The Fall Festivals (September 1995)

September 1995
Volume 4, Number 9

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh
Preparing for the Feast

It is a rare individual in God's church who does not enjoy keeping the Feast of Tabernacles. Each feast becomes "the best Feast ever!" But why does God want us to keep this Feast? John Ritenbaugh shows that the Feast of Tabernacles is far more than a yearly vacation. It is a time set apart for both rejoicing before God and learning to fear Him.

Ready Answer
Is the Kingdom of God Within You?
by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Jesus said many enigmatic things, but Luke 17:21 is not one of them. He said plainly, "The Kingdom of God is among you," but many have interpreted it to mean some ethereal entity that resides within each person. Its context and the meaning of the underlying Greek argue for a simple, literal understanding that illuminates the nature of God's Kingdom. Richard Ritenbaugh explains that Jesus spoke of a real, soon-coming Kingdom, of which He is King.

The Crown of Life
by Martin G. Collins

In these times of democracy and self-rule, we do not think of crowns very often. We may gape at the crowns of monarchs around the world, but they play little part in our lives. However, if we are true Christians, crowns await us if we continue in the faith! Martin Collins researches the two main kinds of crowns seen in the New Testament, both of which we will receive upon entrance to God's Kingdom.

Sharing Our Lives at the Feast
by Mark Schindler

The Feast of Tabernacles is a wonderful gift God has given us to spend time with each other, really sharing ourselves. Through the stories of our experiences, both good and bad, we can be great sources of wisdom and encouragement, spurring our brethren to greater faith and zeal during times of trial. Mark Schindler provides a few examples of how this can be done.

Bible Study
Basic Doctrines:
Eternal Judgment
by Earl L. Henn

One of God's roles is as Judge, and His judgments are eternally binding. But what does this mean? Who is judged? How? When? For what?