POINTS OF TRUTH CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES

Newsletter

Crusade Church of God

For Such a Time as This

By: Larry R. Lasiter

Are we now in the time of the end as prophesied in the Bible? Critics are quick to point out that for thousands of years people have mistakenly believed that they were living in the last days. Throughout history, certain events have triggered anxious expectation for the imminent return of Jesus Christ. Some have even sold homes, quit jobs, etc. being convinced that the time of Christ was then at hand.

With that said, the Bible does give us signs that would let us know when the time of the end would be. Jesus prophesied in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 that there would be natural disasters, wars and famines during this time period.

As I mentioned earlier, men have always believed that they were living in the end-time, but notice carefully what Jesus foretold- " Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved." (Matt. 24:22)

The Devil has always been able to stir up the nations to war against one another, but only in the time of the end would mankind possess the weaponry capable of literally destroying ALL LIFE on our planet. The stockpile of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons the nations have amassed could destroy the earth many times over! We find ourselves living in a very special time, a time like there has never been before.

Although for thousands of years people have lived, worked and fought wars here on the earth, there has been dramatic changes in the last century. For thousands of years very little changed in the way people lived, traveled and fought their wars. But in the last 150 years KNOWLEDGE, TRANSPORTATION and TECHNOLOGY has increased at a breathtaking rate. And today, with science in the computer age, technology is escalating daily at a break-neck speed.

Still living today are people who have witnessed transportation go from horses to jet planes.

They have seen the day when they had no refrigerators, air conditioning, indoor plumbing, television and even electricity. And they have seen this day, a time when one can travel anywhere in the world in a matter hours. And also see a time when nuclear war could annihilate the inhabitants of the earth at any moment.

The technological advances that have taken place in the last century have changed the complexion of the world, and have changed it forever.

This was prophesied to happen in the last days by the Prophet Daniel, notice- "But Daniel keep this prophecy a secret; seal it so that it will not be understood until the end times, when TRAVEL and EDUCATION shall be VASTLY INCREASED." (Daniel 12:4 Living Bible)

So we find that these prophecies pertaining to the end-time would be sealed to ensure that they would not be understood until the last days. In those days travel and education would be vastly increased.

It is very clear that there has been momentous changes in travel and education just as Daniel foretold.

And again, we see that we are living in a very special time, a time like there has never been before.

The Bible gives other signs that we are now living in the last days, Notice what Paul prophesied to Timothy,- "You may as well know this too, Timothy, that in the LAST DAYS it is going to be very difficult to be a Christian. For people will LOVE ONLY THEMSELVES and their MONEY; they will be proud and boastful, SNEERING AT GOD, thoroughly bad. They will be disobedient to their parents. They will be hardheaded and never give in to others; they will be constant liars and troublemakers and will think nothing of IMMORALITY. They will be rough and cruel, and SNEER AT THOSE WHO TRY TO BE GOOD. They will betray their friends; they will be hotheaded, puffed up with pride, and prefer good times to worshiping God. They will go to church, yes, but they won't really believe anything they hear." (2 Timothy 3:1-5 Living Bible)

As Paul prophesied, in the last days people would become "lovers of themselves." Children would be "disobedient to their parents". Certainly, this is being fulfilled today. Paul said that people would be IMMORAL. Isn't it fashionable to have your own definition of morality today? People convince themselves that morality comes from their own minds rather than the Word of God. The belief that truth is absolute has been replaced by the belief that it is relative to circumstance and culture.

Again, we see that we are living in a special time, a time like no other since the beginning,- truly these are the last days of Satan's reign.

WHY ARE WE HERE,- NOW?

Throughout history, God predestined the birth of certain people for a specific appointed time. "For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For THIS VERY PURPOSE I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the earth." (Romans 9:17)

"And as He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should BE BORN BLIND? Jesus answered, "It is neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but IT WAS IN ORDER THAT THE WORKS OF GOD MIGHT BE DISPLAYED IN HIM." (John 9:1-3) Obviously God had planned this man's birth and even planned his blindness and healing, and had predestined that he should come into the world at the time Jesus was fulfilling His ministry.

In the case of Jeremiah God said, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5)

The Apostle Paul said,- "But when He who had SET ME APART, EVEN FROM MY MOTHER'S WOMB, and called me through His grace, WAS PLEASED TO REVEAL HIS SON in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles." (Galatians 1:15-16)

CHRISTIANS ARE VESSELS OF MERCY PREPARED BEFOREHAND TO RECEIVE JESUS, THE PROMISED SEED

"What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience VESSELS OF WRATH prepared for destruction? And He did so in order that He might make known the riches of His glory upon VESSELS OF MERCY, which HE PREPARED BEFOREHAND for glory, EVEN US, whom He also CALLED." (Romans 9:22-24)

"He chose us in Him (Jesus) BEFORE the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love, He PREDESTINED US to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will." (Ephesians 1:4-5)

"We have obtained an inheritance, having been PREDESTINED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE who works all things after the counsel of His will." (Verse 11)

I believe we can conclude that every person whom God has used, or will use in this age, in order to fulfill His divine purpose, was foreknown of God and was born into this world at a specific appointed time. (This is not say however, that man does not possess his own free will.)

I have concluded that if you are a Christian, having been called by the Father to receive Jesus, the Promised Seed through the agency of the holy spirit,- then your time of birth was not mere chance.

When the fulness of time had come, your heavenly Father sent you into the world. Then at an appointed time He made Himself knowable to you, offering to form Christ in you, the Seed of life through the power of the holy spirit.

Since God knew you before the foundation of the earth, He also let many of you endure difficult and painful times before He made your calling known to you. For reasons only God can answer, he chose to let some of you suffer before conversion, as He let the man born blind endure his affliction for many years before He healed him.

In this sense, perhaps you were called to be living martyrs for a period of time that God may receive much glory upon your conversion. Also, there is great power in the testimony of those whom God has delivered of much sin. Concerning a repentant prostitute crying at His feet, Jesus once told a Pharisee that "one who is forgiven much, loves much." So in blessings and sufferings we rejoice and praise our Father and our Savior, knowing that all things work to the good of those who love God.

Now, we Christians find ourselves living during a time like no other, the time the Bible calls the "last days." Again, it was no accident that we were brought into the world for such time as this. A time when the Devil knows he has little time left. A time when Satan will attempt to wear down the patience of the saints. A time when the spiritual forces of darkness are quickly mobilizing their armies for the final attack. A time when the beast will be revealed,- surely he is now alive and preparing for his reign. And a time when even the saints will be given into his hand.

Notice,- "I kept looking and that horn (beast) was waging war with the saints and overpowering them." (Daniel 7:21)

Notice also- "And it was given to him (beast) to make war with the saints and to overcome them." (Rev. 13:7)

Daniel Chapter 11 says that during this time the people who "know their God will perform mighty exploits!" Perhaps God has saved the best for last, Jesus said "many who are last shall be first."

What is sure is that God will have a committed people, mighty in spirit and in works who will have the "right stuff" to face-off with the Devil and his forces at the height of their power. And though many of us will be given into his hand and martyred, we are comforted with the understanding that our true life is safely hidden in Christ and we are ultimately victorious! Notice,- "For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4)

CHRISTIANS ARE SOLDIERS IN GOD'S ARMY

During the recent Vice-Presidential debate Republican nominee Dick Cheney was asked,- "Should U.S. soldiers be used as peacekeepers or warriors?" Cheney quickly answered and said, "warriors!" He went on to say that the purpose of an army,- what it is trained for, is to fight and win wars, not as a peacekeeping force.

As Christians, we are in a fight to the death! Paul told the Ephesian church that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of wickedness. Paul urged the church to be strong in the Lord, notice- "Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil." (Chpt. 6:10-11)

Paul urged young Timothy to "fight the good fight!" We must understand that we are in a fight, and sometimes we get hit. There has never been a Champion fighter who did not get hit. Likewise in warfare there are casualties. Even the victors suffer casualties. As Christians, we cannot expect to never have problems or experience sufferings. But we are still victorious in Jesus because those things which we suffer for Christ's sake perfects us. And we know also that we shall receive an eternal weight of glory for the things which we endure for Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Notice,- "Suffer hardship with me, as a GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST. No soldier in ACTIVE SERVICE entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:3-4)

As a Christian, are you certain that you are in "active service?" Sadly, many whom God has called into service act as though they are in the "reserve."

As soldiers of Christ, let us put aside all which encumbers us, that we might move freely in the spirit.

We must feel a sense of duty, and our mission clear in our minds.

Jesus said to go into all nations and preach the gospel of Christ to every creature, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and the holy spirit, and teach them all that I taught you.

Jesus commissioned us with the Ministry of Reconciliation, Notice,- "Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them , and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore WE ARE AMBASSADORS for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)

Let each one of us carefully examine ourselves to see what encumbers us in fulfilling this ministry. And let us set our minds on the things of God.

WE WILL MOVE IN THE DIRECTION OF OUR MOST DOMINATE THOUGHT

We are presently behind enemy lines and our foe is awesomely powerful, we must allow Jesus, the Captain of our salvation to direct us through the holy spirit. And let our mission be constantly in the forefront of our minds and let our focus and directive be clear.

Notice what Paul told the Lord's soldiers in Corinth,- "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." (2 Cor. 10:3-5)

Notice that Paul assures us that our spiritual weapons are "divinely strong." They are designed for the purpose of "destroying fortresses." WE ARE ABLE! The Devil seeks to engender doubt and anxiety, but he is a liar.

Remember, the End-Time beast will worship a God of "Fortresses." (Daniel 11:38) The devil constantly seeks to build fortresses or strongholds in the lives of people. But we have been given the weaponry to destroy those strongholds. Notice that Paul said that we are to take captive every thought in order to bring it into obedience to Christ. Sin is often a result of not taking a unlawful thought captive.

Notice,- "But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived my beloved brethren." (James 1:14-16)

My friends and brethren, the battle begins at the thresh-hold of our minds, let us always resist Satan's temptations early on. Stop him BEFORE he can lay the foundation for the strongholds of COMPLACENCY, DOUBT, DISCOURAGEMENT, GUILT, TIMIDITY, BITTERNESS, GOSSIP AND SLANDER, HATRED, ENVY, REBELLION, LUST, DISCONTENT, ETC.

IT IS WRITTEN. . .

"No weapon formed against you will prosper." (Isaiah 54:17)

"Greater is He who is in you than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4)

"No one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him and the evil one does not touch him." (1 John 5:18)

"If God is for us, who is against us?" (Romans 8:31)

"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:37)

LET US REJOICE ALWAYS! "For the JOY OF THE LORD is our STRENGTH!" (Nehemiah 8:10)

As mighty soldiers called into the service of the Living God, let us be about our Father's business in destroying the strongholds of the Devil. Let us fight the good fight of faith knowing that our patient endurance in hardships will not only produce the righteous character of God in us, but entitle us to receive an eternal weight of glory. To the Victors go the spoils!

As Ambassadors of Christ, holy Priests sent forth with the Ministry of Reconciliation, let us diligently sow the Word of God. Through the Prophet Haggai, God asked,- "Is the Seed still in the barn?" (Haggai 2:19)

A Seed cannot take root and grow while it is yet in the barn. Let us boldly go forth with the great commission for which we are called. For it is no accident that we find ourselves living FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.

Let us pray

the saints of god march forward on their knees in prayer

The Bible commands us to pray over 250 times.

The Bible reveals the nature, purpose and power of prayer.

Prayer is a Divine invitation. Let us come to God in prayer not only when we are desperately in need.

Prayer should not be a "last resort" but our "first resource."

Prayer is communication between two worlds. It links God with His people. It unites the actions of a holy God with His redeemed people.

A prayer offered in faith, is asking for what God has already provided. Much like being at a meal where all the food is on the table,- "Father, please pass me the potatoes." God has already provided and He has invited us to enter into the provision through prayer.

God loves to fellowship with His people. We have been sanctified by the blood of Jesus. What a high price was paid for God's desire for holy fellowship. We are invited to come empty-handed through the veil, into the holy of holies, the presence of God, because Jesus, our Savior stands at the Mercy Seat with His own precious blood.

God is powerful, He is more than able to meet our needs. And He has pledged to hear our prayer if we walk faithfully before Him. "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry." (Psalms 34:15)

Let us not be as those who seek to communicate with God only when they are in desperate need of intervention. Much like ungrateful children, some cry out to God ONLY when they are in dire need of deliverance. God desires, longs for a personal, intimate time with His saints in prayer. He wants to walk, talk and listen to us as He did with Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden.

A man once bitterly complained that his little brother only called him when he wanted something from him. He said, "It would be nice, if just once, he would call me just to visit." Likewise, God wants His people to have a heart to give as well as receive. Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

God is holy, those who wish to fellowship intimately with Him must be holy,- live holy lives. Sin killed the relationship man once had with God and it will kill ours. We must desire to be holy. If we are in Christ, we have been made holy, let us faithfully remain holy.

Though God welcomes our burdens and is eager to hear and answer our plea, He also wants us to share His burdens. Often, the prophets of old experienced the burden of the Lord which moved them to carry-out the command to deliver the oracle. Let us share the burden the Lord has for the lost and let it motivate us to share the Word of life with them. Let us also share the burden the Lord has for His people who are lukewarm and content to stay in their "comfort zone", and let it motivate us to strengthen and encourage them to rekindle their flame.

Jesus said,- "If you ask anything in My Name, I will do it." God has already provided and He has invited us to enter into that provision through prayer. We need only to pray the cry of David who said,- "I am poor and needy. . .Help me, O Lord my God! . . .That they may know that this is Your Hand,- that You, Lord have done it." (Psalm 109:22-27)

"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17) Sometimes we need to say back to God what God has said to us in Scripture. God says plainly, "I will answer." It builds faith.

Let us come before our heavenly Father humbly and simply. Let us not approach Him complexly or too intellectually. He is God, we are His little ones. Too much intellect or complexity wars against prayer.

Prayer can turn fear in thanksgiving. (2 Chron. 20)

TRENDS of the 21^st CENTURY

Gerald Celente: Trends Research Institute

THE ENERGY REVOLUTION

Of all the changes of the new millennium, none will be greater than the unleashing of new sources of energy to drive engines of commercial power and the machinery of everyday life. The effects upon the structures of mankind will be as revolutionary as those resulting from the discovery of fire and the invention of the wheel. A new Global Age is being born on the ashes of the dying Industrial Age and the fossil fuels that powered it.

THE NEW MILLENNIUM RELIGION

A new major religion, on a scale to rival any of the great world religions from Islam to Christianity, is beginning to take shape even before the new millennium turns. Like those religions before it, the yet unnamed new millennium religion will configure the minds of individuals, form new institutions, and help direct the course of history. The signs of the new religion can be seen in society's quest for what is now being loosely called "spirituality."

COLD WAR 2

The powers of globalization - with its open markets, permeable borders, and multinational military forces and political cabals - will not unify the people of the world under a single banner, ideology, or commonality of purpose. As the new millennium develops, a new "ism" will rise to challenge the open market theology that has dominated since the fall of Soviet Communism. The new "ism" is yet unnamed, but its familiar theme has been the anthem of many movements throughout history.

THE HOME

In the latter half of the 20^th century, as people worked long days and commuted far distances to their jobs, home became the place you hung your hat while recharging for the next work day and recuperating at the end of the work week. But in the new millennium, home will take on a new significance, not only as general headquarters for the new millennium family, but as a place where the spirit can reside. Advances across the spectrum of technology will play a crucial role in the design of the new millennium home.

WAR / MASS DESTRUCTION

Though there will be many changes in the new millennium, an end to war will not be one of them. World wars will, literally, go global, as the ravages of battle observe no boundaries and the forces of destruction take no prisoners. The 21^st century will see at least one major World War of Weapons of Mass Destruction, pitting mighty superpowers against determined cadres of new millennium warriors. Disguised as dogma and doctrine, organized campaigns by one group of people to kill another group of people for political ends and economic means will continue.

NEW MILLENNIUM FAMILY

Shifting work and lifestyles have begun to change the profile of the family. As new family characteristics become apparent, they will upset the guardians of social structures and confuse the members of a society in transition. The new freestyle 21^st century family will be viewed in the broadest of its dictionary definitions.

THE NEW POLITICS

Disgusted with a two party system that denies real choice, despairing of the blatant arrangement that puts bought-and-paid-for politicians in office, the newly emboldened by the Internet's promise to return power to the people, a citizen revolt will bring about a political revolution. Previously discounted as simple voter apathy, the ongoing string of record low voter turnouts that accelerated in the 1990's will reach levels of absurdity over the next 10 years.

VIRTUAL EDUCATION

The Global Age educational system, like so many new millennium structures, will incorporate the best of the old and the best of the new, to create a hardier hybrid. In tomorrow's computer-powered education system the only pages that will carry over from the Industrial Age's guidebook will be the chapter on "one teacher, many students." Unlike in the days of brick-and-mortar schoolhouses, when students assembled in the centralized location.

Where did we get Christmas?

Did Christmas Observance Come From the Bible?

Or Does It's Observance Predate Jesus Christ?

Was Christ Ever Really In Christmas?

By: Larry R. Lasiter

There is no holiday more universally accepted as a religious occasion than the observance of Christmas. Professing Christians and non-Christians alike observe the pageantry of the Yule season.

It's Observance Predates Christ

But did you know that thousands of years before Christ, -before there was ever anyone called a "Christian", -people went out into the forests and cut down evergreen trees? They trimmed the branches, brought the trees into their homes, nailed them down and decorated them with gold and silver ornaments. They exchanged gifts, sent greeting cards, played games, sang merry songs and feasted with a happy festive seasonal spirit? Although the celebration lasted for days, the chief day was December 25th. All of this took place annually long before the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus was not the central focus of this festival. In fact, He was not in it at all. Nor was the God Jesus called His Father.

Why Do We Do What We Do?

Why do we find ourselves following such customs? Why do "Christians" observe a festival that predates Christ? Why are these things a part of modern Christianity today? Where did they really come from?

Let's stop and think for a moment. Very few of us ever reflect on why we believe what we do, -why we follow the customs we do.

We rarely examine the origins of those customs. And sometimes when we do and are surprised, -we still often think it doesn't really matter because, after all, most everyone else we know is doing it. And in the case of Christmas observance, practically the whole world celebrates it, right?

We Must Learn to Question

The fact is, you and I were born into a world filled with customs and traditions, and we grew up accepting them without question.

Christmas is one of those most of us accepted without question. Partly because of its outward appearance and its universal acceptance by the Christian Churches. It looks good on the outside, -it claims to honor the God of the Bible and Jesus Christ. Yet there is no command to observe it given to the children of Israel in the Old Testament, nor is it found among the followers of Christ in the New Testament.

Jesus told the Pharisees (Leaders of a Jewish Religious sect) in Matthew 23 that it was not enough to be clean on the outside. Jesus told them that they were like "dirty cups" which were clean outwardly but were filthy on the inside. And that they must clean the inside as well in order to be pleasing to God. Likewise, our worship of God must be pure and in truth inside and out,- as God gives understanding,

Why Do Non-Christians Observe Xmas?

Let me pose this question, -"If Christmas gets its roots from Christianity, -then why do so many Non-Christians observe it?"

Virtually every people on this planet have holidays that are important to their cultures but not to everyone else. So why is it that Christmas is so important to so many non-Christians cultures? Maybe because many of these cultures observed the same customs connected with what is called "CHRIST-mas" today, long before the birth of Christ.

Although the observance of Christmas is much older than the 2000 years of the Christian era, let's examine how it made its way into being a "Christian" holiday.

The Encyclopedia Britannica says -"Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the (Christian) Church." It was not instituted by Christ or the Apostles, or by Bible authority. It was picked up from Pagan worship.

The Encyclopedia Americana says, -"Christmas, according to many authorities, was not celebrated in the first centuries of the Christian Church...In the fifth century the Western (Catholic) Church ordered it to be celebrated forever on the DAY OF THE OLD ROMAN FEAST OF THE BIRTH OF SOL, (Roman Sun-god) as no certain knowledge of the day of Christ's birth existed."

Did you notice that these recognized historical authorities reveal that Christmas was not observed by Christians for the first 300 to 400 years after the Church was established. It was not until the fifth century that the Roman Catholic Church ordered it to be celebrated as an official Christian festival.

Since Christmas as a Christian holiday came from the declaration of the Roman Catholic Church, -let's see what they have to say about it first hand.

From the Catholic Encyclopedia, -"Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church...the first evidence of the feast is from Egypt...Pagan customs centering around the January calends gravitated to Christmas."

Any encyclopedia or any other historical authority will tell you that Christ was not born on December 25th. The Catholic Encyclopedia, which is published by the very Church that brought it's observance into Christianity, frankly states that the birth of Jesus is not known.

From the Encyclopedia Britannica 15th edition, -"Christmas customs are an evolution from times that LONG ANTEDATE the Christian period -a descent from seasonal, pagan, religious and national practices, hedged about with legend and tradition." You can't put "BACK IN" what was "NEVER IN", and Jesus was never in the ancient pagan festival we now call Christmas.

It reminds me of Isaiah 29 as quoted by Jesus in Matthew 15:8-11, -"This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as their doctrines the precepts of Men."

Jesus likely born in the Fall

While the Bible does not expressly tell us the date of Jesus' birth, there are reasons to believe it occurred in the fall of the year. We know that Jesus was crucified in the spring, at the time of the Passover.(John 18:39) Figuring His ministry as lasting 3½ years,(Book of John mentions Jesus keeping 3 passovers) this would place the beginning of His ministry in the fall. At that time he was about thirty years old (Luke 3:23). Which was the recognized age for a man to become an official minister under the Law.(Numbers 4:3). So if Jesus turned thirty years of age in the fall, then His birthday was in the fall of the year, thirty years earlier.

Winter Festival Kept 2000 years B.C.

The fact that this winter festival was being observed more than 2000 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, and that those observing it were pagans honoring the re-birth of the SUN-GOD, proves that the origin of this festival can in no way be rightly associated with the birth of Jesus Christ which occurred thousands of years later.

Israel Told Not to Learn Their Ways

It is important to understand that the chosen people of God were commanded to not even learn how the nations around them worshiped their gods. When God began working with a certain people, the children of Israel , and began to make Himself knowable to them, He gave them many commandments to live by, among them was the command to not corrupt themselves by practicing the religious traditions of the pagan nations around them. ("pagan" is simply a term used to identify any one or people that worship contrary to the God of Israel)

Even though it wasn't called "Christmas", this winter festival with the same traditions practiced today was being observed by the pagan nations surrounding Israel. That is why God specifically warned them to worship Him only in the way He commands, and not seek to honor Him by practicing the traditions of the pagan nations to please Him.

Notice Deuteronomy 12:29-32, -"When the Lord your God cuts off before you the nations (pagan nations) which you are going to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, BEWARE that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying -"How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?" You shall not behave thus toward the Lord your God...(Verse 32) Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add or take away from it."

Now notice Jeremiah 10:2-4, -"Thus says the Lord, Do not learn the way of the nations; and do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens, although the nations are terrified by them." There was fear surrounding the observance of the winter solstice...the days were getting shorter and shorter and the sun seemed to be getting weaker with each passing day. At this time fires were kindled and candles lit to encourage the "NEWBORN SUN-GOD" to give forth his light and warmth. Sun-worshipers believed this time to be the re-birth of the sun, -the birthday of the sun-god.

As the days began to get a little longer each day, it was seen as a sign of the re-birth and an occasion for rejoicing and merrymaking. The "terrifying signs" referred to in Jeremiah 10:2, -that of the sun dying, which was replaced by the appearance of its seeming re-birth as the days became longer.

Continuing in Jeremiah 10 notice verses 3 and 4, -"For the customs of the peoples are delusion (vain); for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not."

Doesn't this sound like the perfect description of the Christmas tree? God plainly calls this the way of the pagans and a custom of the people, doesn't He? And God commands His people to not worship Him in the way the pagan nations worship their gods, doesn't He? Isn't that what He commanded in Deuteronomy 12?

Those who claim that Jeremiah 10 is referring only to a pagan idol and not to a tree, fail to realize that the evergreen tree was considered sacred by many ancient peoples as a symbol of eternal life. The fact remains that Jeremiah 10 states that men went into the forest, cut down trees, propped them up so they wouldn't fall and decked them with silver and gold ornaments. These round ornaments represented images of the sun-god.

Honestly, doesn't it seem strange to you to erect a tree in a prominent place in your home, lavishly adorn it, crown it with a star and lay gifts at its feet? Ever wonder why gifts are laid at the feet of this object standing so proudly in your home? Doesn't it stand to reason that this custom originated from the ancient practice of giving an offering to an image of a pagan god?

Evergreen Trees Were Used in Pagan Worship

Notice Deuteronomy 12:2, -"You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve their god, on the high mountains and on the hills and UNDER EVERY GREEN TREE."

We find here that the pagan nations worshiped their gods on high mountains, on hills and under every green tree.

The evergreen tree was considered sacred and holy because it remained green throughout the winter, not becoming bare and lifeless as the other trees. It was believed to possess eternal life.

Clearly, God does not desire a PLACE made for these things He calls an abomination to Him.

Are you making a PLACE in YOUR HOME for these practices?

Can you be sure God is pleased with you attempting to worship Him in this way? Shouldn't you study to learn the truth BEFORE you continue to seek to honor the great God of all things in this manner? And hasn't God warned us to be careful in how we worship Him?

Is it safe to assume that because we place the name of Christ on this ancient holiday today that it makes it pure and acceptable to God?

In John Chapter one, we find that in the beginning was the WORD, and the Word was WITH GOD, and the WORD WAS GOD. Verse 3 says that ALL THINGS came into being BY HIM, the WORD. Verses 6 -8 reveal that John the Baptist witnessed that this Jesus was indeed the same Personage as the WORD, and was the God that spoke to Noah, Abraham, Moses and the Prophets of old. Jesus was God the Son, the very WORD of God before He came in the flesh. And verse 10 reveals that the world itself was created through Him.

There is a God the Father, but no man has actually seen Him yet, as we find in verse 18.(although the Apostle John did see Him in a vision years later in Revelation 21)

But the great and awesome God that thundered the Ten Commandments from Mt. Sinai, was none other than who we call Jesus today, before He came to earth in the form of mortal man. And it was He that commanded His servants to write the Scriptures we quoted earlier in this article, which strictly forbids worshiping Him with ancient pagan customs and traditions. Isn't it ironic and shameful that people today place His holy and righteous name on festivals He, Himself, as the Lord that spoke to Moses called an abomination?

Notice Philippians 2:5-8, -"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men, and being found in the appearance of man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

Notice also Jesus' own words in John 17:4-5, -"I glorified Thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which Thou hast given Me to do. And now glorify Thou Me together with Thyself, FATHER, with the glory which I had with Thee BEFORE the world was."

Jesus Hates Pagan Religious Festivals

Jesus, the God we read about in the Old Testament found these pagan religious observances abominable! He strictly commanded His people to not worship Him with the same customs they used. He clearly never wanted His name associated in any way with this idolatrous worship.

Today we find the same religious practices in the "Christian world". They have attached God's holy name to it once again. The very name God the Son used while living a perfect life in the flesh, Jesus Christ.

Is there some chance that He changed His mind over the years? That He no longer hates those ancient religious traditions? Perhaps though it was once unacceptable to worship Him with those ancient pagan customs, -it's acceptable today? Why don't we just let the Bible itself answer this question, since it is the "Word of God", and the "Word of God IS JESUS."

Notice Hebrews 13:8-9, -"Jesus Christ is the SAME YESTERDAY, and TODAY, yes and FOREVER. Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings."

Aren't we "carried away by strange teachings" when we celebrate the so-called birth of Christ by (1) Putting a TREE in our home? (2) Decking it with silver and gold ornaments, lights and crowning it with a crown or star? (3) Laying gifts at its feet? (4) Burning a "YULE LOG"? (Yule is an ancient god of the Vikings) (5) Teaching our children the lie that a "jolly old man called "Santa" brings all the nice children gifts? (Did you ever notice that "S-A-N-T-A" re-arranged spells out the word "S-A-T-A-N"?) Perhaps because it is really him that is behind this ancient observance God finds detestable.

Now what do all these customs have to do with the birth of our Lord and Savior? How "strange" it is indeed that God's weekly Sabbath day and commanded Holy Day observances instructed in Leviticus 23, would be totally forgotten or ignored, and replaced by the very religious practices God warned against even learning about. And then to attach His righteous, holy name to it, -CHRISTmas, is an insult of the first degree.

Lies Connected with Christmas

There are many lies surrounding the modern observance of Christmas. Among them is that it is the birthday of Jesus, that Santa Claus brings all the good children gifts on this day, that it is even a Christian holiday, when non-Christians the world over observe it.

When our children ask, -"What does the tree represent?" What are they told? When they ask about putting gifts under a tree, tree ornaments, mistletoe, the wreath on the door and how all this fits in honoring the birth of Jesus, what are they told? Please study this subject, my friends, so that you can be truthful with your children.

It's very important for our children to know that we are truthful to them. After finding out the truth about Santa Claus, one little boy made the statement that he was going to check into "this Jesus business too." You see, he felt hurt and betrayed by his parents and the society around him. If adults would lie to him about the existence of a jolly old man called Santa, then why wouldn't they lie about a man called Jesus?

God Must Be Worshiped in Truth

Notice John 4:23-24, -"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the TRUE WORSHIPER shall worship the Father in spirit and TRUTH; for SUCH PEOPLE the Father SEEKS to be HIS WORSHIPERS. God is spirit; and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and TRUTH."

One cannot worship the true God outside of TRUTH. And what TRUTH is there in the observance of this WINTER SOLSTICE festival we call Christmas today?

The truth is, that the observance of this holiday came not from God, but from pagans honoring their sun-god.

Jesus Christ was never in its observance, whether as God the Son in the Old Testament, or as Jesus, the Son of God in the New Testament.

And what becomes abundantly clear...is that it DOES MATTER to God whether or not it is observed.

The important question for you is, -"DOES IT MATTER TO YOU?"

The Room

By: Joshua Harris

  In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that listed titles by author or subject in alphabetical order.

But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I Have Liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the name written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and began exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I Have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed At." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled At My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger," "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my sixteen years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth.

Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my own signature. When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.

When I came to file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room I have to destroy them!"

In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. It's size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to it's slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried.

I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.

No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.

I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards.

I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally, He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things.

But He didn't say a word.

He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files.

Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file, and one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.

"No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was, "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards.

But there it was written in red so rich, so dark, so alive.

The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.

He place His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door.

There were still cards to be written.

FEAST COMMENTS

Feast of Tabernacles 2000 Yorktown bay

October 14 - 21, 2000

"In my 31 years of going to the Feast of Tabernacles I feel deprived of significant praise and worship singing except for the last Feast. For the last 13 years I have been aware of its importance, but had given up thinking I would find it! Thank You." Herb Solinsky, Texas

"This was powerful! Brother Larry, you just cannot understand what has happened here. . .it is only the beginning. What a report I have to take back to the brethren in Kenya!" Pastor Joseph Kimani, E. Africa

"Howdy Brother, boy what a Feast! Thank you so much for allowing God to work in a MIGHTY! . .WAY!" Mike & Diane Stevens, Texas

"Looking forward to seeing you all and sharing by email the AWESOME and Spiritually moving Feast we have ever been blessed to attend." Mike Kirk, Illinois

"Thanks for hearing the Lord and going forth! Jerry & Joanna Boston, Arkansas.

"I had never understood the power of praise, until now." Domenica Gordon, Arkansas

"Thanks for making this Feast the greatest of my life! It's my 15^th going on my 1st!"Dustin McNeese, Arkansas

"I am still FEAST HIGH! My best ever! Wish there was one next week, I would be there early." Harold Dickson, Kentucky

"I want to thank you for a wonderful, uplifting and encouraging Feast. Matt was talking about getting baptized for a while before the Feast. On the first day he was so inspired that he decided to get baptized at the Feast!. . .God's presence was definitely felt!" Tracy Coco, Texas

We had five baptisms at Yorktown Bay, Feast 2000

Email: lasiter@pointsoftruth.com