We received another 60 translations of our English booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God, to help support the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14.
We also have received a contract from a hotel for the Feast of Tabernacles site for North America in Oklahoma City. But there still are a couple of details outstanding, which we believe will be finalized by next week. We will keep you posted. For a list of planned and tentative festival sites around the world, check out: Feast of Tabernacles’ Sites for 2025.
That said, the Spring Holy Day season is nearly upon us.
When speaking of the Hebrew month of Abib/Nisan God declared:
2 This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you” (Exodus 12:2).
The first day of that year in 2025, ended sunset 31 March.
Passover is after sunset on 11 April in 2025.
Passover
As many are aware, the children of Israel were specifically told to observe the Passover in the Book of Exodus. Families took a lamb, without blemish (Exodus 12:5), for the sacrifice (Exodus 12:3-4). The lamb was sacrificed on the fourteenth at twilight (Exodus 12:6) and some of its blood was placed upon the door of the family’s home (Exodus 12:7).
Those who took the steps God instructed were ‘passed over’ from death, whereas the Egyptians who did not do this were not (Exodus 12:28-30).
As many realize, Jesus kept the Passover annually (Exodus 13:10) from the time of His youth (Luke 2:41-42) and throughout His entire life (Luke 22:15).
Passover was observed on the fourteenth day of the month of the first month (Leviticus 23:5; called Abib in Deuteronomy 16:1 or Nisan in Esther 3:7). It occurs in the Spring season of the year.
Although Jesus changed several practices associated with it (Luke 22:19-22; John 13:1-17), our Savior also told His disciples to keep it (Luke 22:7-13). Also the New Testament is clear, that because of Jesus’ sacrifice, killing sheep and putting blood on doorposts (Exodus 12:6-7) is not needed anymore (cf. Hebrews 7:12-13,26-27; 9:11-28).
The Apostle Paul specifically taught that Christians were to keep Passover in accordance with Jesus’ instructions (1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 11:23-26).
The Bible teaches that Jesus “was foreordained before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:20) to be “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). Thus, God’s plan of salvation through His Holy Days and festivals, including Jesus being the “Passover lamb,” was known before humans were placed on the planet. That is why some of the celestial bodies were placed in the heavens to be able to calculate them!
Pretty much all churches recognize that the Bible teaches that Jesus fulfilled something associated with Passover when He was killed.
We find the operation of this great Sacrifice even discussed in the Garden of Eden. After Jesus was prophesied (Genesis 3:15), God killed an animal (probably a lamb or goat), in order to cover the nakedness (a representation of a type of sin in this incidence) of Adam and Eve with its skins (Genesis 3:21). We also see this principle of sacrifice operating when Abel sacrificed a lamb from his flock (Genesis 4:2-4).
The famous Passover in the days of Moses showed the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 12:1-38). Moses recorded God’s instructions about this as well as the calendar (Genesis 1:14; 2:1; Exodus 12:1) and His feasts (Leviticus 23). The Passover basically became the first of these events annually picturing to God’s children His great plan of salvation.
In the Old Testament, the Passover pictured deliverance from the bondage of Egypt and God’s intervention. But, prophetically, it was also looking towards the time that Jesus would come and be our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). The Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29; cf. 3:16-17).
On Jesus’ last Passover as a human being, He continued to keep it at the time of the late evening and told His disciples to keep it (Luke 22:14-19; cf. John 13:2,12-15) and on the 14th of Nisan/Abib (cf. Luke 22:14; 23:52-54).
Jesus, however, changed several of the practices associated with its observance. Jesus made the unleavened bread and wine an integral part of Passover (Matthew 26:18, 26-30) and added the practice of footwashing (John 13:12-17).
Jesus in no way taught that it was not to be an annual Passover, nor did He change the time of day of its observation to a Sunday morning like those who follow Greco-Roman traditions do. Even Greek Orthodox scholars admit that 1st and 2nd century Christians kept Passover at night (Calivas, Alkiviadis C. The Origins of Pascha and Great Week – Part I. Holy Cross Orthodox Press, 1992) like we in the Continuing Church of God do in the 21st century. Passover is only to be taken by properly baptized Christians (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:27-29; Romans 6:3-10; Exodus 12:48; Numbers 9:14).
It probably should be added that the Church of Rome (as well as many of its Protestant descendants) officially teaches that it keeps Passover, though calling it something different in the English language and not keeping it as Jesus did (Catechism of the Catholic Church. Doubleday, NY 1995, p. 332).
Wine, Not Grape Juice for Passover
Despite the fact that Jesus turned water into wine (John 2:3-10) and the Greek term used in the New Testament (oinos) refers to wine (cf. 1 Timothy 3:8), various ones have claimed that it was grape juice, and not wine, that was used for Passover. The Jews, themselves though, use wine at Passover (Hisrch EG, Eisenstein JD. Wine. Jewish Encyclopedia. 1907, pp. 532-535).
How do we know that grape juice was not possibly used by Jesus?
Grapes are normally harvested around September and Passover is usually in the Roman calendar month called April. In Jesus’ day, they did not have modern sterilization or refrigeration. Hence in the climate there, grape juice would have spoiled between the time of harvest and Passover.
Others have also noted that it was IMPOSSIBLE for Jews to have stored grape juice that long (Cf. Kennedy ARS. Hastings Bible Dictionary. C. Scribner Son’s, 1909 p. 974). Therefore, only wine, which can remain unspoiled for even many years would have been used. (The use of alcohol, like wine, is endorsed during the Feast of Tabernacles in Deuteronomy 26:14, but not required.)
Christians are not to be “drunk with wine, wherein is excess” as Paul wrote (Ephesians 5:18, KJV). Only a very small amount of wine is normally consumed at Passover (about a teaspoon full or less).
Footwashing
Footwashing helps show humility and that even the followers of Christ still tend to have areas that need to be cleansed (cf. John 13:10).
Jesus taught that His followers should do this:
13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (John 13:13-17)
Relatively few who profess Christianity wash feet like Jesus said to do.
But we baptized in the Continuing Church of God follow Jesus’ instructions on this annually as part of the Passover service.
Passover Service
How should Christians keep Passover, especially if they are by themselves. Why does the Church of God not require lambs for Passover? How does one keep the Days of Unleavened Bread? We have an article: Keeping Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread
This is a Passover service by the Continuing Church of God. This is intended to be used by scattered baptized Church of God members around the world after sunset on the 14th day of the first month of the biblical calendar, or for those who biblically legitimately missed it per Numbers , after sunset on the 14th day of the second month of the biblical calendar. This service covers footwashing, breaking and consuming unleavened bread, taking wine, and reading words of Jesus as well as additional scriptures. Leaders of the local Passover service (even if there is only one person) should have some unleavened bread, wine, a towel, and one or more water basins available.
Again, Passover is to be observed shortly after sunset on April 21st in 2024.
Passover and the Plan from the Beginning
Passover shows that God had a plan before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20) to send Jesus to die for our sins, that God loves us (John 3:16), that God can deliver us, and that His Son suffered and died for us. Passover shows that Christians are freed from sin by His death and not to remain in sin (Romans 6:1-5).
But simply accepting the sacrifice of Jesus is not all there is to God’s plan of salvation.
Various people keep the beginning of God’s feasts of salvation by somewhat recognizing Passover and/or Pentecost, but never go on to know the “depth of the riches” (cf. Romans 11:33) of God’s grace (2 Peter 3:18) pictured by the other biblical feasts.
Christ is not only the author/beginner of our salvation (Hebrews 5:9), but is also the finisher of our salvation (Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 1:1-9). His true followers keep His Spring and Fall Holy Days.
Deleavening
The Bible teaches:
19 For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, (Exodus 12:19)
Deleavening should be done before sunset on the 22nd of April in 2024.
As far as leaven goes, what are leavening agents?
Physically, leavening agents include yeast, bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), and baking powder. Leavening agents puff foods like bread and cakes up.
In modern times, there are many substances used as leavening agents, so you may need to read labels on packaged products you may have. Here is a list some may find to be helpful:
Leavening Agents
Active Dried Yeast Ammonium Carbonate – also known as “Hartshorn” Ammonium Bicarbonate Baker’s Ammonia Baker’s Yeast Baking Powder Baking Soda Bicarbonate of Soda Dipotassium Carbonate Disodium Phosphate Monocalcium Phosphates (Ca(H2PO4)2) Potassium Bicarbonate – also known as “Potash” or “Pearlash”) Potassium Carbonate Sodium Aluminum Phosphate Sodium Bicarbonate – also known as “Saleratus” Sourdough Starter Yeast * Calcium Carbonate
* While Calcium Carbonate is normally not a leavening agent, it is considered to be one when it is in baked goods. Thus, while you can keep any calcium carbonate you have, any baked goods with it listed should be consumed or tossed out prior to the first day of unleavened bread.
All leavened items should be consumed or disposed of prior to the start of the First Day of Unleavened Bread each year and not be back in our homes until after the end of the Seventh Day of Unleavened Bread each year.
Prior to Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread, the Bible teaches that Christians should examine whether or not they are in the faith and change. Do Christians need to overcome? What did the late Herbert W. Armstrong state about being saved and the blood of Christ? Do Christians still need to repent? What is sin? How does physical leaven help demonstrate traits of sin? What are physical leavening agents that Christians should remove? What are some physical items that are not actually leaven? Are Christians supposed to strive for perfection? What did Jesus say about end time Christians who think they are spiritually rich? What did the Apostles Peter and Paul say about Christian growth? Should Christians really remove physical leaven from their homes? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.
I was able to be a guest on two podcast productions since the last Letter to the Brethren.
I was on one with an Iranian host who grew up with a secular Islamic background. We discussed some historical church issues as well as prophetic matters.
My thanks to the podcast volunteer crew for setting these up.
Death of Pastor Isaac Aboagye
Overseeing pastor Samuel Ofosu sent the following related to the death of pastor Isaac Aboagye, who was his senior assistant in Ghana:
Pastor Isaac Aboagye
Dr. BOB,
I am deeply sad to inform you of the sudden death of my deputy minister Pastor Isaac Aboagye, that occurred during the hours of last night .
He shepherd’s the branch of Duase in the Ashanti Region. …
I need your prayers at this juncture.
Best Regards
Samuel
Isaac Aboagye died Monday night.
Pastor Ofosu requested prayers for him to be able to continue to lead the church in Ghana. So, please do so.
Violence in South Sudan
Deacon Koang Deng sent the following from Ethiopia:
Dear elders:
This is a request for the usually praying for our members in south Sudan.
Now, fear for the government of south Sudan bombardment of Nuer civilians, it even forced out people from their homes including our members.
Our members arrived safely in the area where the UNHCR do the reception for the displaced people in Burbiey, the border of Ethiopia and south Sudan.
Best regards,
Koang.
Please remember those affected in your prayers.
Suggested Sabbath Day Services
Here is a suggested Sabbath day service for our scattered brethren and other interested people:
2-3 hymns (our songbook, The Bible Hymnal, contains the materials from the 1974 Bible Hymnal from the old WCG with new covers, plus ten additional hymns; there is also some Choral Accompaniment online).
Note: If you have a slow internet connection, you can watch these by starting the video, then below it (and towards the right) look for an outline of a gear–if you click on that, it will allow the YouTube video to be played with lower video quality, but at least it will not stop often–you can select a quality as low as 144p. If your internet connection is still too slow (as my home one is) and/or you prefer audio messages to audio-visuals ones, go to the YouTube link for the message, click on SHOW MORE related to the description. You will then see something that says, “Download MP3.” Below that is a link to an MP3 file. Most computers (and even some mobile telephones) will allow MP3 files to be downloaded and played. This is an option we have made available (but we are also looking into ways to improve that as well)–and, of course, we have written article options. Some people have found that if their internet connections are not fast enough, that they can simply listen to the messages that are found at the Bible News Prophecy online radio channel.
IN CASE YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A ‘LETTER TO THE BRETHREN’ FOR ANY WEEK, REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE MANY SERMON MESSAGES ON THE ContinuingCOG channel AND MANY SERMONETTE MESSAGES ON THE Bible News Prophecy channel. There are also some messages at the CCOGAfrica channel. There are also messages in the Spanish language at the CDLIDDSermones channel.
In case one or more of our video channels are unavailable, down, restricted, or ?, understand that we are on multiple platforms.
For sermons in English:
ContinuingCOG YouTube channel. Dr. Thiel has produced video sermons for this channel.
Bible News Prophecy radio. This is an audio version of the Bible News Prophecy videos on one of our internet stations as well as our radio broadcasts in English. The BibleNewsProphecy.net website also has information about our international radio presence for Europe, Asia, and North America. That page is also available as a mobile app.
Bible News Prophecy International radio. This has links to our non-English language online radio station as well as materials in multiple languages.
There was a massive earthquake in Myanmar which also affected Thailand (see Earthquakes rock Myanmar and Thailand). Over 2000 are believed to have tied already. Jesus warned of earthquakes in “various places” (Matthew 24:7) and this was a major one. Those affected are in my prayers.
The situation with Iran may fulfill various biblical prophecies (e.g. Isaiah 22:6-9) soon and is something to watch (cf. Mark 13:37).
The tariff matters are looking to set the stage for the “merchants of the earth” (cf. Revelation 18) to trade more with Europe.
There will be many unintended consequences of Donald Trump’s presidency.
Concluding Comments
The Apostle Paul wrote:
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.
27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:23-32)
6 … Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Corinthians 5:6-8)
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:26-29)
Remember brethren, if you are baptized, you are to examine yourself and keep Passover.
Remember also that when it comes to spiritual matters, your ethnic background does not matter.
All Christians, whether or not of Israelitish heritage, are all “Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
