The Ark of the Covenant was a sacred chest built by the Israelites under the direction of Moses. It symbolized God's presence among His people and served as a focal point for worship and divine guidance. Wherever the Ark rested, it reminded the Israelites that the Lord dwelled among them and yet was infinitely set apart in His majesty. King David desired to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. His first attempt ended in tragedy when Uzzah touched the Ark and was struck down. As we examine this episode, can we draw any valuable insight into how God views our lives now and our future opportunities? Or will you pull an Uzzah?

The apostles made mistakes, sometimes serious ones, but we also see growth: they’re portrayed as people who fell short, learned, and were transformed over time rather than as perfect specimens from the beginning. So, today, when I hear people say, “I believe HWA was an apostle, but he made mistakes.” They say, “God didn’t reveal everything to him, and today we must grow in grace and knowledge” (2 Peter 3:18). So I must ponder what they mean by that. And it quickly becomes apparent that it is code for we are changing, tweaking, adding to, or taking away from doctrine—evangelists, pastors, elders, deacons, and members alike.

We know that his tail drew 1/3rd of the angels. These fallen angels are now called demons, and they are spirits! To accomplish his work of deception, with the ultimate goal of destroying human beings, satan utilizes these millions of disobedient spirits! He is called the prince of demons (Matt. 12:24). Are there varying degrees of demonic rebellion? Is their character set? Can they change? Can they repent? What did God’s apostle teach about this subject?

Mystery Babylon the Great is a system. It is a system that has been in existence since the time of the creation of man, when Satan first was in the Garden and tempted Eve. There is not a person alive today who is not affected by Mystery Babylon the Great. The only place that explains that is the Word of God — true religion and undefiled before God.

The “cog” corporations today seem to come in all shapes and sizes. The many faces of belief represent every persuasion from anti-Armstrong, whisper-his-name once in a while, to whatever percentage Armstrong you want. The Church has been so heavily influenced by the STP and Tkachism that you can shop religion in much the same manner as for bar soap, detergents, and deodorants. Is God's Church divided up into hundreds of different groups? Is His one true Church made up of many segments, brackets, splits, divisions, organizations, and subgroupings? Has God Himself raised up all these different corporations? In short, "Is Christ divided?"

The Bible reveals both the good and bad aspects of a person's character, showcasing their faults, failures, and sins alongside their virtues for all to see. Of one individual, the Bible states, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart..." Why did God pick out David, even though he was a sinner? One thing is for sure: King David had the character quality of loyalty. Will you study how David was always loyal—and how you can increase this aspect of your own character?

Heart disease is a top concern in our world today. More North Americans die each year from heart-related problems than from any other cause. As the physical points to the spiritual, have you ever considered the possibility of spiritual heart disease? Right now, you may be suffering from this disease. What is this spiritual heart disease? Before we can answer, we must understand what is meant by a spiritual heart. What is the "heart"?

In Hebrews 5:14, Paul uses the term “strong meat.” What did he mean? Is it to be equated with ranting, shouting, hellfire, and brimstone? Does 'strong meat' refer to powerful correction and rebuke? Are strong meat and loud noise synonymous? Or is it something else entirely?

In a radio broadcast to the nation following the surrender ceremony on the USS Missouri, delivered on September 2, 1945, General Douglas MacArthur stated, "We have had our last chance. If we do not now devise some greater and more equitable system, Armageddon will be at our door." Many people believed that World War I would lead to Armageddon, and later, some held the same belief regarding World War II. Today, some think that Armageddon will represent the final battle between democracy and communism. However, few truly understand the real meaning of this often-quoted but frequently misused biblical term. What do we mean by Armageddon? What does the Bible say about it, and how does it relate to the Feast of Trumpets?

What determines whether you are righteous or unrighteous? Why is your righteousness important to God? The Bible is very clear in the presentation of the subject of righteousness. It's not a subject of great debate. It’s not technical, hard to understand, or shrouded in controversy. But it is a subject for us to be reminded of from time to time in our Christian lives.

Are you measuring up to God's standard of conduct? Is your life really a good example to others? Could someone follow you and be assured of entering God's Kingdom? Our lives are the showcases into which people are looking. Have you ever stopped to fully consider the awesome implications of this responsibility? Just anyone isn't going to be in God's ruling family—only those who have qualified. What are the qualifications?

Should we tithe only if we feel like it, or do I believe that God’s true people are to be a tithing people? If I do, then to whom should the money be paid? What is the money for? Does God have a work? If yes, what is it? If He does, then how should it be financed? Did Jesus Christ Himself ordain a system providing for His work, leaving His true called ministers free to serve God alone? Or has God left us to our own devices? Did God leave it up to each of us to give what we feel like or specify? And once it’s given, who is responsible for how it’s used? Okay, that’s a lot of questions. Now let’s provide some answers.

On March 9, 1974, nearly 29 years after his country had surrendered, Hiroo Onoda emerged from the jungle. Despite his tattered uniform, he looked every inch a soldier. His weapons were in top-notch condition. He was still a fighting force. And as the last warrior of the Second World War surrendered, he at least had the satisfaction of knowing that he had fulfilled his calling — he occupied till they came. There is an important lesson in it for us today.

The death of this pope may very well have a dramatic significance to God’s Church, God’s work, the whole “Christian” world, and a Catholic-ruled Europe, which seems imminently past due. There may be one pope left. Even by Catholic ideology, there cannot be many. Time will tell, but it will not take long to know.

Another year has passed! And soon we will live through the panorama of God's annual Holy Days — His plan of salvation for all mankind! It all starts with Passover! Being chosen as one of the elect to know God's truth carries tremendous responsibility. We must not approach this event lightly. God is vitally concerned with us as we approach His Passover, because of our essential part in His plan. Now is the time, before the Passover, to examine ourselves and see whether we are truly right with God. What does it mean to discern the Lord's body? Will we be ready to take the Passover?

If those in the Church are to be just then born of God, how can they marry Christ before they grow up? Why were we born in the first place? What is the real purpose of human life? God is reproducing Himself! As truly as we humans have been given power to reproduce ourselves— to bring forth life in our own image, born with our very nature—even so the Great God is bringing forth sons in His image, born with His very divine nature! For every human, salvation means being literally born again into God’s Family! Jesus compared the ultimate spiritual birth into God’s Family and Kingdom to the physical birth of an infant. This ties into the Holy Days, which picture God’s plan of salvation for all mankind.

There is one letter that sticks out above the other six. It is different from the others. It’s entirely positive, containing no words of criticism. It’s a personalized message, announcing an incredible opportunity, making four inspiring promises, and including a demanding admonition. This short letter, to the Philadelphia era of God's Church, is found in Revelation 3:7-13. It is only seven verses long, but it is packed with deep meaning. Is this your letter?

Should we consider how we might put God to the test in His Church today, which now dwells in the wilderness of abject confusion, division, and mutiny against God? I would like us to consider the potential duality of Israel’s 40 years of wandering. We are coming up on the 40th anniversary of Mr. Armstrong’s death. In that time, we faced apostasy, the falling away, and terrible un-godly division. As I consider this journey through the wilderness of spiritual confusion, I speculate did we have our "ten times" of testing God? Have we been wondering for 40 years? What's next?

God reserves His strongest condemnation for those who claim to teach on His behalf but ultimately lead His people astray. Do you know what a false minister is? Do you know how to recognize one? Are they easily identified — or cloaked in obscurity? Are false ministers in the minority or majority? Does it pay to be a false minister—is there any future in it? Jesus Christ repeatedly warned about false ministers. He called them: "Wolves in sheep's clothing!"

Is the Euphrates River Drying Up? When Will the Euphrates River Dry Up? The Euphrates River, at the 'Cradle of Civilization,' Is Drying Up The Euphrates River, once a mighty and life-sustaining waterway, is now drying up at an alarming rate. The Euphrates River, a significant waterway with deep historical and religious importance, has been mentioned in various holy texts and prophecies.

The world we live in—all of mankind’s history—has always been filled with evil. Our world has always known war, violence, pestilence, and disease. Our world has always been filled with crime. Our world has always known perversion and deviant behavior. All cities, towns, villages, and churches have problems and scandals. Despite these rampant issues that have always existed, why do we read of God’s fiery judgment on the ancient people of Sodom and Gomorrah? Why were Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed? Immorality was common in other parts of the world at the time. Yet, unlike Sodom and Gomorrah, they were not destroyed. Why? Is there a warning in this, for the civilizations of today?

The change occurs slowly enough that the frog will neither try to jump out nor release a murmur of complaint. This is how compromise works! It’s a slow burn, but it’s a silent killer! Compromise is never sudden. The principle, a real law in one word, is subtlety, the silent toll of ugly creeping decay.

We are blessed—as a matter of God’s plan—for we have received the only thing that sets us apart from the slavery of this entire world—a world held captive. Freedom fighters—that is what we are. The Underground Railroad set forth to free the slaves in the South. As true Christians, disciples, called out of this world we are called to be free and to later free this world—it’s done through one premise!

This is not the “Feast of no bread at all!” It is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. There is a replacement provided for the leavened bread. The Days of Unleavened Bread reminds us to get rid of the leavening in our lives, that is, to get rid of the sin in our lives. However, we are also reminded to feast on unleavened bread. What is the significance of this physical practice? What does this unleavened bread spiritually symbolize?