Rod McNair

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.

Atonement: One of God’s Holy Days for Christians

What is the Day of Atonement? You might ask, “the day of what?”

These may be strange-sounding words to your ears. You may have never heard of the Day of Atonement. And yet, we’re going to find out, the Day of Atonement has great importance to every one of us.

The Day of Atonement is one of the seven annual Feast days outlined in your Bible. It’s more commonly associated with the Jews—they call it Yom Kippur. But believe it or not, the Day of Atonement carries profound significance for Christians today.

So, what is the Day of Atonement all about? Did the first-century Christians observe it? And what is its significance to your life today?

The New Testament is full of surprises. You might be shocked to learn that it teaches the biblical Feast days. The common misunderstanding is that somehow Jesus and the New Testament Christians did away with those holy days and replaced them with holidays like Christmas and Easter. But if we actually look at what the Bible says, we find nothing of the kind.

On the contrary, the New Testament actually records that the disciples of Christ kept the biblical holy days.

One example is the Day of Pentecost, recorded in Acts 2:1. Another example is the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread. Speaking of these feast days, the Apostle Paul wrote this simple but profound instruction in 1 Corinthians 5:8.

Let us keep the feast.

Atonement Is Called “the Fast” in Acts 27

But there are other mentions of the holy days in the New Testament as well. One of them concerns a voyage by Paul, as he was being transported to Rome as a prisoner. We find it in Acts 27:9.

Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives” (Acts 27:9-10).

It happened just as Paul said—they narrowly escaped with their lives. But take note of the curious wording Paul used in relation to the timing of that voyage (Acts 27:9).

Sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over.

Many commentators point out “the Fast” is referring to the “Day of Atonement.” It’s even specifically named that way in the same verse in the New International Version (Acts 27:9).

Sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement.

Christians Kept Atonement After Jesus Died

The Day of Atonement was one of the holy days outlined in the Old Testament that occurred in late September or early October. The context of the verse shows it was not safe to begin a voyage after that point in the season, as storms could quickly arise in the Mediterranean Sea at that time of year.

But ask yourself this: Why would Luke use the Day of Atonement as a marker of time?

Luke, the writer of the book of Acts, was also a Gentile convert writing to a predominantly Gentile audience. The Day of Atonement would have been meaningless as a marker of time, unless the Gentile Christians were keeping it.

But not only that, this event that Luke was writing about happened decades after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. How do we know this?

According to Unger’s Bible Handbook:

Porcius Festus was procurator A.D. 60-62 (1966, p. 598).

This fact is a crucial time marker. Just before Paul’s voyage to Rome, he was questioned by the Roman ruler Porcius Festus, who ruled from 60 to 62 AD.

So we can easily say that Luke referred to the Day of Atonement more than 30 years after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Shouldn’t that give us pause?

Maybe, just as they were keeping Pentecost, and Passover, and the Days of Unleavened Bread, New Testament Christians were also keeping the Day of Atonement.

Atonement Is a Holy Day for Fasting

Let’s address another question. Why was the Day of Atonement called “the Fast?”

Well, it’s because that’s what God’s servants were commanded to do on that day. They fasted.

But what is fasting?

Fasting is going without food and water for a set period of time—in this case, one whole day. People today are familiar with fasting for other reasons. There are many health benefits for occasional or intermittent fasting, for example.

We sometimes hear about a political prisoner or an activist going on an extended fast, or a hunger strike. But we’re not talking about that.

The Day of Atonement concerns fasting not in political protest, or for health reasons. This is a spiritual fast. It’s going without food or water for a limited time, as an opportunity to humble yourself, seek God and draw closer to Him.

For an example of what fasting looks like, let’s go to the book of Esther. This Old Testament book tells the account of how Queen Esther and the Jews fasted when their nation was in mortal danger—notice in Esther 4:16.

“Go, gather all the Jews… and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise.”

Now, before going any further, let me just say that if you are thinking about fasting, and if you are in poor health, talk with your doctor. Fasting can be a little bit more difficult if you are taking medications or if you have certain medical conditions, or have never done it before.

“Afflict Your Soul” Is Fasting (Leviticus 23)

We have more detail about this holy day, the Day of Atonement, in Leviticus 23:27. Let’s read the description about this holy day.

The tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls (Leviticus 23:27).

“Afflicting your souls” is just an old English phrase meaning fasting—as already pointed out, going without food or water for a specified period of time.

Atonement Is a “Sabbath of Solemn Rest”

Going on:

And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the LORD your God…. It shall be to you a sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict your souls (Leviticus 23:28, 32).

So, putting it all together, the Day of Atonement took place in the seventh month—in late September or early October. It was a holy convocation, a day when there was a special worship service.

It was also a day when they were commanded not to work, just like on the weekly Sabbath. And, they “afflicted their souls,” or fasted, on that day. But this was not just for the Jews.

Atonement Is Among the Feasts of the Lord

In fact, in Leviticus 23:2, God specifically says these holy days are:

“The feasts of the LORD… these are My feasts.”

These are God’s feasts, not just for the Israelites.

Atonement Points to Forgiveness and Salvation

So this day and observance was significant for New Testament Christians, as well.

But why would the Day of Atonement have been important to New Testament Christians? Again, this may surprise you. You see, the Day of Atonement has a direct connection with forgiveness of sins and salvation through Jesus Christ. Let me explain.

Meaning of “Atonement” (and Yom Kippur)

The word atonement in the Bible comes from the Hebrew word kippur. The Hebrew word kippur simply means “expiation,” or the act of removing guilt for wrongdoing. It means forgiving sin. The root word that kippur comes from, kawphar, means to cover. In other words, the Day of Atonement is a day of removing guilt and covering sin.

Does that sound familiar?

As Christians, we understand this concept. It is of supreme importance to us that Jesus Christ, through His death, has covered our sins, because we all have sinned. We read about that in the writings of Paul in Romans 3:23.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

There is no one who has ever lived, except Christ, who was without sin. And the penalty of sin is death. But Jesus Christ took that penalty of death for us, on His own body. Notice a little further, Paul writes in Romans 5:8.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood… (Romans 5:8-9).

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Or, having our sins covered by His blood, so that we can be forgiven of sins, verse 9:

…we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (Romans 5:9-10).

We find another word related to this covering, or this forgiveness. That is, reconciliation. What does reconciliation mean? It means to resolve a separation. To restore harmony between two individuals in a conflict. It means to become unified, or “at one.”

And that brings us back to the name of this day, the “Day of Atonement.” Atone or atonement is just an old English word that means to become “at one.” When some people are at odds with one another, they may not speak together for years at a time, maybe for decades. But the goal should be “reconciliation.” To reach out to renew the friendship or relationship. When that happens, we should do what we can to become “at one” again or “on the same page,” as we sometimes say. In relationships, reconciliation is a beautiful thing.

Sin Separates Us from God

Well, in the spiritual realm, our sins separate us from God. They put us at odds with—and in conflict with—God. The prophet Isaiah makes that very clear. He wrote in Isaiah 59:1-2.

Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you.

It’s not God’s fault that we are separated from Him when we sin—we are the ones that are sinning. But that’s why Jesus Christ came to this earth—to live His life and then give His life as a sacrifice. And through that sacrifice, we can be reconciled to God.

In this case, between us and God, it’s not a dispute between equals. We aren’t on equal terms with God. No, in this case, when we sin, we break His holy commandment. We break the great laws of the Universe that define love and are based on truth, and goodness, and morality. God is not going to bend the law to suit our needs. We need a Savior who sacrificed His life so that we could be reconciled to God.

And that’s exactly what Christ did. I know most of you know this. It’s not unfamiliar to you.

But what you might not have heard or read before is the Day of Atonement points to Your Savior dying for you. It has tremendous significance for Christians today. Notice Hebrews 10:19-22.

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

The Day of Atonement is about us being reconciled to God, so we can draw near Him in true worship and faith.

Atonement Ritual Represents Jesus and Satan

But there’s more. Leviticus 16 details the annual ceremony that took place each year on the Day of Atonement in ancient Israel. On that day, the high priest would bring two young goats before the altar. Then he would cast lots for them. In Leviticus 16:8 we read this:

Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat.

Casting Lots: God Reveals the Real Jesus

Casting lots was an ancient method of determining God’s will. They would make a decision using a mechanism that would otherwise be thought of as random chance. In today’s modern language, we might think of it as “drawing straws” or “rolling dice” or even “flipping a coin.”

Only, in the case of casting lots, it wasn’t pure chance. God was guiding the outcome. This is described in Proverbs 16:33.

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

Two Goats: The First Symbolizes Jesus Christ

So lots were cast, and one goat received the lot for the LORD. Said another way, God identified the goat that would be symbolic of Jesus Christ. We know that because of what happened to that goat. Let’s read in Leviticus 16:9.

And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the Lord’s lot fell, and offer it as a sin offering… Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people… So he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, for all their sins… (Leviticus 16:9-16).

This was clearly a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ coming to earth, living His life, and being sacrificed for the sins of the world. How do we know this? Many other scriptures reaffirm this connection. For example, in Exodus 12:5 we read the Passover lamb was:

…without blemish, a male of the first year…from the sheep or from the goats.

Jesus Christ was without sin when He lived on this earth. He was the perfect fulfillment of that Passover lamb. In fact, in 1 Corinthians 5:7 Paul wrote:

For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

In the Book of Revelation, in chapter 13, verse 8, John declared Jesus Christ as…

…the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8).

What could be plainer? The ceremony performed on the Day of Atonement was prophetic of the death of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Each year it was observed, it was foreshadowing the coming of the Messiah. And it was prophetic of His death for you and me.

Two Goats: The Second Symbolizes Satan

But what about the other goat? Well, let’s read on in Leviticus 16:10.

But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness.

The other goat—“the scapegoat” as it’s called in some English translations—was identified by one of the lots as well. What happened to that goat? Let’s read on in verse 20.

And when he has made an end of atoning for the Holy Place, the tabernacle of meeting, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat. Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man. The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness… And he who released the goat as the scapegoat shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward he may come into the camp (Leviticus 16:20-26).

So what or whom did this goat represent?

Let’s go to the Book of Revelation. John saw in vision something that would take place right after Christ returns to set up His Kingdom on this earth. Notice in Revelation 20:1.

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished (Revelation 20:1-3).

Satan Deceives the Whole World

Do you see the connection? One goat is slain for the sins of the world. That’s Jesus Christ. But the other goat is symbolic of a powerful evil spirit who is actually personally responsible for the sins of the world. That is Satan the Devil. He was the one who deceived Eve and caused Adam and Eve to be cast out of the Garden of Eden. And he is the one who has deceived and corrupted human beings every generation since.

Think about it. Satan the Devil is so clever—after all, Revelation 12:9 says “he has deceived the whole world”—and his methods are so deceitful that it’s necessary for God to identify and expose his evil work. That’s the significance of the casting of lots. God is the one who has to identify which goat is to be banished.

So one of the first things that Jesus will do when He returns to earth will be to capture that unclean, deceiving spirit and take him away so he cannot influence humanity. What a wonderful day that will be.

Remember, the Day of Atonement is about reconciliation. It’s about bringing mankind into a state of harmony with God. And that can only happen if Satan the devil—who stirs up strife, hatred, and rebellion—is taken out of the way. And that will pave the way for a thousand years of peace and harmony.

So the Day of Atonement is frankly prophetic. It foretells the future. And each year, more and more Christians around the world are keeping this New Testament holy day.

The Living Church of God is the sponsor of Tomorrow’s World. And members of the Living Church of God across the globe keep this day. And as we do so, we are reminded of God’s great plan of salvation, of Christ’s love and sacrifice for our sins, and of God’s wonderful plan of one day soon, removing and banishing Satan the Devil.

If you have questions about this and would like to learn more about how you can keep this day, get in touch with us. We have ministers around the world who’d be happy to answer any questions you have. We’d love to hear from you.

Atonement: True Liberty, the Year of Jubilee

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, there hangs a very special bell with huge significance in American history. It’s called the Liberty Bell and it dates back to the days of the American Revolution. But what many people don’t realize is there is a Bible verse inscribed on the side of the Liberty Bell. It’s from Leviticus 25:10, and here is what it says:

Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof (Leviticus 25:10, King James Version).

The original intent of this statute in ancient Israel was that every fifty years God commanded what’s called the “jubilee.” In this 50th year, debts were released and people returned to their ancestral homes and properties. It was a society-wide economic reset. It was a beautiful system that brought true economic liberty, especially for the poor and the needy.

What many people also miss is that this year of the jubilee was announced on the Day of Atonement. Notice Leviticus 25:9.

Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land.

You see, the Day of Atonement is about freedom and liberty. Not freedom to sin, but freedom from the ravages of sin. It’s freedom from the pain and suffering and death that goes along with sin. We are freed from that penalty through the blood of Christ. And we’ll be freed from the shackles of a world held captive by Satan the devil, when the events foretold by the Day of Atonement finally come to pass. God speed that day.

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Christianity Diverged at Council of Nicaea

2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. The Council of Nicaea is considered by some to be one of the greatest achievements of Christendom. And truly, celebrating the 1700th year of anything is a historic event.

The meetings began in May of 325 ad at the small town of Nicaea, in Asia Minor, in present-day Turkey. Over 300 bishops joined in the meetings. That year, 325 ad, is considered a benchmark by many in the history of the mainstream Christian church.

At the Council, the nature of Christ and His relationship to the Father was discussed and debated. But there was another issue, a very important issue, that was discussed as well.

How astounding that a conference held nearly two millennia ago is still relevant today. To commemorate such a momentous occasion, Pope Francis, before he died, planned to travel to the present-day city of Iznik in northwest Turkey, about 70 miles from Istanbul. This is the site of the ancient city of Nicaea. On November 28, 2024, Pope Francis was quoted as saying that the Council of Nicaea:

… Constitutes a milestone in the journey of the church and also of humanity because faith in Jesus, the Son of God made flesh for us and for our salvation, was formulated and professed as a light that illuminates the meaning of reality and the destiny of all history (“Pope Francis to join Orthodox patriarch in Turkey for Nicaea council anniversary,” Catholic News Agency, November 28, 2024).

Pope Francis was referring to the fact that the Council of Nicaea was convened to address questions related to the divinity of Christ, and the relationship between Jesus Christ and the Father. It’s not our purpose to delve into that issue on this program, nor is it our purpose to discuss the “Nicene Creed,” which came out of that gathering.

Passover vs. Easter Revealed a Big Problem

But as we think about the significance of the Council of Nicaea, let’s consider an issue that is often forgotten, but was causing deep divisions during that time—and maybe even has more importance for us today.

What is that issue? It’s the importance of Passover.

You might say, “Wait, that’s wrong. The Jews keep Passover. The church in the 300s kept Easter.” Well, there’s more to the story.

To begin our dive into this subject, let’s go into the writings of Eusebius of Caesarea. He was the bishop of Caesarea in Palestine from about 313 ad until his death in 339 ad. He is sometimes referred to as the “father of church history.” He played a prominent role at the Council of Nicaea and from his writings we have an in-depth and fascinating glimpse of what took place.

Let’s pick up the story in his book The Life of Constantine, Book III, Chapter 5. Eusebius wrote:

But before this time [the time of the Council of Nicaea] another most virulent disorder had existed, and long afflicted the Church; I mean the difference respecting the salutary feast of Easter… (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 1. Philip Schaff and Henry Wace eds. Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1890. newadvent.org, Accessed April 30, 2025).

Now, let’s stop there. When Eusebius says “Easter” we have to understand the word he actually used was the Greek word “Pascha.” That word is derived from the Hebrew “Pesach,” which is the word from which we get “Passover.” The word “Easter” was used later, as a result of the influence of the Germans and the Anglo-Saxons. The online Catholic Encyclopedia confirms this in the article under the heading “Easter.”

“The Greek term for Easter, pascha… is the Aramaic form of the Hebrew pesach (…passover)…” (newadvent.org/cathen).

Most people are only aware of the word “Passover” by its association with the Jews. But in reality, the church leaders that Constantine convened in 325 ad were all keeping something called “Pascha.” That might be a surprise to you.

Of course, if your native language is French, Spanish, or Italian, it’s not a surprise. In these languages, the word for “Easter” is still related to “Passover.” In French it’s “Paques.” In Spanish it’s “Pascua.” In Italian, it’s “Pasqua.” It all originally comes from the Hebrew “Pesach.”

Let’s re-read Eusebius’ account, this time substituting the word “Pascha,” for “Easter.”

“But before this time another most virulent disorder had existed, and long afflicted the Church; I mean the difference respecting the salutary feast of [“Pascha”]…. For while one party asserted that the Jewish custom should be adhered to, the other affirmed that the exact recurrence of the period should be observed, without following the authority of those who were in error [meaning, the Jews].”

Emperor Constantine Decreed Easter Over Passover

You see, at the time of Eusebius and Constantine, there were different opinions about the timing of the Christian Pascha. One was that it should be connected to the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan. Others felt it should be kept on a Sunday, with some variation on how they determined which Sunday to keep. All these differences caused a major dispute among the churches.

Going on, Eusebius explains:

“Accordingly, the people being thus in every place divided in respect of this, and the sacred observances of religion confounded for a long period… no one appeared who was capable of devising a remedy for the evil, because the controversy continued equally balanced between both parties. To God alone, the Almighty, was the healing of these differences an easy task; and Constantine appeared to be the only one on earth capable of being his minister for this good end….”

What a statement. A major doctrinal dispute dividing the church, and the only person on earth that could resolve it was a politically shrewd, pagan Roman emperor?

Constantine Used Christianity for Power

As my fellow presenter and colleague, evangelist Wallace Smith writes in the Tomorrow’s World article “1,700 Years After Nicaea”:

The council in ad 325 was not convened under the authority of a religious leader, as one might expect, but the Roman emperor Constantine. In fact, Constantine’s fingerprints can be found all over it (“1,700 Years After Nicaea,” Wallace Smith, Tomorrow’s World, May–June 2025, p. 5–6).

Let’s talk about Constantine for a few moments. Was he a real, true follower of Jesus Christ? Or was he an astute worldly king who saw that backing the mainstream Christian church would be a golden political opportunity?

Historian Will Durant asks and answers that question in The Story of Civilization: Part III, Caesar and Christ.

Was his conversation sincere—was it an act of religious belief, or a consummate stroke of political wisdom? Probably the latter…. A real believer would have been a Christian first and a statesman afterward; with Constantine it was the reverse. Christianity was to him a means, not an end (p. 655–656).

Constantine started out his rule fully immersed in the pagan practices of a typical Roman emperor. Toward the end of his rule, he was favoring the mainstream Christian church and weakening the pagan practices he had previously taken part in. So, what caused this change?

In the book A Short History of Christianity, the authors give some background on how this happened. On page 33 we read:

Constantine believed that the Christian God had assisted him in winning his battles for control of the Empire, and he therefore desired a continuance of whatever divine help the Christian religion might afford in maintaining the peace and welfare of his rule. The political wisdom of his policy was amply vindicated in the extravagant devotion and loyalty which he received from his Christian subjects. Constantine’s own personal religion is a subject of speculation. He was not baptized until his deathbed. This much can be said with assurance: (1) his intervention in religious affairs was in large measure dictated by what he considered to be politically expedient and (2) from the beginning of his reign he increasingly identified himself with the church… (A Short History of Christianity, pp. 33–34).

Constantine Guided Nicaea More Than Jesus

So, this pagan emperor, who was gradually seeing the value of professing allegiance to the Christian God, found this new religion of his to be in a doctrinal crisis in 325 ad. That’s when he called the bishops to the Council of Nicaea. He personally presided over the meetings and guided the discussion. In fact, he had so much influence over what took place there that author H.G. Wells made this shocking statement:

A very important thing for us to note is the role played by the emperor in the fixation of Christianity…. It is very manifest that in much of the history of Christianity at this time [that is, in the 300s ad] the spirit of Constantine the Great is as evident as, or more evident than, the spirit of Jesus (“The Outline of History,” H.G. Wells, P. 552–553).

What an astonishing thing to say.

Teachings of Jesus Christ Discarded

For a church calling itself Christian to have a council to discuss doctrinal disagreements, you’d think having it guided by the spirit of Christ would be a priority. But it wasn’t.

So what happened at the Council? In particular, what happened in the matter of the Pascha? Would it remain tied to the Passover that Jesus observed, or would it be disconnected from Christ’s teaching and practice?

To answer the question, let’s go back to Eusebius. He sums up the debate this way in Chapter 14 of The Life of Constantine:

The result was that they were not only united as concerning the faith, but that the time for the celebration of the salutary feast of [“Pascha”] was agreed on by all… (Chapter 14).

In truth, it was a forced unity, a standardization by coercion. That’s what was accomplished.

After the Council, Constantine himself wrote a letter to all the churches, and this is what he said:

At this meeting the question concerning the most holy day of [“Pascha”] was discussed, and it was resolved by the united judgment of all present, that this feast ought to be kept by all and in every place on one and the same day…. Let us then have nothing in common with the detestable Jewish crowd; for we have received from our Saviour a different way…” (Life of Constantine,” Eusebius. Chapter 18).

And that was it.

Jesus Is the Way, the Truth, and the Life—Not the Roman Empire

With contempt and derision, it was declared that the Christians should have nothing in common with the Jews. But what if what was declared to be in common with the Jews was actually something God commanded in Scripture? What if it was part of Christ’s teaching in the New Testament that was banned?

Now why was this important?

Following Jesus Christ Means Worship in Truth

Well, a little background: Even by the 4th century ad there were some Christians, especially in the east, who still had a connection with the observance of Passover on the 14th day of the Jewish month of Nisan. And those who were keeping the Passover on the 14th were following the teachings that had been handed down to them, all the way back to the Apostle John.

The testimony of Polycarp, a direct disciple of the Apostle John, attests to this. Polycrates, Polycarp’s disciple, also kept Passover in this way (“Are You a Quarto-Deciman? Should You Be?”).

You see, these faithful disciples, Polycarp and Polycrates, were simply following the biblical Christian Passover.

Jesus Kept Passover—So Should His Followers

This was plain instruction from Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Jesus kept the Passover, on the 14th day of Nisan, with His disciples the night before He died. During this observance He gave wine to the disciples to drink, as a symbol of His blood shed for them. And He gave bread to the disciples to eat, as a symbol of His body, which would be broken for them. And then He washed their feet, as a symbol of His humility.

“Do as I have done to you.”

Notice what He said at the conclusion of His last Passover observance in John 13:12–15.

So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”

A few years ago, there was a popular slogan “WWJD?” or “What Would Jesus Do?” Well, when it comes to doctrine and practice, we know what Jesus did. The Bible is a detailed record of what He did. And Jesus kept the Passover on the 14th of Nisan—the biblical record is very clear. And He told His followers to do so as well.

The Apostle Paul also kept the Christian Passover on the 14th of Nisan, to memorialize the suffering and death of Christ. And he taught the brethren in the church of Corinth to keep it as well. Notice what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:23–25.

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

Summing up what Paul taught and what he practiced, we read in 1 Corinthians 5:7–8,

For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast….

Council of Nicaea Did Not Consult Scripture

So why were some avoiding any connection to the 14th of Nisan Christian Passover by the 300s ad? In order to not look like the Jews. And they standardized the non-Jewish Paschal festival, fixing it on the Sunday following the first vernal full moon, supposedly commemorating the resurrection of Christ. That Sunday observance grew into what is known today as Easter.

By the way, Jesus was not resurrected on a Sunday. He was resurrected near the end of the Sabbath—Saturday—exactly three days and three nights after He had died on the stake. But that’s another story for another time.

Let’s be clear—the resurrection is extremely important. We base our hope of eternal life on it, as we find in Romans 8:11.

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

The resurrection is our hope and our future. But you can search the New Testament from beginning to end, and you will not find a single instruction or command to observe it as a feast day.

You see, Constantine really had very little interest in the truth—he just wanted everyone to be on the same page.

As the award-winning “History of Rome” podcast by Mike Duncan states:

… [t]he Emperor was not so much interested in which side was right, or which interpretation was best, so long as in the end, everyone agreed (“The History of Rome” podcast, by Mike Duncan, Episode 137, May 15, 2011).

So who will you follow? Constantine and the traditions he established to differentiate nominal Christians from the Jews?

Or Jesus Christ, who plainly outlined His clear teachings in our New Testament, for everyone to see?

Christian Unity—But Not at the Cost of Truth

We should have unity and cohesion in the body of Christ. The Apostle Paul explained that in 1 Corinthians 1:10.

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

But at the same time, Jesus Christ knows that in this age, because we are living in Satan’s world, there will be division. And the truth will sometimes be a source of that division, because not everyone will accept the truth.

Notice what Jesus said in Matthew 10:34, 36–37.

Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword… and “a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.” He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.

The Council of Nicaea was not only convened to discuss the nature of Christ. It also was convened to settle the matter of the timing of the Christian Pascha.

The majority in the now state-religion went along with the edicts of Constantine. They kept a Sunday Pascha, which became Easter. It was now the religion of the empire, so it was the convenient thing to do.

But not everyone went along.

True Christians Keep God’s Holy Days in the Bible

Some held on to the biblical Christian Passover taught by Christ, as well as the other biblical holy days. We have proof of that in the preserved text of a sermon by a priest in Antioch named John Chrysostom. It was given in 386–387 ad. It was entitled, “Against the Jews.” Note how much he despised the Jews, but also note that his text shows there were still faithful Christians keeping the biblical Christian Passover well after Nicaea. He said this:

The festivals of the pitiful and miserable Jews are soon to march upon us one after the other and in quick succession: the feast of Trumpets, the feast of Tabernacles, the fasts. There are many in our ranks who say they think as we do. Yet some of these are going to watch the festivals and others will join the Jews in keeping their feasts and observing their fasts. I wish to drive this perverse custom from the Church right now… (John Chrysostom, “Against the Jews,” Homily I).

• The Feast of Trumpets
• The Feast of Tabernacles
• The Fast (called the Day of Atonement)
• And the New Testament Passover

These biblical feast days—forever established by the Creator God—were still being kept by faithful Christians 60 years after the Council of Nicaea.

Dr. Jerry Pillay is the general secretary of the World Council of Churches. He had this to say, speaking of the importance of the celebrations in 2025 to commemorate the Council of Nicaea:

It gives us the opportunity to ask afresh with others what Nicaea means for us today…. Then, as now, the call to unity was heard within the context of a troubled, unequal, and divided world (“WCC to celebrate 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea,” oikoumene.org, July 6, 2023).

This is a troubled, unequal and divided world. But let’s not forsake truth for the sake of unity. Let’s not follow Constantine—let’s follow Christ.

Thank you for watching! If you found this video helpful, check out more of our content or hit subscribe to stay connected. And if you want a free study guide relating to this topic, just click the link in the description.

See you next time!

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

A Financial Crisis Is Looming

Where is the world’s economy headed? Will the cost of living continue to climb? Will we see another recession—or worse yet, a full-blown economic meltdown?

These are not theoretical questions. Whether you own your own business, work for an employer, or are on a pension, your money is important. These questions affect your life.

Much of the financial news in our headlines is not good. We hear of tariffs and trade wars, fears of a recession, rising inflation—and we see the escalating prices first-hand in our grocery bills.

We see alarming news of a national debt in the U.S. that now sits at over $36 trillion. That’s a colossal mountain of debt that’s hard to comprehend. But debt is not just an American problem.

A number of countries in the Western world are also carrying extremely high debt, expressed as their debt ratio—the amount of debt in relation to GDP, or gross domestic product.

The World Population Review website lists the American national debt at 122% of GDP. That means that the debt accumulated by the government of the United States is significantly above the value of what the entire nation produces in a year. That should be deeply concerning to all of us.

And other nations aren’t far behind. France’s debt ratio sits at 111%. And Canada’s debt ratio is similar, at 108%. The United Kingdom’s is not far behind at 97.6%.

So many countries are carrying a sizable amount of debt. And all it takes is a few unexpected disasters—polycrises, as they are now beginning to be called—for prices to soar and jobs to disappear.

So what does the future hold for our Western nations? The sobering news is there are tough times ahead. But you and I can be ready. If you are concerned about the financial welfare of your children and grandchildren, you don’t want to miss today’s program on Tomorrow’s World.

We don’t have to face the future unprepared. We can be forewarned and forearmed. You can survive the coming crash. How?

How to Prepare for an Economic Crash

Warren Buffett is the billionaire CEO of the American investment firm Berkshire Hathaway. He’s obviously been extremely successful in his life as an investor. When stock markets tumbled in response to tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on April 2, 2025, a number of market observers noted Buffett’s classic advice. That is, when things go bad:

• Focus on the long term.
• Keep your head.
• Don’t panic.
• Be in it for the long haul.
• Be patient and keep your eyes on the long-term goal.

(“‘Keep your head’ if you’re spooked by tariffs: Warren Buffett once suggested reading a 19th century poem when stocks fall,” MSN.com, April 3, 2025).

That is good advice. It’s easy to panic when the economy begins to sputter. And it’s tempting to worry about the future—especially when it comes to money.

But God doesn’t want us to be fearful about the future. Jesus was consistent in that message to His disciples. Matthew 11:28 records Him saying,

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

“Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled”

We can be heavy-laden with worries, fears, and doubts, especially when we recognize the dangerous times we’re living in. In Matthew 24:6, He told His disciples,

“See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”

Later on, just before His arrest, trial, and execution, He repeated His comforting words, recorded in John 14:1.

“Let not your heart be troubled.”

God doesn’t want us to fret about tomorrow. And yet, He does want us to understand prophetic warnings for our time. Many of the prophecies of the Book of Ezekiel are intended for the end-time Israelite nations of our day. For a more detailed description of Ezekiel’s prophecies and their impact on the end times, check out the telecast by Gerald Weston entitled, “Ezekiel’s Message Unlocked.” You can find it on YouTube or TomorrowsWorld.org.

But let’s focus on one prophecy of Ezekiel for a moment. It’s found in Ezekiel chapter 7, starting in verse 1.

Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “And you, son of man, thus says the Lord God to the land of Israel: ‘An end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land. Now the end has come upon you, and I will send My anger against you; I will judge you according to your ways, and I will repay you for all your abominations. My eye will not spare you, nor will I have pity; but I will repay your ways, and your abominations will be in your midst; then you shall know that I am the Lord!’” (Ezekiel 7:1–4).

Sometimes Economic Crisis Is God’s Punishment

It’s a sobering glimpse of judgment on our Western nations. But why is that judgment coming? Because we have God’s testimony of how He wants us to conduct our lives—it’s called the Bible—and yet painfully few really live it.

Going on, notice what Ezekiel says conditions will be like as the end-time descendants of Israel fall (in Ezekiel 7:19).

They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be like refuse; their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord; they will not satisfy their souls, nor fill their stomachs, because it became their stumbling block of iniquity (Ezekiel 7:19).

That’s describing a total economic collapse. When there’s no food, all the gold and silver in the world won’t do any good. And these conditions will spread around the globe.

During the Day of the Lord, when the trumpets of Revelation sound, people will no longer be concerned about whether they’ve bought gold or stocks or invested in real estate. They’ll just want to be safe and have enough to eat.

When Christ returns with power and glory, we want to be ready. And being ready for that day is not done by having a big salary or picking the right pension plan. Speaking of those days, Jesus said, in Luke 21:25,

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring, men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:25–28).

Use These 4 Keys to Survive Financial Crisis

So, how can we look forward to the coming days of judgment with faith, and not fear? By identifying sound biblical strategies for surviving the economic storms to come.

1. Buy the right things.

We’re living in a consuming society. Especially in our affluent Western nations, we are used to spending money. Our economy is built around it. Sometimes we spend money for things we really don’t need. That’s the marvel of modern advertising. Marketers try very hard to create a supposed need for a product they’re selling—whether it’s pizza, tennis shoes, or a new car. They are masters at convincing us we need things that we really don’t. And if we’re not careful, we can get on a never-ending cycle where the chief activity of our life is just consuming things.

God spoke through the prophet Isaiah centuries ago of the need to buy what’s really important in life. Notice Isaiah 55:1.

Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance (Isaiah 55:1–2).

God is saying you’re spending your money, your time, and your energy on things that don’t really last. And this applies to us today, more than ever before.

John 6:27 Meaning: Don’t Just Be a Consumer

We have distractions and time-wasters like no generation before us. Our phones are addictive. Social media is addictive. Even harmless pursuits—watching reruns of old TV shows, or watching sports, or doing puzzles or games, or reading about celebrities—can be addictive. But at the end of the day, what do our activities accomplish in our lives?

In other words, what are we spending our money and our time on? Because our time is our life.

Jesus spoke of the importance of thinking about what we consume. We need to not just focus on physical pursuits, but also, more importantly, on spiritual values. Notice what He said in John 6:27:

“Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him” (John 6:27).

Going on in verse 56:

“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me” (John 6:56–57).

We are to drink in and feed on the words of Christ. We must study His word every day, so we begin to think like Him, act like Him, follow His footsteps, understand His ways, and obey Him.

He summarizes it in verse 63:

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).

As we think about investing in the future, let’s make sure we are spending our money, our time, our energy, our focus on something that’s really going to last.

Store Up Treasures in Heaven

And that brings us to our next strategy for investing in these end-times.

2. Lay up treasure in heaven.

Jesus taught His disciples to not just focus on the physical but, more importantly, invest in their spiritual lives. Notice what He said in Matthew 6:19.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 16:19–21).

God wants us to remember that cars rust out, homes can burn down or be broken into, and money invested can disappear in moments. I know some who lost tens of thousands of dollars in the financial meltdown of 2008, company-sponsored 401Ks that lost much of their value overnight.

What can we depend on? And how should we face the future? Notice what Christ said in verse 25:

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” (Matthew 6:25–27).

Don’t Worry About Basic Needs (Matthew 6:31)

If we recognize that God created us, formed us and gave us life, we must remember He can take care of us. He feeds the birds, He forms the blossoms on the trees, and He produces the fruit of the fields. That’s the focus we need to have, especially as we enter uncertain times (verse 31).

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:31–33).

Christ is bringing that Kingdom when He returns. We are to seek to be in that Kingdom as the number one priority in our life. And with it, we are to seek for His righteousness. We learn His righteousness by diving into His word every day. It’s not just a sentimental feeling, but a necessity of life as much as the air we breathe.

We don’t need to worry about the coming difficult times, if we’re investing in the right things—His Kingdom and His character, in our life.

Focus on Your Spiritual Inheritance

Another strategy for facing economic crises in the end times is:

3. Look forward to the right inheritance.

Some of us may have an inheritance being left to us. If you do, consider that a blessing. But if you don’t have a “rich uncle” in your family, don’t despair. You actually have a Father in Heaven who is not just a rich uncle, but who owns everything. And when I say everything, I mean literally everything. Notice what the prophet Haggai said in Haggai 2:8:

“The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,” says the Lord of hosts.

Now, stop and think for a moment. If we are a little short on cash—or maybe a lot short on cash—let’s remember the resources that our Father in Heaven has. They are unlimited. He owns everything in the entire galaxy—in the entire Universe. He made the Universe.

God Will Supply All Your Needs

Can He provide for us? Does He know our needs? As Paul wrote, in Philippians 4:19,

… My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

And He is rich. That’s not a metaphor. He literally owns everything. We must not forget that. And what’s more, He wants to give it to us as an inheritance, David wrote in Psalm 16:5,

O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance.

David said, “God—You are my portion—You are my inheritance—I’m going to know You and live with You for all eternity. That’s my inheritance!”

And Hebrews 2:8 gives more details when it says we will inherit “all things.” “All things” ultimately includes the entire physical Universe. Think about that! The destiny of man—and that means you and me—is to inherit portions of the galaxies to work in, to tend, to beautify in ways we can’t now fully fathom. What a tremendous inheritance waiting for us from our Father.

If we don’t have great wealth in this life, that’s ok. If we give our lives to God, He has great plans for us in the life to come.

Acknowledge God in All Your Ways

And the last strategy?

4. Acknowledge your Creator who gave you all things.

Our God has given us life and breath. He’s given us the chance to know the joys of life. And certainly, we learn through the sadness of pain and suffering in this flesh as well. It’s all for a purpose. He wants us to learn to trust Him and love Him and submit to His way, for our good forever. He wants to grant us salvation through His Son. He wants us to live in His Family. But we must believe Him, repent of our sins, obey Him, and come under the blood of Jesus Christ.

When we grasp that our Father has given us every good and perfect gift—as the Apostle James notes in James 1:17—then we ought to be willing to give back to our Father as well. And that is what He teaches us.

Will a Man Rob God? (Malachi 3:8)

A good explanation of it is found in Malachi 3, beginning in verse 8.

Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, “In what way have we robbed You?” (Malachi 3:8).

Who would ever have the audacity to rob God? And yet that’s exactly what He says happens. He explains later in the verse (again, in verse 8),

… You say, “In what way have we robbed You?” In tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:8).

The word “tithe,” is just an old word meaning “tenth.”

Bring Your Tithes into the Storehouse (Malachi 3:10)

It’s the biblical command for God’s people to “tithe,” or give a tenth of their income back to Him in acknowledgement of His blessings and guidance in their life. Not tithing to God, He says is, in effect, robbing Him. Going on, notice what He says as a result of His people not tithing. We pick it up in verse 9.

“You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” says the Lord of hosts; “and all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says the Lord of hosts (Malachi 3:9–12).

Let this sink in. There are individual consequences and national consequences for not tithing. And what better way to prepare for hard times ahead than to show God our loyalty and faithfulness in tithing to Him now? He promises to provide for those who put Him first.

In our Western world, how many of us faithfully tithe to the God of Heaven, who gives us rain in due season, and sunshine to give warmth and to make the crops grow? Are we acknowledging the God of Heaven who gives us every beat our heart makes?

Giving a little bit back to the God who has given us all things—and plans to give us even more as an inheritance—is really just a small sacrifice. Going on in verse 16.

Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name. “They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “on the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him” (Malachi 3:16–17).

God Gives Power to Get Wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18)

Gold, silver, money, real estate, or bank accounts will not be a protection in the coming hard times. When financial crises strike, we want God to be with us—which means we need to be with Him.

“Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied… then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…” (Deuteronomy 8:11–13, 17–18).

Where will our Western economies go in the months and years ahead? Will we have a bumpy road economically? It may go up, it may go down for a while, but at some point, if our nations don’t repent, God will allow us to hit rock bottom.

Wherever the road takes us, we need to be wise, careful, and use common sense in regard to how we handle money. But above all, we need to keep the big picture. And the big picture is there’s a God in Heaven who made us and provides us with everything we need if we wholeheartedly look to Him. And He’s planning a great destiny in His Kingdom forever if we’re willing to give our lives to Him.

Thank you for watching. If you found this video helpful, check out more of our content or hit subscribe to stay connected.

And if you want a free study guide relating to this topic, just click the link in the description.

See you next time!