The final Feast of Tabernacles attendance figures from all Feast sites worldwide (except Burma) have now been compiled. I thought you would find these interesting and encouraging, so we are including this information beginning on page 2. As you can see, we had an overall increase of nearly 5% compared to last year's attendance. We can certainly be thankful and rejoice in the growth God has given His Church during the past year.
For the first time, we exceeded one million delegate-days at this year's Feast worldwide. ("Delegate-days is a measurement used by the convention industry to measure total attendance.) By comparison, the average convention uses only one site, and might reach 10,000 delegate-days in a three-day span. The Feast of Tabernacles truly is the largest annual gathering on earth!
I thought you would also be interested in a comment regarding the Feast made by Australian Regional Director Mr. Robert Morton in a recent report: "We are noticing a tendency for problems to crop up around the Feast of Tabernacles—especially personal and family problems. Years ago, we used to expect these around Passover time. This phenomenon seems to have transferred itself to the Tabernacles period. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that we are getting closer to what the Feast of Tabernacles represents and Satan is angry because he has only a short time left?"
Several of us here in Pasadena had been discussing the very same phenomenon before the Feast last year, and again this year. It does seem that many more major problems are now occurring around Feast time than around Passover time Mr. Morton's suggested explanation is certainly an interesting one.
There is one thing we can be sure of, in any case. Satan is real. And he is angry! Satan hates God's Church and God's ministers! He would love to see us get caught up in personal problems, bitter attitudes toward others, vanity or involved in secular worldly pursuits of money, possessions or prestige. We need to be extra cautious and on guard as we draw closer to the end of this age. Don't allow yourself to drift out of the habit of daily heartfelt prayer, daily Bible study and regular fasting. Don't neglect your family. Strive all the harder to strengthen your marriage, now. Develop a closer relationship with your children, now.
Don't allow Satan to get the upper hand in your life. Ask God to help you recognize how you may be letting Satan's influence into your life. God will see us through all of our trials, help us overcome, and help us avoid the pitfalls Satan lays for us. But we must seek God diligently and wholeheartedly. We are in a spiritual life and death struggle! But God is all-powerful, and will never leave us nor forsake us. Your job and calling are of enormous importance to God. He will see to it that you are successful, if you truly seek Him. Let's all remember each other in our prayers, and strive to encourage, support; strengthen and back up each other at every opportunity!
FEAST OF TABERNACLES WORLDWIDE ATTENDANCE
1984/1983 Comparison
Recent Ordination
Mr. Fritz Sonderegger, who serves in the Canberra, Australia congregation, was ordained a local church elder at Sabbath services December 8. Hands were laid on him by Church pastor Mr. Rod King.
FROM MINISTERIAL SERVICES
Worldwide Church of God