Dear Family, 

Today is Sunday, May 10, 2026. Today is Day 36, and Day 1 of Week 6 in our Count to Pentecost. 

Jesus is called the Holy One of Israel in numerous verses. The term Holy One of Israel occurs in the KJV over 30 times. Among other titles referring to His Holiness, Jesus is the Just One, the Redeemer of the Israel of God and His Holy One.  

Isaiah 49:7 Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and His Holy One, to Him whom man despiseth, to Him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and He  shall choose thee. 

Jesus is called the Just One in Acts. 

ACTS 2:27 Because Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. 

Even the demons recognized Jesus as the Holy One of God. 

Mark 1:24 Saying; Let us alone; what have we to do with Thee, Thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art Thou come to destroy us? I know Thee who Thou art, the Holy One of God. 

Yet, Israel asked for a murderer and denied the Holy One. 

Acts 3:14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 

Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2026, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Sabbath, May 9, 2026. This is Day 35, and Day 7 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost. 

Jesus is the Bread of God. He called Himself the Living Bread, the Bread of Life. This  announcement is recorded by John. 

John 6:32-35, 48-51 (32) Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. (33) For the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. (34) Then  said they unto Him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. (35) And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst. (48) I am that bread of life. (49) Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. (50) This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. (51) I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

In ancient times, bread was thought to be a daily essential. Jesus, Our Bread, is certainly an essential element for us to have real life; and, we must all eat of it to truly live. The experiences where Jesus fed the multitudes illustrate His heart of abundant generosity to feed us the Element all of us must have for life. Both Jesus and our Father intend this Bread for us now and also for the  entire world (Jn 6:51). 

John writes in Revelation about the hidden manna that is waiting for us and will be given to him that overcomes. Apparently, there is more to the Bread of Life that we are yet to see and experience as we eat. 

Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2026, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,  

Today is Friday, May 8, 2026. Today is Day 34 and, Day 6 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.

Jesus is the Perfect Servant as well as the Perfect Leader. 

• The Almighty God refers to Jesus as His Servant in Whom He delights
• God set Him as the “elect” according to Matthew 12:18 and Isaiah 42:1
• Jesus refers to Himself as a Servant (Luke 22:27) 
• Jesus referred to Himself as the Son of Man Who came to serve (Matthew 20:28)
• Jesus served His Disciples as a Humble Servant by washing their feet (John 13:1-11)
• Jesus was a Faithful Servant toward God Who appointed Him  
• Jesus is called God’s Righteous Servant (Isaiah 53:11) 

To take on this most important role of Servant, Jesus had to have a Godly mindset: and, it is the same mind His Disciples need to be the Servant Leaders God intends True Believers to be. 

Philippians 2:5-8 (5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7) But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (8) And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2026, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Thursday, May 7, 2026. Today is Day 33 and Day 5 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.  

Jesus is the Judge. He is our Judge, and we will all stand before Him in the judgment. The Almighty has given Him that job. And He is faithful (John 5:30). 

John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in His body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 

This judgment is going on now for the Church (1 Peter 4:17), and at His next appearing and kingdom, He will judge those alive and those resurrected. 

2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; 

The truth about the judgment of Jesus Christ is a wonderful, amazing thing. Not only is He our Judge, He also is our Advocate in the judgment. 

1 john 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous 

It is because of the faithful and perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ and the grace and faith He gives to us (Ephesians 2:8-9) that His righteousness will be our covering in the judgment. It is the perfect defence. 

As True Disciples, we are greatly blessed. There is no condemnation in Christ  

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit 

Romans 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2026, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Sunday, May 31, 2020; and, it is Day 50 in our Count to Pentecost.  

Acts 2:1-4 (1) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (3) And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 

It has been 50 days (seven weeks) since we began our Count to Pentecost.  The Count has been fully completed as Pentecost has fully come.

Today, we thank our great God for the love and mercy He has shown to us in inviting us to come to the knowledge of the truth, including His truth about His plan of salvation shown through the Holy Days.  This Feast Day, the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, is a vital point in God’s awe-inspiring Plan of Salvation!

Today, we look forward to will hearing various points and lessons about this wonderful Holy Day, Pentecost, which has fully come.

Ben Faulkner
© Copyright 2020, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Sabbath, May 30, 2020; and, it is Day 49 in our Count to Pentecost.  This is Day 7 of week 7.

Today concludes the Counting of the weeks toward the Feast of Weeks, also known to us as Pentecost.  Tomorrow is the target day for this special one of God’s annual feast days.  

Not only did God instruct His people to “count” the 50 days between the Wavesheaf and the festive celebration, He also instructed the 7 weeks to be counted in several different passages.

Deuteronomy 16:9 Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.

Numbers 28:26 Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:

Leviticus 23:15-16 (15) And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the Sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be complete: (16) Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD. 

Because of the timing of the Wavesheaf offering, the Feast of Weeks always occurs on the first day of the week.  And, of course, that means there are back-to-back days for Holy Convocations.  As we physically rest today during the time God blessed and sanctified (Genesis 2:3), let us continue to spiritually prepare for the blessings of this very special annual Sabbath.

Ben Faulkner
© Copyright 2020, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Friday, May 29, 2020.  It is Day 48 in our Count to Pentecost.  This is Day 6 of week 7.

As the 50^th day following the Wavesheaf approached, God gave Moses explicit instructions that Mount Sinai was not to be touched because “the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.”  On pain of death, God forbade animals, the ancient Israelites, and the elders of Israel to even touch the border of the mount.

Exodus 19:9, 11-13 (9) And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.   (11) And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.  (12) And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:  (13) There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. 

Moses gave the people God’s instructions and His warning.  

Exodus 19:16-24 (16) And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.  (17) And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.  (18) And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.  (19) And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.  (20) And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.  (21) And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.  (22) And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.  (23) And Moses said unto the LORD, the people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for Thou chargedst us, saying, set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.  (24) And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest He break forth upon them. 

On the 50^th day, the “I AM THAT I AM”  (YHVH) made His presence known upon the mount in a very dramatic display with, fire, smoke, thunder, lightning, trumpet sounds, thick clouds, and the quaking of the earth.  Observers, including Moses, were fearful and quaked at the experience (Hebrew 12: 21).

Brethren, as we are in the last days of our preparation for Pentecost this year, let us realize that what occurred at Mt. Sinai over three thousand years ago is a small thing compared to the spiritual reality of what we can experience at the everlasting mount Sion, heavenly Jerusalem, where God has invited us.

Hebrews 12:18-29  (18) For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,  (19) And the sound    of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:  (20) (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:  (21) And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)  (22) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,  (23) To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,  (24) And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (25) See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:  (26) Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.  (27) And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.  (28) Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:  (29) For our God is a consuming fire.

Indeed, we are living near the end of 6000 years of mankind’s existence and are on the precipice of a whole new way of relating to our faithful God, both Father and Son.  Let us be sure we approach God with the thanksgiving, praise, reverence, humility, and proper kind of “fear” our Omnipotent God expects from us.

Ben Faulkner
© Copyright 2020, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Thursday, May 28, 2020; and, it is Day 47 in our Count to Pentecost.  This is Day 5 of week 7.

Prior to entering into covenant with Israel, God wanted Moses to “sanctify” the people “today and tomorrow.”  He also wanted them dressed appropriately in clean clothes.  God also instructed the people to “come not at your wives.”  These instructions to sanctify or separate the people were a vital part of the necessary preparation for this important marriage covenant.

Exodus 19:10-11, 14-15  (10) And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,  (11) And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.    (14) And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.  (15) And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives. 

There are numerous instances in both the Old and New Testaments where God required sanctification, cleansing, and appropriate attire for those He expected to interact with Him or to act for Him in a situation.  We find specific instructions for Aaron and his sons as they were to serve before the Lord.  Here are a few examples from the Torah.

Exodus 29:4 And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.

Exodus 40:12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.

Numbers 8:21 And the Levites were purified, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them as an offering before the LORD; and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them.

Exodus 28:42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:

Exodus 39:28 And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen,

Leviticus 6:10(a) And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh…. 

Today, God requires His people to be sanctified and clean, as well.  Of course, there should be proper personal dress, cleanliness, and hygiene.  Yet, for the Church of God today, God shows us that Christ is sanctifying us and cleansing us “by the word” in order to prepare us to be His wife.  He obviously directs that the Church “should be holy,” with appropriate, clean clothing, having no spot, wrinkle, or blemish.

Ephesians 5:25-27  (25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  (26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  (27) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 

Of course, while we obviously need to physically comply with these instructions, God is far more focused on the spiritual significance of these instructions and our spiritual approach and intent.  Let us be ready to fellowship with God and His sanctified ones this Pentecost. 
Revelation 19:8And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Ben Faulkner
© Copyright 2020, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Wednesday, May 27, 2020; and, it is Day 46 in our Count to Pentecost.  This is Day 4 of week 7.

A few days before God poured out His Holy Spirit and began the Church of God, the disciples had gone to Jerusalem as they had been commanded.  The Bible names some of the people who were assembled together in an upper room.  

They all knew that spectacular events had just transpired by the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.  And, they waited in anticipation for the next strategic step in God’s magnificent Plan of Salvation.  The Bible says they were in “one accord,” and “in prayer and supplication.”

Acts 1:12-14 (12) Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day’s journey.  (13) And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.  (14) These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. 

As they met and prayed, it became evident because of prophecy in the Psalms that another Apostle had to be chosen to take the place of Judas.  And, they were aware that the Apostle had to be someone who had been an eye witness of the crucial events.

Acts 1:15-17, 20-22 (15) And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,).  (16) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.  (17) For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.  (20) For it is written in the book of Psalms (Psalm 109:8), Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. (21) Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,  (22) Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 

So those assembled appointed two men who fit the criteria, and they all prayed for God to show which one God Himself would choose by lot.

Acts 1:23-26 (23) They appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.  (24) And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two Thou hast chosen,  (25) That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.  (26) And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Ben Faulkner
© Copyright 2020, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Tuesday, May 26, 2020.  It is Day 45 in our Count to Pentecost.  This is Day 3 of week 7.

At Mt. Sinai, God entered into a marriage covenant with ancient Israel.  He took them as His special people and placed His name on them.  For centuries, God worked with this group of people, giving them awesome favor.  And, of course, we know they proved to be an unfaithful wife.

In addition to this wonderful marriage relationship, God also offered ancient Israel another great place of favor.  He offered them to become a kingdom of priests unto Him.  However, the process of making them a kingdom of priests was never completely fulfilled.

Exodus 19:5-6 (5) Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine:  (6) And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. 

Today, the Church of God has received God’s calling to His “marvelous light.” We have been chosen to be His royal priesthood.  And, we are in the midst of God’s creative process.  Individually, we will all be new creations in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17), and collectively, we will become God’s royal priesthood as well as a people who will show forth His praises forever.

1 Peter 2:9 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;

Through the gift of His Holy Spirit, we have received the power from God for this to eventually be fulfilled.  At the return of our Beloved Savior, these particular objectives will finally be complete.  

These are all themes of the Feast of Pentecost.  Let us look forward to this special time with renewed fervor and anticipation.

Ben Faulkner
© Copyright 2020, Church of the Sovereign God