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“Thanksgiving Day in America”
By
Alton B. (Don) Billingsley
The LORD God spoke the following WARNING through His servant Moses to His people Israel—
“And they (curses) shall be upon you for a SIGN and a WONDER, and on your descendants forever, because you did NOT SERVE the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything!” Deuteronomy 28:45-47
“America in Bible Prophecy”
The last Thursday in November in each year has been set aside as a National Day of Thanksgiving to God for this great country that has been blessed with such rich and bountiful blessings by Him as no nation has ever been blessed.
Though the dates have varied for its observance it goes all the way back to the first President of this Nation, George Washington—and even further back to the pilgrims who first landed in this country.
All of whom gave credit and thanksgiving to God Almighty for this land of religious freedom and the bountiful blessings within it.
The Birth of America
The establishment of the colonies who had sailed from Britain in 1620 was the beginning birth pangs of what came to be the United States of America.
TOMORROW’S WORLD Magazine, November 1971—
THANKSGIVING DAY
IT’S TRUE MEANING
“The first thanksgiving day originated with the festival being held by Plymouth Colony in 1621, in gratitude for a successive harvest. The pilgrims from England had landed at Plymouth Rock in December, 1620 and had endured a hard year.
“On that first ‘Thanksgiving Day’ they THANKED God they were still alive and had food to eat. The pilgrims RECOGNIZED God as the SOURCE of their blessings.
“They held that first ‘THANKSGIVING DAY’ IN GRATITUDE AND THANKS TO GOD. The Pilgrims had cause to be very thankful to God for many and varied reasons.”
America Today
Many Americans do not even think about the terrible price those pioneers paid to bring about the birth of this nation, nor do they even think of God on THANKSGIVING DAY much less actually PRAY AND GIVE HEARTFELT THANKS TO THE GIVER OF EVERY GOOD BLESSING, GOD IN HEAVEN ABOVE (James 1:17).
A Historical Review of America
The following quotes are taken from the Book: THE DESTINY OF BRITAIN AND AMERICA by the Roadbuilder, Lt. Col. W. G. McKendrick, DSO, January 1926, this was the 6th and last printing of it to my knowledge. This book is still available on the internet: http://www.buy.com/prod/the-destiny-of-britain-and-america-with-an-appendix-who-are-the/q/loc/106/212369809.html
THE DESTINY OF BRITAIN AND AMERICA, Excerpts from Pages 142-147
“. . . The Pilgrims left Plymouth (England) and started across the ocean in the ‘Mayflower’ and the ‘Speedwell’.” On two occasions they had to sail back to England because of the unseaworthiness of the ‘Speedwell’; and they finally had to give up the ‘Speedwell’, sell part of their provisions, and overcrowd the ‘Mayflower’ when they bade their final start, September 6-16, 1620, for Virginia.
“The ‘Mayflower’ had a tough passage [a 66-day voyage with 102 people on board, a baby was born at sea, making a total of 103], encountering many gales, in one of which her main beam was broken. But one of the Pilgrims had a jack screw and with this a repair was made and the voyage was continued. They made land November 9-19, 1620 at Cape Cod. The crew refused to sail down the coast in the teeth of the November gales, and the Pilgrims had to land and stay in Massachusetts though their patent was only for Virginia.
“Right here may I mention how Providence guided these people and took care of them. HAD THEY LANDED ON ANY OTHER SECTION OF THE COAST than where they did, THEY COULD HAVE NEVER SURVIVED THE WINTER AND THE INDIANS! A PLAGUE had struck this section of country two years before and WIPED OUT THE INDIANS but LEFT in a cave some eight bushels of Indian corn, which the Pilgrims used for seed for the season 1621, as they brought none from England.
“On December 25th they commenced their first house. During that first winter they ENDURED many hardships and lost their governor and one/half colony by death and the rest were so weakened that had the warlike Indians of the other parts of the coast been in this section of country, the Pilgrims could not possibly have survived.
“As early as 1623 these Englishmen kept days for fasting, humiliation, and PRAYER, and in 1627 passed an ordinance: ‘That it be in the power of the governor and assistants to COMMAND solemn days of humiliation, AND ALSO FOR THANKSGIVING,’ and since then their American descendants have eaten the November TURKEY AND CRANBERRY, with or without the forementioned humiliation and PRAYER attachments and in many cases I’m afraid have FORGOTTEN WHAT THEIR PREDESSORS KNEW in their souls, namely, that God has been and still was LOOKING AFTER THEM and ‘PROSPERING THEIR UNDERTAKINGS,’ as your Great Seal of State with it’s all-seeing eye declares.” [My emphasis throughout]
[COMMENT: Certainly God was looking out for these people FOR a very SPECIAL REASON that we will shortly come to in this writing.]
“About March 16, 1621, an Indian called Samoset came to the Puritan settlement. He could speak a little English [question: from whom did he learn to speak English? Answer later] and proved to be, they wrote, ‘A Special Instrument sent of God for their good, beyond expectation.’ He told them HOW to plant THE CORN they found left by the plague-killed Indians, where to fish for the fish so necessary for them to live and helped in divers manners as long as he lived.”
knowing where to have anything to sustain nature the next day, and so had NEED TO PRAY that God would give them their daily bread . . . sometimes for two or three months together they neither had bread or any kind of corn,” quote taken from a paper written by Nathaniel Morton, a historian, addressed to Thomas Prince, Governor of New England.”
“By the time all their corn was planted, all their vituals [that had been brought from England] was spent and they were only to rest on God’s Providence; many times at night not
[COMMENT: Notice again HOW God watched over and blessed them.]
“When the Pilgrims had no rain on their corn from the third week in May until the middle of July in 1624, ‘they set apart a solemn day of humiliation, TO SEEK THE LORD by humble and fervent PRAYER’ for some eight hours in their great distress. Though the morning was clear and hot, without a cloud in the sky, at evening, THEY WERE BLESSED with gentle showers in abundance UNTIL the parched ground was wet and soaked, much to the admiration of the Indians who witnessed their prayers and supplications for rain.”
[COMMENT: This was the 2nd Colony to be established in America. The 1st one was in 1607. They established a Colony in Jamestown and named it after King James of England. Note: The King James Bible made its introduction in 1611- 401 years ago this year, 2012]
Encyclopedia Britannia, 1960, Page 25: “It was this Colony that Captain John Smith emerged as leader. Also, from this Colony that one of the settlers, John Rolf, married Indian Chief Powhattan’s daughter, Pocahontas.
“It was the Governor of the Plymouth Colony, the 2nd one, William Bradford, in grateful appreciation to the Great Provider of all blessings (James 1:17), decreed that A THREE-DAY THANKSGIVING FEAST be held.
[From the Internet: Governor William Bradford of the Plymouth Colony has been credited as being the first one to proclaim the first Thanksgiving in the early beginnings of America]
“The Indians brought both wild turkeys and venison. And the men of the Colony provided geese, ducks, and fish. It took many days to prepare this food for the Thanksgiving Feast. The children also helped by turning roasts on spits on the open fire.
The women of the Colony served the meat and fish with journey cake, nuts and corn meal bread, and with
succotash. The food was served outdoors at large tables which were built. For days the Colonists and the Indians feasted and engaged in entertainments.
“This custom gradually spread to the other Colonies. It has since been observed by America, “A DAY OF THANKSGIVING” is set apart to celebrate the completion of the harvest and to render homage to the SPIRIT [meaning God] who caused the fruits and crops to grow.”
America’s History of Thanksgiving Day
Throughout America’s history a few of its presidents and notables have recognized that the blessings and deliverance have come from God and expressed it.
To show a THREAD OF THIS AWARENESS AND GRATEFULNESS expressed to the Almighty God who has watched over this nation and blessed it from its very beginning, a few excerpts will be taken from the writings/speeches of prominent leaders in this nation’s 200-year-plus history.
President George Washington
President George Washington, the man who is called the father of this country, after very hard and difficult struggles led his army to a miraculous victory and the establishment of this nation as an independent country.
ASCENT TO GREATNESS, Mr. Raymond McNair, Pages 88-89, “In his very moving farewell address to the President of Congress on December 23, 1783 (this was after Britain had formally ended the war and granted America her independence), he, among other things, stated:
“I consider it an indispensable duty to close the last act of my official life by commending the interests of our dearest country to THE PROTECTION OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD, and those who have the superintendence of them TO HIS HOLY KEEPING.”
A member of Congress who witnessed this speech said, “It was a solemn and affecting spectacle; such a one as history does not present.”
The spectators all wept. George Washington’s hand which held the address shook as he read it.
“General Washington didn’t take credit for the victory. He ‘expressed gratitude for the interposition of Providence.’ By this time he was so filled with emotion that he was having to hold on to the address with both hands that were shaking. Can there be any doubt that the ‘father of our country’ looked to Divine Guidance to protect America’s destiny?”
Benjamin Franklin, ASCENT TO GREATNESS, Pages 101-102, 119— “It would appear that God even guided the leaders of this country in the selection of the United States Coat of Arms, Sea, Flag and Motto. These men still saw the Divine Guidance of God over this nation and wanted to reflect it” (PPS 135-142).
DESTINY OF BRITAIN AND AMERICA, Page 63:
“When America won its predicted independence, what do you suppose they put on their Great Seal . . .? Of course you don’t know, for MANASSEH means in Hebrew ‘forgetfulness,’ and Americans have forgotten the place of their origin where Joseph’s son was born in the city of Memphis [Egypt], a few miles from the greatest wonder in the world, the Great Pyramid . . . with its capstone missing.
The CREATOR is not a forgetter, however, and the reverse side of your Great Seal has as its main feature an unfinished Pyramid with
the All-Seeing Eye above it, as another sign or waymark of their homeland by which Americans may locate their identity.
Page 67-68, “Manasseh was the 13th Tribe of Israel, as Ephraim, given the birthright, took his father’s (Joseph) place as the twelveth tribe.”
United States and Britain in Prophecy, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, Page 128: “Manasseh a 13th Tribe. When Joseph divided into TWO Tribes and Manasseh SEPARATED into an INDEPENDENT NATION, it BECAME a 13th Tribe.
[COMMENT: Look on the back of a one dollar bill to see the following points.]
“Has America any waymarks indicating that they are the 13th Tribe of Israel?
1) The Pyramid . . . has just 13 tiers of stone
2) 13 bars or paleways on the shield which your eagle holds as there were 13 strips of land in Palestine.
3) 13 arrows in the eagle’s right claw
4) 13 leaves in the olive branch . . .
5) 13 stars above the eagle’s head
6) E Pluribus has 13 letters and means one out of many (one Tribe out of the Tribes of Israel and the 13th Tribe. Reverse side: ‘Annuit Coeptis’ (13 letters), meaning: He has prospered our undertakings. On the bottom ‘Novus Ordo Seclorum’, meaning: The New Order of the Ages. 13 thirteens that mark Manasseh as the 13th Tribe.
Page 9 > “When the Tribe of Manasseh, USA, were in Canaan, they were in two parts, as divided by Joseph: East side of the Jordan and West of the Jordan. It is coincident that, when they were in America, 2,500 years later, the Dixie Line divided them again in Two Parts, North and South.
“We are so forgetful that we have forgotten all about the thirteens – and what it represents. We have come to look upon it as very unlucky.”
National Enquirer, Ripley’s Believe It or Not:
“Unlucky 13 is one of the most common superstitions; even today, many hotels and office buildings do not have a 13th floor. Thirteen’s bad name supposedly started with the Last Supper, when 13 apostles [only 12] dined together.
“But to the founding fathers of the U. S., there certainly did not seem to be anything unlucky about the number 13 – it was, after all, the number of Colonies that wished to break away from England to form a new republic.
“In fact, the number 13 went on to become the keynote of the Great Seal of the United States. If you examine it carefully, you will see:
1) 13 stars
2) 13 clouds
3) 13 stripes
4) 13 laurel leaves
5) 13 berries
6) 13 main feathers in the eagles right wing
7) 13 feathers in his left wing
8) 13 feathers in his tail
9) 13 letters in the facing motto, E Pluris Unum
10) 13 letters in the reverse motto, Anuit Coeptis
11) 13 times 3 letters in the number in the words, ‘The Coat of Arms of the United States of America. In fact the number 13 is repeated 13 times in the Great Seal
[COMMENT: Mr. Armstrong believed and taught that it was Job, a man of God, who built the Great Pyramid, Job 38:1-6.]
Article, The Great Seal of the U. S. A.:
“It, the olive, the stone which the builders rejected and the All-Seeing Eye, the effulgent rays of the Divine Glory, and through it all the number 13 – my friend, a Bible-reading shepherd in the desert of Mespotamia, who had never heard of the U. S. would say upon seeing our national emblems, ‘Surely this is the people Israel.’ ”
Please read United States and Britain in Prophecy, Pages 193-194 (Paperback 156-157).
This booklet can be requested by writing to: Church of God, Faithful Flock, P. O. Box 130, Valley Springs, CA 95252, or read it on our website: www.cog-ff.com.
The booklet, the United States and Great Britain in Prophecy, was one of the two most requested booklets during the ministry of Mr. Armstrong. It came to be believed by many thousands before his death, but most have since forgotten our identity, as has all the nations of Israel.
Israel Forgets His Maker
Hosea 8:14 “Israel has forgotten his Maker”
Isaiah 1:2, 3, 5 “Hear, O heavens, and give hear, O earth: for the LORD has spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me . . . The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel does not know, My people do not consider . . . Ah sinful nation . . . they have forsaken the LORD . . .”
Through our history as a nation we have FORSAKEN the SOURCE of our blessings as being from our gracious and caring God in heaven above. However from time to time, here and there, during our approximate 200-year history, God would enable a man to be in the office of President who would remind us of what our ancestors had forgotten.
President Abraham Lincoln
President Abraham Lincoln was one such man. He came into office and served during a MOST CRITICAL point in this nation’s history.
This nation was divided and being torn apart in what was called: ‘The Civil War!’ Jesus Christ said:
Matthew 12:25 “. . . Every Kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation.”
This nation was SPLIT – North against the South – in a terrible bloody war. “This Civil War was the costliest (in human lives) this nation has ever fought – over 617,000 died and over 400,000 were wounded – well over a million in all” ASCENT TO GREATNESS, Page 223.
Unquestionably, God raised up this deeply religious man to PULL this nation together – and help it to begin to heal (Daniel 4:25, 32). And he sought the divine intervention of God in a manner that He would hear and bless this nation.
During one of those most TRYING times for the North – and the nation – President Lincoln PROCLAIMED A DAY OF FASTING which was the last Thursday in September, 1861. He did this again April 30, 1863.
A little later, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed October 3rd, 1863, be SET ASIDE as A DAY OF NATIONWIDE THANKSGIVING TO HIM.
[Read ASCENT TO GREATNESS, Page 213]
President Lincoln was used by God – at least in part – to turn this nation back IN REMEMBRANCE OF GOD AND EXPRESS THANKFULNESS TO HIM during his presidency.
He also recognized the identity of this nation as being part of Israel; and with that knowledge he also knew God had placed him in the office of president of the United States of America to serve during that crucial time in this nation’s history (Daniel 4:25, 32).
DESTINY OF AMERICA AND BRITAIN, Page 110
In a speech before the Young Men’s Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois, Abraham Lincoln said, “We find ourselves in the peaceful possession [1] the fairest portion of the earth, [2] as regards fertility of soil, [3] extent of territory, and [4] salubrity of climate. . . . We . . . find ourselves the legal inheritors of these fundamental blessings. We toiled not in the acquirement or the establishment of them”
“He was then about twenty-six years of age when he thus sensed God’s goodness to His servant Israel in America. “He was firm in his belief that God was at the helm, and that man was but the humble servant though cooperating agent through whom the Almighty was working out the destiny of mankind [His Master Plan - my emphasis]
“As Lincoln journeyed from Illinois across the country,” Mr. Hill writes, “he declared all along the route that he was going forth in the name of the Living God of Israel.”
World War I
Approximately, 54 years later this nation entered World War I on April 6, 1917. America was badly prepared for this war. She was not even geared up for it.
< Kaiser Wilhelm – Germany- WW1
Neither was England geared up for that war. Had not God been looking out for the House of Joseph, Germany would have won that war. It was a very difficult and trying time for both nations.
DESTINY OF AMERICA AND BRITAIN, Page 152:
“England was in very bad shape in that war. Never in the world’s history has there been such a need for Divine Guidance to guide our feet into the way of peace as in this year 1921.
“When we had our back to the wall in the spring of 1918, when Germany was making her final thrust to dominate this world, materially, politically, and religiously, every Anglo-Saxon nation, colony, or settlement (all Israel) GOT ON THEIR KNEES IN PRAYER AND HUMILIATION, before the Supreme Ruler of this universe, and admitting their sins and shortcomings, ASKED FOR DIVINE GUIDANCE AND STRENGTH to win through, as you [AMERICA] did in Abraham Lincoln’s time.
“We won through and I’ve since wondered how many people REALLY RECOGNIZE WHO WON THE WAR. Every nation [including the USA] secretly thinks it was the big factor, but SURELY it was the GOD of Israel.”
The Dust Bowl
Approximately 10 years later, 1930s, God had to once again deal with America in a corrective manner through the Great Depression. 14,000,000 people were unemployed from the total population of 122,775,046 (Census Record). Public and private debt collapsed; the DUST BOWL developed during the 1930s due to a lack of rain.
World War II
Approximately 19 years later, World War II: Once again we were NOT prepared. Had not God been with Britain and America, we would have lost the war almost from the beginning of it.
From among the numerous writings and speeches, that could be read from leaders of both England and America during that critical time, there were those who recognized that God WON the major battles – all the way to the final victory. A few will be noted here:
Prime Minister Winston Churchill
ASCENT TO GREATNESS, Page 481, October 31, 1941:
“I have a feeling sometimes that some Guiding Hand has interfered. I have a feeling that we have a GUARDIAN because we have a great cause, and we shall have that GUARDIAN as long as we SERVE that CAUSE faithfully. And what a CAUSE it is.”
President Harry Truman
April 3, 1941, Page 471 “I do not think that anyone can study the history of this nation without becoming convinced the DIVINE PROVIDENCE has played a great part in it. I have the feeling that God has created us and brought us to our present position of power and strength FOR SOME GREAT PURPOSE. It is not now given to us to know FULLY what that purpose is. But I think we may be sure of one thing . . . it is given to us to defend the spiritual values – the moral code – against the vast forces of evil that seek to destroy them. [my emphasis] This is a hard task. It is not one that we have asked for. At times we would like to lay it down. But we need not be afraid IF we have faith.”
Though the ‘Great Cause’, President Truman, and Prime Minister Winston Churchill, spoke about was not fully in their understanding, God has graced His Church with the understanding of it; and our part is to fulfill the Great Commission, the Gospel Message (Matthew 24:14).
No Longer a ‘Moral Code’ in America
The MORAL CODE that had been defended no longer exists! The law-making bodies of Congress and the Supreme Court of the United States have removed it. No one seems to understand anymore the difference between right and wrong – the reason being – they have rejected God and His laws.
Because of the rejection of God, He says the following:
Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.”
There is no question but that as a nation we have both forgotten and rejected the God of Israel, and because of it this nation is filled with bloody crimes and abominable sins (Ezekiel 6:11; 7:23).
That is WHY hardly anyone really gives THANKS to Him on the very day that has been set aside for that purpose. Many people refer to it as “Turkey Day” instead of Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving has a connotation of THINK; meaning— to think and acknowledge the ONE to whom everyone should be giving sincere and heart-felt thanks, God! However people do not care to think about Him in reality. His name is only mentioned without real meaning of it.
Because of the rejection of God and the acceleration and gravity of sin in this end-time, America ceased winning wars after God gave this nation and Britain victory in World War II. It is safe to say America has won its last victory in warfare!
God alone is the Giver of all good blessings (James 1:17). And it is plain to see His wonderful blessings have been withdrawn from this nation. Instead, His curse is upon this nation and England for our abominable sins. Deuteronomy 8:11-13, 17-19; also, Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28.
There were grave warnings from the past of what we are now experiencing and will soon face in these perilous end-times.
As they are being read think about the warnings from these men in light of what is now being seen in the present leadership along with the overwhelming majority of society today! This is very sobering!!!
President George Washington
In President George Washington’s first inaugural address, April 30th, 1789, he warned, “That the propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that DISREGARDS the eternal values of ORDER and RIGHT which heaven itself had ordained.
President Abraham Lincoln
In January, 1838, before being elected as President, Abraham Lincoln warned, “If danger ever reaches us it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”
General Douglas MacArthur
General Douglas MacArthur, speaking on December 12, 1951, said: “In this day of gathering storm, as the MORAL DETERIORATION of political power spreads its growing infection, IT IS ESSENTIAL that every spiritual force be mobilized to defend and preserve THE RELIGIOUS BASE upon which THIS NATION was founded. For it is that BASE, which has been the motivating impulse to OUR MORAL and national growth. History fails to record a single precedent in which nations subject to MORAL DECAY have not passed into political and economic DECLINE. There has been either a SPIRITUAL REAWAKENING TO OVERCOME THE MORAL LAPSE, OR A PROGRESSIVE DETERIORATION LEADING TO ULTIMATE DISASTER.” [My emphasis]
Learning Lessons from History
America needs to examine and learn the lessons from history: All the might of nations and empires of the ancient world CRUMBLED from internal weakness, as can be noted with Babylon and Rome.
Every empire fell when its people LOST their sense of purpose, their character and self-respect and began loving the life of EASE, complacency, self-indulgence and moral lassitude (weariness, fatigue).
China built a great wall to keep out invaders – but forgot that all an enemy had to do was to BRIBE a gate-keeper. Three times gate-keepers were bribed and the enemy invaded China.
The people of America have forgotten that it was A LACK OF VIGILANCE with COMPLACENCY that catapulted WWII upon a sleepy world.
It would appear that nothing has been learned from the wars in Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, and now Afghanistan. Most people today – from America’s Civil War of the early 1860s – to use President Lincoln’s words – have forgotten God!
From the Internet: On January 18, 1837 the effort was made to keep God in our remembrance by having imprinted on our coins, we spend, “IN GOD WE TRUST.” It was first used on paper money in 1957. Whatever trust people had in God at that time has ceased to exist except for the very few. The words have become meaningless to the majority of people.
The minted dollars since 2007 have this inscription on the rim of the coin – instead of the face.
Internet: In 2009 "In God We Trust" was moved from the edge to the face of the coin. The size, weight and metal composition of the Presidential $1 Coins are identical to that of the Sacagawea Golden Dollar and the Native American $1 Coins.
Thanksgiving Day
President Abraham Lincoln also established a national day of thanksgiving to REMIND America’s citizens yearly of the need of being truly thankful to God for His bountiful blessings in his 1863 Proclamation:
“. . . We have been the recipients of the CHOICEST BOUNTIES OF HEAVEN; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as NO OTHER NATION has ever grown. BUT WE HAVE FORGOTTEN GOD! We have forgotten the GRACIOUS HAND which PRESERVED us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have VAINLY imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these BLESSINGS were produced BY some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.
Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel THE NECESSITY of redeeming and preserving grace, TOO PROUD TO PRAY TO THE GOD WHO MADE US.”
To help everyone REMEMBER, on October 20, 1864, as the tragic Civil War neared its termination, a visibly saddened Lincoln issued A THANKSGIVING DAY PROCLAMATION in which he URGED his fellow-Americans to PROPERLY OBSERVE the soon-coming Thanksgiving Day— As a DAY OF THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE TO ALMIGHTY GOD the beneficent Creator and Ruler of the Universe.
And I do FURTHER recommend to my fellow-citizens afore-said that on that occasion they do REVERENTLY HUMBLE themselves IN THE DUST and from thence OFFER UP penitent and fervent PRAYERS AND
SUPPLICATIONS to the GREAT DISPOSER OF EVENTS for a return on the inestimable BLESSINGS OF PEACE, UNION, AND HARMONY throughout the land which it has pleased HIM to assign as A DWELLING PLACE for ourselves and for our posterity throughout all generations.”
Though this Day, as established by an act of Congress, is still observed, it has become A FUN DAY – without any real meaning. Further, this year, 2010, for the first time, Satan the devil is using GREED to drive the Big STORES to open on Thanksgiving Day instead of Black Friday as another step of losing whatever meaning that is left of the Day.
In the year, 2010, Wal-Mart, Sears, and others began a new policy of not waiting until the next day to have their big sale; they will begin on Wednesday night, the beginning of Thanksgiving Day.
Manasseh has forgotten His God! Hosea 2:13.
History Repeats Itself
It is a historical fact that no great empire or nation has fallen without until it first falls within – just as it was said by Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Truman, and General Douglas MacArthur.
Ephraim and Manasseh have already fallen within, and prophecy makes known that destruction, is soon to befall both within and from without – during the Great Tribulation.
Ezekiel 5:12-13 “One-third of you shall die of the pestilence, shall be consumed with famine in your midst; and one-third shall fall by the sword (warfare) all around you; and I will scatter another third in all the winds (captivity), and I will draw out a sword after them. Thus shall My anger be spent, and I will cause My fury to rest upon them, and I will be avenged; and they shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it in My zeal, when I have spent MY fury upon them.”
Nuclear warfare is coming—
Ezekiel 6:6 “In all your dwelling places the CITIES shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate . . . !”
God’s True Church
A promise of escape for God’s true Church: Jesus Christ established His true Church in 31 A. D. (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:1-42). And though it would always be a little flock (Luke 12:32), true to His promise, it has always endured through the centuries unto now.
History reveals how Satan the devil used evil men to try and destroy it through persecution and the killing of His true people but has never been successful.
History also makes known the Catholic Church fought furiously against the publishing of the holy Bible, even killing and burning to death those who dared publish it.
Nevertheless, God saw to it that was finally published and made available to the common man in 1611 by King James of England.
Blessings to be Remembered
As can be seen from the early history of America, Jesus Christ has truly blessed this once-great nation in every way – and recognized by all until recent years.
Though America has forgotten its birth and its forthcoming blessings, certainly the Church of God should never forget, and acknowledge the blessings we yet have before its demise.
There should always be praise and thankfulness to God for the blessing of living in such a blessed nation as America has been throughout its history.
For His faithful Church, if each one REMEMBERS to live God’s way of life, and continually expresses true and humble thanks to Him, there will then be the blessing of being protected from the horrors that will soon befall both America and Britain.
Psalm 91:1, 7, 10, 14-16 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty . . .”
Every day should be a Day of Thanksgiving for His true people.
Psalm105:1-5 “Oh! Give thanks to the LORD . . .”
Thanksgiving Day
Again, the last Thursday of the month of November of each year, should bring into remembrance the true identity of America as being that of Manasseh, the son of Joseph, and the grandson of Jacob, who had been renamed by God to that of Israel.
And bring into remembrance the birth-pangs of America and the humble beginnings of those early pilgrims that brought about the reason for the establishment of Thanksgiving— beginning with Governor William Bradford of the Plymouth Colony in 1621; from there to the first president of America, President George Washington, April 30, 1789, and again in 1792; to President Abraham Lincoln who served from 1861 to the date of his assassination, April 14, 1865—
We should REMEMBER WHY these famous leaders SET ASIDE A DAY TO GIVE THANKS TO THE ALMIGHTY GOD, “THANKSGIVING DAY”.
Living in America
Those of us who have had the blessing of living in this country have everything to be THANKFUL to our WONDERFUL AND CARING ALMIGHTY GOD. Psalm 103.
Thanksgiving should always be a reminder of our roots in Bible history; and with it to remember the source of our many blessings comes from God and Jesus Christ.
We should not only express our sincere thanks with praise to Them each Thanksgiving Day of each year, but spend some time on our knees each day and night, thanking and praising our wonderful Father through Jesus Christ, for Their wonderful blessings in our lives, as we, with His continual help, continue onward in seeking the fulfillment of our eternal destiny.