P. O. Box 893909 Temecula, CA 92589
March 21, 2005
Dear Brethren:
A very warm greeting to you all:
Brethren, once again the spring Feasts—Passover and Unleavened Bread—will soon be here. Our faithful observance of the New Testament Passover is surely the most important of all of God’s Feasts! But before observing this memorial of Christ’s supreme sacrifice, we should all examine our own hearts to make sure we are properly prepared to partake of this memorial.
We need to realize, however, that we do not observe the Passover as a memorial of God having spared—or “passed over”—the Israelites when He struck Egypt’s firstborn (Exod. 12)! Instead, we observe our solemn Passover as a memorial by which God reminds us annually of the tremendous sacrifice of His dear Son, the “Lamb of God,” on behalf of all humanity (John 3:16). Jesus Christ is “our Passover” (1 Cor. 5:7). He died for us so God would “PASS OVER” our sins by forgiving us!
It seems that many in God’s Church experience severe trials each year before the Passover. This year is no exception. God’s Church in now in MOURNING, because of traumatic events that recently occurred in one Church of God congregation in Wisconsin. All of God’s people were shocked and profoundly saddened to learn of the death of eight people that occurred during a Sabbath Service! Pray that our gracious Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, will strengthen us all during this pre-Passover trial—by enabling us never to doubt God’s omnipotence, mercy and love toward His people—and toward all mankind (John 3:16).
Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread This year, the Passover falls on April 23rd of the Roman calendar. Remember, however, that we always observe God’s Passover on the previous evening. This means that this year we will observe it not long after sunset on Friday, April 22nd. May Almighty God motivate us all to “examine ourselves” (1 Cor. 11:29; 2 Cor. 13:5)—before partaking of the bread and wine, representing the “body” and “blood” of Jesus Christ (Matt. 26:26-29). Also, remember that God solemnly promises that all our sins will be totally removed from us “as far as the east is from the west” (Psa. 103:11-12; Isa. 1:18). Our sins are then gone forever—expunged from God’s “record,” so that we can be assured that we are sinless in His sight.
Let us never again allow Satan or anyone to cause us to feel guilty for past, forgiven sins, because Christ’s blood “cleanses us from all sins” (1 Jo. 1:7). With the apostle Paul, we can also say: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1)! [The Days of Unleavened Bread fall on April 24-30 and Pentecost will fall on June 12th, according to the “Sacred Calendar,” also called the “Jewish Calendar.”]
Important points regarding God’s “SACRED CALENDAR” Don’t let anyone confuse you regarding God’s “Sacred Calendar”! Never allow any person to deceive you or upset you regarding the proper dates for observing God’s Festivals. I recently received a letter from a minister of one of the “Churches of God,” who serves God’s people in a foreign country. He asked that I assist him with a calendar problem he had encountered. This minister said, “I need a Holy Day calendar. I’ve just had a request from a former WCG member for one. When I checked one of the copies I had, I was alarmed to discover a discrepancy with the dating of the Passover—a 3-day discrepancy! Would really appreciate an accurate copy…. Many thanks for your part in this.”
The minister appreciated my sending him the proper Festival dates. I was pleased to be able to inform this minister of God’s Church concerning the correct dates of all of God’s Feasts/Holy Days (including the Passover) for the next six years! I am making available, to all who request them, sufficient numbers of small, pocket-sized HOLY DAY CARDS, giving all the HOLY DAY DATES for SIX YEARS: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.
Brethren, I would like to warn you that there are many so-called Sacred Calendar “experts” who think they know better than Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, or know more than all the faithful ministers now serving the “Churches of God.” These “calendar experts”—who all disagree among themselves—have presumed to construct their own “sacred calendars.” But few, if any of them, really understand the many intricacies and difficulties involved in knowing how to “make” an accurate sacred calendar.
Keep this important truth in mind: There simply isn’t enough information in the Bible for anyone to be able to know precisely how to make a proper “Sacred Calendar”! Down through the ages, from the Patriarchs until the present time, God has preserved that “calendar knowledge” through His people—patriarchs, prophets, and in later times, through the Jewish people!
Mr. Armstrong and many of God’s true ministers have thoroughly researched the subject of the “sacred calendar” and have always concluded that, since the Bible does not tell us how to make a “sacred calendar,” we must look to those people, the Jews, who have preserved the true knowledge of how to make such a calendar. Only they have preserved that knowledge! God used the Jews to preserve: 1) The Hebrew Scriptures, as Paul explains (Rom. 3:1-2), 2) God motivated them to preserve the knowledge of when God’s “weekly Sabbath” is to be observed. 3) He also had the Jews preserve the knowledge of how to construct His “Sacred Calendar” (“Hebrew Calendar” or “Jewish Calendar”).
Without that calendar, we would not know when to observe any of God’s annual Feasts/Holy Days. I repeat, it was only through the Jews that God has preserved the true knowledge of the proper calendar dates for the observance of all His annual Feasts/Holy Days.
[Note. Arthur Spier’s Jewish calendar (The Comprehensive Hebrew Calendar, 3rd revised edition, 1986), gives the correct dates for all of God’s annual Holy Days for the 20th and 21st centuries. Fortunately, nearly all the Churches of God correctly rely upon the “calendar” preserved by the Jews—as did Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong!]
Quite recently, one person wrote to me expressing his concern regarding the “CALENDAR” and the “POSTPONEMENTS” in the following words: “Your wonderful article in the Nov. JOURNAL [“Does your Church possess...THE WHOLE TRUTH?”] echoed many of my recent thoughts…. I have been in the Body of Christ for over forty years. I study a lot and God has blessed me with some understanding. The more I study the less I know. Or, should I say, the more I don’t know? On Jan. 10th I began reading Mystery of the Ages again. It is so good! I wish that every one would read it.
“There is a MYSTERY that is hurting a lot of God’s people. I do not appreciate the attitude displayed by the members’ comments on the Internet about the CALENDAR, as if they have all knowledge and no one can understand the truth but those who attended Ambassador College. Many of us hurt terribly about the POSTPONEMENTS of the Holy Days…. It is a great comfort to me to read your beautiful TRUTH from God’s Word. I want the whole truth…. I have to believe in God’s grace…to solve the MYSTERY of the CALENDAR.
“Do you know how we in the Body of Christ can observe God’s Holy Days the right way, without the added POSTPONEMENTS? If there is any help out there to be found, please let us know where to look for it. Some people talk a lot about watching [observing] the moon. I am concerned that we may not know how, or that [calendar knowledge] isn’t enough! So how do we know the TRUTH? …Yet His Word…doesn’t mention postponements of God’s Holy Days! I have read all I have been able to find on the subject, and will appreciate any thing you can do to help us.”
Brethren, do not let the issue of the “Sacred Calendar” and “POSTPONEMENTS” confuse or in any way unsettle you! There is absolutely no need for confusion if you will follow the lead of God’s true ministers, who have diligently studied, and thoroughly understand this rather difficult subject. Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong and a number of God’s faithful ministers have diligently researched this subject, and God has made the truth concerning “God’s Sacred Calendar” and the Postponements very clear! Here are the facts:
1) There is no way under the sun ANYONE can glean enough information from the Bible alone, to ever be able to know how to construct an accurate “Sacred Calendar.”
2) God used the Jews to preserve the Hebrew Scriptures and the truth concerning when the weekly Sabbath occurs, as well as preserving the knowledge of how to make/construct a true “Sacred Calendar.”
3) If any of you have questions about the “Sacred Calendar” and the “Postponements,” you may request the following two important articles—both of which are doctrinally sound and enlightening: Which Calendar Has God Authorized? What Are the Postponements?
Those two articles give clear, convincing answers to the important questions concerning the Sacred Calendar and the postponements, and reveal why it is utterly impossible to have a “luni-solar” calendar without including postponements. The JEWISH CALENDAR, God’s Holy Day Calendar, is a LUNI-SOLAR calendar, and it takes into account the cycles of both the SUN and the MOON, as mandated by God’s Word (Gen. 1:14-18). The MUSLIM CALENDAR is a LUNAR CALENDAR, and it totally ignores the cycles of the SUN; whereas the CHRISTIAN CALENDAR (our Roman calendar) is a SOLAR CALENDAR, ignoring the cycles of the MOON.
A number of you brethren have requested that I post my sermons on my WEBSITE! One person who had been reading my articles in The Journal, and receiving my sermons, says: “Dear Mr. McNair and Mrs. McNair…. It is with great joy to see your latest letter to us scattered brethren. I am truly excited each and every Sabbath to read your articles and to ‘LEARN and GROW’ from them. I hope you will post your sermons on your website or if possible we would wish to receive them…. I have been studying and reading each new article you produce and I truly and wholeheartedly agree with you. I truly see that you are fulfilling a great end-time purpose for God’s people and the Church. I pray regularly for your health and that this Work you and your wife are doing may prosper in this badly confused age of God’s Church.”
[Note. Eleven of the frank, instructive articles I have published in The Journal can now be accessed on my website: COG21.org. Just click onto a “link” titled “RFMc articles in The Journal,” which is located in the right column of my home page. These articles can also be viewed by clicking onto a “link” titled “Library/Archives,” situated in the left column of this same home page.]
This man then adds, “Finally in closing, I…look [forward to] attending the FEAST this year with you and all the brethren of like mind…. I truly wish you and Mrs. McNair our very best, and we will be praying to God for you to continue, and [to] be inspired to do God’s will.”
Recently, I received the following letter from one who had become turned off and disillusioned regarding the ministry: “Dear Mr. McNair, It’s good that you are speaking out against [abuses in] the ministry…. Most of the ministry is not growing in understanding…. The flock does not realize that the ministry has no desire, nor intention to FEED them.”
Are we ministers feeding the UN-FED? I will now quote from one letter that I received in mid-March: “Dear Mr. McNair, I am praying for you and your help-meet, Mrs. McNair, that God would give you strength to accomplish HIS WORK with might and power, according to His will. My prayers are always for those who have been UN-FED over the years, that God would re-gather them into His sheepfold , under Christ’s protective, loving care. Also, that a powerful voice can again be heard in this country, as well as the rest of the world, to warn of what is going to be God’s corrective, but loving, punishment, first on Israel, but then on the whole world in general. The world is totally oblivious, asleep, and it doesn’t seem to care about the direction it is heading in, which is destruction, because of not acknowledging nor obeying God’s way of life…. Thank you for all your efforts.”
It is very encouraging to hear from those who recognize and heed the voice of God’s servants (Jo. 10:5)—and, who along with us and others, have dedicated their lives to serving their Creator and His people with all their might! The many encouraging calls, letters, emails and other contacts from faithful brethren—who follow Christ’s servants, as we follow our Lord (1 Cor. 11:1)—far outweighs the comparatively few complaints or criticisms of those who have an “ax to grind.” After over 57 years in God’s Church, I have learned that all of us ministers must develop a “thick skin,” always making sure we don’t let persecution or criticism disturb, discourage, or in any way sidetrack us! And whatever we do, we must always keep an “OPEN DOOR” and a “READY EAR”—and learn to really listen to criticism which is sincerely given, even if it is sometimes misguided, unjust, or ill-advised!
I do not believe it is either true or fair to say that “the ministry” as a whole “has no desire” to feed God’s flock. Unfortunately, that is true of all too many of the ministers in the “Churches of God” (Ezek. 34 & Jer. 23)! However, some spiritually near-sighted critics fail to see that there are still quite a number of faithful ministers in the “Churches of God,” ministers who continue to fearlessly teach God’s Truth, even though it means swimming against the popular tide of liberalism and doctrinal laxity! It is never fair to tar everyone in a group or class of people with the same brush, when only a minority is guilty of immoral or criminal acts!
“SIN NEVER PAYS!” A few weeks ago I received an encouraging letter from a young student whom I had taught in Ambassador College when I served both as Deputy Chancellor, and as an instructor in theology. We ministers and instructors sometimes wonder if the students are really paying enough attention to learn, and we ponder whether or not they will remember and practice the truths we taught them. The above-mentioned young man said, “I thought I would drop you a line and see how you are doing…. I wanted to let you know that I am an adjunct professor at [a U.S. university] and that I use the motto you drummed into us at Ambassador—SIN NEVER PAYS; RIGHTEOUSNESS ALWAYS PAYS—in my classes.”
Brethren, as an instructor in Ambassador College, I always tried to encourage the students to remember that we must “reap what we sow” (Gal. 6:7), and “the way of the transgressor is hard” (Prov. 13:15). I hope and pray that all of us will remember and will also faithfully practice living by “every word of God” (Matt. 4:4), for only then, will we truly “prosper” (Josh. 1:8-9)!
I recall another student who was charged with possessing an illegal gun—without a permit—and was thrown into jail! He called me from the local jail, and I did my best to encourage him. While still incarcerated, he confessed to me that my previous words to him and the Ambassador College students kept echoing in his ears—“SIN NEVER PAYS!” This young man had learned a very important lesson.
COG21 FEAST OF TABERNACLES SITE FOR 2005 After much prayer, God has guided us in our decision to hold the Feast of Tabernacles in Hot Springs, Arkansas this coming fall. The seven-day Feast of Tabernacles will be observed October 18-24, and the “Last Great Day” of that Feast will be kept on the following day, October 25th. Two COG21 ministers, Mr. Dan Cafeo and Mr. Ronald Laughland, will join with me and with all of those brethren whom the three of us have been serving. I know God will bless us with a wonderful Festival. Already, the word has gotten out, and many have been contacting us saying they would like to join us and keep the Feast of Tabernacles with us.
After prayerfully considering several possible Feast venues, we ministers concluded that, all things considered, God’s people would be best served by meeting in Hot Springs, Arkansas this year. Mr. Ron Laughland sent me the following report after he, accompanied by his wife Julia, had made a second visit to the Hot Springs Feast site and found it to be most suitable.
“Our visit to Hot Springs, Arkansas was a real delight! The area with all the activities available to the brethren should provide a perfect setting for the first Church of God-21st Century Feast of Tabernacles. There are many activities which should enhance the spiritual meaning of God’s Feast. The hotel accommodations are excellent and well within the budget of most of God’s people.
“The Velda Rose Resort Hotel and Spa has a large, spacious ballroom for services. There are many rooms available at reasonable prices. The rates per night for the ten days of the Feast are as follows: for the Standard room—$55.00 plus tax. For the Deluxe room—$75.00 plus tax. To reserve a room at these rates, call 1-888-642-3311, and mention that you are with the Church of God-21st Century.” [For FEAST RESERVATIONS at the Velda Rose Resort Hotel, you may use the following TOLL FREE phone number: 1-866-572-7330. Brethren, many of us are getting excited about this coming Festival! We look forward to seeing you there!
The Churches of God mourn a recent tragedy! We have all been saddened by the worst massacre ever to occur in the recorded history of the Church of God! Before the news of this nightmarish tragedy was aired here on the West Coast, friends in Milwaukee called my wife and me, informing us of the Sabbath carnage that had just occurred in Brookfield, Wisconsin. We immediately went to God on our knees in prayer for our brethren who were traumatized by this senseless massacre. How could such an unfortunate slaughter taken place during a Church of God service! Many brethren scattered through all the “Churches of God” are mourning this tragedy, and are praying fervently for the relatives and friends of those who recently experienced this nightmarish massacre. This heart-rending carnage of innocent people leaves all of us numb with disbelief!
Several people have contacted me, asking: “Why did God allow such a brutal massacre to happen?” It is sad to see that some of those on the Internet have been quick to point fingers, trying to “play God,” as they pontificate, in their attempt to show that they know the real cause behind this unfortunate massacre. Numerous reasons have been given as to what really motivated a depressed, mentally disturbed person to commit such heinous acts against defenseless people peacefully attending a Sabbath service! In truth, NO ONE REALLY KNOWS WHY GOD ALLOWED INNOCENT PEOPLE TO DIE. And it is unlikely that any mortal will ever know all the answers to this question! But we know that whatever Almighty God allows to happen is always for some purpose(s), even though we may not understand that purpose! God’s justice was aptly expressed by Job when he said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him” (Job. 13:15)! Why do many fail to realize that only God knows why He allows certain awful things to happen to His own people who have come out of this world, as well as to people who are still in this world (John 15:18-19; 17:5-25)?
Have we forgotten Christ’s words to His disciples after they had informed Him of “the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices” (Luke 13:1)? Jesus quickly set them straight by asking them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, NO; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower of Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners more than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, NO; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (vv. 2-5). Notice that in neither of the two calamities mentioned above, did Christ say that those who died were “not sinners.” He said they were not “worse sinners” than others who were murdered by Herod, or were crushed under the tower of Siloam.
May our loving, merciful and gracious heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, grant that all of us realize that we also—all of us—have an “Achilles heel”! We all have our weaknesses, our faults, and our own loathsome sins against God, so it does not behoove any of us to self-righteously point our fingers at those who may suffer severe tests such as: death of loved ones, ill health, unemployment, financial difficulties, family problems, or spiritual trials such as depression, anger, etc.—all the while we are quite comfortable, and are not experiencing such severe tests. Perhaps most of us will yet have to endure our share of terrible trials and tests later.
Remember, that righteous men such the Paul, King David, and righteous Job all suffered many trials and afflictions. God allowed Satan to afflict Job with boils, kill his children, destroy his property, and steal his livestock (Job 1 & 2). After all these evils befell Job, he said: “‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.’ In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong” (Job 1:21-22).
“And the LORD restored Job’s losses…. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before…. Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning: for he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters” (Job 42:10, 12-13). Job’s great afflictions and calamities were followed by even greater blessings!
How much understanding,, love and compassion do we show toward those we know are experiencing severe trials, whether in the Church or the world (Gal. 6:9-10)? Do we realize how privileged we are to be offered “eternal life” by our heavenly Father (John 6:44, 65), and how blessed we are to have been given God’s precious Holy Spirit (vv. 47-58)? Let us, therefore, never be judgmental toward others because of their weaknesses or shortcomings, or because of terrible calamities that may have overtaken them!
I strongly urge ALL OF US in the “Churches of God” to take this terrible nightmare as a warning, and remember that when one member in the “Body of Christ” suffers, we all suffer: “For as the body is one and has many members…so also is Christ…. And if one member suffers, ALL the members suffer with it, or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Cor. 12:12, 26). Also remember Paul’s admonition for Christians: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and WEEP with those who WEEP” (Rom. 12:15). It is imperative that we remember those who have been so deeply traumatized by witnessing the recent senseless slaughter of eight innocent people. May our loving and gracious heavenly Father grant mercy, comfort and strength to all the families, friends and acquaintances of those whose lives were recently snuffed out in an instant!
Before concluding this letter, my wife and I would like to thank all of you for your prayers, letters, emails and calls expressing your support of God’s Work. God continues to bless the Work He is accomplishing through COG21. We are having an exceptionally good response, both from The Journal, and from our website, COG21, which now reaches many thousands, both in and out of the Church.
We continue to remember all of you in our prayers, and earnestly desire that you remember us—as we all labor together to go above and beyond what God expects of us, as we serve our loving, merciful Father and His wonderful people!
Sincerely, in Jesus Christ’s name,
Raymond F. McNair
P.S. Sermons are now available on CDs & CASSETTES.
Many have requested my sermons, either on CDs or CASSETTES. So, you scattered brethren will be happy to learn that you can now request these sermons. In fact, 16 different sermons have recently been made and are now being duplicated and distributed. I plan to continue producing new sermons regularly for you brethren, and will post them on my website.
My email address is: raymondmcnair@cog21.org OR, raymondfmcnair@verizon.net
One man recently wrote saying, “…We received the package from you yesterday containing the two new CD’s on the History of the Church of God. Outstanding! Good to hear you speaking out again with authority on subjects no one else is talking about anymore. Hope this is just the beginning of many more sermons from you!”
Another person says, “[My wife] and I received your first two sermons on the Church, and enjoyed them very much. Also, your article on the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ [in the January issue of The Journal] is very insightful. Thanks again.”
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