Why is it that Armstrongism always has to have a list of things that a person must do in order to please God? Each decade that the Church of God survives and more ministers start personality cults, that list grows and grows.
Now we have Dennis Leap who has laid down his law on the
Night to be Much Observed; one of Armstrong's made up church observances.
For us to properly keep the Days of Unleavened Bread, it’s necessary that we come to properly understand and observe what the Bible calls the Night to Be Much Observed.
God commands that the Church keep the Passover ceremony at night (1 Corinthians 11:23). Mr Armstrong taught the Church that the Passover is the most solemn night of the entire Holy Day season. It is the night that God’s truly converted people convene to remember Jesus Christ’s death.
God also requires that His truly converted people keep another separate night immediately following the Passover. This second night is also of great importance to all of God’s people. Keeping the Passover alone is not enough! We must observe this second, different night, to properly keep the Days of Unleavened Bread!
A persons salvation is NOT at risk for not doing the NTOBMO or any of the other requirements that Armstrongists place significance upon.
Dennis Leap's other requirements are:
The Night to be Much Observed is actually the beginning of the first Holy Day. We should dress in our sabbath best for this occasion. Men should wear coats and ties and ladies should wear nice dresses. Our children should dress in clothing that they would normally wear to Sabbath services.
If your Night to be Much Observed gathering must take place at a restaurant, be sure it is in a private room, away from the public. Loud music, interruptions and people smoking will greatly detract from your evening.
Mr. Armstrong always set us the example of using nice dishes, tablecloths, and nice tableware for special occasions. This is the night to do this. Candles and fresh cut flowers will also help make this occasion more special. A wonderful atmosphere goes a long way in making an occasion such as this a very memorable one.
He sure did set the example. His table setting was worth well over $300,000.00! What church member could ever emulate that! His food costs, including wine for a table of 8 guests, was over $1,500.00. So much for the night that symbolizes the quick exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt! As if any of them would be eating prime rib and drinking Rothschild wines.
This is a night for fine foods. Our meals should be balanced and not contain a lot of rich foods. Too many rich foods can make people ill and sluggish. Remember that the next day there will be double services. We need to be sure we are alert for the spiritual food to come at services.
Drinking on the Night to be Much Observed should be done with great care. Alcohol can either add or detract from our fellowship. God intended for man to develop alcoholic beverages for our benefit. “And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart” (Psalm 104:15). Using alcohol in moderation will help make us merry on this night. A host should never force alcohol on anyone. But in the same vein, a host should never allow someone to over drink.
Its always interesting to see COG ministers lay down the law for alcohol consumption for the membership, when so many of them are alcoholics.
Leap ends with this:
God planned the sacrifice of His own Son so we could share eternal life with Him; He provided for us a great Passover. He also provided a second night for us to truly celebrate that Passover. Because of what God did for us, we owe it to Him to celebrate the Night to be Much Observed. So let us all do everything we can to make this year’s Night to be Much Observed the best celebration ever!
Thats one big cosmic joke played on humankind, to be created as GOOD though not good enough. Deliberately created to be vile sinners so that God can kill himself. Thats the logic that comes across.
