THE JERUSALEM SENTINEL

What David Koresh Didn't Know

The Feast Of Tabernacles September 30 Thru October 9

Atlanta Conference

That One Lost Sheep

WHAT MOST OF CHRISTIANITY DOESN'T KNOW OR UNDERSTAND

Over the last two years we, the United States of America, have suffered one disaster after another. The San Francisco earthquake in excess of 7 billion dollars of damage, hurricane Hugo 4 billion, Andrew in Florida 11 billion, floods in Florida, Texas, Oklahoma; tornados in Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Florida and now the mighty Mississippi with the worse flooding in twenty-five years. Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and look out Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana, you are next. All in catastrophic proportion for those people who were caught in them. It is almost as if God is trying to tell us something.

On Monday, April 19, 1993, outside of Waco, Texas just as dawn was breaking, the F.B.I. launched an army-like raid on the Branch Davidian compound. The intent was to force David Koresh and his followers to surrender and face the federal courts on charges of murder as a result of an ill-fated attempt by the Justice Department to serve a search warrant 51 days earlier. Tanks, Bradley personnel carriers, and other tank-like types of equipment were used to make large holes in the wall for the purpose of introducing tear gas into the building, and to scare the remaining 17 children and approximately 70 adults into surrendering. Then over two hours later, while knocking a large hole in the entrance, something happened. Smoke was observed coming out of a window in the vicinity where the tank-like equipment was ramming the wall. Within what seemed like just a few minutes the whole complex became a burning INFERNO. DISASTER STRUCK! ALL BUT 9 DIED A HORRIBLE DEATH! All because a man, (WHO I BELIEVE WAS DEMON-POSSESSED) CLAIMED TO BE JESUS CHRIST. In Matt 24:3 Jesus was asked, "When will these things be and what will be the sign of your coming?" Then in verses 4-5, Jesus said, "Take heed that no one DECEIVES you. For many will come in my name saying that I am the christ and will deceive MANY." David Koresh was a DECEIVER.

ANY converted follower of Jesus Christ (who possesses GOD's Holy Spirit), could have taught that group the real truth about the book of Revelations and the meaning of the 5th seal. Rev 6:9-10 refers to martyrdom for preaching the true gospel about the coming Kingdom of GOD and those things concerning Jesus, as well as prophecy and is done in the name of Jesus. NOT FOR WAR-MAKING WEAPONS UNDER THE GUISE OF DEFENDING YOURSELVES. None of what the Davidians were doing along this line had anything to do with CHRISTIANITY. The sad part of it is that they were Sabbath and Holy Day keepers who did not understand the true meaning of GOD's ten commandments, which is love of GOD and love of neighbor, (more on this later). That is why the people of GOD who are teaching the truth about the future events that will overtake this NATION and the whole world will be looked up on as cultist. The true message and WARNING will not be heeded. My first thoughts were for the people who were suffering, especially the children. Then I thought of Luke 13:1-5 and America.

I would like to paraphrase it to apply to our own country. Verse 1, "There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galilean's who's blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. :2 Jesus answered and said, "DO YOU SUPPOSE THAT THOSE PEOPLE WHO DIED IN THE FIRE OUTSIDE WACO WERE WORSE SINNERS THAN THE REST OF AMERICA? I tell you NO, but if AMERICA does not repent it will also LIKEWISE PERISH." The destruction that the scriptures say is coming on this world will hit AMERICA first. We have been blessed above all nations but we have left the Biblical principals that America was founded on. We as a nation no longer worship the Creator. We worship the material things that we possess and the material creation instead of the Creator.

I was watching a Senate armed services hearing which had convened to take testimony about letting homosexuals openly serve in the military. The questioning got around to military code and setting the standards of conduct. Here was a group of well-educated men who did not understand that the standards upon which this nation was founded are being done away with. They do not recognize the CREATOR AND HIS STANDARDS. They were comparing women and blacks in the same category with the homosexuals. The BLACKS AND ALL TRUE WOMEN OUGHT TO RESENT THOSE STATEMENTS. NONE OF THE SENATORS EVER REFERRED TO THE TRUE STANDARDS, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF ALMIGHTY GOD.

THIS COUNTRY HAS LOST ITS WAY, (Isaiah 1:2-4), "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: I have nourished and brought up children, and they have REBELLED against Me. The ox knows its owner and the donkey its Master's feeding trough; but ISRAEL" (AMERICA) "DOES NOT KNOW, MY PEOPLE DO NOT CONSIDER. Alas a sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity" (sin), "A brood of evildoers, children who are corrupter's!!!" (WE ARE BEING RULED BY A BUNCH OF CHILDREN!!) "They have forsaken the Eternal, they have provoked to anger the HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL. THEY HAVE TURNED AWAY BACKWARD."(Emphasis mine throughout)

This describes America to a tee. America has lost her way because she doesn't know what SIN IS. JESUS, in answering to a young ruler's question, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" said, "KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS." When the man asked `WHICH?' CHRIST NAMED THE LAST SIX, WHICH SHOWS HOW TO LOVE OUR FELLOW MAN. The man said, `ALL THESE I HAVE DONE SINCE MY YOUTH. What lack I yet?' Jesus said, "Sell what you have...come and follow me." It made him sad and he turned and walked away. (Matt 19:16-24). JESUS tied KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS AS A CONDITION OF FOLLOWING HIM.

Did you know that man does NOT have the authority to change God's laws? NONE OF THEM. The Ten Commandments were in existence before Mount Sinai. The Sabbath day was given for man at the creation. Gen 2:2-3, "and the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested from all His work which God had created and made. Then God blessed the SEVENTH DAY and SANCTIFIED it." (THE WORD SANCTIFIED MEANS SET APART, MADE HOLY). The seventh is the only day he set apart. IT IS UNCHANGEABLE by man CHECK Exodus 31:17; "IT is a sign between ME and the children of Israel FOREVER," (note FOREVER AND THE REASON); "for in six days the Eternal made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day HE RESTED AND WAS REFRESHED."

Abel and Cain were in direct contact with God in person, and knew what God's LAWS were. CAIN refused to KEEP them, as a majority of the world does today. ABEL KEPT GOD'S LAWS; CAIN REFUSED. (Gen 4:3-9) "and in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of fruit of the ground to the Eternal. Abel also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat, and the Eternal respected Abel and his offering. :5 but he did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry. :6 So the Eternal said to Cain, "Why are you angry? and why has your countenance fallen? :7 If you do well will you not be accepted? and if you do not do well sin" (transgression of God's laws 1 John 3:4 for sin is the transgression of the law) "lies at the door. And its desire is toward you BUT YOU SHOULD RULE OVER IT." Cain did not offer the proper sacrifice, which was a shadow of the sacrifice of JESUS. He did not honor GOD; he worshiped himself. He killed his brother; he was jealous of his brother; he lied to GOD. When GOD asked him where Abel was, he broke all the commandments when he questioned and asked if he was his brother's keeper. ANYONE WHO CLAIMS THAT MAN CAN CHANGE GOD'S LAWS IS BECOMING HIS OWN GOD.

At one time in my life, America made an ATTEMPT to recognize that God was its supreme ruler and His ten commandments were the law of the land. There were blue laws restricting sales on SUNDAY, (NOT KEEPING THE SEVENTH DAY SABBATH), there were laws against sodomy, murder, stealing, bearing false witness and committing adultery. OUR COUNTRY's laws have been changed under the disguise of freedom. No country has had more freedom than when we were closer to keeping God's law. No country can have REAL freedom without keeping GOD'S LAWS.

We have more murders, even by children. More abortions, which is MURDER. Our divorce rate is over 50%. Drugs are a way of life to a large percentage of our inner cities. We do not have the will to control RIOTS. THE abortion rate is now 50% of all pregnancies, DO you call this FREEDOM? THEY CALL FREEDOM CIVIL RIGHTS. THERE CAN BE NO FREEDOM WITH-OUT GOD's LAW.

The apostle Paul in Romans 6:1 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in SIN that grace may abound? :2 Certainly not. How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" Then in verse 14 "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the LAW." (Penalty of breaking the law, which is death). :15 "What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law", (the penalty of death) "but under grace? CERTAINLY NOT. :16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves SLAVES to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin to death or of OBEDIENCE TO RIGHTEOUS-NESS?" (GOD'S TEN COMMANDMENTS). Verse 18, "and having been set FREE" (FROM THE DEATH PENALTY), "you became slaves to righteousness." GOD's LAWS, which is JESUS, His total personality, are the ten commandments. In Romans 7:7 Paul says, "What shall we say then? Is the law SIN? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known SIN except through the law." Then in verse 21 Paul says, "I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. :22 For I delight in the law of GOD according to the inward man." Paul knew and kept the ten commandments and that included the SEVENTH DAY SABBATH.

Churches, preachers and a lot of good religious folks under the disguise of Freedom have helped to bring this nation's downfall. For if you say the fourth commandment is done away with, what about the OTHER NINE? 2 THES 2:3 "LET NO ONE DECEIVE YOU BY ANY MEANS, for that day", (JESUS' RETURN) "will not come UNLESS THERE IS A FALLING AWAY", (FROM THE TRUTH) "AND THAT MAN OF SIN BE REVEALED." This man of sin says there is no law. Then Paul says in verse 7, "for the mystery of lawlessness is already at work", even in Paul's day.

In 2 Peter 3:10, Peter refers to the return of Jesus Christ as a thief coming in the night. Then in verse 11 he asked the question, "Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought we to be in holy conduct and godliness." On down to verse 14, "Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless." In verse 16 speaking of Paul, "as also in all of his epistles speaking in them of these things, in which are some things HARD TO UNDERSTAND, which those who are untaught and unstable TWIST to their own destruction as they do also the rest of the scriptures." This is referring to the Old Testament. JESUS CHRIST AND ALL OF THE APOSTLES TAUGHT FROM THE BOOKS OF GENESIS TO MALACHI, the books now called the Old Testament.

This country is going to be DESTROYED. IT IS A SINFUL NATION and there is only one thing that will save it, that is to REPENT. Bill Clinton says he was elected to bring about change; but the changes that he has made so far are in the direction of the CESSPOOL of HELL.

AND NOW FOR GREAT NEWS !!!!

Fortunately, we have a loving GOD WHO WILL RESURRECT every human being that has ever lived. ALL will have a chance for salvation; all will have a chance to accept JESUS as their savior. 1 John 2:1-2, "My little children, these things I write to you that you may not sin. And if any one sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, JESUS the MESSIAH, THE RIGHTEOUS. AND HE, HIM SELF is the propitiation for our sins, AND NOT OURS ONLY BUT FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD." JESUS paid the penalty for the sins of Adam.

We are running a series of articles about the Holy days that God gave to mankind so that we could understand God's plan for all of mankind. Let's take a partial look at God's plan for man. Jesus said in John 8:47, "he who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." In John 10:14 CHRIST SAYS, "I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD and I know MY sheep and am known by my own." Then in verse 26 JESUS says "You are not my sheep," talking to the Jews. :28 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall any one snatch them out of my hand. "Then in John 6:65 Jesus said to them "NO one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by my Father."

Would you believe that God is not trying to save the world today? HE is not!!! God did not offer the children of Israel eternal salvation at Mount Sinai. He offered them a good life and a physical salvation. Only a few were granted God's holy spirit, and only those will be in the first resurrection talked about by Paul in 1 Cor 15. Read from verses 1 through 20 and I will start from verse 21 and here quote; "for since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead :22 for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." EVERY HUMAN WHO EVER LIVED SHALL LIVE AGAIN. This should be very comforting to some one who has lost a relative of whom they were not sure about their salvation. Then in verse 23 "but each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, afterwards those that are Christ's at his coming." Notice verse 51 talking about those that are Christ's at His coming. "Behold I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep" (die), "but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye", NOTICE WHEN "at the LAST TRUMPET. The dead in Christ will be raised INCORRUPTIBLE AND WE SHALL be changed", (from physical into spirit beings). 1 Thes 4:16 "For the Lord himself will descend from the heavens with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, with the trumpet of God." This is the first resurrection.

The reward of the saints, those in this first resurrection, are to rule and reign with Christ on this earth. 1 Cor 15:24, "Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to the Father. When He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power :25 For He," (Jesus) "must reign till He has all enemies under his feet. :26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death."

When that last trumpet sounds, (Rev 11:15) the kingdoms of this world will come under the Government of the Almighty God and JESUS when He starts his rule on the EARTH. The first act will be putting Satan in chains for a thousand years. REV 20:2-3, then the rewards of rulership to the saints; Rev 20:4 "I saw thrones and they sat on them and judgment was given/committed to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands and will live and reign with Christ for 1,000 years." In many places Jesus talked about ruling with Him as a reward for those in the first resurrection. Matt 25:14-30, Matt 13:3-23. When JESUS AND THE SAINTS GET THROUGH WITH THIS WORLD THERE WILL BE TRUE PEACE, ALL WILL COME TO WORSHIP JESUS IN JERUSALEM. This world will look like paradise.

Rev 20:7, After the thousand year reign, Satan must be loosened for a short while. In verse 8 "And will go out to deceive the nations which are on the four corners of the EARTH, GOG AND MAGOG..."THEN THEY will surround the camps of the saints and the beloved city Jerusalem. And fire came down from God and destroyed them. At that time Satan will be cast into the lake of fire. BEFORE WE CONTINUE ON WITH Rev 20, LET me relate a true story.

I was at a funeral last year of a man that I have known all of my life, A person who would have nothing to do with God. You would not dare mention the name of Jesus Christ in his presence. This man literally cursed at the mention of the name of Jesus. He said the Bible was the work of a bunch of men, not of God. This man's wife, sons and daughters are fine people, most of them claim to be followers of Jesus, which is a credit to their mother's efforts. The oldest daughter came to me before the funeral and told me that their daddy had accepted Jesus before he died. I asked her to tell me about it. She said that she told her father that she had to talk to him about Jesus. His answer was, "I knew what you were going to ask before you asked it." This was accepted by the preacher as a confession that he recognized Jesus as his Lord and Master and proceeded to preach him into the GLORIOUS FIRST RESURRECTION. All this was done because of FALSE belief and lack of knowledge of GOD's plan of salvation for all of mankind. This man happens to be my own physical BROTHER, who was not called, just as almost all of mankind has not been called now. This brother of mine, whom I LOVED very much, especially when I was a child, will be resurrected at the second resurrection, the GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT.

When all the dead who were not raised at Christ's coming will be raised/resurrected and be given their one and only opportunity and be taught by God. Rev 20:12, "and I saw the dead both small and great standing before the throne and the books were opened," (THE BIBLE). ALL WILL BE TAUGHT BY GOD from the same Bible that those who are in the first resurrection were taught from. They will be given 100 years of physical life, (Isa 65:19-25) to change their attitudes and live a life of overcoming, receive GOD's Holy Spirit then be changed into a spiritual being just as those who came up in the first resurrection. That is why the BOOK OF LIFE WILL BE OPENED, not to find out whose names are there BUT TO WRITE IN NEW NAMES. AND at that time almost all will accept JESUS and be born into the family of GOD.

There is more to becoming a real Christian than just mouthing the words of Jesus. True repentance is a total turning around from the self-centered way of vanity, selfishness, greed, hostility, envy, jealousy and unconcern for the good and welfare of others to the God-centered way of love and obedience toward GOD, and of love and concern for other human beings. Growing in grace and knowledge is an ongoing process. That is when my brother RAFORD LEWIS KIMBROUGH WILL HAVE HIS NAME ADDED TO THE FAMILY OF THE LIVING GOD, after living a life of overcoming his own human nature. That is when the David Koreshes of this world will have an opportunity for eternal salvation. David Koresh did not understand what following Jesus was all about, almost all of America does not understand. America will be destroyed in this life but will have an opportunity in the 2nd resurrection to possess eternal life.

God is not willing that any should perish. John 3:16. The Jews as a nation were blinded (by God and given a heart of stone) and will come up in the 2nd resurrection and be given a heart of flesh. Jesus was asked the question, "why do you speak to them in parables", His answer was Mat 13:11-15, "Because it has been given you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God but to them IT HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN." Then going down in the last part of the 15th verse, "lest they should understand with their hearts", (be converted) "and turn around so that I should heal them." Just like the Jews, almost all the world has been blinded. All of mankind will have an opportunity for salvation.

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL FUTURE FOR ALL OF MANKIND AND WHAT A WONDERFUL LOVING FATHER WE REALLY HAVE.

FOOTNOTE: This article will not answer all the questions that you may have with regard to GOD's plan of salvation, feel free to ask.

Arrangements have been made to hold the Feast of Tabernacles in beautiful Destin, Florida in the new Destin Civic Center. Destin is a small town located between Pensacola and Mobile, just 10 miles East of our site last year in Fort Walton Beach.

This year the Feast will be held for ten days. This is to allow those who are observing the Jewish calendar and those who are observing the calendar by the New Moons, TO OBSERVE THE FEAST TOGETHER!

INDEPENDENT Congregations/Churches from all over the country will be there observing the Feast with us. We are looking forward to seeing old friends that we have not seen for years. This is just a start. WE PRAY THAT IT CATCHES ON. It will work if we leave our differences at home.

Please make your reservations today. To receive motel information contact the Chamber of Commerce, Destin, Florida 32541. They will send you information on motel facilities in all price ranges. If you want a condo, call Abbott Realty for a discounted rate. Be sure to tell them you are with United Biblical Church of God or Congregation of God Seventh Day. Their number is 1-800-336-4853 or (904) 837-4853. See next month's Sentinel for more details on attractions and accommodations.

We urge all of you to join us this year for ten days of worship and fellowship. The fall feast days are the grand finale to a year of worship. It is a time that God COMMANDS us to come and worship Him and at the same time enjoy our family and friends! This is one of the gifts our Father has given us. We are told to worship, celebrate, rejoice, and relax.

This year, the theme for the Feast is UNITY. We will be focusing on Christian harmony and how to apply biblical teachings to our everyday lives.

This will allow all of us to meet new people and reunite with our friends from past years. Please make every effort to attend. If you are discouraged, come and be encouraged and revived! If you are strong in your relationship with God, come and grow stronger! If you think you cannot spare the time or expense, you are the very one that needs to come! We hope to see all of you there and we will pray for your safe trip.

For those of you in South Florida that cannot make the trip to Destin, Neville Gilbert and the Lake Worth Church will be observing the Feast from Oct 2 thru 9 at the Lake Worth Holiday Inn. They are a loving and caring group who welcome everyone. Most of you who have observed the Feast with us will remember Neville and the Lake Worth members. We will miss them this year and look forward to fellowshiping with them soon. For more information, call Neville at (407) 585-4580.

CHILDREN'S CRAFTS

Please notify us immediately if you have youngsters who are planning to attend the children's classes and participate in crafts. We must have their names and ages today so supplies can be ordered for crafts, etc. Write A.S.A.P., so your child is not left out due to a lack of supplies.

The series we are currently publishing on God's holy days will continue in next month's Sentinel. The article on the Days of Unleavened Bread will be printed with the article on Firstfruits, (the wave sheaf offering). It was not included this month due to space limitations.

On July 3rd and 4th, ministers from the various independent Churches of God met in Atlanta, Georgia, and organized the itinerary for the Feast of Tabernacles 1993 in Destin, Florida.

A speaking schedule was prepared for the sermons and several events were planned. Arrangements were made for planning a program for the children, a pot luck picnic at the park, a fun show, a teen beach party, a CD dance party (bring your favorite CD's), and Bible studies.

With all of the groups that will attend, there will be a variety of speakers to bring us spiritual messages. The typical day will start with the ministers assembling at 8:00 a.m. for a breakfast/prayer meeting to ask God to guide us and bless us throughout the day. This will also allow us to go over requests for prayer, anointing, etc. Church services will start at 10:30 a.m. every day except October 2nd and 3rd, these days we will begin at 10:00 a.m. After services there will be planned activities for those wishing to participate. On the High Days and on Sabbath there will also be a 2:30 p.m. service.

There will be an abundance of spiritual rewards for all who attend. We are praying that this will be the best Feast ever. With your help and God's blessing it can be.

[NOTE: When you are reading the poem below, ask yourself if you are the sheep that has strayed. God loves every one of us; let's all allow Him to bring us back into the flock so we can begin to worship Him anew this Sabbath.]

Safe were the ninety and nine in the fold,

Safe, though the night was stormy and cold;

But the shepherd, when counting them o'er,

`One sheep is missing there should be one more!'

Although his feet were weary and worn,

And though his hands were rent and torn;

E'en tho' the road was rugged and steep.

Still the good shepherd sought long for his sheep.

There in the night he heard a faint cry,

From the lost sheep just ready to die;

Then in his arms, to shield from the cold,

He brought the lost one safe back into the fold.

The shepherd went out to search for his sheep,

And thro' the night on the rocky steep;

He sought till he found him, with love bands he bound him,

And I was that one lost sheep.

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