World Mission Society Church of God

The Sacred Assembly of the Day of Resurrection 2013

Nation |
Date | March 31, 2013

On March 31st, the Sacred Assembly of the Day of Resurrection was held in all the Churches of God around the world. The Day of Resurrection is a feast of victory and joy to commemorate the resurrection of Christ; every year it is celebrated on Sunday, the day after the first Sabbath day after the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

About 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ suffered and passed away on the cross on the Feast of Unleavened Bread. However, at dawn on Sunday, the day after the Sabbath day, which was the 3rd day from his death, He rose from the dead, overcoming the power of death. This was the day when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and landed from the sea at dawn, escaping the pursuit of the Egyptian army after they came out of Egypt 3,500 years ago. Moses and the Israelites’ entering the Red Sea represents Jesus’ entering the tomb, and landing from the Red Sea represents Jesus’ resurrection. This meaning is also shown through the baptism that we receive (Ro 6:3-5; 1 Co 10:1-4).

The day the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and landed from the sea became the origin of the Feast of Firstfruits, one of God’s seven feasts in three times. In the Old Testament, the Israelites waved a sheaf of the first grain before God. Jesus was resurrected as the firstfruits of those who had fallen asleep. Just as they were allowed to eat the new crop of grain after offering a sheaf of the first grain, human beings who were confined in death were finally able to enter heaven by participating in the resurrection after Jesus Christ was resurrected (Lev 23:9-14; 1 Co 15:20; Mt 27:50).

For the Day of Resurrection, Mother gave a prayer of thanks to Father who established the New Covenant Passover for the salvation of His children, suffered on the Feast of Unleavened Bread and gave the hope for resurrection by rising from the dead after three days. She also asked Father to help all the members who were keeping the Resurrection Day as it is written in the Bible so that they could receive the power of resurrection and enter the everlasting kingdom of heaven by changing into beautiful beings through a humble and godly life with the living hope for resurrection.

Through the sermon of the morning service, General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol explained in detail the origin and the meaning of the Day of Resurrection through the Bible. In the afternoon service, he gave a sermon, saying, “God’s people who have received the promise of resurrection with Christ must never be involved in sins, but always live a godly and righteous life. Satan makes the world evil and lewd, and tempts God’s people to sin. The wicked ones who are with Satan cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Let us all give glory to God through righteous and good deeds and participate in the resurrection of the righteous” (Col 3:1-10; Ro 6:6-11; 1 Co 15:31-34; 1 Co 6:9-20).

On this day, the members ate the bread of the Resurrection Day after the service. Easter eggs are not based on the Bible, but are of a pagan custom. On the day Jesus was resurrected, He appeared to two of His disciples, but they did not recognize Him. Jesus explained to them the suffering and glory of Christ through the Bible, and gave them the bread which He had given thanks for. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him (Lk 24:1-31). Based on this record of the Bible and following the acts of Christ, the Church of God takes bread on the Resurrection Day every year since the time of the early Church.

The members broke bread that opens their spiritual eyes, hoping to realize Christ more and to participate in the resurrection of life. They also shared the blessing of the feast by giving the bread of the Resurrection Day to their family members, neighbors and acquaintances.