah 66:23).

Mr. Armstrong will be highly respected in the Kingdom of God for teaching the Sabbath command, and those hateful "Christian" idolaters (putting SUNday above Sabbath) who opposed him will be ashamed.

Matthew 5:18-20
18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Herbert W. Armstrong didn't write those wonderful Scriptures that further expose and condemn counterfeit Christianity's traditional darkness (since they clearly follow Constantine and not Christ), but Mr. Armstrong did write an excellent booklet on this subject for those who are honest seekers of truth like the noble Bereans:

Which Day Is the Christian Sabbath?

By Herbert W. Armstrong

Does it make any difference WHICH day we observe—or whether we keep it? Does the Bible establish SUNDAY as the LORD’S DAY? Was the Sabbath given for the Jewish people only—while Christians are commanded to keep SUNDAY as the LORD’S DAY?

Table of Contents

Chapter 1	But Does It Make Any Difference?
Chapter 2	Who Made and Established the Sabbath?
Chapter 3	God—Not Moses—Gave the Law
Chapter 4	A Special Eternal Covenant
Chapter 5	Which Day for Gentile Christians?
Chapter 6	Why Israel and Judah Made Slaves
Chapter 7	Is Sunday Mentioned in the New Testament?
Chapter 8	The Amazing Truth About Christian Fellowship

The apostle Paul taught Gentiles to keep Passover - not Easter!

2010-03-16T08:38:00.001-07:00

#155. To: bluewater boats (#25)

Gentile Christians have a different covenant with God

The apostle Paul instructed the Corinthian Gentile Christians to keep the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread.

"Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. "Therefore let us keep the feast [of unleavened bread], not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Corinthians 5:6-8).

Can you show me where Paul instructed the Jewish, Israelite or Gentile brethren to observe some "resurrection SUNday" or "Easter sunrise service" or color eggs and give "Easter bunnies" to their children and to make sure to eat plenty of unclean "Easter ham"?

How Satan makes such a fool of professing Christians every pagan holiday, who are engaged in spiritual adultery and stuck in the muck of Babylon! THINK about it, so help you God.

The early Church of God, converted Jews, Israelites and Gentiles, faithfully observed, in spirit and in truth, the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread, as pioneers of the wonderful World Tomorrow, the Kingdom of God, where Christ will keep the PASSOVER - not pagan Easter!

Luke 22:14-16:
"When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, ‘With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.'"

Neither the biblical festivals or law of God have been done away, as religious liars spew, but the whitewashed pagan holidays pretending to be Christian, that misrepresent Christ and Christianity, will soon be trashed.

Jeremiah 16
19 O LORD, my strength and my fortress,
My refuge in the day of affliction,
The Gentiles shall come to You
From the ends of the earth and say,
“ Surely our fathers have inherited lies,
Worthlessness and unprofitable things.”

The Biblical Festivals That Teach Us About Jesus Christ

Christmas and Easter are modified pagan holidays

2010-03-14T07:37:00.001-07:00

Easter or Passover: Which Is Christian?

#145. To: domer (#28)

Easter is exactly like Christmas.

Yes, both Easter and Christmas are modified pagan holidays, filled with whitewashed heathen customs, baptized paganism, ABOMINATIONS that God hates and legitimate Christians avoid like the plague!

True Christians don't deny both the Bible and history condemn Easter and Christmas, even though spiritual drunks and whores, "Christians" in denial, dig themselves in deeper, stuck in the muck of Babylon, when they refuse to repent and forsake such religious sins.

Deuteronomy 12
30 take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them [pagans], after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? [heathen customs] I also will do likewise.’ [modifying pagan hollow days to worship the true God]
31 You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods

Jeremiah 10
2 Thus says the LORD:
Do not learn the way of the Gentiles

1 Corinthians 10:19-21
19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons. [No mixing and matching of pagan error with biblical truth]

2 Corinthians 6:14-18
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? [No diluting, adulterating and polluting of God's truth with pagan blends] Or what part has a believer with an
unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

"I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people."

17 Therefore
"Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. [Don't stay stuck in the rut of tradition, but let the plain truth set you free!] Do not touch what is unclean, And [then] I will receive you.

18 [on these conditions] I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty."

C.H. Spurgeon on Christmas and Roman Catholicism
First, because we do not believe in the mass at all, but abhor it, whether it be sung in Latin or in English. Secondly, because we find no Scriptural warrant whatever for observing any day as the birthday of the Savior; and consequently, its observance is a superstition

Why I No Longer Celebrate Christmas
Will God Curse Our Countries for Christmas?
Plea to Diehard Catholics & Protestants to Repent

Mark 7
"Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
" 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' 8You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."

9And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!... 13Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."

Jesus never claimed to be divine!

2010-03-13T08:45:00.001-08:00

Easter or Passover: Which Is Christian?

#130. To: Goldi-Lox (#115)

When Jesus professed to BE G-d

Yahshua never claimed to be God while in the human flesh. He was the Son of MAN - he was thoroughly HUMAN - having divested himself of his former glory as a God-Being, one of the two members of the God Kingdom-Family.

Yahshua revealed our incredible human potential is to become born again as divine, as he was restored to his state of divinity after the first part of his mission from God was accomplished here on earth. He will soon return as the King of the Jews, the King of Israel, to fulfill the rest of his Work and finish it.

Traditional Christians today, like most religious Jews yesterday, didn't want to hear it, unable to see the glory God offers mankind due to traditional veils that blind them.

In the beginning was the Word...

God became man so man could become God!

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Both the Bible and history condemn Christianity!

2010-03-13T08:29:00.001-08:00

Easter or Passover: Which Is Christian?

#129. To: Sweetjustusnow (#72)

[mindless cut and paste]

It's so sad to see you've failed to FORSAKE BABYLON and continue to prove your critical thinking ability has been severely damaged by your unclean cult of traditional Christianity.

True Christians follow Yahshua and His example - traditional Christian cultists, apostate Christians, follow Rome and Constantine from Sunday to Easter to many other unclean doctrines of demons headed for the Lake of Fire (the real Hell that will destroy the unrepentant - not torment them like a sadist).

Won't you let the truth set you free rather than hate it and condemn yourself? Do you think God is fooled by baptized paganism, idolatrous traditions, your traditional religious bull? Both the Bible and history condemn traditional Christianity's hypocrisy and deceitfulness.

Is the Plain Truth Too Strong?
"Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression [the Church and Synagogue], And the house of Jacob [the family of Israelite nations - all Twelve Tribes of Israel] their sins. 2 Yet they seek Me daily, And delight to know My ways, As a nation that did righteousness, And did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; They take delight in approaching God" (Isaiah 58).

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Census

2010-03-12T04:54:00.001-08:00

Census 2010

The 2010 Census:

Reject this Big Bully intrusion and return your census envelope with your question for them:

WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?

************

President usurper Obama/Soetoro/Obama, regardless of his proud and stubborn refusal to be transparent (as promised - no change there), paying expensive lawyers hush money (at American taxpayers' expense) to keep his revealing documents in the dark, is not a natural born citizen of two American parents and is therefore not eligible to be POTUS according to the Constitution.

It's past time the fraud and foreigner is brought to justice! Emperor Obama has got to go! And let him take his illegal alien aunt with him who has stolen from the American people.

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

February 2010 Article Performance Report

2010-03-11T06:40:00.001-08:00

From EzineArticles.com

Top 3 Performing Articles (Lifetime):

Not All Twelve Tribes of Israel are Jewish?
Lifetime Views: 32,134

Herbert W. Armstrong Was Ahead of His Time!
Lifetime Views: 19,115

The Plain Truth About The "Lost Ten Tribes" And Why You Need To Know
Lifetime Views: 17,919

Top 3 Performing Articles (February 2010):

Not All Twelve Tribes of Israel are Jewish?
February 2010 Views: 669

Third Temple Coming Soon to Jerusalem!
February 2010 Views: 309

The Plain Truth About The "Lost Ten Tribes" And Why You Need To Know
February 2010 Views: 248

http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Forbidden Fruit

2010-03-09T03:02:00.001-08:00

Easter or Passover: Which Is Christian?

#48. To: Chaka (#33)

the idea that an omnipotent deity would create a wonderfully-flavored animal like the Pig and then forbade eating it is heretical and preposterous

Perhaps to those who steal the forbidden fruit of self-righteously determining for themselves what is good and what is evil, rather than submit to the Word of God - divine revelation - that clearly instructs us what our Great Creator God decrees is fit and what is not fit for human consumption. It is heretical and the height of chutzpah to pretend to know more than our Creator! Such covetous cravings and idolatrous thoughts expose an unclean heart and impure mind.

Like the serpent who lied to Eve about the "wonderfully-flavored" fruit, you don't have a leg to stand on.

Isaiah 5:20
20 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!

Isaiah 55:7-9
7 Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the LORD,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.
9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Is All Animal Flesh Good Food?
Were all animals made clean? What about the unclean animals shown to Peter in a vision? Here is a straightforward Bible answer, giving the New Testament teaching. This subject is important to your health and well-being!

Unclean Christianity vs. Peter's Vision
Unclean traditional Christianity teaches the religious lie that Jesus "did away with" the dietary laws, sinning against both God and man (1 John 2:4; Matt 5:17-20).

Jesus Upheld the Biblical Dietary Laws
Unclean traditional Christianity has misled many with their lack of understanding of the Bible as a whole. They often take Scriptures out of context and totally twist their meanings, like they do when it comes to abusing Matthew 15 and slaughtering it to teach we can now eat anything.

Easter or Passover: Which Is Christian?

2010-03-08T08:13:00.001-08:00

Easter or Passover: Which Is Christian?

Many believe that God's endorsement of Passover ended with Christ's death—and that He has since replaced it with the observance of Easter as a celebration of Christ's resurrection. But is that so?

by Jerold Aust

On April 4 of this year, a billion or more people who identify themselves as Christian will celebrate Easter. The week before, a far smaller number will observe Passover. How do these two scenarios compare? On the one hand, we have a fun-filled Easter egg hunt, Easter bunnies galore and an Easter Sunday sunrise service. On the other, a solemn Passover service that typically includes participants washing one another's feet and partaking of unleavened bread and wine.

Easter seems more fun, more joyous; Passover seems old-fashioned and more serious. These are some differences that are obvious on the surface. Many other differences aren't so obvious.

My own Easter story

My earliest recollections of Easter included searching for colored eggs that I helped paint and my mother hid. Since I loved hard-boiled eggs, finding and eating those colorfully decorated eggs was fun and quite a treat!
I never questioned the Easter season with its Easter eggs and Easter bunnies. This was supposed to be the most holy holiday of the year, but to me it was more about fun—just as merchants hoped it would be.

It wasn't until my early 20s that I learned about the so-called "Jewish" Passover. The ministers I'd known earlier had given me no hint that Passover was something for Christians.

I now found this curious, since my Bible clearly showed that Jesus, a Jew, observed the Passover with His closest followers and instructed them, and us, to continue to keep it until His return (Matthew 26:26-29). I was also surprised to read that the apostle Paul explicitly told Church members in the Greek port city of Corinth—most of whom were not and never had been Jewish—to observe the Passover as a reminder and memorial of Jesus Christ's death (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

And try as I might, I couldn't find anything in the Bible mentioning the apostles or early Church celebrating Easter. No eggs or rabbits anywhere. I even found that the one place where the word Easter is found in the Bible—Acts 12:4 in the King James Version—the original word there is actually Pascha, the Greek word for Passover!

I was at a loss to explain this. How was it that millions upon millions of people celebrated a holiday that clearly isn't found in the Bible, while dutifully ignoring a holy observance that is in the Scriptures?

A valid replacement?

Have you ever compared the meanings and symbols of Passover and Easter? Have you ever asked what God thinks of the two?

If you celebrate Easter with sincerity (and many millions do), you likely regard Easter as a religious holiday that superseded the archaic Old Testament Passover. After all, that's what most churches teach—that Easter has replaced the Passover. But is there more to the story than that?

Even the Catholic Encyclopedia acknowledges that Jesus and His apostles never celebrated Easter, observing instead the seventh-day Sabbath and the annual festivals of God, including the Passover, all listed in Leviticus 23 and mentioned in many other places in Scripture (New Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, 1967, p. 867, "Early Christian Feasts").

You might have heard that Easter came from pagan origins but may have simply dismissed this as irrelevant. After all, God surely wouldn't mind if you celebrated this holiday to honor Him, would He? Yet He does mind. The Bible clearly states that God wants to be worshipped according to the way He instructs in the Scriptures (see Deuteronomy 12:29-32).

Has Easter, in fact, replaced Passover as a Christian obligation, sacred because so many people keep it and because it was sanctioned by the universal church? Additionally, does Passover keep the Jews (and those Christians who insist on observing it) in darkness, unable to receive the grace and life of Jesus Christ?

If those assumptions are true, then—end of story. But if they are not, then we'd better ask some serious questions. In fact, we'd better seriously question those assumptions either way.

Shining the light on Easter

Can Easter and Passover be compared and weighed in the balance? If so, could and would it have any effect on your life, your future?

Most Christians think that as long as a person celebrates Easter as honoring Christ's resurrection, God won't mind and we shouldn't care. But God does mind and we should care that He does.

Many sources are available that describe the origins, history and purpose of the Easter celebration. If you read them without checking what the Bible says about which religious festivals are acceptable to God, you could easily conclude that the writers and researchers know what they are writing about. Their analyses may seem well-grounded, even beyond questioning.

But question you must. If you follow human dogma that doesn't match Jesus' teachings, you're on religious quicksand without the lifeline of God's saving truth.

You can check in nearly any Bible help or encyclopedia to verify several fundamental facts:

• Easter cannot be found in Scripture.
• Easter was never instituted by God.
• Easter was never sanctioned by Jesus Christ.
• Easter was never taught by Christ's apostles.
• Easter was never observed by the early New Testament Church.

Easter sunrise vs. the book of John

You can also check your Bible and see for yourself that a fundamental part of the Easter celebration—that Jesus rose at sunrise on Sunday morning—is a fallacy disproved by the Bible. Easter cannot commemorate Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday morning because Jesus was already resurrected and gone from the tomb well before sunrise! Read it yourself!

John 20:1-2 tells us: "Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, 'They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him'" (emphasis added throughout).

Notice that when Mary Magdalene went to Jesus' tomb while it was still dark—before the sun had risen—she saw that the stone had already been rolled away from the tomb's entrance, revealing it to be empty. She immediately ran to Peter and John, excitedly complaining that someone had surreptitiously removed Jesus' body from the tomb.

Both Peter and John ran to Jesus' tomb; John arrived first (verses 3-4). He looked into the tomb but didn't enter until after Peter did. Both saw Jesus' burial linens and head covering lying there. Neither one of them had understood that Jesus would rise from the dead (verses 5-9).

Mary returned and shed tears that Jesus' body was no longer there. Reluctantly she took one last look into the tomb, and to her surprise, saw two angels in white sitting at the head and foot of where Jesus' body had been. The angels asked her why she was crying. She told them that someone had taken Jesus' body away. She then turned and saw a man whom she assumed to be the gardener. She asked him to tell her where Jesus' body was (verses 11-15).

In His unique way, Jesus addressed her by name. Immediately she recognized His voice and only then did she know who it was.

Remember, it was not daylight yet. There was no group of people waiting for the sun to rise in order to honor Jesus' resurrection from the dead. John's account—and remember, he and Peter were the first two apostles to come to the tomb—plainly shows that Jesus was not resurrected at sunrise on Sunday morning.

Easter sunrise vs. the book of Matthew

Matthew's account of Jesus' resurrection confirms that He was already risen from the dead well before the time of sunrise, the moment celebrated by modern Christians in Easter sunrise services. Both John and Matthew give minor details not covered in the other's account.

Matthew states: "Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb" where Jesus was laid. At that time there was a great earthquake, and an angel descended and rolled back the stone from the door (Matthew 28:1-2).

The guards, stationed there to prevent the stealing of Jesus' body, shook with fear and looked like dead men. The angel addressed the women: "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold I have told you" (verses 4-7).

Matthew confirms at least two things about Jesus' resurrection: First, it was beginning to dawn when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to His tomb, yet still dark outside. Second, the angel told them that Christ had already risen, which meant that He rose sometime before this period, certainly not at sunrise on Sunday morning.

This makes good sense since Jesus told the religious leaders of His day that He would spend three days and three nights in the tomb. He called this the sign of the prophet Jonah, since Jonah had spent three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish that swallowed him (Matthew 12:39-40).

This statement from Jesus alone disproves another myth about Easter, that Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and resurrected on Easter Sunday. Try as you might, there is no way to fit three days and three nights between a hurried late Friday burial and a Sunday morning resurrection.

At most, this scenario only allows for a tiny part of two days (a few minutes each on Friday at sunset and Sunday at sunrise) and another full day (Saturday), plus Friday night and Saturday night—leaving us more than a day and a night short of what Jesus Himself foretold!

Jesus could not have been resurrected on Sunday morning at daybreak since the only sign He gave to His disciples that He truly was the Messiah was the sign of Jonah. Again, as Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights, so Jesus spent that same amount of time in the tomb or grave. You can see the detailed proof for yourself in our free booklets Jesus Christ: The Real Story and Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Observe?

Is it only harmless tradition?

Easter is not simply a harmless man-made religious tradition that supposedly replaces the Passover because a church or some group of clerics said it does. The fact remains that any religious tradition that does not agree with what Scripture reveals about Jesus' death or resurrection cannot represent Him.

But that's not the worst part. Easter's origins—and you can verify this yourself with a little research—actually long predate Christianity. Its strange symbols (what do eggs and rabbits have to do with Christ's death and resurrection?), its timing (in the spring of the year), its most notable custom (worshipping at sunrise) and even its name all go back to the worship of pagan fertility gods and goddesses.

God's Word is very clear as to how He views adapting pagan customs and practices to worshipping Him. He explicitly commands His people not to copy religious practices used to worship other gods (Deuteronomy 12:29-32). He calls such practices abominations and emphatically states, "You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way"!

When we weigh Easter in the balance, it is clearly found wanting. It isn't found in Scripture, the way it is celebrated conflicts with basic biblical facts, and it is directly traceable to ancient pre-Christian pagan practices.

In contrast, what can we learn about Passover?

Passover: A memorial of Jesus' death on our behalf

Every professing Christian believes that Jesus Christ died as the Savior of humankind, for our sins. But how many know why He died?

Much of modern Christianity tells people they have nothing more to do than give their hearts to Jesus and accept His blood for their sins. They reason that since human beings are imperfect sinners and Jesus' blood covers their sins, there's nothing more to do but simply accept these facts. Many professing Christians also assume that if a Christian believes he or she is required to strive to obey God in any way, then he or she is denying Jesus as Savior.

But does the Bible support this outlook?

The apostle Paul addresses this subject in Romans 6:1-2: "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" He goes on to say: "For he who has died has been freed from sin...Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts" (verses 7, 12).

Paul also explained that Jesus is our Passover who shed His sinless blood to cover the sins of humankind (1 Corinthians 5:7). He wrote that Jesus Himself explained the meaning of the Passover symbols of unleavened bread and wine—that they represent His body bruised and broken for us and His blood shed to pay the penalty for our sins.

"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'

"In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes" (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

Paul's clear teaching is that Jesus' death is symbolized by the Passover, and we who accept His shed blood should no longer live in sin, giving in to the lusts of our selfish nature. We are most certainly saved by grace through faith, but we are also required to honor God by our works, based on God's Ten Commandments (Ephesians 2:8-10; Matthew 19:17). Faith must be accompanied by works, for faith without works is dead (James 2:14, 17, 24, 26).

The Passover has great meaning for Christians, being as current and relevant today as it was when Jesus instituted its symbols and told His followers, "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them" (John 13:17).

Summing up the comparisons

Finally, let's review how Easter and Passover compare and differ.

Jesus observed the Passover, not Easter, with His apostles, instructing them to continue to observe it and teach it to the Church and declaring that when He returns, He will observe it again with His true followers (Matthew 26:26-29).

Easter, even the very name, finds its origins in the worship of an ancient fertility goddess, Ishtar (or Ashtoreth as she was called in Israel during Bible times—1 Kings 11:5, 33; 2 Kings 23:13). She was worshipped in many ancient nations, which helps explain the origins of the Easter egg, a fertility symbol associated with this goddess (Alexander Hislop, The Two Babylons, 1959, pp. 103, 109).

There was another church that emerged after the early New Testament Church, one that began as an alternative to the original Jewish-Christian church of Jerusalem. Over time it appeased, negotiated, reconciled and pacified the pagans into accepting a nominal form of Christianity; and by replacing the Bible's religious observances with popular idolatrous celebrations, it merged paganism and Christianity into a new religion (p. 105). You can learn more of the story in our free booklet The Church Jesus Built.

Regardless of how many well-meaning people celebrate Easter, they cannot legitimize a religious holiday that doesn't represent or belong to Christ. If a billion people do something wrong, it's still wrong.

Easter, the very name of which comes from an ancient goddess of fertility, denies the Savior it claims to honor. Jesus would never have sanctioned or observed it since doing so would have broken some of the very commands He inspired to be recorded in Scripture. And had Jesus sinned in this way, we would not have a Savior.

The command to observe Passover is one of the inexorable laws of God, given to human beings to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ, in spirit and truth (Matthew 26:17-29; John 4:23-24).

Passover entails God "passing over" human beings in meting out the justice of death for people's sins (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 Peter 1:18-19). God passed over Israel when He sent the death angel to kill all the firstborn of the land of Egypt (Exodus 12:27), which is a type of what He does for Christians today. Passing over Israel spared the lives of their firstborn; passing over Christians spares the "church of the firstborn" (Hebrews 12:23), ultimately freeing them from death.

Jesus then is our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7). Christians keep Christ's Passover festival because it reminds them that if it weren't for the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we would surely die—forever. Jesus shed His blood for humanity, and those who accept His shed blood, while following God's holy and righteous law (Romans 7:12), are promised an abundant life now and everlasting life later.

With God, timing and meaning are important. God is always on time, and He does nothing without life-giving meaning. Easter does neither.

Easter is a widely known man-made tradition. It stands against the true Jesus Christ and His teachings. Such departure from what He taught came early in Church history. The apostle Paul wrote to certain Christians, lamenting, "For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!" (2 Corinthians 11:4). Many still do!

Remember that sin is the breaking of God's laws. The observance of Easter is contrary to God's laws (Deuteronomy 12:29-32); Passover observance is part of God's law (Leviticus 23:1-5).

Elijah demanded of the Israelites, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him" (1 Kings 18:21). Though God is patient, He commands all men everywhere to repent of their sins (Acts 17:30).

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Neither He nor God the Father replaced the Passover with Easter. When you honestly compare and contrast Easter with Passover, there should be no question as to which one God desires you to observe.

Either we obey God or we don't. He sanctioned the true Christian Passover and not the pre-Christian and man-made tradition called Easter. Are you willing to follow what He says? GN

Related Resources

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The Passover Memorial

The Plain Truth About Easter
Has it ever occurred to those stuffing their faces with Easter ham that Jesus would puke at the thought? Neither Jesus or Peter, James or John ever ate forbidden foods. They wouldn't feel too comfortable at plenty of people's dinner tables.