Questions and Answers

Thanks for any helpful questions. God’s Word is a light to our path (Ps.119:105), and is able to make us wise for salvation (2 Tim.3:15). We will be honored to seek answers for you from the entirety of God’s Word, including His Statutes, the 10 Commandments and God’s Testimonies, as Jesus said He did not come to do away with even the least of His Fathers Laws (Matt.5:17-19). Christ, Paul, John and others taught us that God’s law is fulfilled in love (Mk.12:28-34) (1 Jn.5:1-3) (Rm.13:8-10). We will answer all questions for which we feel the questions and answers will be profitable for those most likely to be viewing this site. This is not to suggest that other questions may not be important, but we are limited. So please forgive us if we do not answer every question. If we choose to answer your question, both the question and answer will be posted on this site for others to benefit from, so please do not include any personal information that you do not want shared with others. Please be succinct, and limit your biblical question to one topic or short passage of scripture. God speed,

“Helpers of our joy.”

Click here to submit a question

QUESTION:

Mark wrote:

“I recently have been in a few debates concerning the New Covenant vs the Old. Those who argue with me contend that Paul in many of his letters (and most specifically in Galatians) showed Christians that they are no longer under the law. My response has always been that Paul was explaining that following the Law of Moses did not earn a person their salvation, but that Paul was not trying to do away with the laws of Moses. I am looking for any help or advice that you might be able to give me. Thank you for your time.”

Sincerely,

Mark

ANSWER:

Dear Mark:

You are correct – Paul was not trying to do away with God’s laws. As a matter of fact, even if he was, Paul himself told his followers not to follow him except as he followed Christ (1 Cor.11:1). Christ said that He did not come to do away with His Father’s law, and that heaven and earth would pass before even the smallest part of God’s law would pass (Matt.5:17-19). Further, Paul died in the early 60s A.D.. About 40 years after Paul’s death, the apostle John was still teaching Christians to practice God’s laws (1 Jn.2:3-4). We have grace through Christ, but that grace is not license to sin or ignore God’s laws. Rather, Christ helps us to obey by His Spirit in us (Gal.2:20).

However, as Peter himself said, many of the things Paul wrote were written in such a way that much of it can be confusing and difficult to understand for those with preconceived ideas, an agenda, or who are not familiar with the scriptures. By following their lawless attitude, they see what they want to see in the scriptures, and they are “led away.” Their conduct is called “wicked” (2 Pet.3:15-17). Don’t let them take you with them. But perhaps you may be able to help them. As a rule of thumb, it is best to use the independently PLAIN scriptures to help explain those that are not as clear. We suggest you refer to Christ’s own teachings, and to the apostles who were called “pillars” – like John, Peter and James, to help you lay the foundation. This will help you explain Paul’s more difficult wording, in certain passages, that many take out of context to justify their position. But if a person is scripturally well founded in Paul’s writings, he can avoid confusion by taking Paul’s words in context and by comparing them with other things Paul also wrote for clarification and confirmation.

For the sake of your question, let’s take a brief look at what Paul said in Galatians. In Galatians 2, in the context of explaining that we are not justified by our ability to obey God so perfectly that we “earn” our salvation by our perfection – Paul also explains that once we turn to God and are forgiven and come under grace through Christ – we must not go back into sin – for Christ is not a minister of sin.

Gal 2:17 "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor." (KJV) (emphases ours throughout this letter).

We must NOT build again our old sinful past. Grace is not license. Rather, Paul compares God’s laws to a school teacher who brings us to Christ – bringing us into a more mature spiritual relationship with God (Gal.3:24). Now consider simple logic for a moment. I do not know you Mark, but I suppose you have gone to school. How did you learn to write, so that you could write us and ask us deep questions? How did you learn to read so you could study? Do you know any math? I presume you do. Now once students graduate from school, it is because they have learned what they NEEDED to learn, and are ready now to APPLY and LIVE what they have learned. They do not need to be perpetually under the school master, like little children. They are now mature – they have LEARNED! They now know how to read and write – they know basic math. When you came out from under the constant guidance and correction of your school teachers – did you then “THROW AWAY” everything they taught you? Or, do you continue now to IMPLEMENT what you learned under your school master, as an adult?

When we graduate, does 2+2 no longer equal 4? Are the laws of mathematics null and void because we learned them, but now don’t need too be taught them any longer? Or do we not apply them in life? So to is God’s law. The law brings us to Christ. We then come to Him and God in a more mature understanding way. The law also points us to Christ, because as good as it is, we cannot save ourselves by it. The law shows us the faults of OUR way of life, and shows us the need for mercy and help to be more Godly and less worldly. The law shows us all HOW TO LIVE GODLY LIVES, and the need for our Savior (Rm.7:7).

It is true that if we think our salvation will come by our perfection in being able to keep God’s law perfectly – we have no hope. The law will demand our death. But if we think we can then sin willingly because we have a merciful God – then we mock God and His way of life, and make Christ a minister of sin. God will not tolerate that. That is why the aged apostle John said (long after Paul died) that those who “PRACTICE RIGHTEOUSNESS” are of God, but those who keep practicing sin are of the devil!

I Jn 3:10 "In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother." (NKJ)

When we practice something, it takes effort. We try. But sometimes we fall short. But we get up and keep trying – and with God’s help we grow and overcome a little at a time. We are forgiven through the blood of Jesus, but we PRACTICE righteousness. David said: “all thy commandments are righteousness” (Ps.119:172).

Those who don’t take the effort to practice righteousness – but practice lawlessness – will be told by Christ Himself to get away from Him.

Matt 7:23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" (NKJ)

Wouldn’t you rather hear the words “Well done good and faithful servant”? Let’s thank God for His mercy in Christ and let’s practice righteousness.

Thanks for the question.

QUESTION:

Mr. Haney; Mr. Armstrong ate out on the sabbath and every minister i knew in worldwide...everybody at the feast sights ate out on the sabbath and the holydays..some three times..the passage you quote in the old Testament is concerning old cov israel and was to prevent the seller from setting up shop to sell outside the gates..this kind of sabbath worship has led to the pharisees 540 do and don'ts concerning the sabbath and other commandments...the woman at the well story (Samaritan) if you recall..christ had sent the disciples in town to buy food..was this not on the sabbath..percuring food is not buying and selling..your comparing boss's working on sabbath does in no since give us right to do that as we would be working...percuring food is not working. -R


ANSWER:

Dear R. Your questions/comments are obviously directed toward that portion of my open letter “A WAKE UP CALL TO A HOUSE IN MOURNING,” that dealt with the loose Sabbath observance by many in God’s Church. I am happy to address your comments and challenges to the contents of my open letter. Your email has been kept in it’s original state to maintain your intent but we have withheld your name and email address from your email above, out of respect for you.

You spoke of the example of Mr. Armstrong and “every minister” you knew in WWCG as support for purchasing food on the Sabbath. With all due respect for the many good things that Mr. Armstrong did and taught by the grace of God, what Mr. Armstrong or other ministers have done or taught is not our concern or focus. We do not blindly teach what Mr. Armstrong did or taught, as if his doing or teaching it made it right. Our concern lies in what God tell us to do, and we teach from His Word, as we are not man pleasers or followers of men (Gal.1:10 & Acts 5:29). Peter was righteous. Should we also teach and follow his errors? Remember until confronted by Paul, Peter turned his back on the gentiles to please the Jews (Gal.2:11-12). Did his being Peter make that practice OK? Should we also “number Israel,” or condone or practice the other sins of David, because he was over-all a righteous king in God’s service? That would be idolatry, as it would place importance of the man over God and His Word.

I remember as a student at Ambassador College coming to services each Sabbath and barely being able to hear parts of the sermon in God’s Auditorium, because of the noise of the work being carried out by the workmen on the new A.C. campus student center – which was adjacent to the auditorium. As we entered the Auditorium for church services each week we would need to avoid the construction workers, and their power cords, tools, backhoes, and other equipment. The sound of the jack hammers and other loud construction equipment made an interesting background noise to the sermon – especially since we all knew they were working for the church on church property, Sabbath after Sabbath! Why did Mr. Armstrong make such a contract and permit that? Why did so many of the WWCG ministers you spoke of not say anything about it? Why did some even defend it? Was that a right example to set as Sabbath observance? While we all have learned much from Mr. Armstrong, was his example of observing the Sabbath his strongest point? Are we to follow his example over the scriptural examples and God’s clear instructions? Since Mr. Armstrong and the “church” hired work out to be done on the Sabbath within their gates, did that make it right? Was HWA supposed to be like the Pope, whose words we were to obey over Gods? That is not what Mr. Armstrong wanted, nor is any minister to be a measure of God’s standards.

This subject is of sufficient importance to address in some detail, as it is a sign and test of God’s true people (Ex.16 & Ex.31:13). Later we hope to produce a more complete booklet on this subject. Since Jesus said that those who teach that even one jot or tittle of His law is done away with would be called least in the Kingdom of God, we should all want to avoid watering down any of His laws – including the beautiful Sabbath test command (Matt.5:18-19).

What do God’s Words say about hiring work out on the Sabbath or allowing a “stranger” to do work “within your gates” on the Sabbath?

Deut.5:13-14 “Six days you shall labor and do all your work. 14) But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: In it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox or ass or cattle, nor the stranger that is within your gates; that your servants may rest as well as you.” (emphasis mine)

I have heard the argument that one's “manservant” is his employee, but private contractors are independent, and so are exempt from God’s instructions in the fourth commandment concerning “servants.” Sounds like an attempt to find a “loophole” to justify work on the Sabbath to me, as contractors are also paid for their services and must do it according to the instructions and standards of the one hiring them by contract. It is not at all uncommon for contractors to have the hours of the day, or days of the week restricted by the one they are performing work for – so as to avoid disrupting business or other activities. But even setting that aside, the phrase “nor the stranger that is within your gates” certainly covers those who are not even in our employ in any manner. They are “strangers” (gentiles) who were NOT our servants, but whom were also not allowed to perform work on the Sabbath “within your gates.”

Mr. Armstrong had a love for God and was in many points, extraordinary for a man. The point is NOT to judge Mr. Armstrong, WWCG ministers or anyone else. The point is that we all fall short and sin. So using my example or the example of Mr. Armstrong or other men as a standard will inevitable fall short of God’s Word which is Truth (John 17:17). This has certainly proven true concerning how God’s Word tells us to keep His Sabbaths Holy. That is why we strive to use only God’s Word as the authority and standard of conduct – not what men have done or said.

You are not alone in using the example of the Pharisees to justify a looser interpretation of God’s Sabbath laws. It wasn’t that the Pharisees didn’t keep God’s law, it was that they ADDED TO IT. We are not discussing adding to God’s Word, but if it should be “interpreted” to fit our customs and traditional teaching of men, or simply taken at face value and obeyed (Mk.7:7). The way that the Pharisees (or other men) have gone from one extreme to the other is not an accurate measure of God’s will for us. Only His Word is truth (Jn.17:17 & Rom.3:4).

We can call it “procuring food” (as you called it) instead of “buying” or “trading” or any other phrase that takes the sting out of the fact that buying food on the Sabbath, is trading with the food merchants and is in violation with God’s clear instructions (except in the case of an emergency or certain travel exceptions) (Neh.10:31 & Neh.13:15-18). Simply playing with semantics will not make us innocent, but may serve only to deceptively sooth our conscience.

I appreciate that you did make one mention of scripture, by mentioning Christ and the woman at the well, in your argument for trading with the food merchants on the Sabbath. However as to your question asking if Jesus sent His disciples to buy food on the Sabbath (John 4:8), while He spoke to the woman at the well, the answer is NO He did not. It was not a Sabbath. I’m sure if you read the chapter you will clearly see there is no reference to that being a Sabbath. It was a regular workday. You have been misinformed.

How you keep the Sabbath is between you and God. I am merely a teacher, not a judge or policeman. I must answer to Christ for what I teach (Matt.5:19 & Acts 20:25-32). Each of us will answer to God for how we keep His Sabbaths as well as what we teach others about them. We will not answer to any man, whether he be a minister or lay member. May God guide and bless you as you strive to faithfully study His Word and obey Him (2 Tim.3:15-17).

QUESTION:

Hello, can you please enlighten me on what is meant by observing the FOT in the place where 'the Lord chooses' Deut 16:15 for example. I have always been puzzled when we observe the FOT that we are told 'welcome to ........ its plain that God has placed His name here '. Is this another example of tradition? Wouldn't God only place His name in one place, if so where is that place? Best wishes In Christian Love, -G

ANSWER:

Dear G. It is true that God did place His name annually in one place for the Nation of Israel to worship God and give their offerings at the Feast of Tabernacles and other Holy Days. This was at Jerusalem, the city where God had placed His name, as it was home to the Temple. (2 Kings 21:4, 7) However, prior to the Temple, the Feast was kept annually in Shiloh. (Judges 21:19) Also, we must remember that the Children of Israel kept the Feast in the wilderness, wherever God’s presence went in and over the Tabernacle - which was constantly on the move. (Ex.40:38) So we can see that in the absence of a national permanent place of worship, God had His people worship and give their offerings wherever His presence was. This is why God mentioned to Moses that God would be placing His name to be worshiped in many places during their journeys. We would do well to remember, these journeys of Israel were a type for His end time people. Paul said of these journeys. “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” Vs 11 (1 Cor. 10:1-11).

Now let’s notice that God told Moses there would be various places He would place His name during the journeys of His people:

Ex.20:24 “An altar of earth you shall make unto me, and shall sacrifice thereon your burnt offerings, and your peace offerings, your sheep, and oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto you and I will bless you.” (emphasis ours)

Notice God uses the plural PLACES, where we would worship, learn and make peace with our God. Like the wandering Israelites, and like Abraham, we still wait for that permanent city where God will dwell. (Heb.11:8-13) Today there is more than one place to worship God. (1 Tim.2:8) So in the meantime, we must worship where the true meaning of God’s Name is being UPHELD AND TAUGHT IN TRUTH! We must gather where His Statutes, Laws and Testimonies are being taught, where His light shines. (Isa.8:20) We must gather where His true teachers are gathered, so He will be in the midst of us. (Matt.18:20) And we must come humbly before Him and worship Him in Spirit and truth. (Micah 6:8 & John 4:23-24). May God enrich you and guide you to keep the Feast of Tabernacles where His Spirit will be present, and may He bless you.

Greetings…

Please understand, we are not asking these questions out of antagonism… we just want to continue to learn. Thanks

Brian

Five questions for you:

1. In the Revelation series, you mention there are 8 days of eating unleavened bread. I was under the assumption there were 7. To go back to the roots of the intro to Israel, Passover was one evening (14th), then the next day they prepared to exit, leaving with a high hand on the evening of the 15th… Also, Christ died on the 14th, which was a preparation day for the First High Day
of DUB.

Why the 8 days…

Dear Brian:

Some questions arise because I cover so much material in my sermons that some things get mentioned only in passing without being explained as thoroughly as they could. Also, each of my comments needs to be considered IN THEIR CONTEXT, to be an accurate representation of what was meant. I’m glad to answer each of your five questions below. I will list each of your questions followed by my answer.

Q1 ANSWER:

Indeed, God has commanded us to keep the Feast of Unleavened bread for 7 days. However, even more important than God’s command to put leavening out of our homes is His command that we each EAT UNLEAVENED BREAD during this Holy Feast. Unleavened bread is a type of Yeshua (Jesus). It is only with His help that we can put sin out of our lives. Sin is typed in the Scriptures by leavening as they both permeate our lives, they both are easily spread like yeast, and they both “puff up” or cause vanity. Therefore on the day PRECEEDING the 7 day Feast of ULB which is Passover, God commands us to begin EATING UNLEAVENED BREAD. Notice:

Ex 12:18-19
“18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. 19 For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses…” NKJV

If you count from the 14th (Passover day) through the 21st (the last day of ULB) you will notice God has indeed commanded us to eat Unleavened Bread for eight days (see Ex 12:18). However, in the following verse 19 we have only 7 days that we are to have cast leavening and out of our homes and away from us. With further study one finds that leavening was specifically to be put out on the 14th – not in advance or later. This is clarified in verse 15, “…On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses…” The “first day” is then clarified by the syntax of the language when the “first day” is given as the 14th of Abib in verse 18. Thus we begin to eat ULB on the 14th while we are putting the leaven out of our houses, and continue eating it during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. I take Passover in the evening and then put out the leaven from my home the next day while it is still the 14th - thus fulfilling God’s command. Notice also, verse 20 makes it clear that God commands us to eat unleavened bread for each of these days – not just to put out leaven. This is because we are to EAT YESHUA THE CHRIST daily. Many claim this merely means, IF we eat bread it should be unleavened, but we should not let man interpolate and alter God’s pure words. God says EAT Unleavened Bread for EACH OF 8 DAYS – period! In this way the Passover was “enjoined” with God’s 7 day Feast of ULB, which is why in the New Testament both Holy Feasts were sometimes referred to as
“Passover” or the “Feast of Unleavened Bread.” For example, notice Luke 22:1;
“Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover NKJV).
This is not dissimilar to how today many refer to “the Feast” when speaking of both the Feasts of Tabernacles and Last Great Day.

2. Being that Passover is on Friday evening this year, and the First High Day on
Sunday, how does one go about preparing for the Night to be Much Observed,
which will be on Sabbath Evening this year?

Q2 ANSWER:

It is not necessary to have a big elaborate meal in order to keep the “Night to be
Much Observed” (Ex 12:42) - that is merely our tradition. While it’s seems a good tradition that helps us “observe” the evening, it must take 2nd fiddle to God’s actual Statutes. I suggest preparing a nice meal on the preparation day for the Sabbath and then sharing it with brethren that evening. If need be, simplify things a bit to avoid breaking the Sabbath. Letting others we fellowship with contribute; can also ease the burden of food preparation. Our food traditions are not as important as obeying God’s royal guiding law. Surely we can all see God commanding us to observe and remember this special evening goes beyond merely eating, so I usually read and expound from God’s Word about the NTBMO to all our guests and try to focus the conversations into related Sabbath appropriate topics. Hope this helps…

3. You mention in one of your sermons, that the ‘Body of Christ’ is not the church.
The old assumption, (Not HWA or RCM theory) that the church (original) was the
body, with Christ being the Head. (1Co 12; 1Co 12:27; Col 1:18 [Christ is the
head]; Col 1:24 [the assembly, which is the body); Col 3:15; Heb 10:5) and
others by Paul stating the body is the church that Christ established and is the
Head of…

Q3 ANSWER:

Please understand such a statement of mine only in the context of Col 2:16-17 - i.e., it is the body of CHIRST that judges us and it is His literal Body that casts the shadow or image of God’s Holy Days, Sabbaths and New Moons etc. – not the church. Obviously, I realize that the church is elsewhere compared to the body of our Lord and that we are all built into His Temple. But in Col 2, the context is clear that the church is NOT the intended meaning there. Consider what this passage says:

Col 2:16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance (body - KJV) is of Christ NKJV.

Some claim verse 17 means that no is to judge others regarding the Sabbaths, Feasts or new moons - EXCEPT the church, i.e., the “body” of Christ. But the context clearly says “let NO ONE judge you…, which includes the Church. Jesus is our judge - we are not to judge one another or be judged by men in church offices. Jesus is the subject of the matter of Col 2:16-17 - not the church. The lessons of the Sabbaths, Holy Feasts and New Moons are cast like a shadow from the substance or actual body and life of Yeshua our Messiah - not from the church. These times were commanded by God - not the church. Therefore, they are a reflection of Him, not of the church. To believe, as do those who misunderstand and misapply “church government,” that the body of Christ was to do the judging (vs 17) - thus making the Church our judge in all matters of God’s Sabbaths, Feasts and new moons, makes no sense. For example, it has been explained by many in Church of God circles that the church decided against observing new moons lest they appear to be going into“Judaism.” That fearful argument is a weak excuse for ignoring God’s Statue to observe new moons (Deut 16:1) as the New Testament Church did. Why then did most of those same people then not respect their “churches” decision to abrogate the
Sabbath a few years back? Such inconsistency in logic breaks down quickly and
exposes the folly in their understanding. Unfortunately, many people have not been taught to THINK and to carefully examine the scriptures. Many have been duped to follow the men who claim authority over them more faithfully than careful independent study and obedience to God’s Words.

4. In Revelation 6, the sixth seal, ‘the stars fell from heaven’ (Revelation 6:12,13), the timing is prior to the Day of the Lord, which is the Final Year of the 3.5 years… If the stars symbolize angels, how can this be the same event spoken of in Rev. 12:9 which clearly precedes the great tribulation, (Rev 12: 13-15) Satan and his demons cast out.. they go to wage war on the church… the faithful taken to a place of safety… etc.

Q4 ANSWER:

I believe the 6th Seal (Rev 6:12-17) really begins the Great Tribulation and is also what we often refer to as the “Day of the Lord.” The events of the first five seals have already been being suffered for the better part of 2000 years. But the events beginning with the 6th Seal are NEW and POWERFUL forces that will begin a time if intense testing and tribulation that is not comparable with what has been so far (Matt 24:21). Remember also, that once a Seal has been opened, some of them continue to stay open until all is fulfilled.

Now notice these key events of the 6th Seal:

1) It is the time when Yeshua’s face is first seen in the clouds (not yet on the earth) Rev 6:16,

2) It begins the heavenly signs - things that cannot be contributed to man or chance,

3) God protects the saints from the results of His wrath at the very beginning of the 6th Seal BEFORE He carries out the punishments on the earth – this is why the sealing of the saints is detailed in the immediately following verses of Chapter 7. Remember, Chapter 7 is part of the 6th seal as the 7th Seal is not opened until Rev 8:1. Another key to understanding how these passages you refer to are properly integrated is found in Rev 10 when Jesus told John, “You must prophecy AGAIN…” (Rev 10:11). John had already prophesied about these events once before. Now John was told to do it again, i.e., to give additional details about what has already been covered. That is what He is doing in Rev 12.

5. Also, in Rev 17:12; the 10 horns (10 kings) join up with the Beast (they receive power for 1 week WITH the beast), and in Psalm 83, there are 10 mentioned, however Assyria (which we have been taught is the Beast) is included as one of the 10. Is this a conflict?

Q5 ANSWER:

Another good question. God’s Word says those with the Beast receive power “for one hour” not a week. However, your point remains a good one. I believe Psalm 83 is the list of 10 kings which join with the Beast – they are not the Beast. There’s no doubt Assyria will be involved, but as part who join with the Beast in the “last hour.” As for Assyria also being the Beast – we’ll have to see about that. It could be that the people of the LAND of Assyria (a different nation from Europe) join with the Beast for that last “hour,” while some Assyrian peoples who may have migrated to Europe could make up the Beast itself. However, I believe it an assumption to say the Beast will be Germany or Assyria. It may be, but perhaps not. While I believe some Assyrians have migrated to Europe or Germany, I have not seen convincing evidence to claim that modern day Assyria IS Germany. Many people have taught many things. What we can PROVE (especially from God’s Word) is truth! Let’s not answer a matter before God reveals it (Prov 18:13).

Keep studying, THINKING and learning from God’s Word and may He bless you
for it.

God speed,
Don E. Haney

Click here to submit a question