Dear Family,

Today is Thursday, June 2, 2022, Day 5 of Week 7. This is the 47th Day in our Count to Pentecost.

If God had wanted the entire world to have known immediately about the resurrected Christ, there are many ways He could have achieved it. After all, nothing is impossible with God. However, it was God’s revealed plan that He build a Church, and that His faithful servants would be the ones to accomplish the spreading of the Good News of the resurrected Christ and the coming of the Kingdom of God, by telling and retelling the story to new people and teaching (feeding) the Believers who joined in the effort.

Once Jesus Christ’s perfect work was accepted by the Father, God initiated a new phase of His plan. Hence, the Day of Pentecost and the pouring out of His Holy Spirit as He birthed His Church almost 2000 years ago. God sent POWER to become sons of God (John 1:12). Much like the members of a baby’s body being formed inside its mother, God’s begotten sons are being formed.

Much of this must be being done in secret. We wait for the appointed time. We wait for the redemption of our bodies. We wait for our change to come when this mortal shall put on immortality.

Psalm 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

1 Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Jesus said He would build His Church, and the gates of hell could not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Although the early disciples reportedly “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6) with the details of God’s plan, the true Church of God has remained small for 2000 years compared to earth’s population.

God has a way of working things out in quiet and in secret until He is ready for the great revealing or the public presentation of His particular project. Consider how small our numbers seem to be in God’s Church today. We don’t really know all of the people with whom God is working. We certainly seem to be a small flock, scattered into so many different groups under so many different corporate structures. However, we KNOW God is building His Church, and He is perfecting it. Nothing can stop it! It cannot be long now until Christ returns, and God’s Church transitions into another phase of His Master Plan. Let us endeavor to be in prayer and supplication in one accord as we wait.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Wednesday, June 1, 2022, Day 4 of Week 7. This is the 46th Day in our Count to Pentecost.

The Holy Bible provides information that Jesus Christ has been very involved in building His Church.

To do so, He has been fulfilling many roles. One of those roles is that of High Priest.

Many have wondered what Jesus Christ was doing during the 10 days between His ascension and the Feast of Pentecost. And, we have wondered what He is doing now. Although we do not yet know exactly what Jesus Christ was doing during the 10 days between His ascension and the Feast of Pentecost, we know Jesus was fulfilling Scriptural promises and prophecies.

We know earthly priests were to be very diligent about their duties or suffer severe consequences.

We can only conclude that the manner in which our Glorified Everliving Savior Jesus Christ fulfills His priestly duties is exact, meticulous, i.e., perfect.

The assignment of the priestly duties, the design of the ark, the tabernacle, and all of the vessels of the sanctuary were to be very carefully crafted in exact duplication of the pattern God showed Moses on Mt. Sinai. These were a “shadow” to serve as prototypes, until the “heavenly” vessels and Everliving Priest should fulfill their true meaning and purpose in the heavens, once and for all eternity.

Hebrews 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Hebrews 9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

Although Jesus has presented Himself as the Perfect One-time Sacrifice, He remains a Priest forever in our Father’s presence. He is there now to intercede, mediate, and advocate for us because He is building and protecting His Church. Not even the gates of hell will prevail against us. He promised.

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee; That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Tuesday, May 31, 2022, Day 3 of Week 7. This is the 45th Day in our Count to Pentecost.

We learn from Acts 1 that 40 days after the Wave Sheaf, Jesus ascended into heaven. He gave instructions in Acts 1 about what the disciples were to be doing until they received “power.” He told them they would be “baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence.”

Acts 1:4-5 (4) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me. (5) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

The disciples may have suspected that Jesus was referring to (v. 5,” not many days hence”) Pentecost, the Holy Day the Jews called Feast of Weeks, but Scripture is not clear. After 40 days with the resurrected Christ, they may have had some idea of the prophetic foreshadowing of that Holy Day. At any rate, the 11 disciples, along with other of Christ’s followers (about 120 altogether) obediently went to Jerusalem to “wait” as Christ had instructed.

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 we obediently wait and Count to Pentecost, being in one accord in prayer and supplication seems very fitting for us today, also. Let us all pray with one accord that God manifests His will to us, and we become more and more aware of the power God has made available to us to do His will.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Monday, May 30, 2022, Day 2 of Week 7. This is the 44th Day in our Count to Pentecost.

The first time the English word covenant is used in the King James Version of the Bible is when God is dealing with Noah (Genesis 6:18). The word shows up in the Old Testament well over 200 times, and the study of each of these contexts is very helpful. However, the covenant that God made with Israel at Mt. Sinai is extremely important for true Believers to understand. It was a marriage covenant between God and Israel. It is a covenant that Israel quickly broke. And, it is a covenant that is being replaced by a better covenant (also a marriage covenant) based on better promises.

The reality about the everlasting fellowship God is calling us into is truly a beautiful love story!

Jeremiah 31:31-34 (31) Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: (32) Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which My covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: (33) But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people. (34) And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying; Know the Lord: for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Isaiah 54:5-10 (5) For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of Hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall He be called. (6) For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. (7) For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. (8) In a little wrath I hid My face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. (9) For this is as the waters of Noah unto Me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. (10) For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

Hebrews 8:6,13 (6) But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. (13) In that He saith; A new covenant, He hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Everyone involved in the NEW covenant will be ready! This covenant is everlasting.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sunday, May 29, 2022, Day 1 of Week 7. This is the 43rd Day in our Count to Pentecost. It has been called the Week of Camping Before Mt. Sinai.

As we begin the 7th and final week in our Count to Pentecost, we find ancient Israel nearing the foot of Mt. Sinai where they will camp for about a year. At Mt. Sinai, God made a covenant with them, an earthly covenant, which was a type and foreshadowing of the everlasting covenant God is making with His people now.

And, just as they had to prepare to meet God at Mt. Sinai, we are to prepare as well. At Mt. Sinai, God showed the people that He maintained strong boundaries and guidelines to approaching Him. His presence was not to be taken for granted, not even by nearing the mount and touching it without specific permission or invitation.

Exodus 19:10-13 (10) And the Lord said unto Moses; Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and tomorrow, 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. (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.

As we prepare ourselves for meeting with God in a special commanded assembly before Him at Pentecost, let’s be sure that we submit ourselves to God, giving ourselves to Him in His way! Let us appreciate what God has sanctified.

Let us realize that God Himself has sanctified us. After all, we are His saints. Let us present ourselves before God, clean, and ready to fellowship with our Father and our Savior!

After all, our loving God looks upon us as He did Israel, with at least one major difference. That nation was to be temporary. The nation He is building now will be everlasting.

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.

Brethren, may our great and loving God draw us closer and closer to Him. And, that He will bless us with the reverence He requires of us when we fellowship with our Father, our Savior, and with His people.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sabbath, May 28, 2022, Day 7 of Week 6. This is the 42nd Day in our Count to Pentecost.

We are now ending the 6th week of Israel’s journey to Mt. Sinai. This is the week many Bible historians call the week of Jethro’s visit. Jethro, Moses’ father-on-law, brought Moses’ family to the campsite.

Seeing Moses sit in judgment all day, overwhelmed by the pressures of judging every matter the rowdy Israelites brought out, Jethro suggested a form of judicial organization. We have come to call that organization the “Jethro Principle.” And, it has been used as an organizational form in many capacities, not just for judgment.

The principle involved delegation of authority to capable people who actually would learn how to judge. Part of the preparation to be a judge was Moses’ teaching “them ordinances and laws.” This is a crucial component.

A second, most important part of this delegation of authority involved the character and integrity of the men Moses would use.

Exodus 18:20-21 (20) And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. (21) Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

In essence, God is training us to be able to judge, also. Of course, He wants “righteous” judgment, and His laws (not just any laws or rules) are the key. Through God’s Holy Spirit, His laws are being written on the hearts of true Believers. When our training is complete, everyone God will use to teach or judge others will be of the same nature, character, and integrity as our Savior and our Father.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Friday, May 27, 2022, Day 6 of Week 6. This is the 41st Day in our Count to Pentecost.

One of Moses’ greatest challenges in the 40 years of leading a murmuring, rebellious people, was burn out. If Moses had allowed the errors of the people to fill his mind, he could have been immersed in their negativity. Many people would find leading this huge group of grumbling malcontents to be overwhelming and unbearable. Humanly, we may wonder what kept Moses from just walking away from the job.

However, Moses on many different occasions was tempted by Israel’s contrary actions, yet he did not succumb to the typical, natural impulses. Why?

God had given Moses a clear purpose! The vision of leading the children of Israel into the Promised Land remained fresh in Moses’ thinking. That purpose even trumped burn out.

Also, God was very real to Moses. God had given Moses the opportunity to be in His divine presence, face-to-face, something like the meetings God had had with Moses’ forefathers. Through intimate contact with God, the vision could remain fresh and powerful.

Once God engaged Moses in the task before him, there was no room for doubt that God would bring His people to the Promised Land. While Israel often looked back to Egypt, the only direction Moses looked was forward. No matter how long or difficult the journey, we must all press forward to the goal like Moses did (and a whole list of other faithful witnesses, also, see Hebrews 11).

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him; No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Once committed to God and His purpose, there is no looking back! God says Moses was “faithful in all his house” (Hebrews 3:2, 5). We want Him to say that about us, also.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Thursday, May 26, 2022, Day 5 of Week 6. This is the 40th Day in our Count to Pentecost.

The ancient Israelites needed faith and patience to inherit the Promised Land after being delivered from bondage. It took 40 years for them to finally arrive.

And, if Israel needed patience for 40 years, Believers in the Church of God have most certainly needed patience. About two thousand years ago, our Savior told us to pray, “Thy kingdom come.” And, the faithful have been doing just that.

At the ascension of Jesus Christ on the 40th day after His acceptance for us as the Wave Sheaf, His disciples expected a speedy return and the setting up of the Kingdom of God on earth.

Although Jesus was with them for forty days, speaking about the Kingdom of God, they still asked if He was going to restore the Kingdom to Israel at that time. Maybe they were a little impatient.

Acts 1:2-7 (2) Until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen: (3) To whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: (4) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me. (5) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence. (6) When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying; Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (7) And He said unto them; It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.

Jesus told them they were not to know God’s schedule. They had work to do; and, if they had known just how long they would have to wait for the Kingdom of God on earth, the information may have created quite a distraction and affected their motivation.

The natural man is challenged by having to wait. Patience (longsuffering) is a fruit of God’s Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). And, the book of James indicates that patience has a perfecting quality about it.

James 1:4; 5:8 (1:4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (5:8) Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Apparently, there is no substitute for having patience. God keeps “times, or the seasons” “in His own power.” His plan takes what it takes! And, while we wait, God is working to perfect us. We know He will return, for He has promised (John 14:1-3)! No matter how long it takes, His coming is closer than ever before.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Wednesday, May 25, 2022, Day 4 of Week 6. This is the 39th Day in our Count to Pentecost.

The ancient Israelites demonstrated over and over their habit of negative thinking. Analyzing their words and behaviors, we find one of the patterns they displayed was what we now call “all or nothing thinking,” meaning we see things as either “good or bad,” or “black or white.” In this kind of thinking, there is no room for anything in between. Some people describe it as being in one ditch or the other.

It’s a really easy pattern for many people to use. It’s just part of natural, carnal, human nature. And, even as Believers today, we can slip into this carnal thinking.

The pattern is easy to see in ancient Israel. It is most clear to discern when the ancient Israelites needed something. They were quite demanding. Their words and their behaviors were much like the tantrums of a toddler. They either wanted everything provided for them immediately, or they flipped completely into foolish, threatening behaviors like going back to Egypt or stoning their leaders, Moses and Aaron.

Because this pattern is so common in our culture today, even true Believers need to be on guard.

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

We are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6), but we are the bondservants of our God and Savior. They made us; They paid for us; They delivered us from death; They work with us constantly; They pour out Their love and blessings on us.

Believers have to be transformed in our thinking and in our behaviors.

Romans 12:1-2 (1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Let us adopt the mindset that whatever the circumstances are that God creates and allows into our lives are POSITIVE and play an important part in His plan to bring us to glory with Him forever.

Let nothing sway us into foolish and negative thinking, because negative thinking leads to sin.

Hebrews 2:10 For it became Him, for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Tuesday, May 24, 2022, Day 3 of Week 6. This is the 38th Day in our Count to Pentecost.

Putting several verses together, we find that Miriam, Aaron, and Moses were the children of Amram and Jochebed. Amram was the son of Kohath, who was the son of Levi. And Amram’s wife was his father’s sister.

Exodus 6:18, 20 (18) And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years. (20) And Amram took him Jochebed his father’s sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years.

God used all three of Amram’s children in significant ways to bless Israel. In addition to God’s giving Aaron the unique responsibility, honor, and privilege of being Israel’s first high priest, He used him in many capacities. God especially used Aaron and Moses to picture prophetic aspects of our Savior’s roles and responsibilities.

Aaron was involved in God’s plan to deliver Israel from Egypt from the very beginning. God sent Aaron to meet Moses, and the meeting was very positive as Aaron was “glad in his heart” and “kissed him.” After Moses told Aaron about their appointed task, they went together to meet the elders of Israel. Aaron was witness to, and “did the signs.” Together, they told Pharaoh that God said to let the people go.

Exodus 4:14, 27-30 (14) And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said; Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. (27) And the LORD said to Aaron; Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him. (28) And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD who had sent him, and all the signs which He had commanded him. (29) And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel: (30) And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people

Exodus 5:1,4,20 (1) And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh; Thus, saith the LORD God of Israel; Let My people go, that they may hold a feast unto Me in the wilderness. (4) And the king of Egypt said unto them; Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? Get you unto your burdens. (20) And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh

Exodus 6:13 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

Exodus 8 shows us that it was called Aaron’s rod (as well as the rod of Moses) when it turned into a snake and ate the magician’s snakes. It was also Aaron’s rod when God used it to turn the water into blood. It was that same rod that God used to initiate other plagues, also. It is not clear if both Moses and Aaron each had a rod of their own (compare Exodus 8:17 and 9:23 and 17:5).

When we read more carefully, we find God told Moses and Aaron to speak the words, and do many of the other things that had to be accomplished (Exodus 8, 12). And, the children of Israel recognized Aaron’s leadership. The Bible records that the Israelites often murmured against both Moses and Aaron (Exodus 16:2; Numbers 14:2; 16:41).

As we study Scripture, we find that the major role Moses played in the deliverance often overshadows the great use God made of Aaron. And, God also put great tasks before Aaron. And, often we overlook just how involved Aaron was in the process of deliverance.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God