Galatians

Paul writing to Galatia

 

Palm Sunday

 

The scene depicts crowds welcoming Jesus by spreading their cloaks and palm branches on the road while waving palms and shouting "Hosanna!" (meaning "save now" or "save us, we pray") and "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" (quoting Psalm 118:25–26). Jesus rode a young donkey (or colt), fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9: "See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

Key Symbols and Their Meanings

Palm branches

• In ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman culture, palms represented victory, triumph, peace, and joy. Victors in athletic games or military conquerors were often honored with palm branches.
• The crowds waved and laid them down as a sign of homage and celebration, treating Jesus like a king or conquering hero. They expressed hope that He would deliver them—likely expecting political or national liberation from Roman rule.
• In Christian interpretation, the palms point to Jesus' ultimate spiritual victory over sin and death through His Passion, death, and resurrection. They foreshadow the "Paschal victory" (Easter triumph). Blessed palms are often kept in homes as sacramentals—a reminder of faith in Christ as the Messianic King—and some traditions burn the previous year's palms to create ashes for Ash Wednesday.

The donkey (or colt)

• Unlike a warhorse (symbol of conquest and military power), a donkey symbolized humility, peace, meekness, and servanthood. In ancient Near Eastern tradition, kings rode horses into battle but donkeys when coming in peace.
• By choosing this humble animal, Jesus presented Himself as the Prince of Peace and a servant king, not a political or military ruler. This act deliberately fulfilled Zechariah's prophecy, publicly declaring His messianic identity while contrasting with expectations of a warrior Messiah.
• The donkey also evokes themes of burden-bearing and gentle strength, mirroring Jesus' mission to serve and save spiritually rather than through earthly power.

"Hosanna!" and the crowds' actions

• The shouts combined praise with a plea for salvation. Spreading cloaks was a royal gesture of honor (similar to coronations in the Old Testament, like 2 Kings 9:13).
• The moment highlights a tension: the crowds acclaimed Jesus as the "Son of David" and king, but many misunderstood His kingdom as earthly and political. Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom through sacrifice, not immediate national deliverance. This sets up the dramatic shift later in the week, when some of the same crowds (or others) cried "Crucify him!"

Spreading cloaks on the ground

Spreading garments was a known act of royal homage and submission in ancient Jewish (and broader Near Eastern) culture. It treated the person as a king. The clearest Old Testament parallel is 2 Kings 9:13, where people spread their cloaks on the steps for Jehu when he was proclaimed king.

With the cloaks and the palms, these actions created an impromptu “red carpet” — an improvised royal welcome — as the crowd acclaimed Jesus as the “Son of David” and “King of Israel.”

Broader Significance

Palm Sunday captures a beautiful irony: a day of joyful welcome that foreshadows suffering. The palms and cheers represent human hopes for a triumphant Messiah, while the donkey and the events that follow reveal Jesus' path of humble obedience, leading to the cross. Christians see it as an invitation to welcome Jesus as King—not on our terms, but as the Savior who brings true peace and eternal victory.

From Broken Stones to Living Faith: Righteousness Under the New Covenant"

 

From Broken Stones to Living Faith: Righteousness Under the New Covenant

By

The Silent Pilgrim

Samuel Kitchen posted a letter to his scattered followers, 

and this is my response to it (his letter is at the end).

The statement mixes some biblical truths (righteousness comes by faith in God/Christ, not self-boasting works; the Spirit—not our strength—empowers obedience; sin is serious and calls for quick repentance; faith produces living evidence) with several clear errors when measured against the New Covenant as taught in the New Testament. The New Covenant (promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34 and fulfilled in Jesus) is not a revised version of the Old Covenant/Mosaic Law with "faith added on." It is a fundamentally better covenant (Hebrews 8:6-13) where:

• God writes His law internally on hearts and minds by the Holy Spirit (not external stone tablets or ritual observance).
• Justification and freedom from condemnation come by grace through faith in Christ's finished work alone.
• The Old Covenant system (including its ceremonial commands) is obsolete and fulfilled in Christ.

Here is why key parts of the statement contradict this, with direct scriptural grounding:

"If we sin we are judged of the law of God!" (and the idea that sin makes our righteousness "worthless" or puts us back under law's judgment)

This is the core error. The New Covenant explicitly declares believers not under the law's dominion or condemnation.

• Romans 6:14: "For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace."
• Romans 8:1-2: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."
• Galatians 5:18: "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."

Christ bore the full curse and penalty of the law (Galatians 3:13; Romans 7:6). Sin still grieves the Spirit, requires repentance, and can bring discipline (Hebrews 12:5-11; 1 John 1:9), but it does not return us to law-based judgment or make our standing in Christ "worthless." The New Covenant promise is that God "will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more" (Hebrews 8:12; 10:17). The statement's logic—that ongoing sin (which all believers still experience—1 John 1:8) nullifies righteousness unless perfectly faith-powered—actually undermines assurance in Christ and revives the very condemnation the cross removed.

Keeping the Sabbath, Holy Days of God, tithing, etc., as part of "keeping the law" that strengthens faith or avoids being "breakers of the law"

The New Covenant does not bind believers to these Old Covenant shadows. They pointed to Christ but are no longer required observances:

• Colossians 2:16-17: "Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ."
• Romans 14:5-6: "One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind."
• Hebrews 8:13: "In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete."

The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) confirmed that Gentile believers (and by extension the church) are not placed under the Mosaic Law's ceremonial requirements. Tithing was part of Israel's theocratic system; the New Testament shifts giving to cheerful, Spirit-led generosity (2 Corinthians 9:7). The statement treats these as ongoing "law" that faith must uphold or be judged by—this is exactly what Paul warned against as a return to "weak and worthless elementary principles" (Galatians 4:9; 5:1-4).

"Our righteousness is good works proclaimed and boasted while sinning... Faithless and dead" combined with "Righteousness is of faith. It is not of works" and the reward framework.

This creates an internal contradiction that the New Covenant resolves. Yes—righteousness is of faith, not our works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28; Philippians 3:9—"not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ"). Our attempts at self-righteousness are worthless (Isaiah 64:6). But the New Covenant does not say "if you sin at all, your faith-righteousness collapses and you're judged by the law."

• Good works (love, obedience, fruit of the Spirit—Galatians 5:22-23) are the evidence and result of living faith (James 2:14-26; Ephesians 2:10—"created in Christ Jesus for good works"). They do not "strengthen" faith to avoid law-judgment; the Spirit does the empowering (Philippians 2:13).
• Rewards in the New Covenant are for faithfulness done in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Matthew 25), not for "doing what we ought" under law or to prove we "cannot be condemned by the law." The statement's tension ("we are not justified by works... but if we sin we are judged of the law") revives the very self-righteous boasting it claims to reject.

Minor strengths that still miss the New Covenant's heart

Parts like "Christ in us who doeth them," "by the Spirit of God," quick repentance, and thanking God for exposing sin align with New Covenant reality (Galatians 2:20; Romans 8:9-11; 1 John 1:9). The "mind of Christ" is indeed humble and receptive. However, these are framed inside a system that still treats believers as partially under the Old Covenant's external law-structure for judgment and righteousness. That framework was nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14).

In summary, the New Covenant is grace-based freedom from the law's curse and ceremonial yoke, with the Spirit producing internal obedience that looks like love for God and neighbor—not ritual law-keeping to "strengthen faith" or avoid being "judged of the law." The statement's view, while sincere, functionally pulls believers back under the Old Covenant's shadow instead of resting fully in the substance, which is Christ. This is why Paul so strongly opposed any mixture of law and grace for justification or daily walk (Galatians 1:6-9; 3:1-5).

The goal of the New Covenant is joyful freedom in Christ, not fear of law-judgment.

Samuel Kitchen's letter to his followers:

If God commands us not to sin, and we sin still, our righteousness is worthless because it was not of faith.

Meaning, we may keep the sabbath of the Lord, the Holy Days of God, tithe of all, be hospitable, and keep the law….but if we sin we are judged of the law of God!

Righteousness is of faith. It is not of works.

Our works strengthen faith, showing it is alive, for if we disobey God how can we believe God in faith? Sin is a lack of faith and sin weakens faith.

Our righteousness, is good works proclaimed and boasted while sinning against God. Faithless and dead.

The righteousness of God is believing God, and knowing He is able to perform what He says! And through obedience, we strengthen faith. Knowing God is a rewarder to those who both do good and evil.

We are not justified by boasting or self righteousness. We are not justified by our works, for we all are sinners. But if we believe God let us believe in faith, and let us strengthen one another in faith, and loosen the chains of darkness that easily beset us.

For we cannot do the works that strengthen faith. But it is Christ in us who doeth them. Therefore it is not ourselves who strengthen faith, but Christ in us. And it is God who gives us living faith, and living faith is strengthened and powered by the spirit of God, through which Christ lives in us.

Not by our own hands, might, ability, strength, I.Q, and works.

But by the Spirit of God.

So when sin is revealed, let us not turn our heads away, for we strive always to walk and to live by the living faith of Jesus Christ. Let us repent quickly, of allowing Satan to weaken faith through disobedience, and therefore by repentance turn to God wholly and being strengthened thoroughly filled with the Holy Spirit. The mind of Christ is not hostile, angry or bitter against God for exposing sin. When sin is exposed, let us thank God. For it is HIS GOOD WORK for our sake to walk in faith and be rewarded according to our faith.

We do not get rewarded for doing the things which we ought. We are rewarded according to doing which we ought in faith, not in self righteousness, not as breakers of the law but those who cannot be condemned by the law.

Church of God International - The Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Song - Fire Proof Faith

Church of God International: Passover Rap - Jesus Is Our Passover King

 

Crackpot Prophet On Stay At Home Passover Keeping

One thing you do have to hand to Herbert Armstrong is that he genuinely appreciated quality. Whether it was in his personal home, the beautifully maintained college campus, its facilities, or the polished visual presentation of Church of God speakers and television backgrounds, the man insisted on excellence. Almost every COG splinter group has carried at least some of that commitment to quality forward into their video programs and public image.

Well… almost every group.

Enter our most highly favored Crackpot Bob.

For the last thirteen years, the very concept of “quality” appears to have never once crossed his mind. His videos are a visual trainwreck: crooked bookcases, bizarrely arranged books, random doorknobs hovering behind his head, file cabinets, and perpetually creased banners. The clutter is every bit as distracting as his constant arm-waving and hyperactive bouncing in that oversized leather chair.

And here we are, just days away from the most sacred observance of the year for Armstrongists, and our bouncing, flouncing prophet has delivered yet another banger. While solemnly lecturing his dwindling band of faithful on how to properly observe Passover at home, viewers are treated to a glorious, wide-open view straight into his closet — proudly displaying his impressive collection of magic, holistic  and overpriced ju-ju pills.

Quality all the way, folks. Truly inspiring.

Wade Cox: Mohammad himself presided over the Council of the Church of God in Mecca.

 

The convoluted world of Wade Cox continues its glorious downward spiral, plunging ever deeper into the cesspool of official Church of God stupidity!

Did you know that when Satan supposedly destroyed the true church centuries ago, God heroically sent it into exile in Mecca — where it was viciously persecuted by those pesky Jews and Baal worshippers? Oh yes, those dastardly Jews completely destroyed the pure, harmonious understanding between the Church, the Scriptures, and the Koran!

Apparently, the Prophet Mohammad himself presided over a Council of the Church of God right there in Mecca. He was a good Biblical Unitarian, you see, and was divinely inspired to dictate the Koran as the church’s official handbook.

The full reality, according to Cox’s fevered imagination, is even more epic: God sent His prophets, then the Messiah, then the elders and prophets of the Church. Satan destroyed it all using Baal worshippers. Then, when the church was relocated to the Arabs, Satan once again used Jews and idolaters to wreck their understanding. The same Baal worshippers destroyed the beautiful relationship between the church, the Scriptures, and the Koran.

Most people don’t realize that Mohammad was actually leading a Council of the Church of God — a perfectly Biblical Unitarian structure, just like the Koran itself. The poor Church at Mecca was so persecuted by Baal worshippers that they had to flee to the sister Sabbatarian Unitarian Churches in Abyssinia in 613 CE during the First Hijrah (see Cox’s groundbreaking absurdity Commentary on the Koran: Surah 19 Maryam).

Because the rest of the Church of God has stubbornly refused to follow Wade Cox’s mindless rantings, they have all been declared utterly unfit for the Kingdom of God. As usual, the only true followers in these end times are the lucky few inside Cox’s little cult. All other Armstrongites have been officially pronounced dead and spewed out of the mouth of Cox’s god like so much lukewarm vomit.

But don’t worry — God is not losing the battle! He wisely chose from the foundation of the world those special souls who could survive without falling into “erroneous doctrines” or the lusts of the flesh. Everyone else? Simply not fit for the Kingdom. Even the two major sectors of the Churches of God in the last days have been judged, found wanting, declared spiritually dead, and spectacularly spewed out.

If you want any hope of being saved and making it into the Kingdom in the First Resurrection, there’s only one narrow path: You must become a groveling follower of Wade Cox. You must repent and be baptized by Wade Cox himself or one of his hand-picked “authorized Sabbath-keeping ministers” into his exclusive little club.

The only true church today is a Unitarian Sabbatarian Church of God that keeps both the Old Testament and believes in the Koran. Oh — and those Unitarian Sabbatarian Mohammedans had better make damn sure they don’t follow the Hillel calendar of the Jews. It was those wicked Hillel followers who made it impossible for Islam (the true Church of God of the Middle East) to be saved!

To qualify for the First Resurrection, you must repent and be baptized as a repentant adult by an authorized minister of the one true Sabbatarian faith. The church must be a Unitarian Sabbatarian Church of God that strictly follows God’s Calendar (No. 156) — without any of those nasty Jewish postponements, according to the Temple System.

The evil Hillel Calendar of modern Judaism shamelessly postpones Holy Days based on filthy Oral Traditions from the Egyptians and Babylonian intercalations. The idolaters of Mecca simply threw out the intercalations entirely, turned the Juma’ah preparation period into a lazy Friday afternoon prayer service, ditched God’s Sabbaths, went to work like pagans, and thereby doomed Islam as the Church of God in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the pseudo-Christian Sun and Mystery cults had the nerve to switch the Sabbath to Sunday and murdered anyone who refused to join their pagan party (see Cox’s absurd paper The Jumaah: Preparing for the Sabbath).

Why is the Church of God forever infested with so many brain-dead fools who feel compelled to reinvent history to prop up their own twisted, perverted understanding?

The truly pathetic part is that there are, somewhere out there, people who are actually stupid enough to follow these delusional morons.