i

International Magazine of The Church of God

September, 1965

Published monthly at Pasadena, California

© 1965, by Radio Church of Gad

Number 9

September, 1965

EDITOR

HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG

International magazine of

THE CHURCH OF GODministering to its members

scattered abroad

""eGood News

Volume XIV

The GOOD NEWS

More About Our Cover...

Ambassador College Art

An intriguing artist's concept presents a unique map

of the area covered in a recent baptizing tour of the

Caribbean Islands. As you look at the map you can imagine

yourself circling the earth like the astronauts in the spaceship

pictured here . . . looking down to see a portion of the earth

you will inherit. Be sure to read Mr. Apartian's personal ac­

count of this baptizing tour, and of the new Local Elder

ordained in Martinique-beginning on page 5.

What our READERS SAY ...

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Garner Ted Armstrong

MANAGING EDITOR

David Jon Hill

Associate Editors

BUSINESS MANAGER

Albert J. Portune

SENIOR EDITORS

Roderick C. Meredith

Herman 1. Hoeh

Foods Consultants

Velma Van der VeerMary E. Hegvold Isabell F. Hoeh

Rose McDowell

Ronald KellyAlbert J. Portune

Editorial and Production Assistants

Paul W. KrollJames W. Robinson

Donald G. McDonald

ADDRESS ALL COMMUNIC"TIONS to the Editor,Box 111, Pasadena, California 91109.Canadian members should address Post OfficeBox 44, Station A, Vancouver I, B.C.; Canada.Our members in United Kingdom, Europe, andAfrica should address the Editor, B.C. M. Am­bassador. London, W.C. 1. Bnglund.

Members in Australia and Southeast Asia shouldaddress the Editor, Box 345, North Sydney,N. S.W., Australia.In the Philippines, Post Office Box 2603, Manila.BE SURi TO NOTIFY US IMMEDIATELY of anychange in your address. Please inclose both oldand new address. IMPORTANT!

Contributing Editors

Dibar K. Apartian Selmer HegvoldW. A. Berg Ernest 1. MartinRobert C. Boraker Leslie 1. McCulloughBryce G. Clark Raymond F. McNairC. Wayne Cole C. Paul MeredithRaymond C. Cole 1. Leroy NeffWilliam F. Dankenbring John E. PortuneCharles V. Dorothy Lynn E. TorranceJack R. Elliott Gerald WaterhouseWilliam H. Ellis Basil Wolverton

Clint C. Zimmerman

Coming Out of Darkness"I am enclosing the remainder of my

tithe which I withheld to use in the

freewill offering at a local church. We

had not gone in such a long time thatwe were unprepared for the change thathad slowly come over our lives fromBible study, hearing your broadcasts,and reading The PLAIN TRUTH. Here's

what happened : We walked into thechurch and were greeted very kindlyand cordially as we expected. I hear wewent to 'God's Sanctuary.' Between the

crying babies, talking, coughing, andshuffling of feet, we could barely hear

(Continued on next page)

"I received The ENVOY the other

day and I am overjoyed with it. Itgave me lots of inspiration by just

looking through it. It almost brought

tears to my eyes to think that here is abook that sums up a year's activity in

God's Work-another year closer to our

ultimate goal. I thank God and you

very much for this book."

James R. T., Kentucky

• Have you ordered YOURS yet?

VOY as our guide when praying for the

faculties, students, and their overallcharge."

Miss Susana A., New Jersey

• Only $5.00 buys your ENVOY!

Envoy"Today I had my first opportunity

to see the 1965 ENVOY. It is beautiful.It's hard to believe that next year's

ENVOY could be an improvement over

1965, but I know it will be. I thank

God for providing His people aroundthe world with a 'personal book' of the

three colleges. Prayer is much moremeaningful when we can use The EN-

God Speaks Out ..."I have received my copy of GOD

SPEAKS OUT on 'The New Morality,'

and I can only say that in the space of

a week our marriage has taken ongreater meaning and happiness than my

husband and I previously experienced

in 9 years of marriage. Also, my sillyguilt feelings about our relationships

have gone. First you show us God's

way of rearing our precious childrenand now how to find complete mar­

ried happiness, as well as a textbook

on which we can completely rely in

educating our children. I can never

express my gratitude enough. You are

indeed God's true stewards and minis­

ters. I also rejoice that I have found

someone to whom I may pay God's

tithes with complete confidence that

they will be put to His use."

Woman, Glenbrook,New South Wales, Australia

September, 1965 The GOOD NEWS 3

AMBASSADOR COLLEGE PRESENTS

selections from

UTHE MESSIAH"You'll want to hear this stirring performance-recorded live during theConcert at the Town Hall, Watford, England. Great chorus of 200 voices,combining four Choral Societies, including the 40-voice AmbassadorChorale. Four professional soloists.

You saw the newspaper review in the July PLAIN TRUTH. Nowyou may share the thrill of this memorable occasion by bearing 47 minutesof choice excerpts from it, in your own home.

We are producing a 12" 33 1/3 r.p.m. record in both stereo andmonaural. We hope to have the records available at the Feast for thosein the U.S.A. This fine record can be yours for a donation (over andabove tithes and regular offerings) of $2 for stereo and $1.50 for themonaural version. Look for it at the Feast.

Further details of distribution for other countries will follow.

Picket Duty

"After standing picket (for strike)twice and committing myself for a thirdtime, Mr. VaIden White, our LocalElder, set me straight on this. I didstand picket duty three times, total, butI REFUSED to a fourth time, in line

(Continued on page 19)

Man, Chaumont, FranceMiracle

"From the moment I placed theanointed cloth on my daughter's fore­head, a real miracle took place. She hada violent fever of about 104 degrees,followed by chills, then vomiting. Butnow all her sickness has disappeared;she walks almost normally. Thosearound her who knew her during hersuffering laugh at the thought of amiracle, not knowing what happened.People just would not believe in God'sintervention for anything, but I amoverwhelmed by such goodness. Thankyou with all my heart for answering sosoon. I constantly pray to God that Hewill always show us the way we shouldfollow."

Woman, Marseille, France

child-and God's Truth revealed in theBible. After praying to God, I amturning to you in all confidence, be­cause you are proclaiming the Truth.Please put my name on your baptizinglist."

From France

"I attentively read your article en­titled, 'Should You be Baptized?' Ihave also read your booklet 'All AboutWater Baptism,' and, in the light of theBible, it is clear that yours is the onlybaptism instituted by God. What acontrast between all the false teachingsof the world-which I was taught as a

From Barbados

"Mr. Armstrong, do you know whatis going on in Barbados? Since thepeople are speaking of your preachingso much, they're being told not tolisten to you, that you are a hypocrite,but it's only what they said aboutJesus, about Paul and all God's trueservants. Even the people from mychurch keep coming at me. When Itell them I am not coming back, theytell me I am deceived."

Keith B., Barbados, BritishWest Indies

• Read Mr. Apartian's article in thisissue for the latest news of the Workin the British West Indies-and Marti­nique.

time, so truly, God knows which wayIS right and which way is wrong."

Miss Connie 1. S., Missouri

• You keep applying the laws youlearn, Connie, and you will probablysoon be baptized.

Practical

"I am not a baptized member of theChurch of God, but I have read yourarticle on budgeting in The GOODNEWS and have begun to put it intopractice. Already it has been easier todeposit more money in the bank toprepare me for whatever God has inmind for me, and also it is beginningto teach me control over my chargingclothes, etc. Really, it hasn't hurt menot to have everything I want at one

the speaker (not an ordained minister,a speaker). About that time everyonestood up. So did we, but we didn'tknow why. Carnality? Then about halfof them answered a plea from a moan­ing, whining voice to come up frontand testify. This took about five min­utes for various testimonies. Then theyadmonished us all to pray for our sins.A good idea, no doubt, but when itbegan to sound like a cattle roundupor worse, a stampede, with people roll­ing on the floor, shouting and scream­ing, I quietly took my family and ledthem out. I don't know what else wenton there in that 'church: We never willbecause we could never go back, buthad I not been exposed to God's trueWord through The PLAIN TRUTH andThe WORLD TOMORROW, I might havethought, 'Well, if this is God's reli­gion, no thanks!' So if anyone wantsto know if God has the power to changelives-I know He does. My wife andI were on the verge of divorce. In ourten years of marriage, the only Com­mandment we did not overtly breakwas 'thou shalt not kill,' and maybe wedid that according to God who said ifwe broke the least we were guilty ofthe greatest. Now we are perfect? Youknow better. But you know somethingelse, too. True to His Word, God hasforgiven us as we have forgiven others.No faster, no slower. No bolt of light­ning came down from heaven andchanged me. But each day I am givennew strength and new ability to com­prehend, as though God were teachingme to crawl before I walk, and walkbefore I run-slowly, but surely and Ihope, permanently."

Charles E., Ohio

GOD'S CHURCH INMARTINIQUE

Many baptisms, a church established, a local man ordained­read this interesting account of the recent Caribbean tour.

by Dibar K. Apartian

TH E MERE mention of the Islandsof the "Caribbean" gives one anostalgic desire to travel. It

probably brings to your own mind thedramatic pictures you might have seenof these exotic islands that seem to havebeen planted haphazardly between theU.S.A. and South America. These areislands with green, abundant vegeta­tion, tropical rains, romantic moon­light, and year-round sunshine.

But behind this natural beauty therelies a gloomy morbidness! Sickness,misery and poverty lift up their uglyheads as uncontestable witnesses ofman's 6,000 years of degeneration.Everywhere on these islands you cansense and feel nature's urgent cry forthe restitution- of all things ...

The baptizing tour Mr. Kelly and Itook through the Caribbean Islandsdidn't allow us much time to do anysight-seeing. What it did give us wasthe opportunity to mingle with thenatives, talk with them for long hours,get acquainted with their way of life,their problems, difficulties and hopes.

Seen from this point of view, whatwe found was most disheartening.

The Standard of Living

The average British West Indianfamily is composed of eight children!They sleep together on the floor, sideby side, in a room which is hardly bigenough to contain a sofa and a coupleof normal-size chairs. In fact, the di­mensions of an average "home"-ifthat word can be used to describedilapidated shacks or mud huts-are25' by 25'! This box is divided-with­out partitions-into sections that aresupposed to represent a bedroom, aliving room and a kitchen. The great

outdoors, of course, provides the con­venience of the bathroom!

These battered straw- or bamboo­covered huts have no windows, nodoors. Most of them are without gas orelectricity. In fact, it wouldn't be exag­gerated to claim that many stables inthe U.S.A. offer more comfort.

The average We9t Indian wage earnerdoes plantation work, mostly in sugar­cane and banana fields. He takes homeap\")foyimately two dollars a day withwhich he has to support his largefamily. Naturally, his meager incomedoes not allow him to add variety tohis diet which consists, primarily, oftropical fruits, rice, bread and somevegetables.

The PACE is slow-desperately slow-on these islands ! You get the im­pression that the people don't know

where they are going and don't want toget there! Years of such lazy and in­dolent living have caused the nativesnot only to lose the desire to work,but also the habit of thinking or co­ordinating their thoughts. For instance,we soon discovered that it was uselessto ask a waiter to bring us all at oncea cup of coffee with sugar and cream;he would make three trips and slowlybring one item at a time.

On most islands, the few existingroads are completely out-of-date. Builtfor mules and horse-carriages, theyhave to accommodate today the ever­increasing number of cars, which aremostly composed of fast-driven andoverpriced taxis.

"Why haven't the British built betterroads and more of them on theseislands?" asked an American tourist wemet at Antigua. He himself was in theroad construction business in Miami,

and assured us that he "sure wouldlike to move out here and straightenup a few things."

This man didn't know, however, that"straightening up a few things"couldn't possibly solve the problem.Like everywhere else in the world, notonly a few things, but practicallyEVERYTHING man has done ever sincecreation needs to be straightened up.

Memorable Highlights

For weeks, prior to our departure,Mr. Kelly had been diligently makingthe necessary plans and reservationsfor our sixteen-day trip. But Mr. Kellydidn't know that even airplanes, onthese calypso-swayed islands, followthe slow pace of the people who dwellthere. Indeed, many a time, we con­templated a change of itinerary becauseof unexpected change in airplaneschedules. However, God saw to itthat we always met our appointments­even if it meant spending sleeplessnights!

One evening, at Nassau, we werescheduled to get on the 7: 30 p.m.BOAC jet to Jamaica. But the lastminute we were told at the airport thatthe plane would have a "slight" delay.By 10:00 p.m. the "slight" delay wasextended two more hours, and therestaurant manager-where BOAC gra­ciously offered us a free meal­requested that everyone vacate thepremises because it was closing time.

Mr. Kelly and I walked out in thedark, tired and wondering how wecould spend those two additional hoursof waiting. It was hot, sweltering hot!Flies and mosquitoes seemed to beenjoying our company. After a fullday's counseling and talking with peo-

6

pIe, we were too tired to do anythingcreative, and the city was at quite adistance from the airport.

But the worst was not over! Atmidnight, we were told that our planewould have a new two-hour "slightdelay" ...

When we arrived at Jamaica, it was6:00 a.m., and we hardly had time tofreshen up before meeting the tenpersons who showed up at the lobby ofthe hotel.

I don't think I'll ever forget thecomments one of the British passen­gers made as we boarded, at dawn, theplane at Nassau: "I say, we had afabulous trip," he interjected. "Trafficjam-you know! We spent more timecircling over New York awaiting in­structions to land, than we did travel­ing from London to New York. Anywonder we were late in getting here,old chap? Nevertheless, it was a fabu­lous trip ...."

So it was-for us, too-because webaptized three persons in Jamaica!

At another occasion, we landed threehours late on a small island calledGRENADA. We feared that we hadmissed all of our appointments at thehotel, for no one would wait that long.Yet, to our delight and amazement,instead of finding the four personswho were scheduled to meet us, wefound a group of twelve people­kindly and patiently waiting for us. Itsometimes helps to be accustomed toliving at a slow pace!

During our tightly scheduled tour,missing a plane meant bypassing acertain island-thus canceling our ap­pointments there-because oftentimesthere was but one daily flight to ourdestination. However, despite all ourhandicaps - including last - minutechanges in plane schedules, misinfor­mation given to us by airport em­ployees, and even flat tires whilerushing to the airport in a taxi-Godsaw to it that we never once missedan appointment.

But the most unforgettable incidentis perhaps the BAPTIZING we did inJamaica. When we told our taxi driverwhat we had in mind, he informed usthat he knew of an "ideal" place, niceand quiet, where we could go andbaptize people. It was dusk as he drove

The GOOD NEWS

us to a "river"-which would be moreaptly described as a swamp--where webaptized our three natives who hadsurrendered their wills to God.

Never before have I seen filthier andmore infected waters. Never have Iseen-or been bitten by-so manymosquitoes! Even while we were layingon our hands, Mr. Kelly and I had tokeep moving constantly to chase awaythe voracious intruders.

That night, upon our return to thehotel, Mr. Kelly had to anoint me forwhat he called "the worst case ofmosquito bites" he had ever seen.

But today, as we look back at thesememories, and remember the gratefuleyes of those we met during thisbaptizing tour, the help God allowed usto give them, the JOY they expressedat meeting us-our nightmarish experi­ences vanish into oblivion!

We had projected to meet only 53persons. However, 96 showed up, andwe baptized 22.

God's People in Martinique

Martinique is a colorful Frenchisland where the natives enjoy a rela­tively higher standard of living. More­over, those whom God has called seemto be in every respect much better offthan the average islander, and cer­tainly enjoy the peace of mind trueChristians know.

Our Church members in Martiniqueare far from being rich or wealthy, butthey do live comfortably and areBLESSED with good health and lovelychildren. Unlike some of the islandsthat form the British West Indies­where illiteracy sometimes reaches over50 percent of the population-nearlyeveryone in Martinique can read andwrite.

It was most inspiring to us to spenda Sabbath with God' J people in Marti­nique and to expound the Bible tothem. On this special occasion-a "feastday" as some called it-we had morn­ing and afternoon services. As it was, Ihad to do nearly all the preachingbecause no one could understand Mr.Kelly's French ...

But he-just like Mr. McCullough ayear ago-felt perfectly at home amongthese French-speaking natives whomGod has called.

September, 1965

It is hard to describe just what youfeel when you spend a Sabbath, thou­sands of miles away from home, amongpeople of different race and language,but who worship the GOD of theBible!

It is hard, yet easy, because you feelat home among them. Somehow youfeel closer to them than you do to yourown relatives who are not converted.

Think of it! There's a group on theisland of Martinique who assembletogether, every Sabbath, to faithfullyworship God. They, too, begin theirservices with two or three songs and anopening prayer. They, too, have a shortsermonette, a few announcements, fol­lowed by another hymn-then themain sermon. They, too, close theirservices asking God to bless and protectthose He has called all over the world.

Yes, just like Mr. Kelly and me, youwould have been thoroughly moved byseeing these people, assembled withtheir Bibles open on their knees, andholding a pencil and a notebook intheir hands.

Even though we held morning andafternoon services, in addition to theFriday night preaching, our peoplestill wanted to hear more of God'sWord expounded to them. Therefore,I had no choice but to start, rightafter the afternoon services, a BIBLESTUDY which lasted past 7 p.m.-thusextending well into "the first day ofthe week." It somehow reminded me ofthe apostle Paul's long preaching, ex­cept that, in this instance, no one fellfrom the third-floor window. But then,in the assembly hall in Martinique,there is no third floor-and there areno windows!

Mr. Louis Jubert Ordained

Two or three times in the past, Ihave already written in The GOODNEWS about the leader of our groupin Martinique-Mr. Louis Jubert. Heis a graying gentleman in his sixties,the father of four children, two ofwhom are married and live in theU.S.A.

For nearly twenty-seven years, Mr.Jubert had been an elder in the Ad­ventist Church when, one morning heheard our broadcast Le MONDE A

(Continued on page 10)

ButREJOICE ­

Rejoice SAFELYHere are practical principles you can apply to make thecoming Festival of Tabernacles profitable both physically and

spiritually.

by Dr. Wilmer Parrish

MOST OF GOD'S people have beenanxiously watching their calen­dars for the day when they

can leave their daily routine behind,bind their second tithe in their hand,and go to the place where God setsHis name, and rejoice!

This is the time to enjoy the fellow­ship of God's begotten children, to befilled with the best of physical foodand drink and, most important, to befed lasting, God-inspired spiritual food.

God's Way EliminatesConfusion

The days spent wherever God'sFeast is kept can be happy, joyful, anduncomplicated. Remember that God isnot the author of confusion (I Cor.14: 33). He does want things done inan orderly manner (I Cor. 14:40).Countless hours of advance planning,working, and preparation have goneinto the physical arrangements for yourpersonal comfort. If you look to andsubmit to the rules those in authorityhave set in motion, you will have awonderful Feast.

God's Organization

Providing for the needs of severalthousand people living in tents takesa great deal of planning and organi­zation. This plan is revealed in Exodus18:13-27 where Moses appointed ableand God-trained men to be rulers orcaptains over ten, fifty, and onehundred for administrative purposes.Administration requires authority.Without authority, it could not func­tion. But the authority is Godly au­thority as Christ defined in Luke22:25-26.

These captains are here to serve,help, and assist YOU so you can havea more happy, carefree and joyousFestival. Only by this method couldyou have almost immediate access to thehighest authority at God's Festival,should that need arise. Jethro suggestedthis principle to Moses, because Moseswas swamped with minor problems andcouldn't clear time for the really bigones. God's plan of authority elimi­nates this problem. It is an instrumentto make your Festival more successful.Obey the rules and cooperate fully withthis organized system.

Health and Safety Is Necessary

God gave ancient Israel rules per­taining to health and sanitation. Theystressed cleanliness and quarantine de­signed to protect Israel from diseases.These were especially needed at thattime because the nation was on themove. The conditions of crowded liv­ing and of roving camps produced allthe factors needed to cause a wide­spread and fast-moving epidemic thatcould have wiped out the whole Is­raelite nation. That is one reason whyGod emphasized that if He found thecamp of Israel unclean, He would with­draw His protective presence from thecamp (Deut. 23:14). It is of interestto note these very principles are stillfundamentals of public health instruc­tion.

These same laws are applicable tomodern Israel. We are living undervery similar conditions during our stayhere. The two main parts of God'sinstruction are the same now as then.They are: Be Clean and Isolate theSick.

If your child does become ill w.ithfever or some infectious or contagiousdisease such as chicken pox, measles,or a sore throat-stay in your tent(booth, motel, room), isolate him fromothers, and make him comfortable. Indoing this for your loved one, you mayprevent the illness from becoming moreserious or complicated. You shouldreport the situation to the appropriatecaptain, requesting an Elder for anoint­ing. Your part is done. God will thendo His.

Would you want others to bringtheir sick children to services orcrowded meetings? No, you wouldnot! Show the same loving concern forothers that you want them to showyou by not exposing them if you or amember of your family is sick. Stayaway until you are sure you are notdangerous to others. Don't trifle withGod's health laws.

The most important reason for iso­lating the sick is that carelessly ex­posing several thousand people to acontagious disease could result in thatdisease being carried over a dozenstates or even into other nations. Weare being watched and we are going tobe persecuted for obeying God's laws.This we can't help, but let us notbring persecution upon ourselves bycarelessly breaking God's health laws.

There arc many facets of health andsafety in relation to camping that couldbe covered, but a few safety hints andcamping hints in general will be of­fered to help you have a happier Feast.

Sanitation

Sanitation is a form of cleanlinessand the physical cleanliness of the

8

grounds is every person's responsibil­ity. STOP and THINK before you clutterup the grounds with everything fromcracker crumbs to newspapers. Multiplehundreds of hours have gone into theplanning to protect you and yourfamily. Brethren, paper towels, sacks,cups, disposable diapers, and worsethings flushed down the commodesplay havoc with our plumbing andsewage system. As a result, you aredepriving yourself and others of much­needed bath and restroom facilities.Incidentally, you could be one of thecrew assigned to remedy this un­pleasant situation. Be considerate. Thereis a proper place or receptacle for any­thing you might wish to discard. USETHE PROPER ONE!

Sleeping Bags

You probably started checking yourcamping gear early with the intentionof getting everything in perfect work­ing condition. In your eagerness to haveeverything clean, fresh, and neat, youmay have caused a potential danger. Ifyou cleaner] your sleeping bags, takeheed. When sleeping bags are cleaned,the cleaning agent is usually naphtha.In the last few years, a few childrenhave died in the United States becausethe bag was not aired before use. Besure that if you have had the bagcleaned, you air it a day or two beforeuse. The life you save may be yourown child's!

Another hazard to children is that ofplastic bags. Very often these are usedto cover suits, protect mattresses, and asother protective coverings around acamp because of their convenience.

These are dangerollS!

They will not allow air to passthrough. The advantages of such awaterproof and dustproof cover harborthe hidden enemy of also being air­proof. The thin plastics can cling likea mask to the face, causing the personto suffocate. When finished with these,roll them up, tie knots in them, anddiscard them in the garbage can.

Cooking Utensils

More recently people have beenusing cooking utensils that under cer­tain conditions are dangerous. Some

The GOOD NEWS

people buy surplus pots and pans forcamping from army and navy surplusstores. If you have done so, use cau­tion because the electroplated chemicalcoating used in some wartime utensilsto keep them bright and shiny wascadmium. When an acid food such aslemonade is left in one of these for aperiod of several hours, this chemicaldissolves and when ingested causessevere stomach and intestinal symp­toms. The shelves from refrigeratorsalso have this material on them toprevent rust and when used as a grill,the heat causes cadmium oxide to begiven off as fumes. These fumes aretoxic and dangerous when inhaled.

Teflon-coated pans are wonderful.The food doesn't stick, they are easy toclean, and real time- and work-saversfor "Ye Olde Cooke." What a wonder­ful advantage teflon gives when wiselyhandled. Teflon is a non-dangeroussubstance as a rule, but when heatedto a fairly high temperature, it givesoff lethal fumes! Beware of leavingteflon-coated pans on a stove. They mayoverheat and become a hazard.

Fire Prevention

Through the ages, fire has been apriceless asset to man. Don't let thisvaluable asset become a curse becauseyou were not cautious or careful in itsuse. NEVER LIGHT LANTERNS ORSTOVES IN BOOTHS OR TENTS! Nevercook in booths or tents. Never storecombustible fluids in your living quar­ters or your car, but DO keep themout of the reach of children.

If you ARE foolish enough to lighta lantern or stove inside a tent andit bursts into flames, try to get it out­side fast and throw dirt or sand on itto extinguish the flames. That is, unlessyou have come well-prepared and havea small extinguisher for putting outgasoline-type fires.

What if you see a tent suddenlyburst into flames? The very first thingis not to take the contents out, but tocollapse the tent. This is done byloosening the guy (stay) ropes andletting the tent fall. Be sure the peopleare out first! The tents on either sideshould be collapsed, especially on thedownwind side. When a tent is on the

September, 1965

ground, it is much easier to put outthe flames. Also it is harder to catchon fire and spark danger is easier tocontrol.

Again let me emphasize, do NOTlight heaters or lanterns inside a tent.Light them outside, adjust them, andthen take them inside. Do put themoutside or turn them off before goingto sleep.

Tent Hints

A few minutes picking up rocks,sticks, and other debris from where thefloor of your tent will be pays withmany hours of comfort later. If yourtent will be on the down slope of adrainage area, make a ditch on theuphill side to divert the water aroundit. Control that flood before, not after.You should remember ropes and canvastighten up after a rain; therefore,loosen the stay ropes a little if it rains.Otherwise, you may come back fromservices and find half of your tentdown. When everything is dry, youcan then readjust the tension in theseropes.

A canopy over the tent acts both asinsulation and insurance against leakageduring a rain. This could be largeenough also to extend out from thefront of the tent to form a porch-likearrangement. This provides a pleasantplace to sit, visit, and have a colddrink with a brother during your freetime.

You should keep in mind a newtent will leak a little at first, but thistype of leakage seals itself after a littleseasoning. Remember that when youtouch a tent or push something againstthe inside surface during a rain, it willleak.

Clothing can be hung on hangers bydrilling two one-quarter-inch holesthrough the ridgepole, twelve, eigh­teen, or twenty-four inches apart. Gal­vanized or aluminum wire can beplaced through the holes and a rod orpole placed in the wire loops to holdthe hangers.

Food

Germs like dirt. Germs like food.Therefore, no matter how carefullyyou prepare your food, it will only be

(Continued on page 21)

The Work of God ContinuesTo Grow in CanadaFrom a small insignificant beginning over four years ago the

Work of God in Canada has grown at a fantastic rate.

by Dean R. Wilson

I N FEBRUARY, 1961, the Canadianwork had progressed to the pointthat we were on three Canadian

stations covering an area as large as thecontinental United States with a popula­tion of around 19 million people. Themailing list had grown to approximate­ly 5,000 as the result of U. S. stationsthat could be heard in Canada and thethree Canadian stations.

Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong decidedin February, 1961, that it was time toopen an office in Canada to serve theCanadian people. Mr. Garner Ted Arm­strong journeyed north to Vancouver,British Columbia and located suitableoffice space in the beautiful new UnitedKingdom Building in the heart of Van­couver. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Pratherwere sent to Vancouver to manage thesmall conservative two-room office spacethat had been leased. In the summer ofthat same year Mr. and Mrs. RichardPinelli were added to the office staff toassist in the growing work.

The Vision of Growth

The work continued its small but yetinsignificant growth on into 1962. InMarch, 1962, Mr. Ted Armstrong wroteto Mr. Prather, "Have you thought atall about obtaining additional officespace-about the future need of it-oranalyzed the rate of growth so as tohave any idea whatsoever about the timewhen we MIGHT need additional floorspace in that building? I know that thepresent volume would certainly look asif such expansion would perhaps neverbe needed-but bear in mind that westill have virtually no radio outlets inthat area!"

Since that letter was written the of­fice space requirements have grownfrom those small two rooms to cover

over 38,000 square feet and almost halfof one entire floor of the UnitedKingdom Building. The office staff hasgrown from three full-time employeesto nine full-time employees. The mail­ing list has grown from around 5,000to well over 20,000.

God has also opened the door ofradio to the booming voice of TheWORLD TOMORROW program. The Ca­nadian work has grown from three sta­tions to the point, as of the time of thewriting of this article, The WORLDTOMORROW can be heard daily on 26of Canada's finest stations located fromVancouver Island in the extreme Westto Newfoundland in the extreme East.

The First Canadian Church

Along with progress and growth ofthe office mailing list and the radiobroadcasting came the small but usualcalling out of this world by God of someCanadian people. At first this washandled by means of the summer bap­tismal tours sent out from AmbassadorCollege. In February, 1961, Mr. JimmyFriddle started a small Bible study inVancouver, British Columbia. By June,1962, it had progressed to the pointthat there were around 40 in attendanceat that Bible study.

It was decided that my family and Ishould move to Vancouver in June of1962 to manage the growing office andto begin the first Church of God inCanada. So June 18, 1962, Mr. Rod­erick C. Meredith, who was visitingthe Pacific Northwest at the time, of­ficially began the church in Vancouver.

Since June, 1962, God has continuedto call more and more of the Canadianpeople into His Church. An outstand­ing example of the growth is demon-

strated in the recent Feast of UnleavenedBread. The first Passover and Feast ofUnleavened Bread was held in Canadain 1963 with 72 taking the Passoverand 121 attending the Feast. In 1965,477 took the Passover in Canada inthree locations and almost 1,000 ob­served the Holy Days. God is continu­ing to add to and bless His Work allacross this tremendous expanse of spacehere in Canada.

From that small church of 40 inVancouver in June, 1962, God hasallowed to be raised up two morechurches-Edmonton, Alberta and To­ronto, Ontario--and three Bible studies-Victoria, B.C., Kelowna, B.C. andSaskatoon, Saskatchewan-with a com­bined attendance of around 950 regu­larly.

The Growth Continues

The demand for more churches andBible studies is becoming evident withevery passing week. For example:Mr. Richard Wilding and I are tak­ing the baptismal tours in WesternCanada this year and in the processare holding Bible studies for the scat­tered members in various areas. Thesame thing was done last year and in asmall town by the name of Moosomin,Saskatchewan, 70 zealous members ofGod's Church attended the Bible study,and in a city of one-half millionpeople, Winnipeg, Manitoba, another70 attended a Bible study in 1964.This year, 1965, 94 assembled inMoosomin, Saskatchewan, for a similarstudy and a fantastic total of 222attended a Bible study in Winnipeg.The demand for churches and Biblestudies in Canada is accelerating to thepoint that at the present, if we had

Please address any questions YOU would like answered

in this column to the Editor.

The Bible Answers Your Questions

10

the ministers, at least five new churchescould be established immediately withan undetermined number of bimonthlyBible studies in various areas.

As the result of this fantastic growth,the scriptures in Matthew 9:36-38 takeon a much more deep and significantmeaning to those of us in the Canadianwork. God's people in Canada trulyare fainting and are scattered abroad,as sheep without a shepherd. The needfor shepherds is crying out in Canadaas it never has before. The harvest istruly plenteous, in fact it is runningover. God is blessing the Canadianwork with unprecedented growth inevery field and area and God lays aresponsibility upon you as God's peopleto, "Pray ye therefore the Lord of theharvest, that he will send forth labour­ers into his harvest."

MARTINIQUE(Continued from page 6)

VENIR, as I was speaking about theMillennium.

The Truth hit Mr. Jubert right be­tween the eyes. After carefully checkingin the Bible what he had just heard­and studying the booklets we sent him-Mr. Jubert resigned from his churchand turned to God's Church. "I sur­render unconditionally to God," hewrote me, over four years ago. "I havebeen so very wrong and so very de­ceived. May God forgive me for havingmisled others into darkness."

That was the beginning of a trueand sincere REPENTANCE which ledhim to his ordination on August 7,1965. At the time, Mr. Jubert's suddenresignation from his former post causeda split in the Adventist Church inMartinique. A group of some thirty tothirty-five adults followed him andhave been keeping faithfully, eversince, GOD'S COMMANDMENTS.

For over four years now, Mr. Juberthas been receiving instructions fromHeadquarters and faithfully followingthem.

The Church in Martinique now as­sembles in a hall which, until last year,was Mr. Jubert's own workshop. Buttoday it is completely transformed andconverted into a very attractive hall.Mr. Jubert, who is a carpenter by pro-

The GOOD NEWS

fession, has worked hard, together withsome others in the group, to transformhis old workshop into such a niceassembly hall, now holding between60 to 70 persons.

On this Sabbath day, having pre­viously obtained Mr. Herbert W. Arm­strong's approval for ordaining Mr.Jubert, Mr. Kelly and I watched himcarefully, surveying nearly every movehe made. We noticed that he holds thedeep respect of every member of theChurch. We saw him clean and dust thehall between morning and afternoonservices. We heard his sermonette aboutthe purpose of life. We observed theway he rules his family.

We had no doubts that Mr. Jubertwas called by GOD to be ordained.

How can we ever forget the awe­inspiring silence that followed the or­dination announcement I made beforethe whole congregation? How can we

I have a problem-I can'tmemorize scriptures. It's labori­ous for me to sit down and tryto learn all those figures. Canyou help me?

Learning and memOClZtng certainbasic scriptures has been a problem tosome in God's Church-but needlesslysol There are definite steps we cantake in order to make the study andmemorization of God's Word easier.

Anyone who has a problem memo­rizing scriptures which he ought toknow should first of all examine hisattitude to see if he really, joyfullyWANTS to learn from God's Wordenough to memorize it. Then he canwork from there.

We CAN memorize those basic scrip­tures we ought to know. God says so!In Phil. 4: 13 He inspired Paul towrite, "I can do all things throughChrist which strengtheneth me." It ISpossible through God's help to dothose things required of us, to learn

September, 1965

forget the surprised but joyful expres­sion on all their faces? How can weever forget Mr. jubert's almost unbe­lieving look?

"Who, me-ordained?" he whis­pered to me in a broken voice. "Thatis the last thing I would have expectedin my life."

It probably was. In fact, that is onemore reason why Jesus Christ has calledhim to serve in His ministry.

And now, brethren, whenever youpray for GOD'S CHURCHES around theworld, remember the small group inMartinique who now have an ordainedLOCAL ELDER whose name is LouisJubert!

Remember MARTINIQUE, a smallisland in the Caribbean Sea, where ahandful of "chosen" people assembleevery Sabbath to worship the true God,to pray for His Work, for you and forme-and for God's KINGDOM to come!

His Word-yes, even to memorize ex­actly where the basic scriptures arefound. We must come to deeply knowand believe it CAN be done /

But after obtaining the right atti­tude and approach to God's Word,what then? How should you actuallygo about memorizing?

Too many have made the mistake oftrying to memorize too many scrip­tures all at once. You should startlittle-start with only a few basicscriptures and learn those. Set a smallgoal for yourself (say, five scriptures)and memorize them.

Write them down. Read the contextaround the scripture-know first of allthe BOOK where it's found, then thechapter, then the verse. Start general­then get specific,

Remember the point of the scripture-not necessarily all the quaint phrase­ology of the King James language­don't be a modern Pharisee.

Next REVIEW-USE those scriptures(Continued on page 23)

HERE'S HOW TO-

STUDY GOD'S WORDMORE EFFECTIVELYI

Are you taking FULL ADVANTAGE of the AmbassadorCollege Bible Correspondence Course? Here's what you should

be doing to make the MOST of each vital lesson.

by Richard H. Sedliacik

N OTICE the Apostle Peter's admo­nition to all Christians: "Beready always to give an ANSWER

to every man that asketh you a reasonof the hope that is in you" (I Pet.3:15) .

What about you?

Would you be able to explain thetruth about the Sabbath to someonewho asked for it? Or convict a gain­sayer who challenged you about someother point of Bible doctrine?

Or would you be EMBARRASSED be­cause you couldn't go right down theline, step-by-step, in explaining God'sTruth to someone!

If you're taking full advantage ofthe Ambassador College Bible Corre­spondence Course, then you'll "beready always to give an answer...."

Purpose for God's Course

"This course," says Mr. Herbert W.Armstrong to each new student in hiseditorial for Lesson 1, "is a totally new,different kind of Bible study course,designed to lead you, by the study ofyour own Bible, to the UNDERSTAND·ING of the meaning of today's world­chaos, of the purpose being worked outhere below, of prophecy, of salvation,of this ENTIRE TREASURE-HOUSE ofknowledge, which is God's Word-thetruth."

God inspired the Bible Correspon­dence Course to be designed for both

the converted and unconverted alike.It helps the converted to becomethoroughly grounded in basic Bible

doctrines, and it leads the unconvertedto saving knowledge.

This fascinating, yet thorough Biblecourse is literally changing the lives andbringing increased happiness and un­derstanding to multiple thousands inevery continent on earth!

Over 72,000 students are presentlyenrolled worldwide! Thousands havewritten to us expressing their joy andgratitude for the Bible knowledge andunderstanding the course has revealedto them.

Course Was Sole Teacher

Mr. Wayne Cole, God's Evangelistin Australia, learned just how effectivethe Bible course really is when hevisited 18 people in New Zealand whorequested baptism.

These people weren't privileged tohear The WORLD TOMORROW broad­cast. Yet Mr. Cole found themthoroughly grounded in the basic Bibledoctrines and THOROUGHLY REPENT­ANT!

The reason?He emphasized that it was because

they had diligently studied the Biblewith the Correspondence Course!

They had been led step by step, intheir Bibles, to the knowledge of sal­vation and repentance by the Ambassa­

dor College Bible CorrespondenceCourse.

The knowledge and understandingwhich the Correspondence Course re­veals to you in the Bible is somethingvery precious!

Much of the Truth has been writtenand published in The PLAIN TRUTHand GOOD NEWS magazines, and invarious booklets. But it has never be­fore been systematically organized togive God's complete message in clear,simple, understandable terms, laid outstep by step, as in each of theselessons.

Each lesson-because of its carefullyconcentrated knowledge-is a compact"book" of extremely vital, spirituallyrevealed truth you need to beTHOROUGHLY FAMILIAR WITH!

Lessons Help You Study

Mr. Armstrong often says that aChristian should PRAY at least one­half hour and STUDY his Bible one-halfhour each day, to continue growing inGod's spiritual character, and remain inthe right attitude.

Are you doing this?Here's where the Ambassador Col­

lege Bible Correspondence Course willreally help you in your Bible study.

God's course is designed to MAKEYOU STUDy-to "keep your nose in theBible!" Christ instituted the Bible Cor­

respondence Course through HisChurch to help feed all the flockEVERY DAY-just as our local congrega­tions are fed by their ministers eachSabbath day.

Remember that in signing up for thecourse you agreed, covenanted, PROM­ISED to take it "the way" the instruc­tions stipulate.

So don't just quickly read over each

12

new lesson. Always be sure to LOOKUP the verses in the Bible and takethe time to WRITE our every scripture!

If you always make the most of eachlesson, Jesus Christ will see that you'renot taking His Truth and the efforts ofHis called ministers for granted. You'llshow~by your actions-that you reallyappreciate the tremendous value of Hiscourse!

Here are some more helpful sugges­tions which you'll also want to put intopractice.

Schedule Your Study Time

To really benefit from the course,each student must devote at least one­half hour EVERY DAY to studying theBible with his lessons.

That one-half hour whizzes by be­fore you know it! And you will havealready spent one-half of the one hour,or more, you really ought to be spend­ing in Bible study every day.

If you're like many zealous students,you'll become so engrossed in yourstudy that you won't want to quit untilyou have studied an additional half­hour-or MORE. One lady wrote us thatshe once studied until about 2 :00 a.m.in the morning, before she realizedwhat time it was!

God says the profitable servant goesabove and beyond what is expected ofhim by God and man! Therefore, asyou're able, try to spend extra timestudying the Bible.

Of course, you won't always be ableto spend extra time studying every day.But what's vitally important is that youschedule a minimum of one-half hourEVERY DAY for studying the Bible withthe Ambassador College Bible Corre­spondence Course! Then you'll keep inthe habit of regular Bible study.

Review Your Lessons!

Being human, we all tend to forgetmuch of what we learn. So if, afteryou have completed your latest lesson,you find that you have a few days towait until the next one arrives, why nottake full advantage of this extra timeby reviewing past lessons?

This is NEVER A WASTE OF TIME!

The GOOD NEWS

Unless we're careful, it's easy to slipinto the "Athenian frame of mind." Inthe Apostle Paul's day, they were onlyinterested in hearing and telling some­thing new (Acts 17:21). They thoughtpreviously learned knowledge was "oldhat"-not to be reviewed again!

In his letter to the Hebrews, theApostle Paul admonished them for notbeing thoroughly grounded in thebasic Bible doctrines. When theyshould have gone on to the "meat" ofGod's Truth, they still needed to betaught AGAIN the "milk," or basicprinciples, of God's Word! (Heb. 5:12­

14.)

Can you explain the basic doctrinesof the Bible as you ought-even toyour children? If you can't, reviewingthe Correspondence Course occasionallywill help implant these basic truths sofirmly in your mind, you'll never for­get them!

God stresses repetition throughoutthe Bible as being the best way tolearn. Our yearly observance of God'sannual Festivals is a good example. Yearafter year we keep the same Feasts andhear many basic sermons. God wants toTHOROUGHLY INGRAIN His plan andpurpose in our minds so we'll neverforget!

So take advantage of each opportun­ity to review. Better still, MAKE theopportunity often-in addition to yourregular study with the latest lesson!

Make sure you understand every sec­tion of each lesson you have com­pleted. Review your notes and RE­STUDY any parts you may have forgot­ten.

Also carefully review Lesson 4 foradditional helpful hints about gettingthe most out of your lesson review.

Guard Against LaodiceanAttitude

It is a known fact that a few long­standing members in God's Churchhave been extremely negligent in study­ing the Bible with the Correspondence

Course!

And unbelievable as it may sound,some few who attend Church STILL

September, 1965

HAVRN'T RVRN RNROT.T.RD TN THE

COURSE!!You need to enroll IMMEDIATELY­

if you're one of these few, and beginreceiving the newly illustrated lessons!You need to STUDY the Bible with theAmbassador College Bible Correspon­

dence Course every day-one-half houror more!

Just because one might attend a localcongregation, he doesn't already knowand understand perfectly all that ispresented III any CorrespondenceCourse lesson! Without realizing it, onewith this pathetic attitude is actuallysaying he's "rich and increased withgoods"-or spiritual knowledge-justas the lukewarm Laodiceans! (Rev. 3:14-17.)

God makes this valuable dailymethod of Bible Study available to youthrough His Church. If you don't takefull advantage of it, then you're neg­

lecting a priceless opportunity JESUSCHRIST makes possible!

He expects you to make the MOSTof it!!

Your Reward To Be Great

The most wonderful words we canever hope to hear will be Christ's atHis return : "Well done, thou good andFAITHFUL SERVANT: thou hast beenfaithful over a few things, I will makethee RULER over many things: enterthou into the joy of thy Lord" (Mat.25:21).

Yes, if you have been "faithful" inmaking the Bible a PART of your verybeing with the help of the Correspon­

dence Course, then you will be quali­fied to teach these same truths tothousands-perhaps millions-of peo­ple in the Millennium!

Later, you'll also experience the joyof teaching these same truths to friendsand relatives who will be resurrectedin the Great White Throne Judgment.

So take full advantage of the Am­bassador College Bible CorrespondenceCourse by making the MOST of eachvital lesson!

The way you study the Bible withthe Correspondence Course NOW, willdefinitely affect your future in TheWorld Tomorrow!

WHY Does a ChristianHave TRIALS?

Few really know how to cope with the trials of a Christian life.Very few, it seems, have learned what attitude they should have

toward their trials!

by William F. Dankenbring

T RIALs-everYbodY has them! Un­converted people and convertedpeople alike have trials, troubles

and problems! Financial problems,family problems, frustrations and com­plexes plague people of every walk oflife.

WHY?Do you understand why YOU have

trials? Do you know what you shouldDO about them? Do you know whyGod permits them to occur in yourpersonal life?

Very few, in this age of unbelief,really know the answers to these ques­tions. But your Bible reveals the answer-plainly, simply, so a child couldunderstand!

What Usually Happens

First, notice what usually happenswhen trials come into the lives ofpeople. You have probably experiencedthis yourself, in the past. Notice theexample of the Israelites during thedays of Moses.

Almighty God intervened and per­formed gigantic miracles to deliver Hispeople from bondage in Egypt. Heopened a path through the Red Sea,and then led them into the wildernessof Sinai. At this time-after Israel hadseen God's great POWER-trials beganto come.

First, a water shortage developed.Then, the people grew tired of livingon manna-and craved flesh to eat.These things developed into FULL­BLOWN TRIALS! The people began tolose faith in God-they accused Him ofnot loving them, not being concernedfor them, and they began to accuse

Him of not having the power to pro­vide for their needs!

Gripe, gripe, gripe-grumble, groanand complain! "Would God that wehad died in the land of Egypt!" thepeople raved. "Would God we had diedin this wilderness!" they bitterly la­mented.

Complaining led to further mischief,and soon they were plotting to REBELagainst Moses and return to Egypt!"Let us make us a captain, and let usreturn into Egypt," they whisperedamong themselves.

Obviously, the Israelites did NOTknow how to deal with their trials andproblems! Their trials led them awayfrom God! As a result, they temptedGod, refused to believe His promises­and DIED in the wilderness! (Num.14:11, 22-23.)

Isn't this the usual carnal-mindedreaction, when trials occur? Don'ttrials usually cause people to begin tomoan and groan-begin to feel self­pity-and soon begin accusing God,bitterly assailing His servants, and evenridiculing His Word and His promises?

The next step after complaining isfalse accusation-and then comes openREBELLION!

You and YOUR Trials

What about the trials in YOUR life?How do YOU react to trials, tests and

troubles? Do they drive yOIl into abitter attitude? Do they make yOIl

resentful or angry? Are YOU followingthe SAME PATH the Israelites plungeddown-the path of complaining, grum­bling, resentment and final rebellion?

Or, have you, personally, learned

WHY God permits trials to come intoyour life? Do you have the right atti­tude toward them?

Too often we fail to remember thatthe experiences and examples given inthe Old Testament were written forOUR BENEFIT! In I Corinthians 10- weread, "Now all these things happenedunto them [the ancient Israelites] forENSAMPLES: and they are written forOUR ADMONITION, upon whom the endsof the world are come" (Verse 11).Paul wrote the Romans, "For whatso­ever things were written aforetime werewritten for our learning, that wethrough patience and comfort of thescriptures might have hope" (Rom.15:4).

Notice again, then, the example ofthe Israelites. What was their BASICMISTAKE?

Simply this: Regardless of the mira­cles God had performed in their be­half, they LOST FAITH in God andDISOBEYED His commandments! Lackof faith and disobedience go hand-in­hand. They hardened their heartsagainst God (Heb. 3:8). They couldnot enter the promised land because ofUNBELIEF (Heb. 3:19).

They heard the WORD of God. But"the word preached did not profitthem, not being MIXED WITH FAITHin them that heard it" (Heb. 4: 2) .

Can we see the lesson?

The Israelites apparently thought,since God was supposed to be withthem, they would have an EASY timeleaving Egypt. They thought the jour­ney through the wilderness would becomfortable, pleasurable. Therefore,when TRIALS struck, they were com-

14

pletely caught off guard. They wereshocked-overwhelmed-surprised be­yond belief!

"If God is with us," they wondered,"how could He let us go withoutwater?" "If God is love," they queried,"then WHY does He give us this oldmanna all the time?" They could notunderstand why God let them havetrials and troubles. That was not whatthey wanted. They wanted the BLESS­INGS God promised, but not the trialsGod permitted them to experience!

How does this apply to you?

Your Personal TRIALS

Too few realize the DIRECT PARAL­LEL between the example of the an­cient Israelites and true Christians,today. It is inescapable!

True Christians are those who havebeen delivered-not from physicalbondage-but from SPIRITUAL slavery.We have been delivered from bondageto SIN!

The Israelites' going through thewaters of the Red Sea was a type ofbaptism (I Cor. 10:1). The Christianbaptism, however, is a SPIRITUAL mat­ter. Through baptism and receiving theHoly Spirit, we are set apart as God'speople. We become His spiritual na­tion (I Pet. 2:9-10). We are purchasedwith the shed blood of Jesus Christ!(I Cor. 6:20; 7:23.) We become His!

And, like ancient Israel, God hasgiven us certain wonderful, gloriousPROMISES! Like them, however, thereare conditions involved to receivingthese spiritual promises-the TWINCONDITIONS of faith and obedience!

God, to see if we really BELIEVEHim-if we really have FAITH in HisWord and His promises-puts usthrough trials and tests. The questionsin God's mind are: Will we remainfaithful? Do we really BELIEVE Him?And, are we willing to OBEY Him,regardless of circumstances?

Therefore, just as in the case of theancient Israelites, God puts TRUE CHRIS­TIANS "under the gun"-under thewhiplash of trials and tests. Thesetests reveal the true character, the true"colors" of a person. Is he "for real"?Or is he just "making believe" he is aChristian?

The GOOD NEWS

Reaction to TRIALS reveals the an­swer.

Consider this fact, the next timeYOU are undergoing a severe TEST offaith!

What Is Your Trial?

In what area of your life has Godbeen putting YOU to the test? What isYOUR trial? Do you feel you've justabout reached the "breaking point"?

Are you about ready to say, "Allright. Up to this point, it was okay­but that did it! Now I've had it!That's enough for me!" Are you aboutready to cry, "Enough!" and give up­throw God's Word out the window­and reject His promises?

Have YOU just about "had it"?It is far too easy, when trials come,

to take our eyes OFF Christ and stareat the trial itself. Just like Peter. Whenhe attempted to walk on the water, hetook his eyes off Christ and stared atthe howling winds and raging seas.Fear seized him! Faith vanished, andhe began to sink into the swirlingwaters.

But, unlike the Israelites of old,Peter knew what to do when TROUBLEcame. He cried out to Christ, "Lord,save me!" (Mat. 14:28-30.) Jesusreached out and caught him and de­livered him.

Sometimes, however, God does NOT

deliver us right away. Sometimes Hetries our faith-our willingness to relyupon Him-by allowing the trial toREMAIN for some time.

In certain cases, God might allow thetrial to remain-until DEATH!

Even in such a case, are you WILLINGto trust God, rely upon Him, and insimple FAITH trust Him to rescue you,deliver you, protect you, heal you, re­store you, and provide His promisedblessing?

Notice a few examples-a few trials-experienced by some of God's peo­ple. Perhaps one of these examples ap­plies directly to you!

One family lost their little daughterin an automobile accident. In anothercase, the little son died while themother was away, attending God'sFestival.

Sorrow and grief are natural. Ourhearts go out to those who lose a loved

September, 1965

one In death. But should even a triallike this cause us to lose faith in Godand forsake His Word? Or should sucha trial actually cause us to draw CLOSER

to God and learn to depend on Himmore completely?

There are cases of illness, where Godfor some reason known to Him alonedelays healing. Sometimes the illness­or the particular affliction-lasts forYEARS! Yet, plainly according to God'sWord, He promises to HEAL those whoput their trust in Him. He does notpromise to heal immediately, when wecall upon Him, however. The time andthe way God keeps in His own hands.

If YOU are sick, or afflicted in someway-are YOU willing to trust God re­gardless of how long He puts theTRIAL OF FAITH upon you? Are youwilling to BELIEVE HIS PROMISES tothe end-even though the answer maynot come for years, or even until theresurrection?

Are you, therefore, willing to EN­DURE in believing faith?

Perhaps your trouble is financial.Since tithing, you have for some reasonsunk deeper in debt. Do you blameGod? Do you call Him a LIAR sinceHe promised to bless the faithful tithe­payer? (Mal. 3;8-10.) How LONG willyou trust God? How long will youendure in faith, striving to do yourbest to use your income wisely, pru­dently, and payoff your backlog ofdebts? Are you willing to be PATIENTwith God, and wait until He sees fitto bless you?

Remember, God does promise toBLESS the faithful tithepayer. But youmust BELIEVE! And you must continueto OBEY His laws!

One more example-what about thetrial of those who do not have mates-­those who are separated and livingalone because of a divorce and re­marriage situation? In some cases, Godmay intervene to reunite a particularcouple, even though they have beenseparated for years. Such a coupleshould be deeply thankful for God'sblessing!

But what if He doesn't? What if aperson cannot be reconciled with his orher mate for the rest of this life?Should this particular TRIAL cause you

(Continued on page 19)

THE SACRIFICIAL SYSTEMIN ISRAEL

Can you prove that God's Law was in force BEFORE sacrificeswere given? Do you know which laws were "added" and

WHEN?

by Ernest L. Martin

T HE ApOSTLE PAUL tells us thatthe sacrifices, washings and car­nal ordinances given to ancient

Israel are no longer necessary. (Heb.9: 9-14. ) These physical laws wereimposed upon Israel until the time ofreformation-until the coming ofChrist and the Holy Spirit.

All of these physical rituals fore­shadowed, in a variety of ways, thecoming of Christ, His sinless life, Hisatoning power, His resurrection and

glorification. They prefigured theworking of the Holy Spirit, andshowed, m symbolism, many other im­portant spiritual principles.

Truly, these physical rituals were allvery important for the Old TestamentChurch-the congregation of Israel.They did reveal the workings of Christand the Holy Spirit which were tocome. However, the physical rituals losttheir importance and were not neededwhen the realities came which they

portrayed.

The true Christian today does notneed the physical and ritualistic rela­tionship with God that the carnal­minded Israelites of old required. Weworship God in spirit and truth (John4:24). We seek to obey His command­ments and laws without the impositionof physical rituals and sacrifices. Yet wedo need to understand.

The World Misunderstands

The attitude of the orthodox minis­ters of religion concerning the OldTestament is well known. Most of thembrush aside the question of the OldTestament by simply stating that theChristian is freed from the Old Cove-

nant and is not required to performthe commandments and laws men­tioned in the Law of Moses.

Unlike the inspired writers of theNew Testament who plainly taughtthat the ONLY laws which wereimposed only until the coming of Christ

were the "meats and drinks [sacrifices],and divers washings, and carnal[fleshly] ordinances" (Heb. 9:10), themajority of false ministers today boldlyassert that the whole worship systemgiven to Moses-including all thecommandments and laws-was doneaway when Christ came.

Thus, people are taught that no onetoday is really obliged to keep the TenCommandments-except in principle­whatever that may mean! People hearin the pulpits that it is not necessaryto observe the weekly Sabbath or theseven annual Holy Days of God, eventhough these institutions were ordainedFOREVER! They are also told that thedietary laws and the agricultural lawsgoverning the use of the land are allabolished. And so to most people to­day the entire Old Testament is repre­sented as having been completely done

away!

No scriptural authority is given forsuch assertions. There is none given,because no such authority exists!

In some cases, many modern minis­ters will flimsily apply for their au­thority the statements of Paul whichclearly refer only to the rituals andsacrifices, in order to have some excusefor their fallacious interpretations ofScripture (II Peter 3:15, 16).

Brethren, let us RIGHTLY divide the

Word of Truth and come to understandthe facts regarding this importantmatter!

Sacrifices Not at FirstCommanded!

Where so many people go astray, is inbelieving that every commandment ofGod is associated in one way or an­other with sacrificing or with someritual, and is likewise abrogated. Thisis pure nonsense! There were eveningand morning sacrifices on every day of

the year (Ex. 29: 38, 39). Does thatmean that all days of the year have beenabolished? Of course not!

Likewise, sacrifices were offered on

the Sabbath. Just because the sacrificeshave been done away does not mean theSabbath goes with them (Mark 2:27,

28; Mat. 24:20).

Let us understand this! And we can­from the Bible itself.

A very important scripture concern­ing the starting of the sacrificial sys­tem in Israel is Jeremiah 7: 21-23 :

"Thus saith the Lord of hosts, theGod of Israel; Put your burnt offer­ings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh.For I spake not unto your fathers, norcommanded them in the day that I

brought them out of the land of

Egypt, concerning burnt offerings orsacrifices: but this thing commanded

I them, saying, Obey my voice, and Iwill be your God, and ye shall be mypeople: and walk ye in all the waysthat I have commanded you, that it

may be well unto you."

Did you notice that carefully? Jere­miah was plainly telling the Jews that

16

God had told their forefathers aboutthe ways He wanted them to walk andthat He had given them commandmentsthat they were expected to obey BE­FORE HE SAID A THING TO THEMABOUT SACRIFICES.

In other words-sacrifices came later.God revealed many commandments andlaws BEFORE He gave them sacrifices.This particular scripture alone IS

enough to prove that.

Did Jeremiah receive this informa­tion by divine revelation apart fromany written records? Was this a specialrevelation to Jeremiah that no oneknew of before? Or was this commonknowledge among the Jews of Jere­miah's time and God was simply call­ing attention to the known facts thatall Jews knew?

The plain truth is that Jeremiahneeded NO special revelation concern­ing this fact of history. It was commonknowledge to all the Jews who readthe Law of God and the history ac­companying it.

Yes, in the Bible itself are plainstatements that the sacrificial system,the sacrifices mentioned by Moses,was not begun in Israel for a consider­able time AFTER the children of Israelleft Egypt! And clearly revealed aremany commandments which were givenBEFORE the rituals and sacrifices be­gan.

You will be amazed at what someof these commandments were. Jeremiahcertainly knew what he was talkingabout when he said that God had re­vealed His true spiritual way to Israelbefore giving them sacrifices.

When DID the SacrificialSystem

Come Into Force?

This may come as a surprise to someof you brethren, but nevertheless whatfollows is absolutely true. The sacri­fices and rituals mentioned in the booksof Leviticus and Numbers were notofficially ordained for observance untilthe month of Nisan in the SECOND YEARAFTER Israel came out of Egypt!

To be exact, the Bible shows thatit was eleven months and fifteen daysafter coming from Egypt-to the veryday-that the sacrificial system began.

The GOOD NEWS

This means that nt?l1rly a fllll year

passed before official sacrificing began.

This is a very important truth, forin that near one-year period there weremany commandments given to Israel­some of which were ordained FOREVER.And by virtue of being ordained BE­FORE sacrifices or rituals, they take on anew distinction, a new importance.

How Did Sacrifices Originate?

To understand this whole subjectadequately, it will be necessary torealize that sacrifices did not originatewith Moses or the children of Israel.We are told in the Biblical record thatCain and Abel offered sacrifices in thedays of Adam (Gen. 4:1-7). Laterwhen Noah left the ark, he built analtar and sacrificed (Gen. 8:20). Fromthe time of Noah, peoples all over theearth began to offer sacrifices of onekind or another.

All the records of ancient nationsshow their knowledge of sacrificing,either to the true God or to pagandeities of their own imagination. Itwas customary to offer "thank" offer­ings when particular blessings wouldcome. Also there were "propitiatory"offerings if a person thought he of­fended God in any way.

We are told that Abraham built analtar and sacrificed to God (Gen.12 :7). Also Jacob (Gen. 35:1). Jacobundoubtedly taught his twelve sons thenecessity of sacrificing. And, even inthe days of Moses, we find that sacri­ficing was no new thing to the Is­raelites in Egypt. They were sacrificingwhile they were in Egypt. You willnotice that Moses told Pharaoh that hewanted to take the people of Israel intothe wilderness three days' journey andsacrifice (Ex. 3:18; 5:3).

But wait a moment!Jeremiah said that God did not

command the Israelites to sacrifice whenthey were coming out of Egypt, andyet we find that Israel wanted to gointo the wilderness expressly to sacri­fice. Is there a contradiction here? DidJeremiah really know what he wastalking about?

Of course, Jeremiah knew his history.He was fully aware that sacrificing wasno new thing to the children of Israel.

September, 1965

He knew they were sacrificing longbefore they left Egypt. And he alsoknew they wanted to go three days'journey into the wilderness in orderto sacrifice.

Then what did Jeremiah mean?The answer is quite plain! Jeremiah

is saying that God did not give thema sacrificial system, with rules andregulations for sacrificing, when theycame out of Egypt. The Israelites weresacrificing before they left Egypt andthey sacrificed after they left Egypt andeven BEFORE the sacrificial system wasestablished by God. But let us under­stand an important difference betweenthe sacrifices offered BEFORE the sacri­ficial system was inaugurated and thosesacrifices which came AFTER the sacri­ficial system was enforced.

The difference is this: ALL thesacrifices offered BEFORE the establish­ment of the sacrificial system wereVOLUNTARY SACRIFICES--offered at thesole discretion of, and in the mannermost suitable to, the offerer himself.

WHERE IN GENESIS DOES GOD COM­MAND HOW SACRIFICES WERE TO BEOFFERED OR WHEN THEY WERE TO BEOFFERED? Sacrifices were well known,but there was NOT a sacrificial system!

The sacrifices of Noah, Abraham,Jacob, and even the sacrifices of Mosesand the children of Israel BEFORE thesacrificial system came into effect, werestrictly voluntary. There are no elaboraterules about sacrificing in Genesis.

The Building of the Tabernacle

After being told that an official sacri­ficial system was to be commenced inIsrael, Moses was again called backonto Mount Sinai. God began to revealmore and more about that sacrificialand ritualistic system that He was go­ing to start in Israel.

God told Moses that one of the firstthings he was to do was to make aTabernacle as a central place of worshipfor all the people. Moses was told thatit was in this Sanctuary or Tabernaclethat the sacrificial altar was to beplaced. The command to make thisTabernacle as a Sanctuary for God andfor the central place of worship isfound in Exodus 25:1-9.

The remainder of Exodus 25 isGod's instruction concerning the con-

September, 1965

struction of the mercy seat and theark of the covenant which Moses wasto make and put in a particular sectionof the Tabernacle. Then in Exodus 26

comes the command to make curtainsfor the Tabernacle which would sepa­rate certain areas from others in theSanctuary. And, in Exodus 27 we findthe directions for making the altar ofsacrifice.

Then, in Exodus 28 Moses is toldthat Aaron and all his descendants areto be the priests of Israel. This is thevery first indication that Moses hadconcerning the priesthood being givento Aaron and his sons. Moses had noidea, until now, that his brother andnephews were to be the priesthood forIsrael.

In Exodus 29, Moses was told howthe priests would be consecrated andordained when the time would come.And lastly, in Exodus 30, Moses wastold to make an altar of incense whichwas to be placed near the Holy ofHolies in the Tabernacle.

It was in Exodus 31 that God toldMoses whom He had chosen as themasterworkrnen fur the building of this

Tabernacle and all its furnishings.However, we find that even beforeMoses returned to camp to notify theworkmen, the people rose up in re­bellion against Moses. Aaron made agolden calf. The next three chaptersreveal the indignation of God at thisrebellion, and the intercession of Moseson the people's behalf, and finally therepentance of the people for the evilthey had done.

Then in Exodus 3S and 36 we findthe workmen beginning to build theTabernacle. The materials for the Sanc­tuary were collected and it was finallybuilt (Ex. 37). Then the altar onwhich to sacrifice was constructed (Ex.38). And lastly, the clothing for thepriesthood was made and finished (Ex.39).

The Raising of the Tabernacle

Now we come to a most importantchapter for the proper understandingof this subject-Chapter 40. When youread the contents of this chapter, youwill understand why it has been neces­sary to carry you through the book ofExodus chapter by chapter.

The GOOD NEWS

Why is this particular chapter im­portant? Because it is in Chapter 40that we have the record of WHEN thesacrificial and ritualistic system beganin Israel. Let us notice the beginningof this chapter carefully!

"And the Lord spake unto Moses,saying, On the first day of the firstmonth shalt thou set up the tabernacleof the tent of the congregation" (Ex.40:1-2).

Note the second verse in particular.Moses was commanded by God not toraise up the Tabernacle until a particu­lar day of the year. True, they were tohave everything ready for the erectionof the Tabernacle. They were to haveall the furnishings completed before­hand. But, the Tabernacle could not beofficially raised and set up as the cen­tral Sanctuary for Israel until the firstday of the first month in THE SEC·OND YEAR after the children ofIsrael came out of Egypt.

Now notice that on that exact day­and not before-Moses was told to setup the altar of incense (Ex. 40: S) andalso the altar of burnt offering (Ex.40:6). In Verse 10 Moses was com­manded to anoint, or officially conse­crate, the altar of sacrifice. Then inExodus 40: 12-15 Moses was instructedto ordain the priesthood.

If there is any further doubt whenall of these things took place, noticeExodus 40: 17: "And it came to passin the first month in the second year,on the first day of the month, that thetabernacle was reared up."

The following verses in Exodus 40show that Moses put everything intothe Tabernacle and officially consecratedeverything pertaining to sacrifice andritual. And Moses officially ORDAINEDthe priests to their offices on that day-NOT BEFORE!

Why Is This Important?

Brethren, the above informationclearly shows that up to this time theIsraelites had no Tabernacle in whichto offer sacrifices, no altar on whichto place them, and no priesthood toofficiate at the sacrifices and rituals.This was all done on the first day ofthe first month in the SECOND YEARAFTER they came out of Egypt. Thisis the very day that God commanded the

17

Israelites to begin their official sacrific­ing to Him-not before!

Jeremiah certainly knew what he wastalking about when he said that Goddid not command the Israelites aboutsacrifices when they left Egypt. It wasalmost a complete full year before thesacrificial and ritualistic system began!

Sacrifices Could Be OfferedOnly

At the Sanctuary

Once the official sacrificial systembegan in Israel, God commanded thatno sacrifices of this ritualistic systemcould henceforth be offered except atthe official altar in the Sanctuary. Thisis important to note, for in times past,the people could individually, withouta priesthood, offer their sacrifices justanywhere they pleased.

But now notice the instruction ofGod, In Leviticus 17:2-5, God says thatif an Israelite did not bring his sacri­fice to the one official altar which wasat the door of the Tabernacle, thatperson would be cut off from amonghis people. And we further read inDeuteronomy 12:13, 14: "Take heedto thyself that thou offer not thy burntofferings in every place that thouseest: but in the place which the Lordshall choose in one of thy tribes,there thou shalt offer thy burnt offer­ings, and there thou shalt do all thatI command thee."

This fact, that all the sacrifices inIsrael could only be offered AT THESANCTUARY, or ON THE ALTAR IN THESANCTUARY, proves how important itwas to sacrifice correctly and at theone Sanctuary. It shows how importantthe altar and the Sanctuary were to God.This shows why the altar and theSanctuary HAD TO BE BUILT andSANCTIFIED BEFORE the sacrificialsystem could begin. And certainly,there had to be a PRIESTHOOD estab­lished and ordained before the sacri­fices could commence. It was a grosssin ever to offer a sacrifice without apriest at the altar sanctifying theoffering.

Now it becomes quite clear whythere had to be a Sanctuary, an altarand a priesthood before the sacrificialsystem could begin. And the childrenof Israel had none of these until the

18

beginning of the second year of theirExodus!

Israel Did Offer SacrificesBefore the Sacrificial

System Began

The differences between the volun­tary sacrifices offered before the offi­cial system began, and the commandedsacrifices within the official systemshould be sufficiently understood bynow. If the fundamental differencesare understood-that one was volun­tary and the other commanded-thenwe will have no difficulty in compre­hending any text of Scripture betweenExodus 12 and Exodus 40 which mightbe a little obscure on the surface.

For example, you will notice inExodus 24:1-8 that Moses and some ofthe children of Israel offered sacrificeswhen they agreed, the first time, to ob­serve the Old Covenant that God madewith them. Now let us clearly under­stand that the Sanctuary had not beenraised up, the altar was not yet built,and there was yet no priesthood tooffer official sacrifices. To put itplainly, the commanded sacrificial sys­tem had not yet come into effect.What kind of sacrifices, then, werethese?

Let's note carefully the text itself:"And Moses came and told the peopleall the words of the Lord, and all thejudgments: and all the people answeredwith one voice, and said, All thewords which the Lord hath said willwe do. And Moses wrote all the wordsof the Lord, and rose up early in themorning, and builded an altar underthe hill, and twelve pillars, accordingto the twelve tribes of Israel" (Ex.24:3, 4).

This particular altar that Moses builthere WAS NOT THE ALTAR that was tobe put in the Sanctuary. That altar wasnot even completely described untilChapter 27, and was not built untilChapter 38, not put in the Sanctuaryuntil Chapter 40-or in the secondyear of the Exodus. Moses simplybuilt this particular altar to offer somevoluntary sacrifices in order to have thenecessary blood for the ratification ofthe Covenant. These sacrifices wereNOT a part of the official sacrificeswhich came later.

The GOOD NEWS

Let us go on a little further withthe text: "And he sent young men ofthe children of Israel, which offeredburnt offerings, and sacrificed peaceofferings of oxen unto the Lord" (Ex.24:5) .

Now notice a significant fact in thisverse. Observe that these offerings werenot offered by priests as commandedin the Law, but by YOUNG MEN of thechildren of Israel. Why "young men"?Simply because there were, as yet, noofficial priests in Israel. Aaron and hissons were not ordained until the daythe Tabernacle and altar were set up-­the day the commanded sacrificial sys­tem began.

It would have been wrong for justanyone to offer sacrifices AFTER thebeginning of the second year of theExodus. But before this time, God didallow voluntary offerings to he sacri­ficed by anyone in Israel and on indi­vidual altars which were not locatedin any Sanctuary.

Why shouldn't God allow this?Noah built an altar and sacrificed on it(Gen. 8:20); so did Abraham (Gen_12:7) j Jacob (Gen. 35:1); and evenMoses when the children of Israel werecoming out of Egypt (Ex. 17:15). Andso, here we find Moses offering volun­tary offerings to God like those whichhad been offered centuries before.

There was no priesthood or Sanctu­ary established, so there was nothingwrong in this. It was only AFTER theSanctuary had been built that God for­bade sacrifices by anyone, except apriest be in attendance. It was onlyAFTER the sacrificial system began thatGod forbade offering sacrifices any­where but on the altar in the Sanctuary.

Another "Difficult" Point?

There seems to be a difficulty inExodus 33:7-11. Here the Bible plainlystates that a tabernacle had alreadybeen set up before the beginning of thesecond year as mentioned in Exodus40.

Is there a contradiction in Scripture?

The answer to this "difficulty" isapparent when we understand the origi­nal Hebrew in these verses. The He­brew word "Haobel" used here andtranslated "Tabernacle" can just as

September, 1965

easily be rendered "tent"-a commonresidential tent. But when speakingabout the Tabernacle in which thealtar was placed, and where sacrificeswere offered, it is "Hammiscbcan," atotally different word.

This tent being described in Exodus33 was merely a temporary place ofworship to fulfill an emergency need.Notice, Moses called it "The Tabernacleof the congregation"-not God! Thistent was not the official Sanctuarycommanded by God at all. Besides,there is no mention of any sacrifices atthis temporary worship tent. To explainclearly, we might call this Moses' tem­porary home, office or Headquarters.No problem or contradiction here! Andremember, even if they had sacrificedin this tent it was still allowable to doso, as explained.

Another Point That NeedsSettling

It is quite clear in the Bible thatthe Aaronic priesthood did not existuntil the beginning of the second yearof the Exodus. Yet in Exodus 19:22and 24 there are direct references to"priests" being in Israel even before theTen Commandments were given toMoses.

Actually, every nation of antiquityhad its religious priests. Usually it wasthe head of the nation, clan or familywho acted as the religious intermediarybetween them and God. For example,when Noah, Abraham, Jacob and theothers officiated at their individualaltars and offered sacrifices, they wereacting in the capacity of priests. Theywere the heads of their families anddirectly responsible to God for thespiritual welfare of those families.

We read that Job, as head of hisfamily, officiated as a priest for hishousehold by offering sacrifices beforethere was a Sanctuary established for thepeople of God (Job 1: 5). Also, it wascommon for other nations to have theirown priesthoods. We can also noticethat the father-in-law of Moses was thepriest of Midian (Ell:- 2: 16). Thisoffice of his father-in-law was held inrespect by Moses, for it representedJethro as head of the Midianite people.

So, like all other peoples, Israel(Continued on page 24)

September, 1965 The GOOD NEWS 19

Learning Early"This is the first time I have been

able to send in my tithe. I am 11 yearsold. It is only 15 cents, but I feel goodthat I can help God's Work a little

Repentant"I feel so bad. I want to apologize

to you and the Church of God for someof my letters in the past trying to cor­rect you. I thought I really knew I wasright, but for the past few months Ihave begun to realize just HOW WRONGI really was. We are very low, miserableand sorry we waited so long to listento God. WE REPENT! We have turned

(Continued from page 3)

with Mr. White's instructions, whichI followed. After I refused to standpicket duty, the strike came to an end!Coincidence? Perhaps, but Mr. Whiteand some others did not think so. Idon't REALLY know, but I am inclinedto go along with Mr. White and be­lieve that perhaps God was testing

me." George E. L., Washington

Big Sandy Visit"In the latter part of May of this

year, while we were on vacation, myfamily and I drove to Big Sandy tovisit the college there. I was greatlysurprised by the spaciousness of thegrounds, by the beauty of the groundsand especially the homes and class­rooms, library-all were so neat andclean. I could see that you do indeedteach cleanliness and beauty and thatthe students are taught how to liveand enjoy life. My wife and I werevery pleased with the friendliness ofboth the faculty and students. Mr.Braden was very kind in taking us on atour of the classrooms and grounds. Iwas made to realize that this truly is adifferent work than ordinary school orbusiness. Other schools, etc., do not takethe time to show people their establish­ment with the gracious, friendly man­ner that Mr. Braden did. Please thankhim again for us."

Harold E. M., Missouri

WHY You Have Trials

There is a reason for every trial!God is not dead. He is very muchALIVE, and very much CONCERNED foryou! Trials do NOT mean God has lostinterest in you. Don't worry-you havenot been "lost in the shuffle." Godknows every hair on your head (Luke21:18). He knows all about you!

But why, then, do you have trials?Basically, trials come for ONE reason:You ARE NOT YET PERFECT! If youwere already perfect, you would needno trials. But since you still have aways to go, before attaining perfection,God gives you trials to HELP YOUALONG!

Trials, troubles are usually due tocoming short of the mark-that is,SIN. We usually suffer as a result ofsin somehow creeping into our life,deceiving us, and causing us to makeunwise decisions. Sin brings trouble,trials-and eventually, if not repentedof, DEATH!

Therefore, when we stumble into sin,God PUNISHES us to wake us up andbring us to repentance. When we dis­obey God, we reap the curses men­tioned in Leviticus 26! When werepent, God's blessings are POURED outupon us!

But, that is not the whole story.Human nature itself is greatly respon­sible for many of our trials. It is full ofdeceit and wickedness-vanity and hos­tility (Jer. 17:9; Rom. 8:7). It is fullof SELF!

Therefore, to help us OVERCOME thedownward pulls of human nature, andget RID of self, God gives us trials. Hechastens and punishes and corrects us

the same time, He wants you to con­tinue growing spiritually, doing YOURpart in overcoming yourself, yieldingto Him, and obeying His command­ments.

In due time, He WILL DELIVERYOU! That is His Word-His promise-and it cannot be broken (John10:35; Tit. 1:2). But you must trustin Him-patiently, perseveringly, withthankful JOY, with gratitude and hu­mility!

Remember the Israelites of old!Don't follow them in sour, disgruntledrebellion!

WHY TRIALS?

• Yes!(Continued on page 22)

The Key-Attitude

What is YOUR biggest trial? Stopand think about it for a moment. Whathas your attitude been toward it­about it? Has it really tested yourfaith-your perseverance?

Is your trial teaching you to TRUSTIN GOD and rely on Him-all the way?Is it building FAITH? Is it teachingyou PATIENCE?

Or does doubt begin to creep in, doesdiscouragement sneak in, do self-pityand remorse take over? Do bitterness,hostility and hate replace the LOVEand JOY of God's Holy Spirit?

Remember, whatever your trial, GODKNOWS IT. He knows ALL ABOUT it.And He is deeply CONCERNED foryou, whoever you are! If He wanted,He could lift the trial off your backin an instant-the very fact that HeDOESN'T do this shows plainly that Hesees the trial is GOOD for you-that youneed it, in order to develop thecharacter of Christ!

God knows YOUR problem. It is nothid from His eyes! He wants youto commit it to Him and trust Himwith it. He wants you to learn to RELYon Him, in patient, living FAITH! At

(Continued from page 14)

to lose faith in God, call Him a harshmonster, and bitterly rebel against HisTruth?

Some, faced with this problem, haverebelled. Some count a temporary physi­cal relationship as MORE IMPORTANTthan entering the Kingdom of God asHis very own SON for all eternity!

How would YOU decide? Whatwould YOU do?

around and we are trying so hard to gothe other way. We need HELP. We needthe Holy Spirit of God. We need to bebaptized by one of God's own ministers.One of your teams came to see us once.We realize now why we were notbaptized. They knew we were notready. May we have another chance?"

E. E. S., Tennessee

• • •

D. J. 0., Michigan

Readers Say

bit."

20

(Hcb. 12:6). God's chastening IS

PROOF of His great LOVE for us! Butoften the chastening takes the form ofa trial.

Why, then, do we have trials?Because we NEED them! They teach

us important lessons of FAITH, humil­ity, reverence and worship for God!They show us how incapable we are,of ourselves, of working out our prob­lems! They refine and purge, purifyand strengthen our CHARACTER! Theyhelp us change from being carnal andinwardly centered to SPIRITUAL andOUTGOING in our concern!

They change our CHARACTER! Theselfish dross is purged away! Thespiritual nature of Christ is implanted!In this way we grow to "the measureof the stature of the [ulness of Christ"(Eph. 4:13).

Notice what God told the Israelites,our forefathers: "And thou shalt re­member all the way which the LORDthy God led thee these forty years inthe wilderness, to HUMBLE thee, and toprove thee, to know what was in thineheart, whether thou uiouldest keep hiscommandments, or no" (Deut. 8:2).

That is the very reason God givesYOU trials! What has God learned­about you?

Rejoice in Trials!

How does GOD say you should"take" your trials?

James wrote, "My brethren, count itall JOY when ye fall into diverstemptations (trials]; knowing this, thatthe trying of your faith workethPATIENCE. But let patience have herperfect work, that ye may be perfectand entire, wanting nothing" (Jas.1 :2.4). Do you count trials as allJOY? Why not?

Notice what Peter said: "Belovedthink it not strange concerning theFIERY TRIAL which is to try you, asthough some strange thing happenedunto you: BUT REJOICE, inasmuch asye are partakers of Christ's sufferings;that, when his glory shall be revealed,ye may be GLAD ALSO WITH RXCRRD­

ING lOY" (I Pet. 4:12.13).

How contrary to human nature!Peter wrote also, "That the trial of

your FAITH, being much more PRE­crous than of gold that perisheth,

The GOOD NEWS

though it be tried with fire, might befound unto praise and honour andglory at the appearing of Jesus Christ"(I Pet. 1 :7).

How PRECIOUS are the trials of aChristian! How necessary-how vitalto spiritual GROWTH!

How thankful we should be, foreach one of them ! You should stopand THANK God for your trials! GiveHim praise for being so concernedabout YOU!

But-HOW?

But wait a minute! Trials HURT,don't they? They bring misery, suffer­ing, heartache and heaviness. How,then, can we ever learn to reallyREJOICE in them?

Of course God does not expect us toconsider the actual trial-the pain orsorrow-as joyful. That is not thepoint! Although the trial itself maybring suffering, we need to realize thatthe RESULT-the FRUIT--of the trial iswhat should cause us to rejoice and beTHANKFUL!

Trials themselves, while we endurethem, can cause heaviness and sorrow(I Pet. 1 :6). The Apostle Paul wrotethe Hebrews, "Now no chastening forthe present seemetb to be joyous, BUTGRIEVOUS" (Heb. 12:11). How true!

But Paul explained, "Neverthelessafterward it yieldeth the peaceableFRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS unto themwhich are exercised thereby" (Verse 11,last part) . Notice!-"AFTERWARD" !When the trial is over, good fruit isborne-the fruit of patience, faith,humility, and RIGHTEOUSNESS.

When we consider the wonderfulreason why GOD, in His supreme love,gives us trials, we truly should bethankful and REJOICE! Rather thanmope around shrouded in a cloud ofintense GLOOM, we should REJOICE!"Wherefore lift up the hands whichhang down, and the feeble knees," theApostle Paul exhorts. Don't be de­pressed, disillusioned or discouraged.Lift up your head, and praise God forHis everlasting concern and mercy!

PRAISE GOD for giving you acharacter-building trial!

This is the attitude you shouldhave! Those who gripe and grumble intheir trials are MISSING this vital lesson

September, 1965

of character development! They aremissing out on the real lessons theirtrials should teach them.

Remember: through your trials, youare becoming more and more like JesusChrist in character, in nature, in com­passion and love! It is through suffer­ing ourselves that we learn to haveCOMPASSION on others who suffer! Wecan sympathize with others who havetrials, because we ourselves have hadthem! We know what they are like!We have been through them, our­selves!

Expect Trials!

The next time you are tempted tofeel sorry for yourself because of yourtrials, stop and consider the example ofJesus Christ, "Who for the joy thatwas set before him endured the cross,despising the shame, and is set downat the right hand of the throne of God.For CONSIDER HIM that endured suchcontradiction of sinners against him­self, lest ye be wearied and faint inyour minds" (Heb. 12:2-3).

How many more trials did Christhave than you? How much more suf­fering did He go through? He bore thegriefs of ALL people on His shoulders.Rejected, despised, spit upon, beatenand bloodied, mocked and ridiculed,and finally, after all that, nailed to astake and crucified!

Have you ever gone through trialsapproaching those of Christ?

Consider what He went through, foryou-and be thankful!

Yes, be THANKFUL for your trials!Remember what the Apostle Paulwrote, "We must through much tribula­tion enter into the kingdom of God"(Acts 14:22). Remember, "Yea, andall that will live godly in Christ Jesusshall suffer persecution" (II Tim.3 :12). Remember, as David wrote,"MANY are the afflictions of therighteous: but the LORD delivereth himout of them all" (Ps. 34:19).

Learn to EXPECT trials. Do not besurprised when they come. Realize howVITAL they are to your spiritual growth.Thank God for them-rejoice in them-and commit them into God's hands,trusting Him for deliverance fromthem, according to His mercy andcompassion!

September, 1965

Rejoice At Feast(Continued from page 8)

as clean as your cooking area. Youshould dean the stove after use andnot leave food or refuse lying around.You can keep garbage in sacks or a

small covered pail until it is emptiedinto the receptacles provided. BUT DO

NOT LET IT ACCTTMITT.ATE. Takf' rare

of it after each meal.

You should keep food in sealed con­tainers. Incidentally, coffee cans withplastic lids or metal cracker boxes areexcellent to store such things as sugar,flour, or other such items. Small plasticbags with soft wire fasteners are alsovery good for this purpose. If you dothese things, you will find you willhave fewer unwelcome visitors in theform of flies, ants, and other insects.

Food that can spoil should be keptin an ice chest. Such things as potatosalad, chicken salad, or tuna fish spoilvery easily and can cause SEVERE FOOD

PUISUNING! You should use these at themeal prepared and then throw the re­mainder away. Don't let illness due tocareless food handling mar your stay at

God's Feast!

First Aid

In a camping area, minor accidentscan and will happen. A first aid roomwill be maintained for real emergen­cies, but many minor injuries can betreated in your own area.

Abrasions, scratches, and cuts shouldbe cleansed with plain soap and waterto remove any debris present. Thewound can then be cleansed with anapplication of dry wine (Burgundy)and an appropriate size band-aid ap­plied.

Ice packs or cold packs are of valuein the immediate treatment of insectstings or bites. These are applied forabout two hours over a bicarbonate of

soda paste applied to the bite. Sprainscan also be treated with cold packs forthe first twenty-four to thirty-six hourscombined with use of an elastic band­age as a support.

If, in spite of all precautions, some-

Ambassador Col/898 Photos

Every opportunity for fun and enjoyment isoffered at every Feast site-be sure to heedthe directions in this article so your Feast canbe a joyfully pleasant and SAFE experience,

22 The GOOD NEWS September, 1965

one does get burned, a fast, convenient,and competent method of treatment isto immerse or plunge the burned areainto cold or even iced water. Thisrelieves the pain immediately and di­minishes the eventual burn damage.The burned area may. have to be keptunder water for a period of thirtyminutes to several hours. The area canthen be bandaged or preferably, if itcan be kept clean, left open to the air.Following this, A & D ointment as anemollient may be applied two or threetimes daily until healing has takenplace.

The above first aid hints are physicalactions we may take. We should keepin mind that God is our Healer (Ex.15: 26). These suggestions are only thepractical, common sense, mechanical,physical things we can do for ourselves-things God expects of us! In case of

serious illness or injury, we shouldfollow the instructions in James 5: 14.

Be careful! Do not tempt God bytaking unnecessary chances (Mat. 4:7).

You Can Rejoice

Brethren, we are here at God's com­manded Festival and it is a change ofpace--a change of living. A changethat leaves us physically tired but re­laxed. A sensation of feeling betterfrom just being here.

The very meaning of camping onGod's grounds, acting out the comingMillennium, will inspire, invigorateand rejuvenate you. The real LivingGod whose Spirit is here wants YOUto enjoy the Feast. Obey the rules­TEACH THEM TO YOUR CHILDREN-useWISDOM-COMMON SENSE-CARE-andyou WILL REJOICE during God's Fes­tival.

into a conflict with my conscience. Iknow that I rob myself and my familyof all the blessings which could beours. I pray that God will bring mywife to obey His will."

Man from Cologne, Germany

God's Way Good"Enclosed please find our freewill

offering. This offering reflects a recentpay raise for my husband. Since we metand married I have noticed the bless­ings he has received in his work. Hewas promoted from running a machineto being over the entire office. He wasable to take his vacation at the time ofthe Feast of Tabernacles, and is ableto observe the Sabbath with no diffi­culties. So, obeying and living accord­ing to God's laws is good and it's fun,not drudgery. We are happier and ourlives are most interesting."

Mr. and Mrs. Eric A., Illinois

From France"It was with the greatest joy that I

filled out my answer sheet to the Cor­respondence Course test. I just hope

Happy

"I canceled my Blue Cross Insuranceand my Traveller's Insurance and amtithing those premiums to the Work ofGod. Man, oh man! I never had it sogood."

"Our business has been slow and afew days ago when our CorrespondenceCourse lesson arrived we were particu­larly discouraged. After reading 'TheMan Who Couldn't Afford to Tithe'we decided we would take our last $12and send it in as a tithe, and if some­one would come out and buy some­thing we would continue to tithe. Inless than 3 hours we had a $50 sale andin the mail an inquiry for another $50Sale. This was after having gone foralmost 3 weeks without selling a thing.The check for the $50 cleared the bankso here is our tithe (the $12 and $5).Needless to say, we will continue totithe--we can't afford not to!"

1. W. H., Oregon Young Co-Worker"Thank you for putting me on your

special Co-Worker Mailing List. Iknow God will perform surprises be­cause I have seen healings in our fam-

Jobitis"This coming June I will be 80

years old and have never been married.I was saved at the age of 9 and my lifehas NEVER been stained by sin. Ispent 12 years in religious institutions,15 years in the ministry, and 15 yearscaring for my aged parents, seeing themoff to Heaven. I never read any un­holy magazine in my life and neverdarkened the door of a movie. MyBible has been, and is still, my greatesttreasure. I am trusting Jesus and Hisword to be my guide to the end ofmy earthly pilgrimage."

Miss J. D., Louisiana• Read I John 1:8

Even Behind Bars"I must let someone know that I

know God's financial law is real. SinceI have. been tithing I have gotten abetter job, more money here at theprison and received 2 raises in 5months, plus the opportunity to learn atrade, so that I won't ever have tosteal again in life."

Prisoner, Connecticut

Too Weak to Be Blessed

"You tell your readers to observe thelaw of tithing, and thus give Godwhat is rightfully His. Unfortunately, Ido not have jurisdiction over my in­come because my wife does not sharemy opinion. For 25 years I have givenall my income to my wife. It wouldcause strife and quarrels if I should tryto change the procedure all of a sudden.In this case, I think there should beharmony between married couples, be­cause God doesn't want anything thatis not given joyfully. If I were free todecide over my income-God knows Iwould have already given what is Hisa long time ago! But to my shame, Imust admit that I belong to those whorob God. Yes, I admit that throughstudying your literature I have gotten

C. R. M., Texas

What Our Readers Say ...(Continued from page 19)

that my grade will permit me to con­tinue, because I would hate to have togive it up now. I am filled with ad­miration for the marvelous way inwhich you organize and layout yourcourse. Thanks to you, the Bible is be­coming clear and intelligible to me-and God seems so much closer."

Lady from Combes, France

Proof

September, 1965

ily with my own eyes. 1 know themoney is used wisely so I give offer­ings, tithes and my time to God'sChurch. 1 agree with you in many ways.1 am 10 years old."

L. A. (age 10), California

Third Tithe Year Increase

"I am now in my third tithe yearand thought that 1 would have a de­crease or even have to cease my specialoffering to the Building Fund as a re­sult, but God has truly blessed us. 1can't explain how ends meet but theydo, and it seems to be easier than be­fore, this special year, even though 1have not had to decrease my specialoffering."

Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. S.,Texas

Grace and Favor

"Some time ago I wrote a letter toyou asking how I, in the military serv­ice, could possibly obey the FourthCommandment. The reply I receivedfrom one of your ministers was exactlywhat I had expected all along-to keepthe Sabbath holy at all costs, even if itmeant punishment from my superiorofficer. Well, I took your advice, prayedfervently several days for faith andgrace, and one morning submitted myrequest. The result shocked me! Godhad truly intervened for my sake. Noone questioned me or asked for anyBiblical proof (even though I wasprepared to give some). Neither did Iget any punishment for obeying Godinstead of man; I was simply GIVENthe day off! Yes, God does answerprayer. 'Blessed are they that hear theWord of God and keep it,' is the truth.

P.S. My superior officer is a Catholicchaplain !"

Christopher 1. S., California

Bible Questions(Continued from page 10)

you've memorized. TALK about them.TELL them to someone at the propertime and in the proper manner. THINKabout them. If you can't rememberthe exact verse, try to remember atleast the book where it's found, thenthe chapter. If you happen to forget

The GOOD NEWS

the verse, you can always check itlater.

The more you USE and REVIEW thebasic scriptures you learn, the longeryou will retain them and the more theywill actually become a PART of you!

Finally-s-from time to time havesomeone test you on the scripturesyou've learned, but CAUTION--our pur­pose for learning and memorizing basicthings from God's Word is not to be­come a walking "Bible encyclopedia."Don't know the Bible to be able to"show off" your knowledge, but "letthe word of Christ dwell in yourichly .. ." and "... be ready always togive an answer to every man thatasketh you a reason of the hope that isin you ..." (Col. 3: 16, and I Pet.3:15) .

Ask God in prayer to help youmemorize for the right purpose andwith the right attitude. Ask for thehelp to grasp, use, and review whatyou've learned, and see if your memo­rization of God's Word doesn't becomea more joyful, rewarding experience.

How could the earth possiblyhold all the people who haveever lived - all during the 100­year White Throne Judgment(Rev. 20:5, 11, 12)? The earth istoo crowded even now.

This world in its present state canhold few more people. The streets ofmany cities are pitifully crowded. Farm­ers are desperately searching for newtillable land. Ten thousand starve todeath daily-and there are only a fewover three billion people.

How could this same earth holdapproximately forty billion MORE peo­ple-ten to fifteen times the numberof people living on earth today?

The key is this: they will not live inthis world, this age, this society. Theywill be resurrected after a thousandyears of renovation by God's Govern­ment (Rev. 20:4-5). Let's examine someof the physical changes this govern­ment will effect:

"Every valley shall be exalted, andevery mountain and hill shall be madelow: and the crooked shall be made

23

straight, and the rough places plain"(Isa.40:4).

Much of the world is pockmarkedwith gigantic mountain ranges whichare too high and forbidding to be ofuse. These mountains will be miracu­lously lowered to a tillable altitude,and valleys below sea level will regaina sensible altitude above sea level.There will still be the beauty of rollinghills and variety in God's Creation, butno more useless areas such as theHimalayas, Antarctic ranges, and thehigher Andes.

"The desert shall rejoice, and blossomas the rose. It shall blossom abun­dantly" (Isa. 35: 1-2). Only about tenpercent of the earth's land area is beingused today. Why? Mainly because des­erts or polar iceboxes monopolize eachmajor continent. "The parched groundshall become a pool, and the thirstyland springs of water" (Verse 7).When God restores the right climate,these areas will all begin to blossomwith a beauty unseen in this presentworld.

These changes will take time, butGod and His transformed saints have1,000 years to prepare every squareinch for these multitudes.

After these centuries of preparation,God's relatively small "Task Force"will be organized and ready for theclimactic moment: the resurrection offorty or fifty BILLION bodies, each onehealthy and whole.

Now the question is: will the earth'sland hold all these people? Simplemathematics, forty billion people di­vided by fifty million square miles ofland surface, gives us a roomy five­acre plot for each medium-sized familyof four to six members.

This is the PERFECf size: largeenough to feed a family and give plenty

of "elbowroom," but small enough todiscourage large-scale, greedy profit­farming. This fits in perfectly withGod's prophecy in Micah 4:4: "Butthey shall sit every man under his

vine and under his fig tree; and noneshall make them afraid."

God's Word stands wonderfullytrue under any test.

24

SACRIFICES(Continued from page 18)

while in Egypt had certain heads offamilies to act as priests until a priest­hood could be officially inaugurated inIsrael by God Himself.

Notice what Dr. John Davies ofPrinceton University, a well-knownscholar on antiquity, has to say aboutthis. "Before the organization of apriestly class, priestly functions wereexercised by the patriarch in behalf ofhis household, and by the prince inbehalf of his people. The natural headof a body of people acted as priest.There were those among the Israelitesat the time of the Exodus who pos­sessed this premgative hy natural right.When the Tabernacle was projected, apriest was needed to minister at itsaltar. Aaron and his sons were ap­pointed to that office, and the priest­hood was made hereditary in the fami­ly, and restricted to it" (Davies, Thelllnstrated Bible Treasury, p. 328).

It should be quite clear that thepriests mentioned in Exodus 19:22 and24 were not from Aaron, for it wasabout a year later when the officialAaronic priesthood was begun.

What Does This All Mean?

When we understand that the sacri­ficial and ritualistic system establishedunder the Old Covenant was notbrought into force until the beginningof the second year of the Exodus, thenwe have an important KEY to knowwhat was done away with in the timeof Christ. This KEY will show uswhat belonged exclusively to thesacrifices and rituals, and it will showus what was separate and distinct from

them.

Also, we now have proof, by study­ing the Biblical history, of what com­mandments the Israelites were com­manded to observe BEFORE the sacri­fices and rituals were ever commanded.Understanding these things will showus some important commandments ofGod that were never a part of thesacrificial and ritualistic system-andthese commandments are obligatory for

the people of God today.'

The GOOD NEWS

Commandments Israelites KeptBEFORE Sacrifices

You will notice that the Sabbathcommand was understood in Exodus 16before the Ten Commandments weregiven on Mount Sinai. Notice thatthere is not a word about sacrificing!

Also, when God's Eternal Law, theTen Commandments, was later statedin a codified form (Ex. 20), there isstill not even a hint of sacrificing!

Also notice that God's annual HolyDays were commanded in Exodus 23:14-17. And here again, not a mentionof sacrificing.' And too, God made aspecial covenant with Israel in Exodus31: 12-17 in regard to the Sabbaths­weekly and annual-as being the ONLYREAL SIGN between Him and Hispeople that they are truly His chosenones. Again, not a word about sacri­fices.'

In fact, the children of Israel werecommanded to keep all of God's com­mandments, statutes and laws (Ex.15:25, 26) before Moses knew any­thing of a sacrificial or ritualistic sys­tem. It is a matter of history thaL thechildren of Israel KEPT EVERY ONE OFTHE SABBATHS AND HOLY DAYS forone whole year before the sacrificialsystem was introduced.

Of course, when the sacrificial sys­tem was finally ordained in the secondyear, sacrifices were offered on everyday of the year. And, we should not besurprised that the weekly Sabbath, be­cause of its solemnity, would havemore sacrifices than ordinary days. Al­so, when the important annual Sab­baths would arrive there would be acorresponding increase in the physicalsacrifices to point out the holiness ofthe annual Sabbaths. This is the reasonyou find sacrifices mentioned on theSabbaths and Holy Days in Leviticus 23.That part of Scripture was intendedprimarily for the instruction of thepriests and it describes how sacrificeswere to be offered on the High Days.

The Passover Sacrifice

Mention ought to be made of thesacrifice of the lamb at the Passovertime. Was this sacrifice a part of thesacrificial system established later? No!This particular sacrifice is totally un-

September, 1965

like any other mentioned in the wholeof the Old Testament. This is one sacri­fice which was eaten by the offereras a meal in his own residence. It didNOT have to be offered in the presenceof a priest nor did it have to be killedon the altar in the Sanctuary. The Pass­over sacrifice was a family re­sponsibility.

It is clear that the Passover sacrificewas unique in itself and that it wasNOT an integral part of the sacrificialsystem, for it was ordained almost ayear before. And it was totally unlikeany of the sacrifices mentioned in thebook of Leviticus. It was NOT a sacri­fice to atone for any particular sin.Rather, it was symbolic of the Messiahwho was to come and His sacrifice forour sins.

In fact, the Passover sacrifice has not

been abolished today. It has only beenCHANGED. Instead of the lamb we nowhave the bread and the wine. That isthe reason Paul tells us that the lamb isnot our Passover anymore, but rather,Christ is our Passover (I Cor. 5:7).That is, we now partake of Christ­figuratively, His body and His blood.The body of Christ, not the Iamb, isour Passover!

None of the sacrifices in the sacri­ficial system, however, were changedby Christ like the Passover-which wasNEVER a part of that system. There isno question about the fact that thePassover was a unique sacrifice com­pletely separate from the sacrifices ofthe commanded sacrificial system.

Conclusion

In this article, we have seen thatJeremiah certainly knew what he wastalking about ill Jeremiah 7:21·23.God NEVER commanded the Israelitesto sacrifice at all until the start of thesecond year of their Exodus!

We are thus assured that the com­mands to keep the Ten Command­ments' the weekly Sabbath and the an­nual Holy Days were in force for awhole year BEFORE the sacrificial JYs­tern hegan. And so, we can confi­dently say-with absolute PROOF-thatwhat was not originally a part of thesacrificial system did not vanish awaywith the sacrifices when they foundtheir reality in Christ.