P. O. Box 893909 Temecula, CA 92589
December 14, 2005
Dear Brethren in Christ,
I hope none of you are suffering unduly from the unusually cold weather which has been occurring in some parts of the US, Canada, Europe and other parts of the world. It also seems to have been colder than usual here in Southern California, but those who are used to a colder climate would consider our weather rather mild. My wife and I often thank God that we live in a warmer part of the country, since we feel the cold much more than we did when we were younger.
Brethren, I am enclosing along with this letter an important article titled, “Avoid Satan’s Deadly Pitfalls.” For some time I have been quite concerned to see a number of ways that some of God’s people are being led astray by Satan—snared in some of the pitfalls that he puts before them. Those four pitfalls are: 1) Failure to recognize our real enemy—Satan. 2) A potential danger in having and trusting in “great riches.” 3) The inherent snare in being “unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” 4) Alluring sexual temptations: fornication, adultery, homosexuality and other sexual perversions.
These are only four of the Devil’s pitfalls into which some of God’s people have fallen during recent years. I believe you will find the enclosed article both interesting and instructive. I pray that God’s people will realize the seriousness of really “working out our own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 4:12). For, “if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear” (1 Pet. 4:18)?
God’s Holy Days vs. Satan’s Holidays
The Christmas and New Years season is here once again, and seeing these worldly holiday celebrations should motivate us to reflect on some of the chief differences between God’s annual Holy Days, and this world’s pagan “holidays.” Did you ever notice that God’s two major feasts (the feasts of Unleavened Bread and Tabernacles) occur during the mild Spring and Autumn seasons of the year—neither occurring in the very hot summer or cold winter?
Also, did you ever consider the fact that both of these major Festivals begin with a full moon, when the moon is its brightest? Do any of us ever get tired of going out on a beautiful moonlit night to view the beauty that envelops this earth, which our loving Father created for us to enjoy? During past ages—when God’s people did not have electric lights, or didn’t have vehicles with powerful headlights enabling them to travel more easily during the darker hours of God’s Feasts—moonlit nights were quite a blessing.
It is also interesting to note that God calls His Feasts “HOLY DAYS” (Lev. 23); whereas, the world calls its feasts “HOLIDAYS.” And there is a vast difference between the two. God’s commanded Festivals contain annual Holy Days (or Sabbaths), simply because God Almighty made those days holy. Why then are the world’s festival days called “holidays”? Did the world call them holidays because, unlike God’s commanded Holy Days, those holidays are not, in fact, “holy” days?
Here is another big difference between the world’s pagan holidays and God’s commanded annual Holy Days. During the world’s observance of its holidays, there is usually a lot of overeating (gluttony) and excessive drinking (drunkenness). God permits both feasting and moderate drinking of alcoholic drinks on His Holy Days (Deut. 14:26). But the Word of God often speaks out strongly against excessive eating and drinking. Along with the excessive drinking, often go worldly revellings, carousing and immorality, which the Bible soundly condemns (Gal. 5:21).
Right and Wrong Gift-giving
Furthermore, in the observance of the world’s holidays it is customary to exchange gifts among the holiday-goers. Is there really anything wrong with that? In their observance of Christmas, people often go in debt to give gifts which they cannot afford, to recipients who often neither need nor want such presents. Also, keep in mind that the primary objective of the gift-giving is usually not the needs of the recipients of those presents. Shouldn’t one of the major objectives of gift-giving be the needs of those who receive the gifts? How often do Christmas givers have the actual needs of the poor in mind when they are doing their Christmas shopping for presents for their friends or loved ones?
Contrast that type of giving with God’s way. Does God instruct us in how to give gifts at His commanded Festivals? Notice God’s instructions concerning Feast gift-giving: The 14th chapter of Deuteronomy tells us something about giving gifts at God’s Feasts by what has been called a “Poor Tithe,” which was to be used in the following manner:
“At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates. And the Levite [Israel’s O.T. ministers], because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger [foreigner] and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you shall do” (Deut. 14:28-29; 15:11).
Notice that the gift-giving was to the poor and needy persons, not a general exchange of presents between the giver and their friends and relatives! [Note The Levites were God’s ministers, who were not given a tribal territory to inherit the nation of Israel, but were to depend upon the tithes and offerings of their brethren (Num. 18:20-32). They were to be given the annual “First Tithe” of their increase, but were also permitted to receive some of the Israelites “Third Tithe” as we saw mentioned above.]
The 8th chapter of Nehemiah tells us how Ezra the priest, and Nehemiah “the governor” of the Jews observed the Feast of Tabernacles in the “seventh month” and describes their manner of gift-giving at that occasion: “And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and the scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is HOLY to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep.’ ....Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD....’ So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, ‘Be still for the day is holy; do not be grieved.’ And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly because they understood the words that were declared to them” (Neh. 8:9-12).
Here we find the Jewish leaders following God’s instruction to encourage His people to “send portions” (presents of food, etc.) to those who were in need. This is the proper way to give gifts at God’s Festivals. “And they found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths during the Feast [Tabernacles] of the seventh month” (v. 14).
Christmas Is Not “Christ’s Birthday”!
Those who observe Christmas generally believe they are celebrating Christ’s birthday? But where in the Bible are we told to observe Christ’s or anyone else’s birthday? “Christmas” is literally the “Mass of Christ.” Where in God’s Word are we ever instructed to celebrate any kind of “Mass”? “Christmas” does not come from the Bible, but from the Roman Catholic Church, the “Mother Church,” who then passed it on to her “daughter churches” (Rev. 17).
When Christ was born, shepherds and their flocks had not yet been taken into their winter sheepcotes. According to Scripture, Christ was born in the fall, not in the winter (as any good reference book will show).
Furthermore, the “wise men” who gave presents, presented them to Jesus Christ himself, and did not give presents to one another, as Christmas merry-makers now do. The wise men gave gifts to Him because they knew He was born as a future King, and it was customary to always give a present when visiting a king or dignitary.
Before closing, I wish to mention that I am still working on producing another very interesting booklet which shows as never before, how God has kept His promise to King David and his descendants—a promise that David would always have a descendant sitting on his throne throughout every single generation (2 Sam. 7 & Psa. 89).
But, how was the THRONE OF DAVID transferred from Jerusalem, Palestine, to London, England, where it is now located? This is a fascinating story, which Mr. Armstrong covered in his fine booklet, The U.S. and Britain in Prophecy--now posted on my website (COG21.org). However, Mr. Armstrong’s focus was almost totally on the biblical promise to David, with very little mention Scotch-Irish history. My booklet will give the biblical account of God’s promises to David, but will also give a considerable number of secular historical details showing precisely how God actually accomplished that as recorded in secular history, proving conclusively that God has faithfully kept His solemn promise to David and his descendants!
Brethren, all of you are constantly in our thoughts and prayers, and we appreciate your love and support—as shown in your letters—for the Work which God is doing through you and us, as we all work together! My wife and I also very much appreciate knowing that you brethren are praying for us. May God Almighty and His dear Son Jesus Christ continue to bless, guide and protect each and every one of you!
Sincerely in Jesus Christ’s name,
Raymond F. McNair
P. S. We are in the process of having our sermons on CDs produced here locally in Southern California, and believe this will streamline the production and mailing of them to you. We have very much appreciated the assistance given us by those who in the past copied and distributed both cassettes and CDs on behalf of the Church of God—21st Century. My wife and I thank all of you very much.
I hope to record several more new sermons on CDs very soon, and would appreciate your prayers, asking God to inspire and strengthen me in making them.
*******************
