Emancipation Proclamation

The Feast of Tabernacles begins on Thursday, September 23rd, and runs seven days through September 29th.  We will have opening night services at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 22nd.  This year, the Last Great Day falls on Thursday, September 30th.

Dear Brethren,

Today is the Feast of Atonement.  What is the meaning of Atonement?  Emancipation means freeing someone from the control of another.  Jesus proclaimed the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God to be established over the entire earth – but that cannot take place yet because this world is still locked in sin.  We need to realize that everyone is in bondage to Satan.  No one wants to believe that.  The people of Jesus' day argued back when He explained to them that they were not free and that they were cut off from God in heaven, "We are Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how can you say, Ye shall be made free?"  (John 8:33)  Atonement has to do with the emancipation of humanity from the subjugation and suppression of Satan.  We must also realize that everyone is hopelessly bound in Satan's clutches – unless Christ frees them.

Thankfully, we who have received a token of God's Holy Spirit have been reconciled to God the Father.  We are no longer cut off from God.  Once, our sins stood between us and the Father, preventing a right relationship with Him, but Jesus Christ has resolved that breach through His blood.  "Now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off [from God the Father] are made near [to Him] by the blood of Christ."  (Ephesians 2:12-13)  That is the story of Passover and the reconciliation of the Church brethren.  How will the world be emancipated?

The Feast of Atonement tells the story of how mankind was separated from God at the foundation of the world, and how all mankind will be set free from captivity to sin and be reconciled to God.  Atonement will take place after Jesus returns and prior to the millennial rule of Jesus Christ – making it possible for all mankind living during that time to have a direct relationship with God their Father.  The Father will be revealed to the entire world for a thousand years – they will enjoy His justice, His Law, His love – and eternal redemption.  This is the real Emancipation Proclamation!

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Sermon:  "Emancipation"

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