4
The War Cry | NOVEMBER 2014
F
estivals are defi ned as 1) periodic celebrations or programs
of events or entertainment having a specifi ed focus; 2) a
day or time of religious or other celebration, marked by
feasting, ceremonies, or other observances.
"The L
ORD
said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and say to
them: `These are my appointed festivals, the appointed
festivals of the L
ORD
, which you are to proclaim as sacred
assemblies" (Leviticus 23:2). The festivals of the Lord
(Leviticus 23) were given by God so
His people could understand the coming
of Jesus and His role in redeeming and
restoring both man and the earth. Paul
wrote to the Gentile believers in
Colossae that the feasts of the Lord
were "a shadow of things to come."
The fi rst four festivals, Passover,
Unleavened Bread, First Fruits and
Pentecost, teach the signifi cant events
in the fi rst coming of Jesus and why
these events were an important part
of God's redemption of man. The last
three feasts, the Feast of Trumpets, the
Day of Atonement and the Feast of
Booths or Tabernacles, give fascinating insight concerning important events that
surround the second coming of Jesus Christ.
The festivals remind us about His provisions for our daily lives, about the death,
burial and resurrection of Jesus, the empowering of believers by the Holy Spirit
and the second coming of Christ. They teach the complete plan of God.
Let's celebrate the festivals of the Lord.
MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL COMMANDER
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
W
ILLIAM
B
OOTH
FOUNDER
A
NDR�
C
OX
GENERAL
D
AVID
J
EFFREY
NATIONAL COMMANDER
The Salvation Army Territorial Commanders
P
AUL
R. S
EILER
Central Territorial Commander
B
ARRY
S
WANSON
Eastern Territorial Commander
D
ONALD
B
ELL
Southern Territorial Commander
J
AMES
M. K
NAGGS
Western Territorial Commander
The Salvation Army National Publications Department
Allen Satterlee
Editor�in�Chief
Frank Duracher
Assistant Editor-in-Chief
Jeffrey McDonald
Editorial Director
Roger O. Selvage Jr. Art Director
Gloria A. Hull
Design & Production Editor
Ashley H. Clarke
Graphic Designer
Andrea K. Ricker
Graphic Designer
Cynthia A. Edelen
Publications Marketing Manager
Charles Piercey
Electronic Communications Co ordinator
Judith L. Brown
Editorial Assistant
Esther M. Satterlee Circulation Man ager
Elizabeth Duracher Publications Outreach Officer
Melissa Hollinger
Administrative Specialist
Subscribe
By Credit Card � Call: 1�800�725�2769
Send Check to:
Circulation Manager
Salvation Army Publications
615 Slaters Ln., Alexandria, VA 22314
Advertise
Contact The Salvation Army National Publications Dept.:
[email protected]
publications.salvationarmyusa.org
Follow us on:
facebook.com/SAWarCry
twitter.com/SAWarCry
Member of the Evangelical Press Association.
Now in its 134th year, the
"War Cry" prints
on average 180,000 copies monthly, 1,700,000
at Christmas and 750,000 at Easter.
O U R M I S S I O N
The Salvation Army, an international
movement, is an evangelical part of
the universal Christian church.
Its message is based on the Bible.
Its ministry is motivated by the love of God.
Its mission is to preach the gospel of
Jesus Christ and to meet human needs
in His name without discrimination.
National Publication of
T H E S A L V A T I O N A R M Y
NOVEMBER 2O14
Volume 134 | Number 12
Printed on recycled paper produced by
industry leader that has achieved carbon
neutral status. www.futuremarkpaper.com
The War Cry (ISSN 1550�5286) is published 14 times a year at
615 Slaters Lane, P.O. Box 269, Alexandria, VA 22313.
Single copies $1.50. Subscriptions $15 a year USA, $15.50
Canada, $16.50 overseas (U.S. currency). Periodical postage
paid at Alexandria, VA 22314 and additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The War Cry, 615 Slaters
Lane, P.O. Box 269, Alexandria, VA 22313.
�2014 The Salvation Army
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken
from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright �1996,
2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188, USA. All rights reserved.
A
lthough ancient Israel enjoyed times of prosperity, most of
the time they faced deep need or worse yet, were under
the thumb of some conquering nation. Even in the prosperous
times, life for the commoner involved backbreaking work, long
hours, little defense against disease. Early death was common
among all age groups.
Over against this bleak existence were the feast days. Work
stopped. Worry was set aside. These were the days to play
with children, to sing songs and dance. It was time to gather over a sumptuous
meal and remember once again that they belonged to God.
Yes, it might be that the ground was strewn with stones and the rain did not
come often enough. But what a wonder that a dry seed could grow, blossom
and bear fruit!
Yes, it might be that conquerors ruled the land and taxes sapped away their
livelihood. But their spirits were free and God had promised to send a Deliverer!
Yes, it might be that plagues sometimes ran among them unchecked and that
the dearest ones were claimed by the grave. But how beautiful it was to see the
miracle of a baby and how that helpless child grew into adulthood!
Feast days called them to remember God's mercies in the past, His continued
interest in their present condition and the promise of tomorrow.
As you sit with your family or friends this Thanksgiving, it is not to compete or
to settle old scores or to engage in gluttony. It is a time set aside to remember
that we gather because of God's mercies, we live now because of God's grace
and we claim tomorrow with God's promise of presence.
People around the world love and
enjoy their various festivals such as:
Harbin Ice and Snow Festival � China
White Nights Festival � Russia
The Running of The Bulls � Spain
Mardi Gras � USA
Albuquerque International Balloon
Fiesta � USA
Boryeong Mud Festival � South Korea
La Tomatina � Spain (which deserves
special mention because everyone
involved throws tomatoes at each other).
� DJ