Have you ever stepped back to look at your life and world events and asked: “What is really going on? What does all this mean?” Hundreds of different religious groups teach different ideas, yet claim to believe in the same God. Nations and peoples fight each other, yet most people just want to be left alone in peace. Millions seek money and leisure, only to find these goals unsatisfying. We spend a lifetime striving to acquire fame and material things, only to die, be forgotten and have others dispose of our treasures. Many wonder about the meaning of life but never find the answer.
Is there a reason that life seems so empty and confusing? If there is a God, does He know what is going on—or even care? Does God have a plan or purpose He is working out on earth, or are we alone in the universe, endlessly evolving as we watch a struggle for the survival of the fittest? The Bible contains answers to these perplexing questions—and for decades the Church of God has proclaimed those answers! But through the millennia—as today—these biblical answers have been challenged and ridiculed by individuals proclaiming a different gospel. You need to know the truth about what is revealed in the Scriptures!
Background Issues
For decades, the Church of God has proclaimed in publications, radio broadcasts and television programs that God is working out a great plan and purpose on this earth. We have referred to a 7,000–year plan being worked out on this planet. We have stated openly that the Holy Days picture God’s plan of salvation for mankind. Where did the Church get these ideas? Is there evidence to back up such proclamations? Can you prove these doctrines for yourself?
In recent years some apostates have declared: “There is no plan.” They have taught that the Holy Days are no longer required observances for Christians, and have said that the Church of God has promoted doctrinal errors as the gospel. Instead, they have taught, we can be innovative in our approach to religion as long as we “love” the Lord. Many have accepted these ideas without carefully examining the arguments or asking why such claims are made.
It should be noted that Protestant and Roman Catholic theologians generally do not talk about a “plan of God.” Instead, they speak of coming to “know the Lord” or “believe in Jesus” or “be saved” or “accept” that God loves you and Jesus died for you. But their approach does not answer many questions. Why does life seem so empty for so many people? Why does God allow evil things to happen? So-called “mainstream” theologians have no satisfactory answers to these questions.
Most professing Christians believe that Christians are no longer required to keep the biblical Holy Days, which they consider “legalistic” practices supposedly abolished by the New Covenant. Instead, they are invited to observe Christmas in honor of Christ’s birth and Easter as a memorial of Christ’s resurrection, even though these festivals originated in ancient pagan religions and are plainly condemned in Scripture (see Deuteronomy 12:29–32; Jeremiah 10:1–5)! If one’s goal is to be accepted into the mainstream of modern professing Christianity, it makes sense to discard biblical truths that have been preached by the Church of God, and to promote popular doctrinal ideas even if those ideas originated from pagan sources. Yet mainstream Christianity has lost sight of the plan of God, and lost an understanding of the meaning of the Holy Days, because it has ceased to observe God’s commanded Holy Days. This will also happen to any who choose to follow the same path.
Old Testament Scriptures Reveal a Plan
But does the Bible contain evidence that God is working out a plan on this earth? Many passages of Scripture make it absolutely clear that He is! When God began to work with Abraham, He made an interesting statement: “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing?” (Genesis 18:17–19). The immediate context was the coming punishment of wicked Sodom and Gomorrah. However, the book of Genesis shows that God revealed to Abraham the blessing He was going to bestow on Abraham’s offspring because of his obedience. God planned to make Abraham the father of many nations (Genesis 17:5), to cause Abraham’s offspring to be a blessing to mankind (Genesis 18:18), and to have them multiply as the sand of the sea and gain possession of the gates of their enemies (Genesis 22:15–18). Scripture reveals that God was working out a plan and purpose through Abraham and his descendants.
The prophet Isaiah was inspired to record details of God’s plan to eliminate Satan’s influence—the cause of this world’s evils—and to humble the proud nation of Assyria (see Isaiah 14:12–25). God told Isaiah: “This is the purpose that is purposed against the whole earth… for the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it?” (Isaiah 14:26–27). Isaiah records additional details about God’s plan for His chosen people of Israel: “But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham, My friend” (Isaiah 41:8). The Church of God has not been alone in proclaiming that God chose the Israelite nations for a special purpose. Winston Churchill once stated: “He indeed has a blind soul who does not see a great purpose being worked out here below, of which we [the British-descended and American peoples] have the honor to be faithful servants.”
God outlined future aspects of His plan to Daniel. Daniel records that “there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets… what will be in the latter days… in the days of these kings [symbolized by the ten toes of the image] the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:28, 44–45; see also Daniel 7; 9; 11). Revealing specific prophetic events would have been pointless unless God had a plan. Prophecy reveals that God does indeed have a plan that He is working out on this earth.
New Testament Scriptures Reveal a Plan
While some who profess to believe in Christ deny that God has a plan, both Scripture and the very words of Jesus indicate otherwise. Matthew records that Jesus came into this world to “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Before His crucifixion, Jesus stated that “for this purpose I came to this hour” (John 12:27). As a lad of 12, Jesus stated to His parents: “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). Jesus knew that He came to this earth for a purpose. He had a job to do and a plan to follow. Jesus told His disciples: “My food [mission, goal] is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34). Before He died on the cross, Jesus prayed to God: “I have finished the work which You have given me to do” (John 17:4). Jesus accomplished His mission. He fulfilled His part in the plan of God. He proclaimed the gospel of the coming kingdom of God (Mark 1:14–15), called and trained the disciples (Matthew 10:1–26) and died for our sins. From heaven, He directed the next phase of God’s plan through the power of the Holy Spirit, raising up the New Testament Church (Acts 2).
The Apostles clearly understood that God was working out a plan and purpose on earth—a plan hidden from most in the world. Paul wrote that “we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery… which none of the rulers of this age knew… but God has revealed them [these things] to us through His Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:7–10). The “mystery” of which Paul wrote is the understanding of the purpose of life, the plan of salvation, the gospel of the kingdom of God and the understanding of prophecy—all of which remain mysteries to most people today, even most professing Christians.
In a letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul explained that God “chose us in Him [Jesus Christ] before the foundation of the earth… having predestined us to adoption as sons” (Ephesians 1:3–5). Paul meant that God has a predetermined plan which includes calling some first to be trained to be leaders in His coming kingdom, who will then be used to educate others as that kingdom expands to cover the whole earth (see Isaiah 2:2–4; 11:9). Yet, although God’s plan is a mystery to most people, Paul wrote that this is according to “the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:9–12). Although the plan of God has been hidden from the world, this precious truth is to “be made known by the church… according to the eternal purpose” which God accomplished through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:8–11). The Bible indicates that God even uses misguided individuals and nations to accomplish parts of His plan. The ten kings who give their power to an end-time beast will turn on and devastate a great false religion, “for God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose” (Revelation 17:12–17).
Scripture clearly indicates that God has a plan and purpose, which He is working out on earth. The Church of God has taught this for decades. Those who claim “there is no plan” or purpose are simply wrong and are not speaking according to the word of God (Isaiah 8:20). They are teaching lies that mislead people, as we see that Scripture proves.
A 7,000–Year Plan?
Over the years, the Church of God has explained that God has a 7,000–year plan. While this is not specifically stated in Scripture, it is understood through history and scriptural analogy. In the first two chapters of Genesis, we read that during the “creation week” God created the earth and all things in six days—and that He rested on the seventh day. The Apostle Peter, citing Psalm 90:4, drew the analogy that “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:8). The Apostle Paul drew a spiritual analogy comparing God’s rest on the seventh day of the creation week, our rest on the Sabbath and the ultimate rest for Christians in the Millennium (Hebrews 4:1–11). During the millennial rest, the saints will rule with Christ for 1,000 years when the kingdom of God is set up on this earth (Revelation 20:4–6). The implication of this analogy is that God’s plan has allotted 6,000 years for man to attempt to rule this earth, followed by the 1,000–year reign of Christ and the saints.
The idea of a 7,000-year plan is hardly the exclusive property of the Church of God. Historian Edward Gibbon mentions: “The ancient and popular doctrine of the Millennium was intimately connected with the second coming of Christ. As the works of creation had been fashioned in six days, their duration in their present state, according to a tradition which was attributed to the prophet Elijah was fixed at six thousand years. By the same analogy it was inferred that this long period of labour and contention [our present age], which was now almost elapsed, would be succeeded by a joyful Sabbath of a thousand years; and that Christ, with the triumphant band of the saints and the elect who had escaped death, or who had been miraculously revived, would reign upon the earth till the time appointed for the last and general resurrection” (Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Chapter 15).
The Holy Days
Do the biblical Holy Days picture the plan of God, as the Church of God has taught? Just what is the truth? Looking briefly at each of the Holy Days, we will see what Scripture reveals. The Holy Days are described in Leviticus 23. They are not referred to as “Mosaic customs” or “Jewish traditions” but as “the Feasts of the Lord” (Leviticus 23:2). They are called “holy convocations” (commanded assemblies) that were to be “a statute forever”—not temporary observances until the coming of Christ (Leviticus 23:14, 21, 31, 41). On the Passover, a lamb without blemish was to be killed, and God would deliver the nation of Israel from the sinful land of Egypt (Exodus 12:1–14). This lamb symbolized Christ’s death for our sins (John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:19). John revealed that the sacrificial death of Jesus was planned from the beginning of creation (Revelation 13:8). The Passover is to be observed forever as a memorial of that amazing sacrifice.
The Days of Unleavened Bread are observed annually by putting leaven out of our diets and homes for seven days (Leviticus 23:6). Leaven is a “type” of sin, which even the early New Testament church understood must be eliminated from the lives of Christians (1 Corinthians 5:1–8). This is why Jesus and the Apostles preached about the need to repent of and overcome sin (Mark 1:14–15; Acts 2:38). Repentance and overcoming our tendency to sin is an essential part of God’s plan of salvation for mankind. Observing the Days of Unleavened Bread keeps us mindful of this challenge. We are not saved just by believing that Jesus was born of a virgin, died and was resurrected. We have to grow and change as we learn to obey the commandments of God (John 14:15). The belief that Jesus did everything for us is simply not true. The idea of faith without works becomes attractive when we lose sight of the meaning of the Holy Days—especially the Days of Unleavened Bread—but this is an erroneous concept (see James 2:14–26).
The festival of Pentecost is also termed the feast of “firstfruits” (Exodus 23:16; 34:22). Christians called in this age, before the establishment of the kingdom of God, are known as “firstfruits” (James 1:18; Revelation 14:4). They comprise a small harvest God is gathering to be teachers and leaders in the coming kingdom. The Holy Spirit was given, and the New Testament church begun, on Pentecost (Acts 2). The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey God’s instructions. If the disciples had failed to follow Jesus’ instructions, and had not obeyed the commandment to keep the Day of Pentecost, the momentous events of that day would not have occurred. Pentecost is a memorial of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit—the power God makes available to help us overcome.
The Festival of Trumpets included a blowing of trumpets, but the Old Testament gives no reason and explains no meaning for this practice (Leviticus 23:24). The book of Revelation supplies the missing details. Prior to Christ’s return, seven trumpets will sound to announce earthshaking events that precede His coming (see Revelation 8; 9). Jesus Christ will return at the seventh trumpet (Revelation 11:15–19). The commanded annual observance of this festival is meant to keep us mindful of this most important event in the history of the universe—the return of Jesus Christ to this earth. When this festival is rejected or ignored, important details surrounding this awesome event are obscured and forgotten.
The Day of Atonement involved a ceremony with two goats. The one offered as a sacrifice for the sins of the people pictured the sacrifice of Christ (Leviticus 16:9–19). The other goat, called the azazel, bore the sins of the nation and was banished to the wilderness by a suitable man (Leviticus 16:21–22). Jewish tradition labels the azazel as the “prince of the fallen angels” (Satan; see Ezekiel 28:13–19). The Day of Atonement is a constant reminder that Satan—the real author of this world’s problems (Ephesians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4)—will eventually be banished (Isaiah 14:16–17; Ezekiel 28:19; Revelation 20:1–3). This is a crucial part of God’s plan to eliminate the cause of evil.
The Feast of Tabernacles, coming after the pictured return of Jesus Christ and the binding of Satan, depicts a time of rejoicing—a time of peace and plenty (Leviticus 23:33–40; Deuteronomy 16:13–15) when the saints will rule with Christ for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4). It comes at the main fall harvest, and is also called the Feast of Ingathering (Exodus 23:16; 34:22). This is a prophesied period in God’s plan when the law will go forth from Jerusalem to all the world (Isaiah 2:2–4), when nations will learn the way to peace, cities will be rebuilt (Isaiah 61:4), diseases healed and the environment restored (Isaiah 35:5–7). All nations will be taught to observe this great festival (Zechariah 14:16–21). Thus it is hardly surprising that Jesus urged His own disciples to keep the Feast, following His example (John 7:1–14). The Feast of Tabernacles offers an annual foretaste and reminder of this exciting time, so it is not forgotten.
The last day of the Feast is a separate festival (see Leviticus 23:39; John 7:37) picturing the culmination of God’s plan of salvation for mankind. An understanding of Revelation 20 shows that after the 1,000-year period, a great judgment will occur (Revelation 20:11–12) during which everyone who had lived, but had no chance to really know God, will be resurrected (Revelation 20:5). God, in His great mercy, intends that all people should have an opportunity for salvation (2 Peter 3:9). Those who had lived, but had not been called or had not received a chance to hear and understand the gospel, will have their opportunity during this time. This will not be a resurrection to immediate condemnation or reward, but will involve a time (probably 100 years—see Isaiah 65:20) in which to learn the truth and decide to live it. In the plan of God, judgment is not an arbitrary sentencing, but a process (1 Peter 4:17) that involves learning to make right decisions (Deuteronomy 30:15–20). The Last Great Day is an annual reminder that those not called now are not lost. This is a remarkable provision of the plan of God that reveals His sense of justice and mercy.
While critics may assert that the Holy Days need no longer be kept, and that there is no great “plan of God” or purpose being worked out on earth, Scripture and common sense indicate otherwise! Life seems empty and confusing, even to many professing Christians, because mainstream Christianity has stopped keeping the Holy Days and has lost sight of the great plan of God. This is why many search in vain for the meaning of life but simply never find it. If your mind has been opened to understand this precious truth, do not let it slip away. Do not be deceived by clever arguments. Prove what you know to be true. Make sure you understand what Scripture clearly teaches. Let God use you to help proclaim this glorious gospel to the world. This is why you have been allowed to see God’s great plan and understand the purpose of human life.