The Church of God, which is carrying out the mission to preach to seven billion people, longing for the salvation of all people in the world, celebrates every year the seven feasts in three times, which were appointed by God for the salvation of mankind. The first annual feast in 2016 began on March 22 (the fourteenth day of the first month by the sacred calendar). In the evening, the Sacred Assembly of the Passover was held in more than 2,500 Churches of God in 175 countries. On the following day, they held the Sacred Assembly of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and on the 27th, the Sacred Assembly of the Day of Resurrection.

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The Passover: the authority to become the heavenly children through Christ’s flesh and blood

The Passover is the day when Jesus promised the forgiveness of sins through the bread and wine that represent His flesh and blood and released mankind from the chains of sin and death. At the Sacred Assembly of the Passover officiated in the New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple, Mother offered up a prayer of thanks to Father for granting the Passover so that eternal life and heaven can be restored to the sinners from heaven. Mother also asked in prayer that all Her children who kept the Passover would practice the true love of saving dying souls, following the will of God, “Love your neighbors as yourself.”

ⓒ 2016 WATV

The Passover proceeds with two parts: the Feet-washing Ceremony and the Holy Supper. The Feet-washing Ceremony can be seen as a shadow in the Old Testament when the priests washed their hands and feet with water from a bronze basin before they entered the Tent of Meeting so that they would not die. In the New Testament, Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of the Old Testament and taught us about the Feet-washing Ceremony. Before the Holy Supper, Mother Herself washed Her children’s feet. Following the example, the members conducted the Feet-washing Ceremony before the Holy Supper service.

“Just as children are born, inheriting their parents’ flesh and blood, those who participate in the Passover bread and wine representing Christ’s flesh and blood can become God’s children and call God Father and Mother,” said General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol, pointing out the importance of the Passover. He repeatedly emphasized that mankind chained in sin and death must keep the Passover in order to regain eternal life, and hoped that all the members’ families who kept the Passover with joy and praise for God’s grace would receive all blessings (Ro 8:16–18; Jn 6:53–57; Mt 26:17–28; 2 Co 6:17–18; 1 Co 10:16–17; Lev 23:4–5).

At the same night 2,000 years ago, Jesus promised His disciples the forgiveness of sins. The members of the Church of God participated in the Holy Supper with a godly mind, giving their deepest thanks to God for His love and salvation given for free.

ⓒ 2016 WATV

The Feast of Unleavened Bread: the grace of God who overcame the pain of death to save sinners

On March 23, the following day of the Passover (the fifteenth day of the first month by the sacred calendar), the members throughout the world participated in the Sacred Assembly of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It is the day to commemorate the Passion of Christ who sacrificed Himself on the cross to forgive the sins of mankind. Following the teachings of the Bible, “The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast” (Mk 2:20), the members of the Church of God shared in His sufferings by fasting.

Mother gave thanks to Father for enduring excruciating pains with grim determination to save His children, and wanted Her children to repent completely to be reborn and live God-pleasing lives.

Retracing the sufferings of Jesus recorded in the Bible, General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol preached about what kind of faith the members purged from sins should have.

After celebrating the Passover, Jesus was arrested by the Jews. Roman soldiers spit in Jesus’ face and struck Him, ridiculed Him, and flogged Him. He suffered pain beyond description, enduring all kinds of humiliation and insults, and was crucified. “Just to save us, He overcame all sufferings. When we face difficulties while keeping faith, let us remember that God suffered more severely than us, and firmly keep our faith, taking up our crosses,” said General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol. He also mentioned the apostles who spread the gospel, engraving Christ’s love upon their hearts, despite persecution and hindrance. “Just as they devoted themselves to saving souls, bearing sufferings, let’s put our hearts and minds into the mission to preach to seven billion people, entrusted by God,” he urged (Mt 26:56–75; Php 1:29–30; 1 Th 2:2–4; Lk 14:27; Gal 2:20; Ro 8:16–39).

After the service, Mother encouraged Her children who commemorated God’s sacrifice with fasting: “Let’s realize why God had to undergo such immeasurable sacrifices, and lead many people to repentance.” At this, the members reminded themselves of the sacrifice of God, who is still walking the thorny path like 2,000 years ago, and resolved to strive for the gospel work.

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The Day of Resurrection: hope for resurrection & the heavenly kingdom to be shared with all global villagers

On March 27, the next day of the first Sabbath after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, all the Churches of God around the world raised their voices to praise God, who granted them the hope for resurrection and the kingdom of heaven. This day 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross, was resurrected on the third day after being buried, and gave mankind the hope for resurrection.

Mother awakened the members to the grace of God, who broke the power of death and was resurrected to give mankind the hope for resurrection and transformation. Mother encouraged those who kept their faith and made efforts to spread the gospel in their positions, saying, “The kingdom of heaven, where there is no sorrow and no pain but eternal life and delight only, is waiting for us. Let us take heart though we may have difficulties.”

General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol explained the meaning of the Day of Resurrection, based on the early Church that spread the gospel with conviction in salvation and resurrection after Jesus’ resurrection: “The strong faith of the early Church members should be resurrected in our hearts.” And he spoke with emphasis, “All people cannot avoid death at the end of their lives. They are waiting for the news of eternal life and resurrection, and we can change the future of the seven billion people with our efforts. Let us have the absolute faith that God is always with us, and preach the blessing of resurrection and the kingdom of heaven in season and out of season whether they listen or not” (1 Co 15:20–58; Jn 20:1–18; 1 Th 4:13–18; Lk 24:13–34; Mt 28:18–20; Nu 14:3–9).

After the worship service, the members broke bread all together according to the regulation of the Resurrection Day, remembering Jesus’ resurrection and appearance before His two disciples going to Emmaus and opening their spiritual eyes by breaking bread. Then they delivered the hope for resurrection to their families and relatives along with the Resurrection Day bread.

In Sertung, Nepal, located in the Himalayas, in the barren desert of Dalanzadgad, Mongolia, in the island countries in the South Pacific such as the Republic of Fiji and Tonga . . . The Passover was carried out even in small cities and remote areas in mountains as well as in all capitals and major cities of the countries around the world. Surprised at the growth rate of the gospel spreading rapidly beyond the barriers of cultures and languages, the members expressed their great resolution.

“Eternal life granted through the Pass-over, God’s love and sacrifice enlightened through the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the hope for resurrection implanted in our hearts on the Day of Resurrection! All these are the blessings everyone needs. Just as God gave us the blessings freely, we’ll share them with everyone we meet with all our heart and mind.”

The members around the world, who kept the feasts of the new covenant according to the records of the Bible, hoped that they would spread the gospel of the new covenant swiftly to all nations as prophesied in the Bible and enjoy God’s blessings together with seven billion people.