We celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles now because we are going to teach it to the whole world then! That’s why we attend the Feast: we must learn how to teach the Feast of Tabernacles to the whole world very soon! Let’s think deeply about the responsibility that we are given.

When you go to the Feast of Tabernacles, you should think: will I be there with Jesus Christ then? You will be, IF you take care of certain responsibilities now! IF is the biggest two-letter word in the English language, as Herbert W. Armstrong used to say.

Let’s understand the laws we must follow now that will assure we will be with Jesus Christ then. We will be there then IF we obey these laws now!

The Seven Laws of Success, which God taught us through Mr. Armstrong, will ensure, if we follow them, an inspiring Feast of Tabernacles. Do you know what those seven laws are? We need to remember them. Why?

“And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi [Mr. Flurry has taught us that the Levi spoken of here is Mr. Armstrong], saith the Lord of hosts. My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. For the priest’s lips [the ministers today] should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his [Mr. Armstrong’s] mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts” (verses 4-7).

Set Goals for the Feast

The Seven Laws of Success was written for everyone, but it applies especially to the Philadelphians! As Philadelphians, let’s start with the last—the seventh—law of success: contact with and guidance and continuous help from God. Why did Mr. Armstrong put this most important law last? As he explained in the booklet, it is the very last one that men will acknowledge and apply! We Philadelphians, unlike others, must put this law first in order and importance. It is the IF—the important first law!

Having that important first law in mind, let’s consider what Mr. Armstrong listed as the first law of success, which we will make our second law: fix the right goal. Mr. Armstrong at the end of his booklet made that seventh law—contact with God—every person’s right goal.

Without setting goals, you will have an aimless existence—not knowing where you are going. This can be dangerous! Get out on the Niagara River in a leaky boat and see what trouble drifting along will get you. It will be fatal! Don’t drift along at this Feast!

In order to have a godly, inspiring Feast, you must set as your goal having a godly, inspiring Feast—putting God first. Get up and pray before coming to services each day. Pray about and prepare for the offerings on the first day and the Last Great Day. Set yourself a goal to participate fully in the activities headquarters has set up for your edification and enjoyment. Set yourself to be of service to the brethren. Be an example to the surrounding community of God’s law in action.

Plan To Be Educated

Our third law is education. When you come to services at this Feast of Tabernacles, you are a student in God’s college. You are a student, a disciple, but not yet a teacher in most cases. This Feast of Tabernacles is set up by God to educate us in His ways so that we will be able to teach in the World Tomorrow and save the rest of the world (Obadiah 21). I’ve noticed that when new people contact me, they are often excited and want to teach others without even knowing many of the basics first. Services are for your education. Make it to every class. Be at every service prepared to participate and learn.

Our fourth law is having good health. The Feast is a time for choice food and drink. Put the emphasis on choice. Make sure you eat a healthy diet in moderation. Fatty, greasy, sugary fast food is not a healthy diet. The other laws of health are sufficient sleep, exercise, plenty of fresh air, cleanliness and proper elimination, proper mental attitude, and clean living.

The fifth law is drive. You need drive to fulfill those goals you have set for yourself at this Feast. As Mr. Armstrong wrote, “Halfhearted effort might carry one a little way toward his goal, but it will never get him far enough to reach it” (ibid). Don’t give in to the impulse to be lazy. Stay awake and alert during services. Sit forward on the edge of your seat if necessary!

Seek God’s Help During the Feast

Our sixth law is resourcefulness. You can be educated, in good health and a driving individual, but if unexpected problems or setbacks come, you need resourcefulness to solve the problem, overcome the obstacle, and continue on your course. Your first key to resourcefulness is asking God for help.

“I learned a lesson in determination and resourcefulness on my first visit to Niagara Falls. It was on December 25, probably 1913, with a silver thaw. I strolled out on Goat Island, which divides the river just above the falls. At one point there was a huge rock. It appeared as an impassible barrier to that rapid-flowing river, racing to its destination, down over the falls, into the rapids below and on to Lake Ontario. I watched, intrigued. Did the rushing waters stop, quit, give up? Not on your life! I was thrilled as I watched the water swirl around the huge boulder—splash on over it, even find a hole through it, dashing, crashing, roaring on toward its goal!” Mr. Armstrong wrote in The Seven Laws of Success. Consider this analogy, and think about God’s power to help you overcome any obstacle that may arise during the Feast.

The seventh and last law is what Mr. Armstrong called perseverance, or stick-to-it-iveness. I’ve heard too many times about people going to the Feast of Tabernacles and then leaving before it is over. What an insult to God! While the Feast of Tabernacles technically is over after seven days, God attached one of the most important holy days of the Fall season to this festival: the Last Great Day. In God’s eyes, the Feast is not over until the closing prayer of the second service on the Last Great Day.

Strive for Feast Success

“Yes, these seven laws are the way, not only to business and economic success—they are the laws that lead to rich, rewarding, interest-filled, abundant living and, in the end, to eternal life and glory in the Kingdom of God,” Mr. Armstrong wrote in his most popular booklet.

Spend time meditating on each of the seven wonderful laws this Feast. “It teaches you to choose the right goal,” Mr. Armstrong wrote. “It teaches you to study, to show yourself approved to your Maker. It teaches you to acquire knowledge, right and true education—preparation for success. It teaches you to watch your health. It teaches diligence—drive—dedication, persistent application. It teaches resourcefulness, and offers you divine help in applying it—and it teaches staying with it to the end!

“What a happy life God has made available! What blessedness—what joy! What security, this life of implicit living faith—reliance on the Creator—God!

“I know! I’ve been enjoying this life 47 years! It’s a busy life—but it’s interesting, thrilling, happy, abundantly rewarding! And to constantly look forward to the overall goal—an eternity in the Kingdom of God!

“I want to share that life with you! You may enjoy it too!”

Enjoy this wonderful Feast of Tabernacles God’s way. Make it your big IF—the most inspiring Feast ever!