A GOOD REPORT JUL-SEP 2025
The Inside Man | Brandon Buil - page 6 Stop Making Excuses | Mike Dickson - page 14 Fasting: A Tool for Righteousness | Casey Monson- page 18
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Contributors
Cover Art Olivia Nelson
Writers Peter Schexnayder Brandon Buil Brad Nelson Larry Alverio Mike Dickson Greg Kaidannek Casey Monson Nepie Benitez
Editor in Chief S. Monson Executive Editor G. Kaidannek Managing Editor P. Schexnayder
Editors L. Kaidannek L. Alverio J. Fritts
Why This Magazine?
This magazine takes inspiration from two key passages in scripture: Mark 1:14-15 and Philippians 4:8. The first passage shares the greatest news ever proclaimed —THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM—
while the second encourages a life that reflects those values and is pleasing to God. The Worldwide Church of God (WCG) produced a magazine called The Good News, which aimed to provide valuable support and encouragement to those seeking the path to eternal life, while also proclaiming the good news of God’s soon-coming Kingdom. In the same spirit, A Good Report, published by the Church of God Assembly (CGA), seeks to carry on this commission, offering insight and encouragement to both our members and visitors. We trust you will find each issue informative, helpful and inspiring.
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Evolution: A Counterfeit of Kinds Peter Schexnayder
God created all life with purpose rather than by random chance. Evolution robs mankind of his understanding of God’s ultimate plan, because man’s “kind” is God.
T he term “evolution” has fully permeated society. Not only is it taught as a foundational fact of life and has become the basis for most educational textbooks, but the term is used to describe any progression outside that of natural life. Sports have even “evolved.” Consider the pole vault or gymnastics which have both advanced substantially since the first modern Olympics in 1896. Maybe you have read about the “evolution” of tech- nology like the microprocessor? Or perhaps you have heard about the “evolution” of traditional courtship as compared to modern app-based dating. The theory of evolution, or the idea that life came from non-life and improves and diversifies through random mutations, can be difficult to avoid. Very little in the world of modern science, health, or psychology exists outside the concept. In fact, the Bible teaches us that evolution is not the answer for where life comes from or where it is going. Rather, the Bible clearly explains that God created life in discrete bundles. He called these bundles - “kinds.” But why should we care? Why do we need to differen - tiate between evolution and kinds? The answer may be more important than you think. A Kind The Creation account in Genesis 1 records that God created the creatures upon the Earth “according to their kind,” and that God later collected pairs of each “kind” on Noah’s Ark, to preserve them. A “kind,” then, is exactly what it sounds like. It is a kind, or type, of animal. The question lies in how spe- cific or general these “kinds” are, whether there is a “rodent kind” or separate “kinds” for rats, squirrels, and beavers. We don’t know how precisely these were divided, but we do have some clues from The Flood account.
Firstly, we are given the dimensions of the Ark. While the exact size of a cubit is known to vary, using a stan- dard of 18 inches we can see that the base of the ark was just shy of 40,000 square feet, almost an acre. The Gen- esis account tells us there were “lower, 2nd, and 3rd decks” which represents three acres of space, for liv- ing quarters, food, and animal storage, including sev- en pairs of all clean animals (for clean animals review Leviticus 11 & Deuteronomy 14). We would be hard pressed to find a local zoo as small. Certainly, “kinds” are not individual species of animal. On the other hand, we can know that “kinds” are more specific than “bird.” We know this because Noah had both doves and ravens on the Ark, and sent one of each out to check for dry land. We understand what a “kind” is, and very roughly what types of kinds there would have been. Certainly, there is great biodiversity within each “kind”, as what few animals were on the Ark became the great variety of creatures we find on the Earth today.
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Our Origins The concept of evolution, of single-celled life coming from non-life and then exploding into all living things, is very old. In his June 1963 Plain Truth article“The Evolution of The Theory of Evolution,” L. E. Torrence traces the idea from the Greek philosopher Thales over centuries, from the 600s B.C. through to today. It was Thales who “taught that living things developed from […] slime under the influence of heat,” a sentiment still echoed today. Yes, this theory existed centuries before Christ was born. At its core, the theory of evolution tries to explain how life came from non-life. Many intelligent people throughout history have grabbed hold of this idea in an attempt to prove it. We might remember the famous Miller-Urey experiment, in which the titular scientists attempted to show that some of the very simplest build- ing blocks of life can be created from just the right blend of chemicals, in just the right conditions, with just the right amount of electricity – which they pro- posed could have happened at one point in prehistoric times. Though touted as a massive success in a case study still taught in grade schools everywhere, oxygen was purposefully omitted from the experiment prohib- iting the formation of any organic molecules. Oxygen– the substance almost all living creatures need to live. Ridiculous! Living things do not have common ancestors, but a common Creator Evolution purports to tell us that all life came from nothing, and then became everything, from a single common ancestor. Yet God’s word, the Bible, records categories of creatures according to their kind, thus, no physical common ancestor. Rather, they had a common Creator. In John 5:26 it states,“ For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.” God is the author of life, not a blend of chemicals and random chance.
The Natural World Today The dimensions of Noah’s Ark make it impossible for every species on earth to have been preserved. God’s “kinds” must therefore hold within them incredible di- versity. One of the ways we commonly define “kinds” is “creatures which are capable of breeding with one another”, and from this process we see tremendous variation. An example is in dogs, where we see every- thing from tiny chihuahuas to the Great Danes. An important caveat to note: Just because two animals of the same kind are capable of breeding, does not mean that it is wise to do so. For example, a female horse and a male donkey are capable of having offspring but the mule they produce is sterile. The great diversity within kinds can lead to such extreme differences so as to pro - hibit their breeding. One of Charles Darwin’s (considered the father of evo - lution) most famous examples in his book The Origin of Species is that of the Galapagos finches. On the Gala - pagos islands Darwin identifies many different species of finch, each with relatively unique beaks. He believed that these finches all developed different shapes of beak in order to eat different kinds of food so that they would not compete for food sources. Now, this is touted as an incredible example of when random mutation solves a difficult problem like food scarcity. If many varieties of the same bird all eat dif-
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ferent things, then they can all live! But in 2006, an ongoing study of these finches discovered that some of these birds were showing changes in beak size and shape relative to the book’s publication in 1859. In fact, changes in beak shape were shown in 1977 as well, on timescales far too short for evolution, as it is proposed, to happen. What makes far more sense is that God did not cre- ate His kinds willy-nilly, but with incredible precision and forethought. Kinds hold not only many species, but many adaptations within each species which can be triggered by the world around them. It is inconceivable to think that a dozen different kinds of birds, living in the same place at the same time, randomly gravitated to different food sources in a way that just happened to preserve them all. Rather, God’s kinds possess intelli- gent biodiversity that preserves His creation. Evolution would have us believe that unthinking nature just happens to keep life going amidst a dynamic world, but it is God who sustains His entire creation through His power. Colossians 1:17 states,“And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” God created life in such a way that it is able to adjust alongside changes in the world around it and He holds everything together. Our Future and Purpose Not only does the theory of evolution attempt to teach that man came from nothing, but that the random changes which brought the current creatures into exis- tence will continue until man becomes something else. The theory espouses that by degrees, all life is moving towards physical perfection. What this form is, evolutionists cannot agree. Some have pointed to the “fact” that sharks have not really changed forms in millions of years. Others speak of an idea called carcinization, which purports that many different creatures have evolved into crabs, and crabs evolve into nothing further. Are we to one day become crabs? Unlike the animals of God’s creation, God did not cre- ate a “kind” after which we are based. Rather, we are of the God-kind, made in His image and likeness, as stat- ed in Genesis 1:27. Unlike what evolution claims, the God-kind will not achieve perfection in physical form
or by degrees. Rather, it will be an incredible leap. The book of I Corinthians outlines this in the 15th chapter, verses 39 - 45. All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glo - ry of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resur - rection of the dead. The body is sown in corrup - tion, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dis - honor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, ’The first man Adam became a living being.’The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. God made human beings different. We have the “Spirit in Man” which provides both consciousness and a po- tential link to God’s Spirit otherwise incompatible with flesh. Our perfection is to forego physical bodies entire - ly, either through natural death and resurrection or to be dramatically changed from physical into spirit beings as part of the God-kind (see I Cor. 15:51-55). We are indeed made in His image now, but we await a coming transformation. The plan of God reveals to us the route we must take to become like Him, and by His creation, through His “kinds”, His plan for man is made plain. The theory of evolution is not a natural law. This un- proven idea has been around for a long time even pre- dating Jesus Christ. Evolution is the foundation upon which modern mankind’s educational system stands. It is a foundation of sand. One of Darwin’s greatest overlooked stipulations for evolution’s validity lies in the statement that there would be copious evidence of transitional species, or “missing links” found in history. Yet none have ever been found, much less “many”. While there are some who contend that missing links might be found in the fossil record, we should Continued on page 20
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The Inside Man Brandon Buil “Who we are on the inside counts. We must be the same person inside and out. God is transparent, and He expects the same of us!” M ost are familiar with the fable of the Trojan horse. In an effort to breach the impenetrable walls of Troy, the ancient Greeks con- structed a massive wooden horse and presented it as a gift to the Trojan king. In truth, it was a cunning deception. Hidden inside were elite soldiers, poised to strike. Once the horse was brought in - side the city gates, the soldiers emerged under cover of night—and Troy fell. The outward appearance of the “gift” was far different from what was really inside. In times of war, secret agents often use similar tactics. They go undercover, infiltrating organizations to uncover hidden threats. These operatives risk their lives, adopting false identities, perso- nas, and even appearances—all to carry out their mission. They become the “inside man.” Whether we realize it or not, we can also fall into this same pat- tern—leading a double life. That’s why Paul admonishes us in 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” Likewise, Philippians 2:12 urges us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” We may faithfully attend Sabbath services and Holy Days, dressed in our finest, carrying Bibles and wearing warm smiles—but does our outward appearance reflect who we truly are inside? Each one of us must honestly and prayerfully answer that question. Tearing Down Strongholds In 2 Corinthians 10:3–5, Paul writes: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that ex - alteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Strongholds of the mind—what an ominous picture. When I think of strongholds, I’m reminded of video games from
my childhood: an enemy fortress, filled with traps and dangers, where the hero must fight through fireballs, lava pits, and enemy guards to rescue the innocent. Every obsta- cle is designed to protect the villain’s grip. This is similar to how God describes the hu- man mind when it resists His law. We build up our own defenses—strongholds—to shield us from correction. We may think, “What harm can come from thoughts that stay in my head?” or “I’m not hurting anyone.” But the truth is—we are hurting someone: Ourselves. If we don’t actively correct our thinking— bringing every thought into submission to God’s law—we are, knowingly or not, sab- otaging our own spiritual health. Christ magnified the law, revealing that sin begins in the heart and mind. It’s not just murder that condemns, but hate and anger too (see Matthew 5:21–30). These emotions begin as internal thoughts. And those thoughts create a divide between the outer and inner man. As Christians, we strive to walk as Christ walked—obedient to every word of God. But what if we harbor resentment? What if we speak of brotherly love, yet only show kindness to a select few while avoiding oth- ers? Is that how Christ would act? Absolutely not. One reason Christ expanded the law was to show that what resides within eventually surfaces. Luke 6:45 reminds us: A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
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God wants us to internalize His law—to obey, not just in letter, but in spirit. He wants His way of life to become who we are on the inside. If we allow hate or bitterness to linger, we construct a stronghold, brick by brick. It can lead to arguments, gossip, slander—even betrayal or violence. Allowing these strongholds to remain is sin, even if we never act on them outwardly. The sobering reality is that only God knows how many strongholds reside within each of us. That’s why He commands us to tear them down. With His help, we can crucify the old man and replace him with Christ living in us. As Paul said in Galatians 2:20, I am crucified with Christ: neverthe - less I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me... Hold On to Your First Love How we view our calling plays a major role in defeating the inside man. God’s calling is a miracle—a divine intervention. It must never become a hobby or mere tradition. Many in the Church today are second, third, or even fourth-generation Christians. The danger of seeing this way of life as “just something we do” is very real. If we ever find ourselves drifting into apathy, we must return to the foundation. Prove the truth again. Prove this way of life again. We are told to “contend for the faith once delivered” and to “work out our own salva- tion with fear and trembling.” We must live this way not just out of familiarity, but out of deep conviction that this is the way—the only way to true peace, joy, and lasting love. God didn’t need us. He could have remained with the Word and the angels, lacking noth- ing. Yet He created a physical world, estab- lished laws, and formed us—so He could share His glorious way of life.
And yet, how often do people break His laws, reject His truth, or even deny His existence? We must long to serve the God who has done—and continues to do—so much for us. We must want to become like Him: to speak His words, love as He loves, and reflect His mind in all we do. This is our first love. We must never let it fade, no matter how many years it’s been since we were first called. More Than Words Growing up in the Church of God I remember hearing the Young Ambassadors sing, “We Are Family.” That phrase was every- where—even printed on magazine covers. Does our outward appearance reflect who we truly are inside? But after Mr. Armstrong’s death in 1986, I saw how quickly things changed. My family left the Church due to the doctrinal shifts, and people who had once fellowshipped together suddenly pretended not to know each other. I remember waving at familiar faces—only to be ignored. At ten years old, I didn’t fully grasp the cause of the division. But the experience left a lasting impression. For many, “we are family” had become just words—feel-good sen- timents that lacked substance when tested. Now, nearly 40 years later, we must ask: Are they still just words? Many have had painful Church experiences. Some have closed themselves off to avoid being hurt again. That’s understandable— but that’s exactly what Satan wants. Instead, we must choose to love, encourage, and edify one another. Life isn’t perfect. Disagreements will happen. But we must rely on God’s way to resolve them. If a brother or sister wrongs you, go to them. Clear the air. Forgive. Don’t rehearse the hurt—resolve it. We know trials lie ahead. God’s people will need each other more than ever. Continued on page 11
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Did Jesus Hurry and Worry? Larry Alverio
T wo things can cause stress and upset in our everyday lives–hurry and worry! Hurrying often leads to strain, frayed nerves, sleepless nights or upset stomachs. Worry is, on the other hand, simply fear in a subtle form. Our imaginations often work overtime stirring up wrong emotions. Consider the account where Jesus Christ was sound asleep on a ship during a violent storm. Matthew 8:24 records,
So, when He heard that he was sick He stayed two more days in the place where He was. [...] Then Martha said to Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. There are many lessons we learn from this account. Again, Jesus remained composed. He was not in a hur- ry nor was he worried. In fact, he deliberately stayed two more days before departing to see his friend. At times we feel that Christ is neither hurried nor
And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying “Lord, save us We are perish - ing.” Jesus remained calm and steady throughout the entire ordeal. He was neither worried nor hurried. He simply rose, rebuked the winds and the sea, and immediately there was great calm. Another example is when Jesus’ good friend Lazarus died. In Matthew 10:6 it states,
worried about the trials His people are facing. Some- times it even seems as though He is “two days late.” But He knows exactly what He is doing. God is per- fecting us through testing and trials. Each one of God’s people is like a slow cooker: put all the ingredients in, and by the end of the day a tasty stew emerges! God is carefully adding the ingredients each of us needs to build godly character. In the end, it will be very good indeed. So follow our Lord’s example – do not to hurry and never worry.
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God’s Law– Lessons from “Animal Farm” Brad Nelson God’s way of life is simple and He wants everyone to reap the benefits. Mankind only complicates it by trying to make it “better.”
I n 1945, George Orwell published a book, “Animal Farm”, which some of us may remember reading. The tale begins with animals secretly discussing what they believed was mistreatment by the farmer. From these private meetings, the animals develop a plan that leads to rebellion and a “takeover” of the farm. Before their revolt, the animals craft seven commandments to maintain law, order, and a sense of “Animalism.” These rules were meant to unite the animals and prevent them from adopting the bad habits of humans. The commandments represented the “unalter- able” principles of Animalism. Yet, because not all animals could read or remember them, the rules were eventually simplified into a single phrase: “Four legs good, two legs bad.” Over time, the pigs break every commandment for their own per - sonal gain and can not remember the original laws. Eventually, Squealer, a pig, condenses all of the commandments into a singular law to control the other animals. The law, “All animals are equal”, is changed to: “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others”. Many readers recognize a parallel between Orwell’s story and what can be seen in some forms of government today. Leaders, whether in government or other institutions, can forget their origins and op- Consider the example of Alabama’s Chief Justice who was ordered to remove the Ten Commandments from his courthouse over two decades ago. Not many years later, in 2015, a former news anchor told him, “our rights do not come from God, but rather from collec- tive agreement and compromise,” in reference to the constitution- ality of same-sex marriage. By June 26, 2015, same-sex marriage was legalized across all 50 states—a turning point reflecting the ongoing redefinition of laws originally based on the Bible. Society today is becoming more and more lawless, as people in- creasingly turn away from fundamental teachings of God—in favor of rights granted by human governments. erate above the law. A History of Law
This trend is not new. Early Christians expe- rienced similar shifts, including the chang- ing of Passover to Easter at the Council of Nicaea and the Sabbath to Sunday worship under Roman Emporer Constantine. Doc - trines such as the nature of God and the mortal soul were altered, while worship practices were redirected toward Roman deities and sun worship. Just as in Orwell’s book, yesterday’s orthodoxy (truth) became today’s heresy (lies). Avoiding the Trend The original Church, time and time again
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has encountered challenges to follow God’s truth, in the face of government officials, and even their own countrymen, turning them in for “Judaizing” on the Sabbath and Holy Days. As the scripture reminds us, 2 Tim 3:5; People have a form of godliness but when it comes down to it, they deny the power of it. Partic - ularly, if their own freedoms or societal conditions are threatened. Scripture warns against ignoring God’s law. In 1 Sam - uel 2 we read the sobering example of Hophni and Phinehas, sons of Eli (the high priest). The two sons took more than their allotted portion from sacrifices, manipulated offerings, and despised God’s commands. The scripture states in 1 Sam. 2:17 that: the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD for men abhorred the offering of the LORD What about God’s Church? Do we sometimes believe we can skirt God’s law when it seems to benefit us or make life easier? Many people in the world think that a sin, or a lie, would be ok if it’s small, or for the greater good. And yet, Christians should know that it is God that sets the boundaries of right from wrong. God’s people must guard against thinking we can bend His law for conve- nience. Even small compromises are counted as rebel- lion against God. This kind or pervasive attitude can creep into the Church. Examples in the Bible warn of the danger of defying God. Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and 250 leaders
attempted to challenge Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16). They charged that Moses and Aaron took too much authority to themselves. They failed to recognize that Moses and Aaron were God’s appointed. It did not end well for them. We need to be careful of this attitude. There was no fear of God. That was the problem! As Hebrews 13:17 reminds us: Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Maintain Perspective God’s law is both physical and spiritual. Christ empha- sized in Matthew 5 that sin begins in the heart—anger becomes murder, lust becomes adultery. In James 1:14- 15 record: “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has con- ceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full- grown, brings forth death.” Thoughts and intentions matter as much as actions. Rebellion against God is often deliberate and planned, and sin carries a ripple effect. Unlike the animals in An - imal Farm, we cannot afford to forget God’s law. His laws provide us with boundaries to achieve a life of prosperity, safety and health! Psalm 19 underscores the importance of God’s testimonies, laws and statutes in verses 7-11 it states:
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The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.
Keeping God’s testimonies, laws, and statutes leads to many benefits and great rewards. These principles are essential for staying focused in a world that encourages compromise and denying God. God’s Church throughout history has learned hard lessons, and so have many of us. Our choices either make our path to salvation more difficult or more at - tainable. Will we choose to obey and live in alignment with God’s way, or to stray and face consequences. The choice is ours to make!
Philippines Update Nepie Benitez
Continued from page 7 It’s healthy to pause for spiritual self-reflection. Are we truly who we claim to be? If not, it’s time to make changes. Bring the inside man into alignment with God, and the out- side will follow. Replace the old self with Christ. Encourage one another. Love one another. And remember the uplifting words of Hebrews 12:1–2: …let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith… Instead, we must choose to love, encourage, and edify one another.
The leaders in the Philippines have been implementing leadership train - ing and speech lessons to equip individual congregations in the Mindanao area. As the Fall Holy Days approach, daily activities are gravitating to - ward Feast preparations. Following the pattern set forth by the Church, with prayer and fasting the following ordinations were performed in the Philippines: Mr. Arcadio Magulta, 71 - Elder, Sindangan congregation Mr. Laido Acong, 68 - Elder, Sindangan congregation Mr. Moreno Bayal, 85 - Elder, Don Bukidnon congregation Mr. Carlo Magno Pike Benitez, 30 - Elder, traveling Mr. Calantiao Dimilio, 70 - Deacon, Maranding congregation Mr. Rogelio Cabol, 60 - Deacon, Iligan congregation Mr. Rudy Alino, 62 - Deacon, Sindanangan congregation Mr. Kearlwin Camelotes, 31 - Deacon, Cagayan de Oro congregation Mr. Ryan Benitez, 30 - Deacon, Don Bukidnon congregation Mr. Henson Benitez, 30 - Deacon, Don Bukidnon congregation
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What is the Feast of Tabernacles?
M any today live in a world without adequate food or clean water. Others suffer in war-torn nations, plagued by disease and stripped of hope for the future. Humani- ty wants real change but does not realize how to bring it about. God’s plan for mankind explains how this world will soon be changed for the better. Jesus Christ came preaching the true Gospel (Mark 1:14–15)—the good news of a Kingdom soon to come — A wonderful world tomorrow. This world will be filled with abundance, joy, vibrant health, peace, and the finest education for a millennium. God’s great festi- val, the Feast of Tabernacles, points to this coming 1000 year Utopia! The Feast of Tabernacles begins five days after the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:33-34). It starts with a Holy Day where ordinary work is forbidden, and people as- semble before God (Leviticus 23:35). The Feast lasts for seven days (Deuteronomy 16:15).It is also known as the “Feast of Booths.” This is because during the sev- en days of the Feast, the ancient Israelites were to live in booths (Leviticus 23:40-42), a “temporary dwelling.” God commanded the ancient Israelites to live in tem- porary shelters made of tree branches while observing the Feast of Tabernacles. Today, God’s people who attend the Feast stay in tempo- rary dwellings such as tents, campers, motels or hotels, and the like. By staying in temporary dwellings during the Feast of Tabernacles, God’s people are reminded that this physical life is only temporary. For ancient Israel, living in booths during the Feast was to be a continual reminder of Israel’s forty-year sojourn in the wilderness (Leviticus 23:42-43). During their forty years in the wilderness the Israelites had no per- manent dwellings. True Christians today are “strang- ers and pilgrims” in this physical temporary life (John 17:11, 14). They, too, are heirs, not yet inheritors, of their permanent dwelling place, the promised King- dom of God! What is permanent is eternal life. The Feast is also called the “Feast of Ingathering”
(Exodus 23:16), a harvest festival of thanksgiving for God’s blessings. It pictures the future ingathering of Spirit-begotten humans into God’s Family during the Millennium. God, through His servants, chooses where the Feast will be observed (Deuteronomy 16:16). Jesus kept the Feast, despite the danger of the Jews seek- ing to kill Him (John 7:1-14), setting an example for us. During the Millennium, all Israelite tribes, as well as Gentile nations, will observe the Feast (Hosea 12:8- 9; Zechariah 14:16). Nations that refuse will receive no rain (Zechariah 14:17) and eventually “the plague” if they continue to disobey (Zechariah 14:18-19). God commands His people to save a second tithe of their income each year for attending His feasts (Deuter- onomy 14:22-26). It was a time of rejoicing for ancient Israel after the harvest, and today it is a foretaste of the peace, joy, and prosperity that will come when Christ reigns as King. During the Millennium, the nature of humans will change as God pours His Spirit upon all flesh (Eze- kiel 36:26-27). People will obey God and express love and concern for others. Animals will become peaceful (Isaiah 11:6-8). God will rule from Jerusalem (Jeremi- ah 3:17) as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16), and Spirit-born saints will rule with Him (Dan- iel 7:14). These saints will teach God’s law and help turn people to righteousness (Isaiah 30:20-21). Satan will be restrained during the Millennium (Reve- lation 20:1-3), bringing world peace (Hosea 2:18) and ending war as people convert weapons into farming tools (Isaiah 2:4). The world will be free of sickness, dis- ease, and fear (Jeremiah 30:17; Isaiah 35:3-6). God will bless the land with rain (Amos 9:13), and deserts will bloom (Isaiah 41:14-20).God will give the world a pure language so all can serve Him together (Zephaniah 3:9). The Feast of Tabernacles serves to separate God’s people from worldly influences, providing a time to reflect on God’s purpose and how to fulfill human potential.
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What is the Last Great Day?
B illions have died without ever having had the oppor- tunity to understand the purpose of life and to be saved. Satan has deceived the whole world (Revelation 12:9), but these billions are not lost forever or condemned to the “lake of fire.” After the Millennium, they will be resurrected to mortal life and given the opportunity to understand God’s truth, grow in His character, and be- come part of His ruling Family. The Bible shows that God does not intend for everyone to understand His truth at this time. If He wanted ev- eryone to understand, they would. God has allowed the majority to be blinded by Satan to His truth (Romans 10:18-21). Only those God specially calls will under - stand until Christ returns (John 6:44). God commanded His people to observe an eighth day of worship after the seven days of the Feast of Taberna- cles (Leviticus 23:34-36). This is called the Last Great Day, a separate Holy Day (Leviticus 23:39-42). Jesus kept this day (John 7:37-39). It symbolizes God’s plan for all to be saved. However, not everyone is saved at once; there is an order of resurrections (I Corinthians 15:22-24). Salvation is only through Jesus Christ (John 3:16-17). “Even as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (I Corinthians 15:22). Christ was the first to be resurrected. The saints who lived before His Sec- ond Coming will be resurrected at His return (I Thes- salonians 4:13-17). The second resurrection occurs after the Millennium (Revelation 20:5). During the Millennium, Satan will be restrained (Revelation 20:1-3). At the Great White Throne Judgment, Satan will be powerless to deceive the dead who will be resurrected and given their op- portunity for salvation. Freed from Satan’s influence, they will repent, be baptized, and receive God’s Spirit during a second mortal life. The dead resurrected at the second resurrection are those who died in spiritual ignorance. This does not
include true Christians or those converted during the Millennium. Jesus referred to the time of judgment when ancient peoples would be given the opportunity to understand His message (Matthew 11:21-24). These people, along with babies and children who died untimely deaths, will be resurrected in the second res- urrection because they had not yet had their chance for salvation. The resurrection of the dead is described by Ezekiel (Ezekiel 37:1-14). These people will be resurrected to mortal life, with skin and bones, and God will put His Spirit in them (Ezekiel 37:14). This is the second resur - rection, and it includes both Israelites and Gentiles who died in spiritual ignorance (Ezekiel 16:55). Jesus Christ will be the Chief Judge in the Last Great Judgment (Daniel 7:9-10). The saints will judge with Him (I Corinthians 6:2). All will be judged by God’s Word (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). The judgment will eval - uate how well people lived according to God’s Word, with rewards based on character development during mortal life. True Christians are being judged today (I Peter 4:17). After the Millennium, those resurrected will be judged in the same way. They will be given time to prove their willingness to live God’s way through overcoming and obedience. In this judgment period, the Bible will be opened for them to understand, and the Book of Life will also be opened to record their names. Isaiah describes this pe- riod (Isaiah 65:20-25), indicating that those resurrected will live for a hundred years. At the end of this period, those who have repented will be changed to immortali- ty, while the wicked will be destroyed in the lake of fire. The Last Great Day symbolizes the completion of God’s Master Plan, culminating in the Great White Throne Judgment after the Millennium.
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Stop Making Excuses - It’s Time to Grow Mike Dickson We all want better results in our daily walk with God. Our human nature loves to make excuses. God’s way is different. We must overcome our natural tendencies to achieve our goal.
A s a parent, it is an honor and a joy—but also a challenge—to train up a child. Yet most of the time, I find myself learning even as I try to teach my children. One lesson we’ve discussed recently as a fam- ily is admitting when you are wrong or when you’ve made a mistake. For example, one of my children was using an object incorrectly, and it broke. Instead of taking respon- sibility, the response was: “It just broke!” It wasn’t because of the bashing, stretching, or jamming—it was the object’s fault, apparently. We adults may chuckle at this, but how often do we play the same blame game with our own mistakes? Excuses are everywhere: “I forgot.” “I didn’t have time.” “I had a headache.” “My dog ate my homework.” Sometimes there are legitimate rea- sons. If someone asks you to run a mile right after breaking your leg— that’s valid. But excuses are differ - ent. Excuses are flimsy attempts to shift blame elsewhere and they are dangerous. They prevent us from facing our sins and shortcomings and impede our character growth as Christians. Excuses often come from bad atti-
tudes—pride or vanity—in an attempt to protect ourselves. We use excuses as a cover for laziness or a lack of discipline. If we can deal with our mis- takes honestly, character growth is sure to follow. God’s people must avoid making excuses. There are some vital keys we must employ in our lives to help us in our battle against self. Own Mistakes Blaming others is a common pitfall. The attitude is: “It’s not my fault!” Yet very often, some (or most ) responsibility lies with us. History and the Bible are filled with examples. Aaron, confronted by Mo - ses after making the golden calf, said: “You know how prone these people are to evil. They brought me their gold, and I put it into the fire—and this calf came out!” (Exodus 32:22–24). Ridiculous. The first excuse-makers were Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:8–13: Then they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God… Then the Lord God called to Adam and said, ‘Where are you?’… The man said, ‘The woman you gave me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.’ And the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate. Instead of justifying weaknesses, we work to overcome them Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent. Neither one was willing to admit or own their mistakes. Excuses like these have caused countless rela- tional problems and including separation from God. Imagine how different the world would be if everyone held themselves accountable. Gary Vaynerchuk (aka Gary Vee), a popular digital marketing and social media personality, once said: “Excuses are the currency that allow you to
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Then he who had received one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man… and I was afraid, and hid your talent in the ground.’ His lord answered, ‘You wicked and lazy servant… you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Excuses won’t cut it with God. He expects growth. We can all put more effort into developing our talents to their full potential. God expects us to produce with the talents He has given us. In II Corinthians 5:10 we are all re - minded of how seriously God takes the matter: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, ac - cording to what he has done, whether good or bad. Whether good or bad, we all must make sure we’re making the best use of our time, our talents and abil- ities that God has given us to serve Him and to serve His people. Focus on the Goal Constant self-examination helps us stop making excuses. Instead of justifying weaknesses, we work to overcome them. The Apostle Peter was inspired to record in II Peter 3:17–18: Continued on page 21
not act.” Excuses keep us stationary, blind us to our character flaws, and prevent growth. In a sense we give ourselves permission to stay the same. Stop the “Yeah, Buts” Even when we admit a problem, we tend to find a way to justify our ac - tions. Most often it’s with a “yeah, but”: “Yeah, I lost my temper, but it’s my background.” “Yeah, I didn’t finish my work, but the TV distracted me.” “I’d be nicer to my spouse, but they should be nicer first.” I tell my kids: “People don’t want to see your ‘buts.’ Keep them in your pants. No buts!” Jesus illustrated this in the parable of the Great Supper in Luke 14:18–20: But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go see it…’ An - other said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them…’ Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. The excuses—“Yeah, I would, but…”—kept them from the feast, symbol- izing God’s invitation to His Kingdom. How often do those whom God has called and chosen today make the same type of excuses versus simple obedience? The parable of the talents teaches the same lesson in Matthew 25:24–26:
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Effective Prayer - Every Christian’s Desire! Greg Kaidannek Do you want more prayers answered? God wants His people to speak to Him so that He can answer powerfully.
F amous speeches have marked pivotal moments in history. Power - ful public addresses have inspired nations and individuals throughout history producing lasting results. President Abraham Lincoln’s Get - tysburg Address is considered one of the greatest speeches in American history, redefining a divided nation on the cusp of greatness. Though his speech is brief—just 272 words and lasting only moments—the impact of his words extends far beyond those present that day. Millions of Americans—and people around the world—can often quote portions of that address. Lincoln’s words reshaped the understanding of democracy: A government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” What about Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech during a march on the capital in 1963? It be - came a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement for racial equality. A year later the civil rights act was signed. Or President Kennedy’s speech on September 12, 1962, inspired a na - tion to dream boldly. When Neil Armstrong took that historic step on July 20, 1969, the nation rejoiced in a shared triumph. These speeches are remembered not
for their length, but for the results they produced. This principle holds true for God’s people. What we say matters! Especially when speaking to the God of the Universe. The apostle James recorded in James 5:16: The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Our daily prayers can—and must—
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.” ●Supplications is the same word used in James. ●Prayers - worshipful, earnest com - munication—opening one’s heart to God. ●Intercessions - pleading on behalf of others. ●Giving thanks - expresses grati - tude toward God.
produce real results. Breaking It Down
The phrase effective fervent comes from the Greek word energeo . This
Christ explained that God’s elect, persistent in prayer, will likewise receive answers swiftly.
is a powerful word that implies real action, meaning toil, act, deed, do- ing, labor, or work—the same root as the English word energy . Prayer, like any labor, requires en - ergy. The Greek word for “prayer” in James 5:16 is deesis , meaning to petition, request, or supplicate. The Apostle Paul’s instructions to Timothy further clarify the types of prayer. In I Timothy 2:1, he writes:
Four distinct words describe dif- ferent aspects of prayer. Types of prayer are a fascinating topic and the reader is encouraged to look up each term in a Strong’s Concordance for each instance of each word as a supplemental study. Regardless of type, all prayers should be heartfelt and infused with energy. Ecclesiastes 9:10 reminds us: “Whatever your hand finds to do,
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do it with your might.” Applying this principle to prayer allows us to “avail much.” Biblical Examples God’s servants have modeled active, effective prayer throughout histo - ry. In Genesis, Abimelech, King of Gerar, took Sarah, Abraham’s wife, believing her to be Abraham’s sis- ter (Gen. 20:2-18). God intervened through a vision, warning Abimel- ech of impending death. Abimel- ech acted immediately, confronting Abraham and offering restitution. Abraham prayed (supplication), and God answered speedily vs 17-18: So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they bore children; for the Lord had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife. King Hezekiah provides another re- markable example. Very ill and fac - ing the Assyrian threat, Hezekiah prayed earnestly. Isaiah was sent to deliver a dire message that the king was to “set his house in order” for his impending death. Hezekiah’s heartfelt prayer moved God to heal him and extend Judah’s protection. Elijah also demonstrated the power of prayer. Though human and fal- lible, Elijah’s prayers were highly effective (James 5:17). Through his earnest petitions, God withheld rain for over three years and later sent abundant showers (I Kings 17; James 5:18). Even the raising of a deceased child required only nine Hebrew words (I Kings 17:20). In modern times God’s Church too has witnessed similar miracles.
Couples struggling to conceive have gone on to have children after prayer and anointing. People have been healed of terrible diseases, out of dire financial troubles and even delivered from overwhelming gov- ernment persecution. Have a Plan Prayer is not identical to delivering a speech, yet there can be similarities. When approaching God remember that Christ is at His right hand (see Eph. 1:20), along with the heavenly assembly found in Hebrews 12:22- 23: But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the liv - ing God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels… and to God the Judge of all. Even Satan, the accuser, may be present (Rev. 12:10) from time to time. Given the audience, prepa- ration is wise. While spontaneous prayer can be powerful and nec- essary in time of need, deliberate planning through meditation for regular daily prayers ensure long- term impact. The Model Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13) is a Christian’s outline. Christ’s words provide a structure for all prayer, guiding purpose, gratitude, confes- sion, protection, and praise. Person - alizing and expanding each point fosters sincerity and power. Memo- rized prayers, by contrast, can stifle the Spirit. If we ever find ourselves struggling to pray there are scores of recorded prayers in the Psalms where we can find inspiration. Take time to review a few in order to stir up ideas. Continued on page 20
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Fasting – A Tool for Righteousness Casey Monson Fasting is an important tool. Abstaining from physical food and drink causes us to draw closer to God in good times and bad. H ave you ever wondered why the first meal of the day is called breakfast? The term “breakfast” comes from Old English meaning to “break the fast” after sleeping overnight. It was first recorded in English in the 15th century. The meal itself did not become routine until the 19th century. But does sleeping overnight really qualify as fasting? For those called of God, He has given a guide book–the Bible–as well as His Spirit to help understand and navigate life according to His will. Along with instructions, God provides Christians tools to help with His instructions. One such tool is fasting. Fasting is highlighted throughout Scripture, and we can learn much from the examples recorded there. Consider Moses on Mount Si- nai. In Exodus 34:28, we read: So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. This extraordinary fast reflected the exceptional circumstances
Moses faced. Only two others in the Bi - ble—Elijah and Jesus Christ—fasted for such extended periods, making these truly exceptional cases. Basics Fasting does not have a specific start time, or time limit except for the Day of Atone - ment, which is observed from sunset to sun- set (a 24 hour period). In general, a fast may last one to three days (24-72 hours). This is not a rigid rule. God leaves the length of a fast to our judgment, to suit our individ- ual needs and circumstances. Extremely harsh conditions—lack of food and water combined with heat or exertion—can be life-threatening. Conversely, fasting for only a few hours or skipping a meal is less a fast and more a temporary abstinence. Fasting is not unique to Christianity. Oth - er religions have their own forms of fast- ing. For instance, in Islam, Ramadan is ob- served– a forty day fast in which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other activities. However, they only fast during the daylight portion of a day– from sunrise to sunset. They are allowed to eat before sunrise and after sunset. This type of fasting is very dif- ferent from fasts modeled in the Bible. The Day of Atonement provides a clear ex - ample of a commanded fast. In Leviticus
Moses Electing the Council of Seventy Elders, Jacob de Wit, 1737. Oil on canvas, Amsterdam, Royal Palace.
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23:31-32 God instructs: You shall do no manner of work; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwell - ings. It shall be to you a sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict your souls; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath. “Sabbath”, in this context, refers to the Holy Day in question – the Day of Atonement. Purpose Fasting is designed to afflict our souls. The Hebrew word for afflict is ANAH, which means to be afflicted, to humble oneself, to oppress, to depress. While this passage re- fers specifically to the Day of Atonement, the principle applies to fasting in general. Fasting is meant to humble us. Abstaining from food and water reminds us of our fragility and dependence on God. Going without food and water for a short period of time, we begin to feel weak and out of energy, perhaps even light-headed. Fasting serves as a good reminder that we are weak and in need of God. Voluntary fasting shows God that we are se - rious enough to sacrifice basic comforts for His sake. Fasting also teaches us to put God first in our lives, helping us focus on His will rather than our own desires. This natu- rally leads to the question: why should we fast, and when? There are many reasons— seeking guidance, asking for healing, re- pentance, fasting for the church, or request- ing more of God’s Spirit. The key is to have a clear purpose before beginning. After all, fasting without a reason will produce little more than hunger. Similar to determining reasons for why we fast, when we fast is up to us. However, we should be mindful of biblical examples of frequent fasting.
Corinthians 11:27 describes Paul enduring trials, including “fast - ings often.” While some of the Apostles’ fasts were simply from scarcity or lack of available food and water many would have also been for deeper spiritual reasons. King David and the disciples also fasted regularly. Fasting is often inconvenient, and it should not be reserved solely for the Sabbath. The Sabbath is one of God’s appointed Feast days (Lev 23). That isn’t to say that God’s people can’t fast on the Sabbath, but it should not be routine that the Sabbath is the only day that Christians fast. From Physical to Spiritual Fasting is not just about abstaining from physical food. One must replace that physical food with spiritual nourishment through prayer, Bible study, and meditation. Just as the Days of Unleavened Bread teach Christians lessons about removing sin and replacing it with sincerity and truth, fasting teaches God’s people that recogniz- ing weakness physically leads to strengthening us spiritually. The Apostle Paul recorded in II Corinthians 12:10: Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. After his many fastings he deeply understood the value of relying on God for his strength. In Philippians 4:12-13 he was also inspired to record: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Every - where and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Continued on page 21
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