Three Angels Appear to Brazilian Convention Showing Hands with No Jewelry!

(Excerpts from Assembly Message during the World Language Program, 1989)

By Felix Garcia

"And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken" (Isa. 62:12).

The wearing of jewelry, make-up, indecent apparel—should never happen in The Church of God. Look, I’m not hung up on this business. I’m not going to harp on this subject because I believe that the Holy Ghost can talk to our hearts and—Hallelujah!—bring conviction to us! Glory to God! The problem is not with the issue, the problem is with us, the people. I’m not preaching something new. I’m not! This is stuff that was practiced by the early Church, by the beginning of the very Church we’re members of today, this side of the Dark Ages. I’m not preaching something new. What I’m trying to tell us is that there is a spirit, an influence working in the world today trying to deviate us, trying to side-track us.

Some people say that this subject is unnecessary, that jewelry and outward adornment has nothing to do with the inside. Well, I’ve got news for you. It has something to do with the inside. Because what is inside of you will be reflected

on the outside of you. Hallelujah. Yes, there are those who want the Church to make concessions regarding these important matters. Although this is evident, the Church must state loud and clear that no conformity with the world will help the Church. It will not improve the Church. On the contrary, it hurts the Church. We must never, never yield to this pressure. If there are such extremes, let it be that the Church would choose the extreme of holiness. The extreme of ultra-conscientious. The extreme of being scrupulous. The extreme of being

clean. This is the best choice for us! I wish you’d say amen. This is the best choice for us! I know that this posture could provoke criticism from the liberal flank. But I’m also sure that this is more pleasing unto God. I believe He would like this much better. I prefer to be criticized because of my extremes in holiness. I believe that I would prefer to be criticized because I am pleasing God.

Surely we must understand that the Church and the world must be different. We shouldn’t, and must not, even resemble each other. However, people today are testing the tolerance and the patience of God. We are seeing things in the Church today that in times past would embarrass all of us—defying the Church and its Bible teachings, disregarding the Advice to Members, blatantly contesting the wise counsel of the multitude of counsellors. I tell you, this spirit has crept into the Church and it worries me. But you must admit that it didn’t start just yesterday. It is because we have neglected our responsibility of preaching the Word and preaching it with authority and with vigor. The Bible says in Titus 2:1, "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine." Let’s face it. Some have preferred to take the path of least resistance. Don’t muddy the water. Don’t rock the boat. Let’s let things find their own course, they’ll straighten out by themselves. No! We must not assume that souls and especially our youth and our new converts are capable of guiding themselves! No! No, they’re not capable. It’s like our children. You’ve got to keep the pressure on the kids and teach them what’s right and what’s wrong. And even if they’re grown up, you still have to advise them, admonish them.

I’m here to tell you that the Spirit of God, hallelujah, the sanctifying power of Jesus can eradicate the desires of the world in one motion! You just apply the blood of Jesus to your worldly desires and your habits and let the flow of the precious blood of the Lamb of God—hallelujah!— you let that blood of Christ wash you clean! And let that blood sanctify you wholly! Hallelujah! And you won’t have any trouble! Hallelujah! You won’t have any difficulties dismissing the world from your life because you will not have done it—Who has done it has been the Lord.

Some of us think, "Hey, let’s do it a little at a time." But God’s got a different opinion of that.

Let me tell you a story that happened in my life. I was Field Secretary and went to Brazil. I held a Ministers’ Seminar and I’m teaching them about the Church. The Overseer said, "Bishop Garcia, there’s one thing. The people here all wear jewelry. Everybody. They’ve got rings on each hand. And they just can’t tear away because it’s part of our culture in this country. It’s an insult for a husband to take his wedding band off or a wife to take her wedding band off." And he said, "But sir, don’t worry about that—I’m going to teach them little by little. Just give me time." I’m visiting so I said, "Okay." We went through all the Church and its structure and its teachings and its government—everything. All day long they shouted about how the Holy Ghost moved in these wonderful General Assemblies. And then, you know, we got to the end of it. I said, "Well, this is the last session. Tomorrow we’ll just have a good meeting. We’ll shout and praise God. Are there any questions?" There was a young

couple sitting in the very front row. The girl raised her hand. She said, "I’m engaged to marry and we’re going to get married here soon. I read a 29 Teachings [tract] and it said no jewelry." I looked at the Overseer. He looked at me. And I said, "What do I do?" He says, "Talk about it." So I began to talk. You know what happened? Those fellows were adamant. Almost ugly. I mean, they defended their jewelry 100%. They were ready to die rather than comply. Finally, I said, "No more talk! I don’t want to talk about it no more! Everything that was talked about the Church, you shouted. Everything that’s in the Church, I told you, was placed here by God. This teaching is a Bible teaching that was given by God to the Church. And now you’re against it. And I don’t want to talk about it. No more!" That Mexican in me, I guess, surfaced. So I said, "Stand up." And I dismissed them. And we walked to the hotel. The Overseer and I were walking and I never said a word. Neither of us said a word. And I was crying and very disappointed. I did not win the argument. Can you believe that? I did not. They out-talked me and they interrupted and they shouted. It was awful. When I got to my room I just laid across the bed and I said, "God, why did you bring me here to embarrass me? Why couldn’t you help me? Why couldn’t your Spirit do something and open their minds and understanding to accept your Word? This is a Bible teaching." And I cried and cried and fell asleep. In the morning when I opened my eyes I was still fully dressed and I was just laying across my bed, but there was a joy in me. Something happened. The Holy Ghost had ministered to my soul. And I got up, took a shower and shaved, and I was ready to go to the last session. When we went to the last session in this seminar, when we got there we walked into this little building we had rented. When we walked in, there were some people praying. The Overseer and I went to the platform and we knelt down and prayed. We got to praying—now listen, these people did not believe in clapping their hands in church. They did not believe in shouting. And speaking in tongues out loud was a no-no. They did not believe especially—they had problems with this business of the jewelry. When we walked in we just kneeled down at the platform and began to pray and the Holy Ghost came down and there were showers of blessings. Oh, it was beautiful. And I felt like the Lord had come down. We rejoiced and it was beautiful. There was one lady… She was the last one that had a word to say in that session the night before. She said, "Brother Garcia, I agree with you. We should not wear gold. But mine are silver!" And that aggravated me more. She was the last one to arrive that morning. When she walked in the church we were all praying and the Lord had already baptized two men with the Holy Ghost and they were shouting and clapping their hands. Now, I’m talking about the morning opening prayer. And so when she walked in, she had walked half-way up, and she looked up and she screamed at the top of her lungs and fell over and fainted and BAM!, she hit the floor. And the people quickly fanned her and slapped her in the face and shook her and then she sat up after a little bit. She was crying and she looked up again, she screamed and BAM!, she fell again. So they woke her up and they shook her and patted her and all of this and finally she came again to her senses. She tried to stand and then she fainted again. When she came back to, she said, "The Lord is in this house." She said, "I just saw three angels on that platform—and they were shouting, and they were clapping their hands, and they were dancing in the Spirit—and they did not have any rings!" That morning the Lord came down in that house and about six received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and they danced and shouted all over the place. But the most beautiful thing was that everybody pulled off their rings and with what we got out of that jewelry [by selling it] we built the first church in Brazil!

Now, what I’m trying to tell you is that we think we must take our time. We think we know better than God how to work out a problem. "Give me time. I’ll get them to understand this thing." Well, God doesn’t need you. In a sense, He doesn’t need you or me. What He needs is for us to yield over to His Spirit, for us to let the Holy Ghost work, for us to let God touch lives.

I was in a service not long ago and there was a big, tall Mexican boy. He’d rolled up his sleeves up to here—tattoos all over his arms. Mean looking kid. His mother had brought him to church. Nobody could deal with him. He was lost for sure, in all sorts of drugs. Nothing would ever change his life. And they said, "Look, just talk nice to him because he’s temperamental." And I ain’t that big either. So I’m wondering, "What am I going to do?" So after the preaching, I went down to where he was sitting, way back there, and that big boy wasn’t so tough. The big tears were running down his face. God had touched his life. And I said, "Look, don’t run from God anymore." He said, "Sir, there’s nothing going to change my life. I’m so bad, I’m so far gone, I’m so lost. Look at my arms. He had scars in the veins of his arms. I can’t do nothing for myself." I said, "Don’t do nothing for yourself. Follow me—come on." I grabbed him by his arm and I felt his big muscles flex. He stood up— he’s taller than me—and he walked to the altar and the Holy Ghost got a hold of him and changed his life instantly. This is what I’m talking about. I mean, the same power of God that changes a sinner such as him and changed a sinner such as us, hallelujah, can change the attitudes of everybody! Hallelujah! That sanctifying power of Jesus, glory be unto God, the blood has not lost its power! The blood has not lost its power!

Upholding the 26th Teaching

I was in the country of Equatorial Guinea weeks ago when I was reading in 2 Samuel. It was during this time of reading and meditation that this verse of Scripture caught my attention: "And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king’s daughters that were virgins apparelled" (2 Sam. 13:18). As I meditated on these words I was blessed as different thoughts came to mind. Once back home, as my family and I traveled in our city, I shared with them the thoughts provoked by this passage of Scripture. I told them I had read something in the Bible that spoke of a king who ruled over a kingdom. In his kingdom, there were many subjects, soldiers, and noblemen. In that kingdom lived children, mothers, and fathers; people of all ages—infants, adolescents, and adults. The king’s own children, his sons and daughters, were there and according to the Bible they wore special garments and robes that were beautifully arrayed signifying that they were the children of the king. There was something even more interesting than just being recognized as a child of the king. By those garments and the colors that graced the robes, they were also identified as being pure!

I encouraged my family by reminding us that we too are children of the King—the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ! As such, He has royal apparel and garments of salvation that will adorn us with grace, mercy, rectitude, judgment, virtue and righteousness. Such are the robes and garments that make beautiful the King’s children in this earthly kingdom, and by them they are known among the nations.

"But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God… And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the LORD

my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations" (Isa. 61:6, 9-11).

Isaiah speaks of a priesthood of God. In the New Testament, we find the writings of the apostle Peter, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9). Who is this royal priesthood of whom he speaks if not The Church of God? Every covenanted member of the Church is a priest unto God, and all of us together make up a royal and holy priesthood under Christ’s authority, who is our High Priest! Consider the honor and nobility that God has bestowed upon us when we see in the Old Testament that He referred to Israel as "a kingdom of priests" (Ex. 19:6), yet He refers to the Church as "a royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). Oh, what a privilege to be called ministers of God! Yet, what a responsibility to show forth the praises of God and to live worthy of that vocation!

Isaiah continues to speak about the "seed" and "offspring" of these covenanted people which shall be known among the Gentiles, and that they shall be acknowledged as those who are blessed of the Lord. An offspring is defined as: children of a particular parent; descendant, the product or result of something. Galatians 3:26 speaks of us as being "the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." How are the "priests" and "ministers" of God identified? How are His "seed" and "offspring" identified? How is this "holy nation

" identified? Is it not in a similar way to the king’s children

in 2 Samuel 13? Isaiah says something in verse 10 that I believe helps to answer the questions posed. He speaks of being clothed of God with garments of salvation and with the robe of righteousness. What this means then is that God’s royal priesthood, His children, His offspring, will be recognized as the King’s seed in this present world, in every nation, by His righteous spirit and attire of salvation that they are clothed with!

The shine and glisten of fine diamonds, pearls, precious stones, purified silver and gold of this world do not compare to the honorable beauty of the inner works of a redeeming God, wrought in a regenerated and sanctified heart and life! This inner work of a redeeming God does not simply stay on the inside of the one who is walking with God and has been in the presence of God, but it spills over to every facet of their lives.

Paul writes to Timothy exhorting both men and women that, pertaining to adornment, they should be concerned about the biblical adornment of godliness, honesty, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance and righteousness—that which can be attained in a person’s life through Christ.

A man may achieve his lifelong dreams, have the best job and make big money. He may buy the nicest ties, cleanest shoes, high priced suits, flaunt exceptional things and drive the fanciest car in town; but if his life is tainted with sin, if he has bloodied hands, wrath and pride are in his heart. "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Matt. 16:26). What makes a man "find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man" (Prov. 3:4)? The Bible says it is holy and righteous living! Before Paul directed his writings to the women regarding their adornment, he first speaks to the men saying, "I will therefore, that men pray

every where,

lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting" (1 Tim. 2:8). Oh, for more men of prayer! Fathers who pray! Husbands who pray! Sons who pray! Have you seen a man so precious as when he is found upon his knees in the presence of Almighty God, being molded and formed to His likeness and image? He comes up off of his knees and is no longer short tempered and of little patience! He stands upon his feet transformed and is no longer rough and hard, but soft in speech and sensitive to the needs of his wife and children! He may not be the man the world wants to see, but he is the man whom God has called him to be! He may not have much, but he’s got God—so he’s got it ALL!

When Moses came down from the mountain after spending many days with God it is said that, "the skin of his face shone" (Ex. 34:29). We find in Scripture the description of another godly man’s countenance as the world gazed upon him. It was Stephen’s face described as "the face of an angel" (Acts 6:15). They needed no face embellishment, no jewels, ornaments or decorations! They needed no man-made enhancements because God’s existence in their lives graced their countenance and beautified their appearance!

In today’s society, jewelry—necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, etc.—is not limited to women only, but is also common among men. People today array themselves with all manner of costly things. While they concern themselves with the external or outward adornment, they have forgotten about that which is important and esteemed in the eyes of our Creator.

In the eyes of God, a man of clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted his soul unto vanity, nor sown deceitfully, is a beautiful thing! (Psa. 24:3- 5). A man of honest conversation, full of good works and faith, submissive to those in authority, who fears God, willing to endure grief and suffer wrongfully with all patience, and who does not sin, is one who has given greater regard to the permanent ornaments that garnish the inner man. (See 1 Peter 2:12-23).

"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves… not with broided hair hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works" (1 Tim. 2:9, 10). "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" (1 Peter 3:3, 4). In these scriptures, the main topic is adornment. We read that both Paul and Peter warn against the saints of God adorning themselves and wearing gold for decorations. You might find it hard to believe, but one of the main reasons people wear gold, pearls and costly array is to adorn themselves. What is glamorous and alluring, and even necessary to the world, is not so to God. God has no interest in all the fancy, external decorations of this world with which men and women laden themselves. What does He take pleasure in? Here is the answer, "For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation" (Psa. 149:4).

The Bible gives priority to "an ornament of grace unto thy head" (Prov. 1:9). It gives emphasis to "an ornament of grace: a crown of glory" (Prov. 4:9). It speaks of being crowned "with lovingkindness and tender mercies" (Psa. 103:4). It tells of "gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel" (Prov. 20:15). Would you agree that if anyone knows the true value of things it is God? If your answer is in the affirmative, then should we not accept without any question His counsel of not adorning ourselves with "corruptible things, as silver and gold" (1 Peter 1:18), but rather, that highly recommended, incorruptible and acceptable adornment of a meek and quiet spirit which is of a great price in the eyes of God?

This is not intended to be a message on abhorrence of gold, silver or precious stones. There is nothing sinful in and of themselves. These are materials that God Himself placed on this earth and that have their purpose. Sin is found in the pride, lust and vain uses that mankind makes of these things. All too often, people wear their jewelry as an identification symbol or a status symbol that others might take notice of it. Does this not sound like vanity and pride at work in people’s hearts? It would do us well to remember that the pride of life and the lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes are condemned by the Father above. Isn’t it true that vanity and pride have no room in the life of a child of God? The Bible tells us these things are of this world and that "the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (1 John 2:17).

When a man or a woman’s body has been laid to rest, I’ve yet to hear anybody say, "He always had on the purest gold." "At all times she wore the greatest looking bracelets." "His necklace sparkled bright and shiny every time you ran into him," and so on. Those temporal and earthly things will all have passed and be of no real importance! The beauty and attractiveness of a person is ultimately judged by the life they lived. Their character and conduct, how they carried themselves, what they stood for and what they stood upon while in life will define them. The saints at Antioch were called Christians, not because of some golden ring, silver badge or external adornment they wore, but because of the lives they lived that reflected Jesus Christ! Oh, what a difference when people speak of the righteous works of that man or woman, or of the great things they did in God! What a powerful testimony to the beauty of God’s salvation when they say that young and old people alike were attracted to that person’s godly countenance and upright spirit!

When we "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world" (1 John 2:15), we will always long to be absolutely different in desire and practice from the world! Read this testimony found in J. E. Elliott’s book, Jewelry and the Child of God:

"Near the turn of the [20th] century, an event of interest occurred in India. Amy Carmichael, missionary to India, tells in her book Gold Cord

how the ladies in the Dohnavur Fellowship were led of God to stop wearing jewels. It all began to materialize when a minister called Walker of Tinnevelly said to his wife: ‘Give

me your jewels. What does a winner of souls want with jewels?’ On the evening of the previous to this incident, another lady named Ponnamal had overheard a small girl remark, ‘When I grow up, I am going to join that band and wear jewels like that sister.’ Ponnamal was disturbed by the girl’s statement for she wanted her life to be a reflection of Christ. Upon seeking God concerning the ‘jewel question,’ Ponnamal’s answer from God was Isaiah 62:3, "Thou [not something else] shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.’ The answer was very clear to Ponnamal. She was to present herself [not her jeweled self ] in a plain, unadorned, manner to her Lord. Thus, she removed and left off her jewels. Amy wrote of her: When it came time for her to die, Ponnamal confessed, ‘The laying aside of my jewels was to me a new emancipation... I could not have done this new work [for God] if it had not been for the new courage that came with that break with custom and from bondage to the fear of man.’ Later, a young lady named Star felt the need to remove her jewels. Her father warned her, ‘If I hear that you have taken off your jewels, I will come for you.’ The threat of her father did not hinder Star from endeavoring to wholly follow her Lord. She removed her jewels and her father did not harm her. Amy said of Star: It was a tremendous decision that she made at the foot of the cross that day, but nothing anyone could say could shake her. She had seen her Beloved, her Redeemer. On His brow was a crown not of gold, but of thorns, His hands and His feet were not jeweled, but pierced. She had seen Him. Could she follow Him adorned with gold? The things that Amy Carmichael wrote of occurred a few years before the Arise, Shine of the Church. That which God required then, is still required today. God never changes! The Church is right in its stand ‘Against Wearing Gold for Ornament.’"

What of you, dear saint of God? Have you been tempted to try to substitute God’s beauty with secondary things of this world? Those of us who are covenanted members of God’s Church sincerely promised in the presence of God and witnesses to accept the Bible as the Word of God, the New Testament as our only rule of faith—to believe and practice its teachings rightly divided. The 26th of our Prominent 29 Teachings—"Against members wearing gold for ornament, or decoration such as finger rings, bracelets, earrings, lockets, etc.", is perhaps one of the most controversial teachings to the Christian world. The Church of God understands the Bible is not silent on this subject and the scriptures mentioned throughout this article are only a few of the many that substantiate the Church’s stand on this adornment issue. One look around the mainstream denominations and so-called Pentecostal organizations will demonstrate that they have no restrictions whatsoever regarding jewelry. We may very well stand alone on this issue today!

"The Church of God believes that the Bible has sufficient information to govern all occasions that might arise. In the Book there are sufficient laws and rules, either in statute, type or prophecy, or principle… to govern the Church without making new ones" (History and Polity; Stone). Open up your Bible, dear reader, and see the types and shadows in the Old Testament that validate the Church’s position! Read of God’s displeasure with the "daughters of Zion" in Isaiah 3:16-26, due to their pride and arrogance. They were more interested in the flashy and crescent ornaments than the spiritual well-being of the hidden man of the heart.

Read of Jacob in the Old Testament who was on his way to Bethel (House of God). "Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: And let us arise, and go up to Bethel... And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem." Please observe in this type and shadow that neither Jacob nor his household would come to Bethel until they had removed "the strange gods" from among them and changed their garments. It speaks of the outward adornments they possessed at the time. Isn’t it interesting that these things were removed and then buried before they went into that place called the "House of God"? Ah, yes, The Church of God still requires that all prospective members be clean and put aside (remove and bury) all their jewelry before they can become covenanted members of "the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Tim. 3:15).

Again, I make mention of Psalm 149:4, "For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation," and I draw your attention to Esther as she was brought to the palace under the custody of Hegai for beauty preparation before entering into the king’s house. She was given "things for purification," but said "things" were "out of the king’s [own] house" (Esther 2:9). Esther brought nothing. She had nothing. She required nothing and received nothing from anybody until arriving at the king’s palace where it was out of his house she was given those things that would be used to beautify her! So it is today when God calls us. When we are brought to Him we recognize He has everything we need for that beautification process. It comes out of His own treasure chest—royal apparel, garments of salvation, ornaments and chains of grace, a crown of glory, lovingkindness and tender mercies. All of it is from His own supply! The King of glory provides that "washing of water by the word" (Eph. 5:26) which can purge, purify, and beautify us in preparation to enter into the King’s house!

When I read, "And she had a garment of divers colors upon her: for with such robes were the king’s daughters that were virgins appareled" (2 Sam. 13:18), I think of every covenanted member of The Church of God, the Body of Christ, who will not be "arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls" (Rev. 17:4), but rather "arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints" (Rev. 19:8).
By Bishop Oscar Pimentel, General Overseer


  

Stephen Smith, Historical Notes

"After 1,578 years of the Dark Ages, the Church was destined to arise. According to the prophets, it would be found in the mountains, in a land far away from where it was originally headquartered in the land of Israel. The place chosen by God for His Church to arise was in the mountains of North Carolina, in the United States of America… A. J. Tomlinson received a divine revelation of the Lord’s Church on the top of a mountain, in a forest, in ‘fields of the wood…’ He had come under the spirit of seeking out the ‘place’ and ‘habitation’ of the Lord (See Jer. 30:18-22) [and he found it]. The Church’s greatest days are just ahead, as God fills it with divine glory. He will grant it anointing and power to take the whole gospel to the whole world. As His sheepfold, it will serve as the nucleus for the gathering of all God’s sheep. As His building it will grow into a holy temple and become the habitation of God through the Spirit. As the bride of Christ, it will put on robes of pure white and be presented to the Lord without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish."

(The Church, the Body of Christ, pp. 39, 40, 67).

Robert J. Pruitt, Historical Notes

"Another analogy in the Scripture concerning the uniqueness of the Church is that of the prophet Jeremiah who quoted God as saying, ‘Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her...’ (Jer. 12:9). It is a generally common reaction of birds, animals, and, yes, sometimes humans, to react adversely to one among them which is different… In the Old Testament, Israel was God’s heritage and in the New Testament it is His Church. Just as natural birds reject the ‘speckled’ or unique one among them, so do other religious organizations resent the Church making itself known because it is unique— speckled—different… Like Jeremiah’s ‘speckled bird,’ the Church is resented, disliked, and persecuted because she will not deny her identity, nor relent on her mission. It would be apostasy to deny her heritage, designation and calling. ‘What a beautiful thought I am thinking concerning the Great Speckled Bird.’ O how beautiful are the words of that song, because it is so true. Nothing can change divine destiny. In God’s own way and in His own time He will bring the true sheep into the fold (the Church). He will see that she is perfectly ready to be received as His Bride—her and her alone. ‘And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.’"

(EL, June 1994, p. 2)

M. A. Tomlinson, Historical Notes

"It is a joy to live today when we have the advantage of looking back to view the power of divine prophecy, especially as it relates to the divine institution of which we are part. More than 700 years before Christ came to set in order His Church, which event itself was clearly foretold prophetically, Isaiah had revealed in his prophecy the decline of the Church and its being forsaken by the Lord. The same prophet however, also told of its reappearance out of the darkness into which it would plunge. He told how it would arise and shine, and how the glory of the Lord would be seen upon this, His glorious creation. On June 13, 1903, the prophetic utterance of Isaiah in the first verse of the 60^{th chapter was fulfilled. Renouncing all man made creeds that had covered God’s Church for so many years… [and] to accept the responsibility of being The Church of God in its emergence from the dark ages. While none of that group is still alive today, many of us were given the privilege to know them personally and to have them share with us the revelation they received which brought the Church out of darkness. And we are filled with the same joy they experienced as we recognize our continuing role, bearing the responsibility of being the pillar and ground of the truth."}

(WWM, June 7, 1980, p. 2)

A. J. Tomlinson, Historical Notes

"I came with the understanding we were going to search the Bible to see if we could find The Church of God just like David said we would find it. I came and after staying all night with Brother W. F. Bryant I got up the next morning, had prayers, ate breakfast and took out up the mountain. I was gone for an hour or more… I came back down the mountain and entered the meeting. Questions were asked, Bible answers were given. They said they took the whole Bible rightly divided as their only rule of faith and practice. I said, ‘Well if you take the whole Bible rightly divided, that makes it The Church of God. Why do you want to call it the Holiness Church at Camp Creek?’ They agreed with me but couldn’t answer my question. Then I said, ‘You have agreed that this that I have said makes it The Church of God, and will you be willing to take it and keep it The Church of God?’ They said that they were willing. I then asked if they were willing to take me in with the understanding that it IS The Church of God—not going to be, but IS The Church of God? They were willing. So I stood right there in front of the fireplace, and Brother Spurling, who has gone on to heaven, took the Bible and gave it to me. He handed it to me and said, ‘Will you take this as the Word of God, believe it and practice it, obey its precepts and walk in the light as God is in the light?’ I thought deeply. I remembered what a time I had on the mountain. I meant business. David meant business and Isaiah meant business when he said, Arise, shine…"
(A. J. Tomlinson, Historical Notes, pp. 76, 77)

Arise and Shine

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee” (Isa. 60:1).

On June 13, 1903, The Church of God arose this side of the dark ages. She has experienced many glorious times and has weathered many strong storms. Today she is still going forward with the banner of truth waving high. Her next stop is heaven by way of the rapture. In 1928 the Women's Missionary Band and its responsibilities were introduced to the General Assembly and were accepted. What a blessing it has been these 88 years to the World Mission Department, to the local church, and all other areas it serves.

It is a blessing to be a part of this great program. If we could read heaven’s diary which has recorded every tear shed and every prayer prayed for the work, and if we could see as the record is written every sacrifice made to give and the years of labor given in various ways to raise funds, what a story this would be to read!

We know one day this will be read and rewards will be given, but for now until our work is finished we will continue to be faithful, adding new chapters to the record in heaven. God bless each one for your service to Him.

By Sister Betty Bishop,
World WMB Coordinator.

Feast of Fat Things

Sharon Morrow
Wallace, NC
(Excerpts from the full message printed in the June 1994, edition of The Evening Light, pp. 6, 7.)

“And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations” (Isa. 25:6, 7).

Suddenly, and without warning a pressure filled the room and a presence began forming. It was huge and foul and the force of its evil shook the walls of the place. “I AM BEELZEBUB…

I have called you together to prepare for battle. Some rather alarming news from the field has been received. The spirits of the south have confirmed reports, and the news is grim.” A voice from a distant corner said, “Captain, I thought we rooted out the last of them, ‘the Remnant.’ I know for a fact the spirit of heresy came against them, and I saw the spirit of flesh arise myself and many receive him.” One by one they questioned the wicked lord. “Don’t say another word!” A violence filled his face and cursings and blasphemies filled the air.

“I hate her! I have spent most of my time trying to stomp her out. You fools couldn’t break her spirit. I said over and over and over, destroy her covenant. Break her theocracy. Cause her to stumble. Cast Balak before her. Turn her heart from the God of heaven. I said she was not like any other church. I said she was Chosen. I said she was foreordained. Do you think the battle was over in Cleveland, Tennessee, in May, 1990? I was told some of you left Cleveland that day rejoicing. You laughed and said, ‘Just think, after almost 2,000 years, we finished her off.’ Let me update you to her status. Not only is she alive, but as we speak, she is growing and gaining strength.” Beelzebub looked down and said, “I tell you, if we sit here idly, The Church of God will sail on to perfection. She will signal
the inflow and then she will be ready for the return of the…”

He stopped before the words dropped from his vile lips. “This meeting [the Solemn Assembly] has already been announced in Chattanooga, Tennessee, not far from the Battle of Burger Mountain. You do recall the battle of Burger Mountain, do you not? May I remind you foul soldiers that we failed miserably back then? Our best warriors attacked Tomlinson by the hour. Remember his prayer cover that we could not penetrate? In all my battles I had never seen such a prayer cover. I myself came at him with such a force it should have darkened any man. But he would not stop praying. Every word in prayer weakened me. The words of prayer and thickness of faith drove me from that mountain. I finally had to leave him there alone. I, I could not combat the power.” Suddenly, Beelzebub raised his arms as if to shield his head, “And oh, that awful spirit of the Lord of heaven descended on that mount. I fled, but watched from a distant hill. The face of the covering was removed! A light broke loose, and The Church of God exploded from beneath the surface. I tell you, she stood there just as mighty as she was on Mount Hittin. I remember you demons running and screaming, hiding and choking at her presence.”

[The meeting called by the Holy One did occur in 1993] …and the love and unity flowed, and the power and might of the gospel was preached. The bondages fell and the chains were broken. And all the saints rejoiced and returned to theocracy. They tore down the altars of Baal, and renewed the covenant and set their hearts back toward their God. And so, the feast of fat things began in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the bread and wine were served by holy men. And the bread was full and the wine on the lees. And the mountain shook like the cedars of Lebanon. And the law and the Spirit went forth and blessed and healed the people. And the “host of hell” could not prevail, for the Lord had descended on the Holy mount and covered His people with His wings again. And a still, small voice was heard in the midst of them, “Now ye are my people and I am your God.”

FROM BURGER MOUNTAIN

We have lived to see the time when "Church of God" is on many tongues and over many doors, as their sectarian title—and God permitting it. The very Church which Jesus built and bought is not the Church merely by virtue of the name; rather, it bears the name by virtue of being the only one ordained of God to bear it. There were other men named "Jesus" also, but only one was the prophetic Christ, the chosen and anointed One of the Father, of whom it was written "in the volume of the book." There were "false Christs" both then and thereafter, but only One was identified by "Moses and all the prophets… in all the scriptures" (Luke 24:27).

With "Church of God" signs and labels everywhere, and "the body of Christ" on the lips of hundreds of thousands of sectarians (many of them in dead earnest about it), are we ready and able to give account of ourselves before God for the fact that all too few of the "daughters," "queens," and "concubines" have "praised her" as "the only one of her mother," and Christ’s "dove" and "undefiled… one"? (Song of Sol. 6:9) Ready or not ready, WE MUST!

"It is not the right time," somebody says. Sorry, friend, but this claim did not originate with you. Our "shadow" made a similar claim, under somewhat different circumstances, but with no more ground. The restored remnant of Judah said, "The time is not come, the time that the LORD’S house should be built" (Hag. 1:2). But the Lord wouldn’t accept their groundless agreement. Their problem was that they were too involved in selfish interests—building their own "ceiled houses," sowing their own fields, filling themselves with drink, clothing themselves, and stashing away their wages for themselves. They had not considered that everything they were doing in their selfishness was coming to naught. They were working themselves to death, but God was "blowing upon it." "Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house" (v. 9).

If it was time to "Arise, shine" seventy-six years ago [now 113 years ago], why is it not time to shine now? What about "the brightness of thy rising"? It seems that the Church should have something others do not have, and that others want. Why should we be "borrowing" when we should be "lending"? Why should we be the "tail" when God wills that we be the "head"? Why should we be "beneath" when we belong "above"? And I hasten to explain that these exalted postures are not to be of our own assumption, for God promises to "make" us these things. (Deut. 28:10-13).

Yes, there is prosperity in the Church despite our timidity concerning the vision; and despite our apathetic willingness (not to say desire) to be "like other nations." But we are pondering our heritage in the light of this late hour. "The volume of the book" cries out the Church’s uniqueness. And while He made no "advertised performances" by which to impress the crowds, His merely being what the Father sent Him to be generated its own magnetism. Should it not be so with His body, the Church?

Christ came solely to do the Father’s will and to finish His work; and did He not say to the Church, "as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you"? His interests and loyalties were not divided; can we say as much?

"Our Heritage from Burger Mountain 1903-1979" [now 2016]—Do we really understand what it is all about? What is my evaluation of it? What is yours? Solomon once said, "Wisdom is good with an inheritance…" (Eccl. 7:11). For lack of wisdom, great inheritances have been squandered, the inheritor finally dying in poverty!

But this heritage—the Church vision and commission— will be appreciated by some generation of saints. Will it be our generation? Or the next?

"The gates of hell shall not prevail against it!"

Thank God! Hallelujah!

by the late R. O. Covey

(Excerpts from the full message printed in the June 1979, edition of the

 

White Wing Messenger, pp. 13, 40.)

 

What Will This Cost Me?

"And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee" (Luke 10:34-35).

Going to our brother in his time of need makes us vulnerable.

The binding of a wound does not cure the problem. Binding up is more or less like adding a band-aid. It stops the bleeding and covers the wound so nothing more can get in. When we go to our brother or sister in the Lord who is wounded, it is not our job to side with them or to further infect the wound by talking about the problem that caused it. We often think that to help them, we must talk about the person who wounded them. That is deadly. We should turn them to the Lord and help them find comfort and peace before the actual problem is addressed. We must calm and defuse the situation, not further irritate it.

The oil was used to cover wounds after they were disinfected by the wine. If we do not use the Word and the Spirit together when giving care to our people, we are in danger of not only further hurting them, but losing them completely.

The Samaritan demonstrated sacrifice by giving up his own ride for the man in need. Sometimes, we are going to have to give up our own feelings and make sacrifices for the souls of others.

The inn represents the hospital of The Church of God. We are the soul-saving and soul-keeping station for a world of beaten up strangers and fallen brothers. Pointing our hurt brothers and sisters back to the Church is a must. When we are gone, the Inn will be what keeps and returns them to health. Only relying on the Samaritan wasn’t wise because he was on his way elsewhere. He was a minister at heart. He may not have been a priest or Levite, but he knew he was just passing through. It was important that the Samaritan take him to the place that others could offer help and build his health again.

"…And took care of him…." This indicates that the Samaritan likely helped with his care while in the inn that night. This is what real love is all about. He went the distance though he would not be able to stay with him himself. He trusted the care of the stranger to the innkeeper. Church, we must learn to trust one another. We are often very possessive of the people we win to the Lord or the brother we have known a long time, but we should put trust in the Innkeeper and the Innkeeper’s workers. Jesus is still head of The Church of God. He knows who to send to the sick and wounded brother’s side. Let Him do His work and trust His choices. Pay the price to leave him there. How do you pay the price? We aren’t talking about money. This price is paid in our faithfulness to Christ and His Church. What will this cost you? When it comes to keeping your brothers and sisters, it will cost you everything.
By Sister Allene Cox
General ABM Coordinator

The Light of the World

Jesus said the Church is "the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid" (Matt. 5:14). This is one of the reasons He established it. And for almost 300 years the Church shined until she fell away into apostasy in 325 a.d., plunging the whole world into the Dark Ages. But she resumed shining her light when she arose out of apostasy in 1903. "Arise, shine; for thy light is come…" (Isa. 60:1).

There is only one "Light of the World." While there are many churches trying to reach people with the message of salvation, and some are getting souls saved, only The Church of God is a divinely established and commissioned lighthouse, the exclusive beacon ordained by Christ to shine forth all the light of God’s revealed truth into the four corners of this dark and sinful world. The value of the Church’s role and purpose as "The Light of the World" cannot be overestimated in the fulfilling of the Great Commission.

According to the Internet, by the end of 2015 there were an estimated 7.3 billion people living in the world in about 196 nations and 61 colonies or territories. Also during 2015, approximately 135 million people were born and about 56 million died, leaving a net increase in the world’s population of around 79 million. There are also between 6,500 and 6,900 spoken languages and dialects.

When considering these statistics, the Church should feel both a tremendous responsibility and sobering challenge: the responsibility of shining her light in a world groping in spiritual darkness and the challenge of taking the whole Gospel to the whole world and publishing it in every language. The Church will accomplish these great works and noble undertakings for prophecy declares, "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea" (Hab. 2:14).

When Jesus moved from Nazareth to Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee at the beginning of His ministry, the Bible says, "The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up" (Matt. 4:16). What a great light they saw when the Incarnate Word of God came amongst them ministering the divine principles of God’s Word. So also did a light spring up when the Church arose out of apostasy, and people sitting in spiritual darkness could then see a great light as she shone forth the whole Bible rightly divided.

The world will learn of the whole Gospel of Christ through the preaching, teaching, and publishing of the Church, but they won’t know until she tells them! Paul asks, "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"
(Rom. 10:14). How will people know to seek

for sanctification and the baptism with Holy Ghost if they are not told about these precious truths? What about the good news of divine healing, the pre-millennial second coming of Jesus, and the ordinances to observe?

And how will others ever know that The Church of God is the Bible Church without having the vision declared to them and made plain? The world must know of the Church and that it is God’s government for His people. It is His will and plan for all men, both Jews and Gentiles, to get saved and join the Church that Christ might "...make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross" (Eph. 2:15, 16). Making the Church known is part of the work of lighting the world. Why, even just getting the name of the Church out before the people through visitation, tract distribution, and other means of outreach and advertising is helping "to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery" (Eph. 3:9).

As the attention of the world is drawn to the Church and they are inspired, stimulated, and motivated to "Walk about Zion, and... consider her palaces" (Psa. 48:12, 13), people of all nations will come to check things out similar to how the Queen of Sheba was drawn to Jerusalem when she heard the report in her own land "of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD." After arriving and seeing "all Solomon’s wisdom, and the house [of God] that he had built," and other such things, the Queen realized "the half was not told [her]" (1 Kings 10:1, 4, 7). "And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts" (Hag. 2:7).

Church of God, consider your responsibility to every creature, and to society as a whole. "Let [your] lower lights be burning! Send a gleam across the wave! Some poor, fainting, struggling seaman You may rescue, you may save" (Hymns of Glorious Praise, p. 407). Every state, nation, territory, and island of the sea needs your light, and they are waiting for your last days’ message. Every city, town, hamlet, and village needs your light! Your neighborhoods need your light! The people you work with or go to school with need your light! Those you meet at the store and at your favorite restaurant need your light! So also do your family, friends, and loved ones!

So shine bright! Shine very bright! Shine so bright and "Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard..." (Jer. 50:2). "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands" (Rev. 7:9). "And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising" (Isa. 60:3).

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood" (Acts 20:28).


By
Gary Graves

Elizabeth, IN  

Great Vision

The year was 1990. I had been saved for several months, but I was struggling. I had no one to fellowship with and no one to guide me. One thing I knew for sure—God had saved me, and I would never let go of that. One of my questions and problems was, “Where would I attend church?”

I visited some denominational churches that believed in being born again, but never felt comfortable. I thought, “How could a man or woman start their own church and be confident that what they taught was absolute and correct above all others?” I thought this was very presumptuous and dangerous.

During this time, I remember writing down some thoughts in my religion class in college. “If there is one God, why are there so many churches? If there is one God, why are there so many people believing so many different things?” And just when I felt like I was at the end of my rope, the individuals who had witnessed to me about Christ came back into the area for a visit. I drove approximately an hour to attend a church service with them, and the pastor’s wife gave me a book, The Body of Christ. I distinctly remember the night I laid in my bed reading this book. I will never forget a statement that was made in the introduction, “In order to arrive at the truth of the matter it is necessary for us all to discard at once the opinions we might have—even if they are subsequently proven true—and begin, as it were, with a clean slate to inquire into the nature of the Church as it is outlined by the Scripture.”

I purposed to do that very thing. As I read The Body of Christ that night, the Spirit of God used the scriptures cited, the commentary by the writer, and moved in my heart to do something wonderful in me! I received a divine, scriptural revelation of The Church of God! My agony and searching was over! This was not a man-made church, but the Church that Christ organized so many years ago. It was still functioning, and always would, because the Scripture tells us that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

It did not have a man–made doctrine, but it was and is the pillar and ground of the one, absolute truth! God had once again come to this young man’s rescue, giving me life-saving direction, and filling an empty place in my heart. I made my decision without hesitation—it was here, in The Church of God, that I would be safe, I would learn the truth, and that I would live, and I would die. I testified that receiving a vision of The Church of God was as sweet as my experience of salvation; for I am certain that I would be spiritually dead today if God did not reveal His Church to me. “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Prov. 29:18). One day God will bring many other people like you, and like me, to The Church of God. They will be Christian people who have come, by God’s grace, through many dangers, toils and snares to this beautiful city. They will be pilgrims and strangers on this earth, but welcome forever by the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. They will be received in love as fellow citizens with a right hand and a right heart—by people who have a vision of God’s great last days work and a vision of The Church of God that reaches out into all eternity. “What a beautiful thought I am thinking…”

By Bishop Robert J. Hawkins Jr.

World Mission Coordinator