Since the November 1998 takeover of the old GCG by the board in the U.S., those once with GCG went to many places. Most of the members and ministers ultimately went with the Living Church of God (LCG), 8-15% went with the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship (CGCF) and smaller percentages ended up with David Pack's Restored Church of God (RCG) (which was formed after the GCG board put him out), Harold Smith's Church of God Fellowship, Northwest (CGFnw), and other groups (at least one which is outside the U.S. uses the term Global Church of God). On July 1, 2001, eight ministers resigned from CGCF and formed the Church of the Eternal God (CEG), similar in name, but not related, to the Eternal Church of God (ECG--founded by a minister removed from the original GCG ministry for impropriety). About a month later CGCF (USA) dissolved and most then with it ended up in the United Church of God (UCG). One former GCG minister (Ronald Laughland) became pastor of the Wholeworld Church of God. In 2004, Raymond McNair, having been in GCG, CGCF, LCG, then went on his own and formed Church of God, 21st Century (COG21); later he became ill and died. Don Haney, once in GCG/LCG, formed the Church of God In Peace and Truth. In 2005, Ben Faulkner, who was in GCG and LCG, formed the Church of the Sovereign God (CotSG). In 2006, Charles Bryce who was in GCG and LCG left, and formed the Enduring Church of God (En COG). In 2010, several of the main leaders who went to UCG from CGCF left it and went to a group called COGWA. A couple of people, like Norman Edwards (Servants' News/Shepherd's Voice), left GCG well before the 1998 takeover (he has Port Austin Bible Campus). In 2013, Rod Reynolds left LCG and formed COG Messenger. On 12/15/11, a minister in good-standing with LCG anointed Bob Thiel with oil and prayed that God would grant him a double-portion of His Spirit (see also How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God): and things have not been the same since (Bob Thiel still, of course, supports the goals and biblical beliefs of Philadelphia era of the Church of God). Website links for most of those who were once part of GCG and that have websites can be found at the COGlinks page. In 2012, certain heresies were officially introduced and/or confirmed by LCG. After concluding that insufficient value was placed on the truth (and keeing their word) by certain leaders of LCG and that they no longer held to biblical church governance and could not as is be used to lead the final phase of the work (see also Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God), on 12/28/12 Bob Thiel was led to form and then announced the beginning of the Continuing Church of God. This page reports on those groups that somehow once had ties to the old GCG.
12/29/14 a.m. In his latest letter, Wholeworld's Ron Laughlin wrote:
Love is the ultimate goal and outcome of our lives. That is why in this physical life, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit from God, we are to become Love. We are to practice the way of love. Perfect practice makes perfect. Jesus told the rich man, “if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." Notice that there is one command that relates to our love of God and fellowman that the rich man quoted in this passage. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" This command is just as important as the other nine. The Apostle John, in his letter to all Christians explains, the importance of love of the brethren. “If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also”. 1 John 4:20.
And that is true.
True Philadelphia Christians, it should be added, show love towards others by placing a higher priority on proclaming the gospel of the kingdom as a witness (Matthew 24:14) than mainly focusing on themselve. Love is what true Christianity is all about (see also Where is the True Christian Church Today?).
12/28/14/ p.m. This afternoon marks the second anniversary of the formation of the Continuing Church of God. Here is a link to a sermon titled The Continuing Church of God: Two Years of Proclamation.
12/18/14 p.m. The following was in the latest Letter to the Brethren of the Continuing Church of God:
Size of the Continuing Church of God
Some have wondered how many members/congregants are in the Continuing Church of God. Because we are scattered this is hard to know for certain.
As reported before (see Letter to the Brethren: October 23, 2014), over 500 attended our Feast of Tabernacles’ sites in 2014. More could have come, but we had some border issues in Tanzania and some other issues in Nairobi, Kenya. Some elsewhere could not make it for financial, distance, or other reasons. As it turns out, other scattered groups and individuals have asked to be part of us, since the Feast of Tabernacles.
Today, at my request, Pastor Evans Ochieng sent me a detailed report about members/congregants in Kenya and Tanzania. His report did not include some recent ones who have contacted us, nor some with interest in Uganda or Sudan. For my part, I also have not included numbers for 2-3 groups that are distantly related to us in Asia. Nor have I counted all who may actually be with us–but tried to only include those that I was fairly certain were with us.
Based upon those parameters, I calculated a total.
As of December 18, 2014, there are at least 680 members/congregants in the Continuing Church of God. We have members in all inhabited continents, as well as various islands. We have at least twenty congregations, as well as scattered ones in many locations.
The vast majority of our members live in Africa. We who live outside of Africa provide literature, internet, financial, and theological support to Africa. We have helped build meeting locations there and supported various widows, the poor, and orphans. Tithes and offerings of those who live in Kenya and Tanzania remain there for the needs of the work and brethren in that region.
I would also like to say something in defense of the African congregants. Some have claimed that Africans only go to where there is money and that this is why so many have supported us. There are some points to make:
- Africans are often spiritually-discerning. This should be praised and not criticized. Africans, whether on that continent or elsewhere, are sometimes willing to stand up for what is right when others will not.
- Certain other groups have much more money as well as proportionately more money (many have the vast of their members from Western nations and a minority from Africa) than the CCOG does. If money was the issue, the Africans would go to the groups with more of it.
- Africans, on the continent of Africa, represent about one out of the every six or so people in the entire world. We are to reach (Matthew 24:14) and teach them (Matthew 28:19-20), as well as go through whatever doors Jesus opens for us (Revelation 3:7-8). A great door has been opened for us to reach people in Africa (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12).
- It is difficult to be in any Church of God in the poorer parts of Africa. Family members will sometimes shun you, it is difficult to get work, and one is easily fired for trying to keep the Sabbath and Holy Days. It can take great faith to be in true church while facing such difficulties.
- Pastor Evans Ochieng, and those originally with him, already had financial support from another group before he and they decided to switch to the Continuing Church of God. Thus, it is improper to impute financial motives for the move. Some cannot accept the fact that Africans have come to us because we represent the pillar and ground of truth (1 Timothy 3:15) and are actually leading the final phase of the work (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20).
- Others who came to us before and after Pastor Evans, etc. simply have not received substantial financial support. There are limits on what we can send to Africa as Africa is not the only continent we are working with.
- God has worked with Africans in the past (Jeremiah 38:7-18; Acts 8:26-39: see also Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future) and seems to have indicated that many in the Continuing Church of God would be of African heritage (see Dreams, the Bible, and the Continuing Church of God). This does not mean that none could leave us, but only that Africans are part of God’s plan.
Anyway, we continue to have growth in various parts of the work and are pleased that many in Africa and elsewhere are supporting us.
For another news item, the Continuing Church of God just conducted its first youth camp in Africa. Details on this and more are in the Letter to the Brethren: December 18, 2014.
12/12/14 a.m. A reader in LCG sent me an email with the following:
When I SEE LCG going in a similar way as WCG, then and only then will I go about in my decision chain. I really do enjoy your articles ...
My response was:
Glad you like the articles. I do NOT, at this time, expect LCG to go the way of WCG. However, Jesus warned about being Laodicean, so you might wish to consider that your criteria may need an adjustment.
While attending LCG and GCG, I had basically heard a similar assertion from people in, or once in, the United Church of God. I considered that to be a dangerous position as the Bible is clear that there will be those in the end who although they kept God's commandments and were Christian, they were not to be saved from the hour of trial that Jesus said He would keep the Philadelphia Christians from (Revelation 3:7-10; see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra).
Being unwilling to change when a Christian should is a characteristic of Laodiceans that Jesus warned against (Revelation 3:14-19). It is Jesus' criteria, and not personal opinion, that is what is truly important.
Notice that the Bible is clear that not all Christians are subject to certain protection in the end times:
14 And there were given to the woman the two wings of the great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness unto her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth after the woman water as a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream. 16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon waxed wroth with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, that keep the commandments of God, and hold the testimony of Jesus: (Revelation 12:14-17, ASV)
The rest of her seed in Revelation 12:17 are truly COG Christians. They are not those that fell away because of the WCG Tkach Administration or are part in any possible future falling away. Those who think that they should not consider where they are unless their organizations propose doing away with the commandments as the old WCG did, need to realize that there are more criteria than that (see also Where is the True Christian Church Today? and Unity: Which COG for You?).
I would also add that the Laodicean COGs have significant misunderstandings in prophecy. Unless they and/or their followers change, they will NOT POSSIBLY KNOW WHEN THE GREAT TRIBULATION WILL BEGIN nor when they should flee. Many of their prophetic misunderstandings are listed in the article The Laodicean Church Era.
12/05/14 a.m. In his update today, Church of the Eternal God's Norbert Link wrote (bolding mine):
Thinking that we can solve or ignore our personal problems by just changing church organizations (even within the Body of Christ) is also useless and futile, because our problems will accompany us, no matter where we go. Unless we are willing to focus on, face and overcome OUR problems—not the problems of others—we are and will continue to be easy targets of Satan’s craftiness and deception...
Far too many think that they can escape reality and live in an illusionary dream world by just changing locations. But we do not meet our God-given responsibilities by just changing our jobs, leaving our employers, moving to another town or turning our backs on our Church congregation, while avoiding to deal with our own personal problems. This will never work, “because our problems will accompany us, no matter where we go.” When God led Israel out of Egyptian slavery, “Egypt” went with them; their hearts never left it.
Of course, if a job requires of us to break God’s law, or if a Church organization begins to water down or change God’s truth, then it is time to flee (Revelation 18:4). But to run away strictly for personal reasons, because we do not want to deal with our personal challenges, is never a solution.
While it is true that all need to attempt to work on their own faults, in this Laodicean age, most seem to stay with church organizations for the wrong reasons. They often stay because of friends, fellowship, congregational proximity, ministerial style, and lack of dramatic (in their view) doctrinal errors on the part of the group they are with (see also Unity: Which COG for You?).
Sadly, all the Laodicean groups have compromised doctrinally. And unless they all (including Church of the Eternal God) change certain prophetic positions to align with those of the Continuing Church of God, it will eventually be clear to all who survive the start of the Great Tribulation that they should have made the move to "gather together" (Zephaniah 2:1-3; see Zephaniah: ‘Gather together’) with the CCOG before it was too late.
A list of Laodicean prophetic errors is included in the article The Laodicean Church Era.
11/18/14 a.m. The latest issue of The Journal ran an advertisement by COG-FF's Don Billingsley titled: Where is the True Church Today? But the advertisement, after going through some world conditions, did not truly answer that question--it essentially concluded with:
You would do well to prepare for it by getting ‘ Back on Track’ by using your Bible together with the Mystery of the Ages, the unedited original book . It could lead to the blessing of being spared from the Great Tribulation that is almost here, and then being able to stand with Jesus Christ upon His return to this earth (Luke 21:36).
While there is helpful information on certain points in the Mystery of the Ages, it does not answer the question Where is the True Church Today? in the 21st century. A booklet that does is titled Where is the True Christian Church Today?
11/07/14 a.m. The following was received by me yesterday by former GCG member, former VIWCOG pastor (a group whose leader was once in GCG), and now Continuing Church of God pastor, Evans Ochieng:
Pastor Dr Bob,
Thank you very much for the Kiwahili Translation. I will take it to printer in Nairobi on Monday. ...
Pastor since the work in Kenya has expanded large compared to other old congregations, I hope you are aware that CCOG has a bigger number in Kenya than other COGS in the country. This is because many people are being attracted by CCOG website and also when we were coming out from VIWCOG, big number walked out from there and joined CCOG. So if you add that number plus those who are studying our magazines and books makes the church to grow very fast in East Africa. So this work is quite big and I want have people in regions who can help the work . . .
So I want appoint Simon Okeyo, Kenedy Odhiambo, Barthlomew Otieno, Nimrod Ondigo Ezekiel Oanda and John Okinda to represent areas where we have many congregations to help me in the work. ...
These are the reason why I want appoint these people to stand for the areas so that I can get a good report every month to send to you. . .
Evans
Most of those leaders that Pastor Evans mentioned above were ordained as deacons prior to becoming part of the Continuing Church of God.
The Continuing Church of God has had a lot of growth in East Africa, specifically Kenya and Tanzania. Based upon various discussions I have had with different ones there, it appears to be related to a combination supplying doctrinally sound physical literature as well as having leaders in multiple locations. We also have some with interest in Sudan and Uganda, as well as scattered people in places such as South Africa.
I have suspected for some time that the Continuing Church of God was the largest COG group in Kenya. But, we have never set as a goal to be larger than other groups. Our goal is to work to fulfill Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20 and to unify the remnant of the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God (Revelation 3:7-13).
11/01/14 a.m. The Continuing Church of God is planning to announce on Tuesday that it now has an internet radio station. The URL for the webpage of our online radio station is: http://www.biblenewsprophecy.net/
There is also a Mobile Page url, link for mobile users (can also be viewed on desktop) http://mobile.caster.fm/1618C6
This was set up by CCOG members in New Zealand. Essentially, it streams the Bible News Prophecy channel YouYube videos into a radio stream.
As far as conventional radio goes, I received an invitation to be on the radio today. This is to be on the Genesis Communication Network for the show named the Nutrimedical Report.It is scheduled at 3:06-3:58 pm EST, which is 12:06-12:58 pm PST. Here is a link to what may be a live feed online when I am on the air: Listen Now @ GCNLive – “The NutriMedical Report Show.
While this program is sometimes a difficult door to manage (as the normal host and I have differing prophetic/doctrinal views on various points, it is his program and I’m normally simply a guest), the host is a Sabbath-keeper who keeps the Holy Days (though he is not COG). This show does reach a lot of people interested in prophetic matters and is broadcast on scores of radio stations. We in CCOG are willing to go through doors that others sometimes either cannot or will not.
I have been doing radio on average a little bit more than once per month basis, as a radio guest, since the official formation of Continuing Church of God.
10/28/14 a.m. Ended up getting some type of a link to a Facebook discussion of claimed (mainly) LCG members who were discussing and basically advocating the celebration of birthdays. This has been a problem in LCG in the past, and apparently this is growing--that is disturbing.
While I was in LCG, some would complain to me that various ones there were celebrating birthdays and I told them that LCG taught against the celebration of them (which it presumably still does, though not all there realize this). As far as birthdays go, here is a link to an article on them: Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays?
10/27/14 p.m. Got the latest edition of Shepherd's Voice today. It had the following:
A United Front best describes the events of the Sabbath of a ugust 2, 2014, when brethren of the a ctive Bible Church of God in Chicago (“ABCOG”) and Church of God in Downers Grove (“COGDG”) joined forces with the brethren of the Chicagoland Church of God . . . in a much-anticipated mini reunion. The historic area of downtown Naperville, Illinois was the venue for the linkup . . . Up to 40 members of all three congregations were in attendance, with participants traveling from various parts of Aurora, Chicago, Downers Grove, Plainfield and other neighbouring communities to join their Naperville brethren. Pastor Ken Svehla of COGDG commenced the day’s activities with a thought-provoking bible study session . . .
I reported a little about this before when it was in The Journal (see Cartwright’s Journal Out: Upcoming AC Pasadena reunion, COG merger, John Kiesz, and blood moons).
10/25/14 a.m. RCG reports:
World Headquarters campus expands!
With the acquisition of 58 contiguous acres of forest and farmland, The Restored Church of God has expanded its magnificent World Headquarters in Wadsworth, Ohio, USA.
Reminiscent of the beautiful Pasadena, California, campus of the Worldwide Church of God, the sprawling 84-acre Headquarters campus provides a beautiful setting for the rapidly growing Work of God...
The new acreage provides space for the redevelopment of the biblical agricultural program established by Herbert W. Armstrong on the Ambassador College Big Sandy campus.
Having lived relatively near the old Pasadena campus of the old Worldwide Church of God for many years, the photos RCG has shown of its World Headquarters are NOT, in my view, reminiscent of it. Nor do I believe that RCG has the setting for doing the end time Philadelphia work of God. That being said, it is possible that RCG will implement some type of agricultural program similar to what the old campus in Big Sandy (Texas) had. RCG's focus, however, is more on outward show and less on truly doing God's work. More on RCG can be found in the article Why Not the Restored Church of God? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Por qué no la Iglesia de Dios Restaurada?
10/20/14 a.m. Received reports from all the official CCOG sites, other than one video site.
A highlight of the site in Orlando, Florida were the baptisms that took place there. When I was baptizing a man there, his head somewhat popped up and did not quite get immersed when I went to put him under the water, so I had to push his head specifically a second time. It seemed a little humorous at the time, but he at least was properly fully immersed. In the Continuing Church of God we, of course, practice baptism by immersion (see also Baptism, the Early Church, and the Continuing Church).
Here is information from the video site in Wichita, Kansas:
2014 Feast Attendance for Wichita, Kansas video group was 3 adults and 2 children 2 teenagers. ...
We had no problems. We were able to see the sermons you uploaded from the day before and others you had from last year on Deut. Very Good!
Here is a report from John Hickey from New Zealand:
The Feast was great. We enjoyed your sermons very much. For sermonettes we had some of yours and I gave some, I didn't record them but I have thought that I could do that now I'm home again and send them to you.
We've just arrived home from our drive up from Wellington, all happy, safe and sound. The weather was good for the whole feast (another answered prayer) and we enjoyed the sightseeing and the shopping etc.
To download your sermons we purchased extra gigabytes for my iPad and used that as a hotspot to download them to the laptop. This worked extremely well.
On the negative side, most of the brethren from Tanzania were turned away at the Kenyan border, so they ended up having a Feast in Tanzania. Here is a report from Pastor Evans Ochieng:
2014 FEAST OF TABERNACLES REPORT.
Greetings from Kenya. The Feast of Tabernacles in Kenya 2014 was a
wonderful feast I ever kept. And it is the first feast of CCOG in
Kenya which was perfectly done. We had three feast sites in Kenya.
Ndhiwa, Kisii and Nairobi. There was a problem with our brethren from
Tanzania who were blocked at the border when they were crossing the
border because they did not have passports. So they went back and keep
the feast in Tanzania. Only our brother Paul Makinda who was baptized
in in Nairobi during your visit in Kenya managed to reach at the camp
in Ndhiwa. The feast in Ndhiwa was opened at the end of 8th when 9th
was arriving, and that night we got sermon from Bob Thiel. It was a
wonderful sermon and was spiritually inspired. In the morning I gave
sermon about the importance of Feast of Tabernacles and the reason why
it should be kept.The feast site in Ndhiwa was the largest feast in Kenya with a
population of 236 people. Adults were 196 and 40 children. There were
12 congregations who were in Ndhiwa site and one man from Tanzania.
The congregations were, Ndhiwa, Oriang, Mbani, kiseke, Oyugis, Rongo,
Nyakach, Mbita, Migori, Eberege Kisii Nyamaruma Kisii and Mgonga
Kisii. Also we had 2 people from Kisumu who wanted to attend CCOG
feast of tabernacles site. This was a William and Nora. I gave them
church history and after four days they declared that they are CCOG
members. They said that since they started to become members of CCOG.
Even today I received their calls that they reached well and wanted me
to go to Kisumu to go and arrange how they can meet every Sabbath.
I stayed in ndhiwa for three days then I travelled to Kisii to meet
our brethren who were keeping feast in Kisii.
Regarding Kisii, here is a report from Evans Ochieng:
Pastor Bob,
The Kisii site was hosting 200 people.
In Tanzania, a former Muslim expressed interest in becoming part of the Continuing Church of God. Here is a report from Evans Ochieng:
Pastor Dr. Bob,
I am happy to inform you that the the magazines have done a wonderful
work. I was informed by our brother Paul Makinda that the magazines
which I was sending to martin has made some big changes in Tanzania
and there are people in Arusha who received the Swahili translations
from Martin {Wanga} and have joined the CCOG. There is also one lady an Islamist who
decided to join CCOG in Arusha. Paul Makinda requested my visit in
Arusha to meet that lady and other brethren. So I told him that I will
make it to Arusha in November. I was very happy that a lady who is an
Islam can change her mind to join God's church. May you pray for this
lady. I am really praying for her.
The Sabbath after the Feast, Pastor Evans Ochieng and John Owak traveled to Oyugis:
Pastor Dr Bob,
I just arrive in the house now from Oyugis. I went to open a new
congregation there. They wanted a place where they can meet every
sabbath. ...I was accompanied by John Owak when I was going to Oyugis he drove me
in his car to Oyugis.
We had four Feast of Tabernacles' sites in Africa (including a very limited one in Nairobi), two in North America (including one video site in Kansas), one in New Zealand, and one video site in the Philippines. Over 500 people part of the Continuing Church of God were able to attend in 2014. We had more than double the number of attendees in North America and Africa this year compared to 2013.
Additionally, many were unable to get to our sites who live in North America, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, Australia, and parts of Africa. But, some of them were able to watch the videos prepared for and during the Feast of Tabernacles this year (see Feast of Tabernacles’ Sites for 2014).
The over 500 people figure does not include those who were unable to attend, nor does it include two groups in Asia who held the Feast of Tabernacles at sites there, but who have a distant affiliation with CCOG. Nor does it include some in Africa who are currently looking at possible closer CCOG affiliation.
I have only heard limited reports from other groups once affiliated with GCG, but those few I heard were positive.
10/17/14 p.m. Just got back from the Feast of Tabernacles in Orlando, Florida today. The Feast of Tabernacles went well. Hopefully, all of you had a spiritually positive Feast of Tabernacles.
10/08/14 a.m. The Feast of Tabernacles begins tonight. All should learn and rejoice at the Feast (Deuteronomy 14:22-27).
For those of you who cannot physically attend a Feast of Tabernacles’ site, we put up a few new messages online that were made specifically for this 2014 Feast of Tabernacles: One for opening night (Feast of Tabernacles Opening Night Message), one on the Feast of Tabernacles (Feast of Tabernacles from Israel), and the Behind the Work message (Behind the Work: Go Therefore and Make Disciples). These, as well as messages given last year, are linked in the article Feast of Tabernacles’ Sites for 2014.
If we do not have technical or other problems, it is our intent to put up other sermons and sermonettes that are given during the Feast of Tabernacles in Orlando, Florida this year. You can check the ContinuingCOG channel as that is the first place they should appear.
10/03/14 p.m. Received an email today from someone in LCG, that perhaps portions of which should be shared here:
Thanks for your reply Bob but you did not answer my question about someone less then a Prophet anointing you a Prophet, I don't see that any where in the Bible, do you ?
I responded by telling him I did not intentionally avoid answering that portion of his earlier email. In response to the above I informed him that truly in the New Testament that example existed.
Notice the following:
1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead) (Galatians 1:1)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God (Ephesians 1:1)
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 9:17)
Paul was ordained an apostle and prophet by God and had hands laid on him by a man who apparently was a minister--there is NO indication that Ananias was an apostle or prophet himself. I was ordained a prophet by God and had hands laid upon me by a man, a minister, who specifically asked that God would grant me a 'double-portion' of His Spirit.
Since he was not an original apostle, a lot of Christians apparently had trouble with Paul being an apostle/prophet (2 Corinthians 11:22-29, Galatians 1:1, etc.), but God viewed it otherwise. People doubted Paul even though hands were laid upon him a second time (Acts 13). People also doubted David, who also ended up having hands laid upon him twice.
There is also no evidence in the New Testament that apostles specifically ordained anyone a prophet (such as Timothy, who was ordained by elders per 1 Timothy 4:14) or that this was a biblical requirement.
Those interested in the truth about prophets in New Testament times, should check out the article How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God and believe what the Bible actually teaches.
10/01/14 a.m. Today, someone tipped me off to the following post from LCG's Wallace Smith yesterday, which the reader correctly felt was highly directed towards me:
Plain truth about “Prophets” from Herbert W. Armstrong
I was just studying a topic and came across, once again, Mr. Armstrong’s plain and simple explanation of what it means to have the office of Prophet. Ironically, it is given in a statement he makes explaining that he, himself, was not a prophet. And given that Christ prophesied that there would be “many” false prophets in the world as the end approaches (Matt. 24:11) — including those aiming to deceive God’s own people, specifically (v.24) — I think the clarity of his words is terribly helpful.
In the February 1972 Tomorrow’s World (nice title!) magazine on page 1, He said (bolding mine):
“Emphatically I am NOT a prophet, in the sense of one to whom God speaks specially and directly, revealing personally a future event to happen or new truth, or new and special instruction direct from God — separate from, and apart from what is contained in the Bible. And I never have claimed to be.
“There is no such human prophet living today!
“The Bible is the written Word of God — and, for our time now, it is COMPLETE! Never have I believed or claimed that God reveals to me new truths not contained in the Bible — in addition to, or apart from the Bible.”
That description of what it means to occupy the office of Prophet is both simple and completely consistent with the lives of those who held that office in Scripture. ...
Someone who holds the office of Prophet would be someone to whom God speaks directly, revealing to that person a future event, never-before-known truth or information, “separate from, and apart from what is contained in the Bible.” It is a necessary condition. This would be the necessary fruit that distinguishes his or office from other offices. ...
I’ve heard of one who claims that he dreamed God would exalt him above the leaders of the Church when he, supposedly, had no beef against them at that time. ... that the fellow apparently thought himself a prophet, many years before he left the Church and began claiming to be just that. ...
There are other fruits that a Prophet will have, to be sure, but without this one a “Prophet’s” claim to the title is easily and quickly seen as a lie.
Wallace Smith has repeatedly attacked me--and the above was intended as another attack against me.
So, let's address several of his points.
First, I spoke at least twice to Aaron Dean about Herbert Armstrong's position about prophets. Aaron Dean said it was Herbert Armstrong's belief that there were at least two alive when he wrote the Mystery of the Ages (with Aaron Dean's assistance) who God would later use as prophets. No one should imply that Herbert Armstrong did not believe God would raise up any prophets in the last days.
Second, Dr. Meredith, current head of LCG, decades ago wrote that the church was to have prophets (Meredith RC. How Church Government Really WORKS. Good News, March 1964, pp. 4-5). So, does it not make sense as we get closer to the end that there would be at least one?
Third, I did tell LCG's Davy Crockett in August of 2008 that I believe God revealed to me that a top leader in LCG would be struck if he would not implement certain corrections that he promised to implement, and that happened to Dr. Meredith the next month (details are in the article How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God). This was an 'outside of the Bible' prediction that came to pass.
Fourthly, I also tried to warn Dr. Meredith in December 2011 that his wife was to be struck health-wise and several weeks later it was reported by him that she was (details are in the article How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God). This was another 'outside of the Bible' prediction that came to pass.
Fifthly, it was the position of the old Worldwide Church of God that God would again use dreams (Personal Correspondence Letter). Yet, the old WCG never reported any, hence the belief was that this would happen in the future, and it has. God has used dreams several times for at least three now part of the Continuing Church of God. For details, please study the article Dreams, the Bible, and the Continuing Church of God.
Sixthly, I do have the other fruits of a prophet Jesus spoke of. For details, please study the article How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God.
Seventhly, it was LCG's Dr. Meredith who called me up and told me that GOD may consider that I was a prophet in October 2008. Wallace Smith neglected to share that part of the truth in his post. I was NOT going around for years telling people that I was. Prior to my 'double-portion' anointing by LCG minister Gaylyn Bonjour, I never told any LCG leaders I was a prophet. I told them what Dr. Meredith said and told them that I felt that I must receive a further ordination to fully accept that.
It is Wallace Smith who is clearly reporting a lie. And he remains too cowardly to name me by name--yet he is being a false accuser of the brethren.
Sadly, many in LCG have chosen to believe false and misleading information.
So much so, unless LCG repents, it is not possible that those part of it will know when the Great Tribulation will begin. Some details, along with links, are included in the articles What About the Living Church of God? Are there Doctrinal Differences with the Continuing Church of God? and Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God.
The plain truth is that the facts demonstrate that Wallace Smith's post contained false statements. Will you believe the real truth or do you prefer to believe the spin falsely claimed to be the truth?
09/28/14 p.m. The Continuing Church of God is pleased to report that there is a small group in Wichita, Kansas that is has offered to host a video Feast of Tabernacles' site. If you are interested, contact R.H. Brown, email rhbrown@live.com. The primary USA site is in Orlando, Florida, but the site in Wichita, Kansas may be more convenient for some.
The Continuing Church of God has several other Feast of Tabernacles' sites throughout the world. Here is a link that has them: Feast of Tabernacles' Sites for 2014.
09/26/14 p.m. Some have wondered if Elizabeth or Patrick Scarborough were the source for my 09/16/14 p.m. post related to Dibar Apartian as one or both of them were accused of being so. While I have no intention to reveal my source, neither Elizabeth nor Patrick Scarborough nor any other Scarborough was the source.
09/16/14 p.m. Got a couple of emails from a former LCG member today related to the late evangelist Dibar Apartian:
I just wanted to write you about Mr. Apartian and what he REALLY felt about LCG and its leaders.
I know that Dibar Apartian expressed serious concern for the LCG brethren, as he made comments about the "true colors" of LCG's upper leadership would come out after his death-which is exactly what happened.
Mr. Apartian told several LCG members, whom he trusted, that LCG was no longer God's true Church, and was no longer even a Godly church.
Mr. Apartian was against the "falling away" doctrine, just as John Ogwyn was against it also.
Mr. Apartian also knew that Herbert W. Armstrong was vehemently against Rod Meredith being the human leader of the church. Mr. Apartian always felt uneasy about following Rod Meredith, since he knew HWA's feelings about that.
Mr. Apartian was also having private meetings, near the end of his life, with ministers of different Church of God groups-one of those ministers, whom Mr. Apartian met with, told me about their meetings in person. Those private meetings were about Mr. Apartian leaving LCG.
However, due to his rapidly failing health and a few other reasons, he stayed with LCG.
He did make it very clear though, that LCG was heading the wrong direction, in terms of doctrine and other major decisions as well.
Mr. Apartian was also very upset about Rod Meredith's lack of compassion and concern for him, while he was near his death.
Rod Meredith had heard about some of Mr. Apartian's revealing comments about LCG, and Meredith was not happy.
Therefore, Rod Meredith did not visit much with Mr. Apartian towards the end, and Meredith even discouraged other LCG members from visiting with Mr. Apartian-worried that more negative facts about LCG would "get out."
I hope this info is helpful-God's people need to know the truth about LCG and about Rod Meredith. . .
Mr. Apartian actually said that LCG was no longer a Godly church!
He also said that we would all see LCG's "true colors" after he died.
He made these statements to several LCG members, but most of them are still working at HQ, so they just keep quiet and don't say a word.
It should be mentioned that I have spoken with this person about this and have long been aware that Dibar Apartian had issues with LCG.
Dibar and Shirley Apartian originally came to GCG for the same basic reasons that I did. We did not come because of our past relationships with Dr. Meredith. We came to GCG because we felt it was in a better doctrinal position and Philadelphia work-focused mindset than UCG (who we all spoke with).
Yet, prior to the GCG split, Dibar Apartian expressed his opinion about various actions and decisions that the then presiding evangelist Roderick C. Meredith made that he did not care for. Dibar Apartian personally told me in late 1998, that he told Dr. Meredith if he ever did something like this again that he would not follow him into another organization. This clarified, for me at least, some of his views of Dr. Meredith.
Dibar Apartian was disappointed with LCG's Tomorrow's World magazine. He stated it lacked interest, depth, and relevance. In 2007 and 2008, he pushed Dr. Meredith to agree to have articles in it from me as he told me that my articles were what LCG needed. Dr. Meredith agreed at the time. I agreed, but under the proviso that LCG would first fix errors in its booklet on church history as I did not want to have LCG publish more materials that contradicted others. Although LCG leaders agreed to do that and told me on numerous times that they were working on it, it never happened as various ones promised. The reality is that one of the top people did not want the magazine changed. He also prevented the booklet changes from being adopted as a reason to not have me submit articles.
Despite this, Dibar Apartian frequently used to urge me to try to get the other leaders in LCG to correct various historical, doctrinal, prophetic, and literature errors. Although I tried to get him to do more of that himself, he always instructed me to not only do that, but to remind other leaders in Charlotte to keep their promises to fix errors, literature, etc. Which I did. He did what he did differently to try to affect change.
Dibar Apartian indicated to me, multiple times, over the years that he wanted me to lead needed changes in Charlotte and I tried for years.
In 2008, he told me that I may be "the one," meaning the one to lead the final Philadelphia work, and he confirmed that in 2009 and 2010.
In one of our last conversations, he concluded with the words, "I love you." I was emotionally touched.
But, until I heard from the former LCG member who sent me the emails, I was unaware Dibar Apartian actually said that "LCG was no longer a Godly church" and that all would see LCG's "true colors" after he died.
Most in LCG do not really know how Dibar Apartian viewed LCG in his last years.
Well, in my view, it became clear shortly after Dibar Apartian died that the leadership mantle was no longer in Charlotte (where LCG's HQ, headquarters, is based).
As far as information coming out for all to see after he died, the 'falling away' change and related logic should have been obvious to those willing to see the truth (details are in The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings). The insistence on the wrong identity of the 'man of sin' (details are in the article Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2?) and the insistence on 10-11 nations for Revelation 17:12-13 (see Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?) should show all who are willing to live by every word of God, over traditions of men, that LCG had lost it.
But the bigger issues, and the ones that Dibar Apartian had the most objections to was the lack of Philadelphian love, the willingness to distribute error, and integrity problems of the leadership in Charlotte.
Since Dibar Apartian's death, some of this information has come out (see Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God and Response to a Letter from Dr. Roderick C. Meredith Dated December 28, 2012 and October 2012 Emails Related to GCA Booklet and December 2011 Proposed changes to LCG's Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs), yet relatively few believe that makes enough difference. But it does. Character counts and that the final phase of the work of God must be done in truth (Psalm 33:4).
Charlotte lost the Philadelphia mantle some time ago, and LCG is now a Laodicean church with some Philadelphians in it. This result is consistent with certain views that Dibar Apartian had, though it would seem he felt more who were part of LCG would have accepted that by this time.
09/16/14 a.m. Someone suggested that I check out James Malm's page on Sunday. James Malm wrote the following:
Apparently Doug agrees with the false position of Bob Thiel and other COG groups that Islamic Extremism is, or could be, the king of the south, and that the Islamic State will rise up to fulfill that role.
The above information related to me, and probably also Doug Winnail, is false. I specifically have taught that the Islamic State would not be the King of the South and that Islamic extremism could be a catalyst for the less extreme Islamic nations, like the Arabic ones, to form the King of the South. So Sunday, I wrote James Malm about this, although he did post what I sent him, he then improperly stated that I changed my position--which was also not true. All sources on the internet are not reliable and this is another example from James Malm.
09/13/14 p.m. Noticed the following in an ad from Don Billingsley of COGFF:
The Construction of the Third Temple: Similar to King David, who stockpiled materials for the First Temple (I Chronicles 28:2), so have the Jews stockpiled materials for the building of the third Temple. However, considering the entirety of the Arab nations ready to do an all-out battle with Israel at their first move, virtually anyone would say this is ludicrous to even believe such a thing could possibly take place! And it would be– except for God being in the picture!
The Scriptures are very clear! This will indeed take place—and sooner than one might care to think! Most do not realize that Jesus Christ has a Master Plan with a Timetable in place. And, realizing that He rules in the kingdoms and nations of mankind, all these nations put together will be unable to stop His Plan from going forward—according to God’s timing. And nothing escapes His attention that would stand in the way of these prophecies taking place.
The above shows that COGFF is not a group that properly understands the Bible or certain aspects of biblical prophecy. COGFF is also a group that claims it is faithful to what the late Herbert Armstrong taught, and in the same ad insists (contrary to HWA's own writings) that he was the Elijah to come (see also The Elijah Heresies).
As far as the third temple, it should be noted that Jews do NOT believe it must be built for sacrifices to resume (see Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?). Also, here is some of what Herbert Armstrong taught about that:
God made a prophecy in the third chapter of Malachy...Continuing, "...shall suddenly come to His temple..." What kind of temple is He coming to? Are the Jews going to tear down the Dome of the Rock and build a new temple? Oh, no!... A holy temple! Christ is coming to His church! Christ is coming to His temple! Do we see that? The church is the temple. "...in whom ye are also builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Armstrong, Herbert W. Congress of Leading Ministers Hears Defined and Reemphasized Spiritual Organization of Church. Worldwide News, March 6, 1981, p. 10)
There has been much perplexity and discussion as to when the temple will be built to which Christ shall come. Malachi's prophecy speaks of Christ's second coming to His temple (Malachi 3:1-6). In Haggai's prophecy it is referred to prophetically. Zerubbabel has been sen ' t as governor of a colony to build the second temple 70 years after the destruction of Solomon's temple. He built the temple to which Jesus came, though it had been enlarged and embellished by the Roman Herod.
But speaking of this temple, as a type and forerunner of the temple to which Christ shall come at His second coming , it is written, "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the ' Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts" (Haggai 2:9). It is inconceivable that the Israelis, in the present international turmoil over their possession of old Jerusalem, could ever demolish the Arab Moslem Dome of the Rock - now on the site of Solomon ' s temple-and build a new one there of greater splendor and glory than Solomon's!
However, as the second temple Zerubbabel was building was a typical forerunner of the temple to which Christ shall come, even so Zerubbabel was the typical forerunner of one Christ would use in building the far more glorious temple to, which Christ shall come in His GLORY! Zechariah 4:9 : "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it . . .. " And as Zerubbabel's hands did finish that second temple, so shall the one Christ uses in building the temple to which He shall come in His GLORY! And the Church of God of the present day shall be a "building fitly framed together [and growing] unto an holy temple in the Lord" (Ephesians 2:21). (Armstrong HW. 7 Proofs of God's True Church. Plain Truth. August, 1979, p. 38)
Many of us are being tried and tested as NEVER BEFORE--and for our own good! But, verse 11, "from the time the daily sacrifice shall be taken away ....Consider this a moment. This does NOT imply a material temple to be built in our time in Jerusalem. It does seem to imply the Israelis may restore the daily (twice daily) sacrifice--possibly at the wailing wall. (Armstrong HW. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General's Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979, Page 2)
There has been a trend among various groups (e.g. CBCG and TPM ) to teach that a third temple is required (even one or more high level leaders in LCG seem to believe this).
And this simply is not biblically accurate. For details, check out Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?
09/09/14 p.m. There is now a new booklet available Where is the True Christian Church Today? Also, the latest CCOG sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church?
09/07/14 p.m. Just received the following links to articles translated into the Spanish language:
Iceland’s subglacial volcano erupting; any risk from Yellowstone?
Volcán subglacial de Islandia haciendo erupción, ¿Algún riesgo de Yellostone?
http://www.cdlidd.es/volcan-subglacial-de-islandia-haciendo-erupcion-algun-riesgo-de-yellowstone/6.9 Earthquake Hits Peru; Chile also Hit by Earthquake
Terremoto de 6.9 golpea al Perú; Chile golpeado también por un terremoto
http://www.cdlidd.es/terremoto-de-6-9-golpea-al-peru-chile-golpeado-tambien-por-un-terremoto/Napa hit by earthquake, scores injured
Napa golpeado por terremoto, líneas afectadas
http://www.cdlidd.es/napa-golpeado-por-terremoto-lineas-afectadas/500 earthquakes hit Iceland, today
500 terremotos golpearon a Islandia, hoy
http://www.cdlidd.es/500-terremotos-golpearon-a-islandia-hoy/Kiev says shells from Russian-side of border hit east Ukraine today, despite peace talks, and territory falls to pro-Russian separatists
Kiev dice que disparos desde el lado ruso de la frontera golpean a Ucrania oriental hoy, a pesar de conversaciones de paz, y territorio cae en poder de separatistas pro-rusos
http://www.cdlidd.es/kiev-dice-que-disparos-desde-el-lado-ruso-de-la-frontera-golpean-a-ucrania-oriental-hoy-a-pesar-de-conversaciones-de-paz-y-territorio-cae-en-poder-de-separatistas-pro-rusos/US trying to figure out how to deal with Islamic State, Chicago threatened, and 'peace promoting' Pope Francis endorses intervention
EE.UU. tratanto de establecer cómo tratar con Estado Islámico, Chicago amenazado, y el Papa Francisco 'promotor de paz' aprueba intervención
http://www.cdlidd.es/ee-uu-tratando-de-establecer-como-tratar-con-estado-islamico-chicago-amenazado-y-el-papa-francisco-promotor-de-paz-aprueba-intervencion/Stone-throwing Liberians protest Ebola travel limits, while some ministers blame Ebola on immorality
Liberianos arrojando piedras protestan contra limitaciones de viaje por Ébola, mientras algunos ministros culpan al Ébola de inmoralidad
http://www.cdlidd.es/liberianos-arrojando-piedras-protestan-contra-limitaciones-de-viaje-por-ebola-mientras-algunos-ministros-culpan-al-ebola-de-inmoralidad/Iran, Armageddon, Israel, and WWIII
Irán, Armagedón, Israel, y la III Guerra Mundial
http://www.cdlidd.es/iran-armadegon-israel-y-la-iii-guerra-mundial/Middle East war news and Temple Institute’s proposed solution
Noticias de guerra del Medio Oriente y solución propuesta por el Instituto del Templo
http://www.cdlidd.es/noticias-de-guerra-del-medio-oriente-y-solucion-propuesta-por-el-instituto-del-templo/Islamic State slaughters more and threatens drones against Israel and USA
Estado Islámico asesina más y amenaza drones contra Israel y los EE.UU.
http://www.cdlidd.es/estado-islamico-asesina-mas-y-amenaza-drones-contra-israel-y-los-ee-uu/
Former Attorney General Warns that Faith is Being Limited in UK
Antiguo Fiscal General advierte que la Fe está siendo limitada en el Reino Unido
http://www.cdlidd.es/antiguo-fiscal-general-advierte-que-la-fe-esta-siendo-limitada-en-el-reino-unido/VOA: USA defendless against treath of EMP from North Korea
VOA: EE.UU. sin defensa contra amenaza de EMP de Corea del Norte
http://www.cdlidd.es/voa-ee-uu-sin-defensa-contra-amenaza-de-emp-de-corea-del-norte/
Because of volunteer translators, Continuing Church of God is able to reach people around in the world in languages other than English.
08/30/14 a.m. In the Spring of 2013, David Pack announced that he interpreted certain biblical passages to mean that all COG members would come with him and certain 'obtructionist shepherds' would die by August 30, 2013. I denounced him as false on this prior to him being proven false.
About a week after he was proven wrong about his growth and death predictions for this date in 2013 (one source told me that I was one of three that was supposed to have died on 8/30/13), RCG's David Pack indicated that perhaps he was off by a year or less:
I will explain a week after the Feast EXACTLY what was misunderstood about the prophecy’s timing. It appears we will not be waiting a long time—not another year—for its fulfillment. (Pack D. How Long Will You Wait for God’s Prophecies? 09/06/13 http://rcg.org/sep/how-long-will-you-wait-for-gods-prophecies)
When he wrote that, I reported that David Pack was wrong. A year later, as I write this, he again is shown to be wrong. David Pack is NOT God's apostle as he has claimed. See also Why Not the Restored Church of God?
08/21/14 p.m. The following was part of today's Letter to the Brethren for the Continuing Church of God:
North Korea Reached!
In other internet news, I noticed that we have had visits from North Korea at the COGwriter.com website as verified by AWstats!
When I was with my former association, they stated that they had visitors to their websites from all nations except San Marino and North Korea.
I have not heard if they have since reached those nations, but will state that North Korea and San Marino are part of the 220 plus nations and territories that the CCOG and COGwriter.com websites have reached according to AWstats.
Years ago, I was speaking with someone who was once involved with media in the old Worldwide Church of God about reaching all nations. He told me that North Korea was about the only country that never had any Plain Truth magazine subscribers.
This long concerned me, and was one of the reasons that the cover article of the Bible News Prophecy magazine for July-September 2014 was about Korea.
A little while after that was published, we had a supporter get an article I wrote titled "What is the Gospel?" into the Korean language and posted it online at COGwriter.com: 복음이란 무엇인가?
It was my hope and prayer that this would help us get at least some witness into North Korea (cf. Matthew 24:14). Now, I have been able to verify that North Korea has been reached.
Does this mean that we are finished?
No, far from it as I believe that there will be a greater witness (Romans 9:28) just prior to the start of the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:14-21).
But reaching North Korea shows that countries with more state-control of media can be witnessed to. It also shows that by prayer, effort and God's Spirit (Zechariah 4:6-9), a little flock (Luke 12:32) with limited financial resources (cf. Acts 3:6) can go through doors that Jesus opens (cf. Revelation 3:7-8).
It is fantastic that North Korea has been reached. A greater work is still ahead and we in the Continuing Church of God are leading the final phase of the work.
08/19/14 a.m. At its website, RCG is still promoting the following:
God’s People Back Together—SOON!
Announced earlier, the most important and conclusive article I have written to the Worldwide Church of God splinters has been posted! I promise this will be the single most crucial one you will ever read. If you do not read it all, it will be the worst decision you have made since God called you. Believe this!
This came up as part of a rotating promotion by RCG. The article related article, by David Pack, included the following:
Mr. Armstrong taught:
(1) God has one, unified, organized Church, also called the Body of Christ. ...
All Will Come Here!...
History will record that The Restored Church of God gathered the flock, to be with Christ, rather than helped to scatter it—as UCG, LCG, PCG, COGwa, COGaic and so many others are doing! The distinction turns on which church has the full truth and much fruit to back up claims that God leads it, not to mention that this Church still must believe there IS only one Church.
Soon, all of God’s people will know what The Restored Church of God is. They will come to remember and recognize the Church that is the same as the one they used to know. They will return to it, or refuse and quench God’s Spirit forever. No one else is telling Christ’s brethren (YOU) this. This is in part because all other leaders have forgotten what God’s Church looks like. ...
You have been duly warned.
I state emphatically, on God’s authority, that every last person—member or minister—throughout the world who is determined not to lose God’s Spirit—certainly many thousands—is coming to The Restored Church of God.
Actually, the Bible does not teach that all true Christians will be in the same corporate organization in the end. Revelation 2 & 3 show that there will be Thyatirans, Sardisians, Philadelphians, and many Laodiceans in the end, and the implication is that the Laodiceans will be in different organizations.
Despite David Pack's appeals to writings from Herbert Armstrong, he never felt that those of Sardis were prophesied to come in the same organization and the Philadelphians, he believed the opposite.
It should be stated that people will NOT lose God's Spirit by not coming to RCG. Actually, since RCG is led by someone I doubt it truly in the Church of God, the risk of losing God's Spirit tends to increase for those who do support RCG.
For a reminder, last year, David Pack claimed that all of God's people would come to RCG by August 30, 2013, and that three obstructionist leaders would die on that date. Neither happened.
But David Pack, in my view, remains delusional, as do many who support him.
See also Why Not the Restored Church of God?
08/12/14 a.m. A translator from South America sent the following:
‘Islamic State’ takes oil field from Kurds and attacks Lebanon
'Estado Islámico' toma campo petrolero de los Kurdos y ataca a Líbano
http://www.cdlidd.es/estado-islamico-toma-campo-petrolero-de-los-kurdos-y-ataca-a-libano/German general now commands the US Army in Europe
General alemán ahora manda al ejército de los EE.UU. en Europa
http://www.cdlidd.es/general-aleman-ahora-manda-al-ejercito-de-los-ee-uu-en-europa/Israel intends to continue its military incursion, but accepts another ‘cease-fire’
Israel pretende continuar su incursión militar, pero acepta otro 'cese al fuego'
http://www.cdlidd.es/israel-pretende-continuar-su-incursion-militar-pero-acepta-otro-cese-al-fuego/Benghazi declared an ‘Islamic emirate,’ while fighting continues in Libya
Benghazi declarado un 'Estado Islamico' mientras continúan los combates en Libia
http://www.cdlidd.es/benghazi-declarado-un-estado-islamico-mientras-continuan-los-combates-en-libia/Solar destruction and the Apocalypse overdue?
Destrucción solar y el Apocalipsis atrasado?
http://www.cdlidd.es/destruccion-solar-y-el-apocalipsis-atrasado/Is evolution scientifically logical?
¿Es la evolución científicamente lógica?
http://www.cdlidd.es/es-la-evolucion-cientificamente-logicaNicodemus: A Pharisee who Knew Jesus
Nicodemus: Un fariseo que conocía a Jesús
http://www.cdlidd.es/nicodemus-un-fariseo-que-conocia-a-jesus/Ukraine trying to take back east, Russia builds up troops, Russian economy affected, and Ukrainian matter allegedly causes USA stocks to drop
Ucrania tratando de recuperar el oriente, Rusia organiza tropas, economía rusa afectada, y asunto de Ucrania supuestamente hace que mercado de acciones de los EE.UU. caiga
http://www.cdlidd.es/ucrania-tratando-de-recuperar-el-oriente-rusia-organiza-tropas-economia-rusa-afectada-y-asunto-de-ucrania-supuestamente-hace-que-el-mercado-de-acciones-de-los-ee-uu-caiga/Hiroshima bomb dropped 69 years ago
Bomba de Hiroshima lanzada hace 69 años
http://www.cdlidd.es/bomba-de-hiroshima-lanzada-hace-69-anos/Social Security or Social Insecurity?
¿Seguridad social o inseguridad social?
http://www.cdlidd.es/seguridad-social-o-inseguridad-social/Pope Francis visits Pentecostal church–a first, but part of a Babylonian plan
Papa Francisco visita iglesia Pentecostal --una primera, pero parte de un plan Babilónico
http://www.cdlidd.es/papa-francisco-visita-iglesia-pentecostal-una-primera-pero-parte-de-un-plan-babilonico/Former Catholic on reaching Catholics
Antiguo Católico sobre alcanzar a los Católicos
http://www.cdlidd.es/antiguo-catolico-sobre-alcanzar-a-los-catolicos/HWA’s third law of success: Good health
Tercera ley del éxito de HWA: Buena salud
http://www.cdlidd.es/tercera-ley-del-exito-de-hwa-buena-salud/Large Hadron Collider, Strangelets, and Destruction
Gran Colisionador Hadron, Strangelets, y destrucción
http://www.cdlidd.es/gran-colisionador-hadron-strangelets-y-destruccion/Russia requiring popular bloggers to register: A famine of the word is coming
Rusia requiriendo a bloggers populares registrarse: Un hambre de la palabra está próximo
http://www.cdlidd.es/rusia-requiriendo-a-bloggers-populares-a-registrarse-un-hambre-de-la-palabra-esta-proximo/US Army in Europe to report to a German general!
Ejército de los EE.UU. a reportarse a un general alemán!
http://www.cdlidd.es/ejercito-de-los-ee-uu-a-reportarse-a-un-general-aleman/PCG asks, ‘Will Russia Directly Intervene in Ukraine?’ Yet, PCG is still wrong on Europe
PCG pregunta, '¿Intervendrá Rusia directamente en Ucrania?' No obstante, PCG todavía está equivocada sobre Europa
http://www.cdlidd.es/pcg-pregunta-intervendra-rusia-directamente-en-ucrania-no-obstante-pcg-todavia-esta-equivocada-sobre-europa/After Pope Francis calls for action, Barack Obama bombs Iraq
Después de que el Papa Francisco llama por acción, Barack Obama bombardea Irak
http://www.cdlidd.es/despues-de-que-el-papa-francisco-llama-por-accion-barack-obama-bombardea-irak/US Congress and President hit record drops in polls; dollar risks?
Congreso y Presidente de los EE.UU. alcanzan bajas récord en las encuestas; ¿Riesgos para el dólar?
http://www.cdlidd.es/congreso-y-presidente-de-los-ee-uu-alcanzan-bajas-record-en-las-encuestas-riesgos-para-el-dolar/China moving toward one world religion! Pope to conduct mass in South Korea.
China moviéndose hacia una religión mundial! El Papa va a celebrar una misa en Corea del Sur.
http://www.cdlidd.es/china-moviendose-hacia-una-religion-mundial-el-papa-va-a-celebrar-una-misa-en-corea-del-sur/Kurds request US military weapons to fight ‘Islamic State’
Kurdos solicitan al ejército de los EE.UU. armas para combatir al 'Estado Islámico'
http://www.cdlidd.es/kurdos-solicitan-al-ejercito-de-los-ee-uu-armas-para-combatir-al-estado-islamico/Rockets and responses resume in Gaza
Cohetes y respuestas se reanudan en Gaza
http://www.cdlidd.es/cohetes-y-respuests-se-reanudan-en-gaza/Ebola hits 4 continents as death toll rises in Africa
Ébola golpea en 4 continentes en tanto que la cifra de muertos sube en África
http://www.cdlidd.es/ebola-golpea-en-4-continentes-en-tanto-que-la-cifra-de-muertos-sube-en-africa/Pope Francis on Violence, Jesus, and the Kingdom of God
Papa Francisco sobre violencia, Jesús, y el Reino de Dios
http://www.cdlidd.es/papa-francisco-sobre-violencia-jesus-y-el-reino-de-dios/Obama says he will not allow Islamic State to carve out caliphate, Islamic State wants to take Washington, D.C. and destroy NYC.
Obama dice que él no permitirá que Estado Islámico labre califato, Estado Islámico desea tomarse a Washington, D.C. y destruir a la ciudad de New York
http://www.cdlidd.es/obama-dice-que-el-no-permitira-que-estado-islamico-labre-califato-estado-islamico-desea-tomarse-a-washington-d-c-y-destruir-a-la-ciudad-de-new-york/151st anniversary of CGA’s, now CG7′s magazine
151avo. aniversario de la revista de CGA, ahora CG7
http://www.cdlidd.es/151avo-aniversario-de-la-revista-de-cga-ahora-cg7/
The English language versions for those news posts are at the Church of God News page.
As far as Spanish goes, according to AWstats, our Spanish language website, CDLIDD.es, had one of its best months ever last month. The main Spanish language website for the Continuing Church of God is CDLIDD.ES La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios.
La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios (that is the translated title of CCOG) produces a lot of materials in the Spanish language.
Approximately 414 million people speak Spanish as a native language, making it second only to Mandarin Chinese in terms of its number of native speakers worldwide. There are more than 500 million Spanish speakers as a first or second language, and 20 million students of Spanish as a foreign language. Spanish is also one of the six official languages of the United Nations, and it is used as an official language by the European Union and Mercosur.
Having materials translated into various languages helps us to go through all the ‘doors’ (cf.2 Corinthians 2:12; Revelation 3:7-13).
08/09/14 a.m. A reader from Canada, who was once part of GCG, sent the following to me today, and gave me permission to post this:
Considering the short time (two years) that the Continuing Church of God has existed, to have "a couple dozen congregations" is a fairly good achievement. You also mentioned having a few supporters scattered in [across] Canada. Recalling the history of the (original) Radio/Worldwide Church of God in Canada, the number of Canadian supporters is more than that of the WCG for the first two years they had. Radio stations, in Mr. Armstrong's time were less powerful and were barely reaching the northwestern Canada/USA border. It took several years and many more stations added across the USA before Canadians were able to listen to the "World Tomorrow" broadcast. As more stations were added to the Pacific Northwestern states, more Canadians were able 'tune in' and started to write for literature.Finally, in the 50's (I cannot recall the exact date) Mr. Armstrong sent his son Garner Ted to Vancouver to obtain a post office mail box and and open a small office there. I believe Mr. Dean Wilson was sent there to operate it and later became the first Canadian director of the Work in Canada. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Wilson several times (during the 70's) both at the Feast of Tabernacles in Penticton, BC and Victoria, BC. He also held a Personal Appearance campaign at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton. A (then) young minister, Ronald Miller sang two solos during this event. During the early years, these two men (with possibly one or two others) took a 'baptizing tour across Canada. Soon afterwards, there were bible study groups, that later became congregations in every province across Canada. My wife and I started attending WCG Edmonton in the summer of 1972. In 1975, Ron Miller baptized my wife and his ministerial assistant Clyde Killough (now president of COGWA) baptized me while they were ministers here. I would say that in 1976, the WCG in Canada reached its peak in membership. At that time in Edmonton, there were four congregations in the city with an average of 210 attending in each congregation. Calgary had two. However, as bible studies were flourishing throughout the province, they quickly became church congregations and many people, who came into Edmonton for Sabbath, started attending a congregation closer to home. We then merged Edmonton North with Edmonton West for the north side of the river and merged Edmonton East with Edmonton South for the south side of the North Saskatchewan River, which runs right through the centre of the city. Calgary did the same and went back to having only one congregation. Both cities were 'field training centres' for many Ambassador College Graduates from Big Sandy and Pasadena, and even a few from Bricket Wood. We have had somewhere between 30 and 40 ministers that spent time In fact, I could list most of their names and I am sure you would remember many of their names from COG news articles you either read about in Dixon Cartwright's Journal or your own research (for COG News) as they have surfaced in many stories. These years in the 70s were indeed exciting times. I get carried away writing or talking about this era.I will not write much more but feel it necessary to briefly mention when I left the WCG. When my sister died in 1992, I moved to Chilliwack, BC, 80 miles east of Vancouver to look after my elderly mother for seven years ... It was while I was there that the WCG started to fall apart and early in 1996, I left the WCG as did 70 percent of the Abbotsford congregation. While 'in transition' I met with others in various homes. Occasionally, I attended Global in that area, as did many of my friends who left WCG but then problems started occurring there as well. Finally, I started attending UCG in White Rock, just east of Vancouver and later a UCG congregation, although less than thirty people, was started in Abbotsford, which was closer to Chilliwack. ...That briefly tells the story of the church situation in western Canada, and a little bit of my own COG experience.
The writer wanted me to add that this was the recollection of events to the best of his knowledge, but that he felt it accurately represented what happened with him and various others in Canada.
08/01/14 a.m. Harold Smith of CGFnw listed the following as "Signs of a Laodicean":
Sign #1: Negligence/Carelessness
Sign #2: Materialistic
Sign #3: Spiritually Stagnant
Sign #4: Lack of Humility
Sign #5: Unrepentant
Sign #6: Weak in Faith
He is basically right that those are signs of a Laodicean. But the problem is that those are signs that Laodiceans do not tend to even consider are issues, so they are not likely to change simply hearing them.
However, one area that Harold Smith neglected to mention is that Jesus condemned the Laodiceans for their lukewarm work. Notice what Jesus told the Laodiceans:
14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked — 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 3:14-22)
Any with eyes to see and ears to hear can see that the bulk of those once part of the old GCG have not been effective reaching many people with their works.
Only three such groups that I am aware of have had any serious reach.
One, RCG, is led by someone that I have strong doubts about whether he is in the Church of God at all. Another, LCG, has made many Laodicean moves and taken many Laodicean positions. And the third, CCOG is reaching people with the work without those problems, yet most once part of GCG do not wish to accept the facts on that. Which goes back to Harold Smith's list.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from lower level leaders?
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
07/25/14 p.m. CEG announced today that its next sermon is expected to be on faith. Interestingly, I would like to announce that CCOG now has translated its two booklets, one of which in on faith into the Spanish language.
Here is a link to the English version of the booklet Continuing History of the Church of God and here now is a link to the Spanish version of the booklet: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios.
Here is a link to the English version of the booklet Faith for Those God has Called and Chosen and here now is a link to the Spanish version of the booklet Fe para aquellos que Dios ha llamado y escogido.
Those interested in a sermon on faith may wish to watch the following: Faith for the Called and Chosen.
07/15/14 a.m. Spoke with a man who was recently part of RCG late yesterday.
He brought up his view that David Pack and RCG are highly focused on money. So much so, he stated that a disabled person had been told by an RCG representative that he had to get a job so he could have more tithes/offerings to give to RCG. He said this person was told that if he did not, although he would still be allowed to attend RCG services, that he would not be granted salvation.
The individual I spoke with was horrified by this, and then quoted Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast." He realized that RCG added a non-biblical requirement for salvation. He also mentioned other problems associated with David Pack and RCG.
While I knew that David Pack has long been obsessed with money, what I was told yesterday was even worse than I had heard before.
Years ago, in late 2007, David Pack basically told people to get into debt and cash out any retirement savings they had to give to him so he could build an impressive headquarters (see also David Pack of the Restored Church of God Declares: “Go get those assets and get them here”). David Pack indicated that this would be signal for all in the various COGs to come to him.
David Pack later (in the Spring and Summer of 2013) stated that would happen by August 30, 2013. Of course, that date was proven to have been in error. But the obsession with money has not let up within RCG. An article of related interest would be Why Not the Restored Church of God?
07/12/14 p.m. LCG had the following read in its anouncements today:
From the Presiding Evangelist
Dear Brethren,
I am very pleased to announce to you our plan to distribute an updated version of Mr. Ivor Fletcher’s thorough and well-written book on Church history. His book is titled, The Incredible History of God’s True Church, and some of you may remember this book from the 1980s...
Please note: This is not an “official” Living Church of God publication and we are very aware that there are some technical details in Church history over which sincere Christians may disagree. But we feel that this book is, overall, the most balanced and helpful book on the entire history of the true Church of God available. It describes much of our heritage as a Church. So you and I can be thankful to Mr. Ivor Fletcher for his conscientious effort in producing this history.
We plan to offer one hard-cover copy per household at the Feast of Tabernacles this year.
Once again, LCG is going to print and distribute a book on COG history that it knows contains errors (which are being excused as "technical details"). It does not wish to call it official, but does wish to pay to produce a book to give to all who attend its official Feast of Tabernacles' sites.
I told LCG for years that its other book on COG history contained major errors and perpetuated Catholic myths (see October 2012 Emails Related to GCA Booklet), so this new book probably will not have as many of those type of errors.
It should be noted that the many 'technical details' that LCG is wrong about prophetically (as shown in various of its publications) will prevent those who hold to them to know when the Great Tribulation will begin.
I do not believe that it is Philadelphian for a church to print and distribute books, basically intended to be about itself, that it knows contain errors (cf. 1 Timothy 3:15; Jeremiah 48:10). That is something that is not 'hot,' but appears, at best, to be lukewarm (cf. Revelation 3:14-22). God's work is supposed to be done in truth per Psalm 33:4.
The points I raised about LCG and its literature errors have long been correct. While LCG may be finally correcting some, it should try to correct them all and not intentionally produce literature that it knows contains error (see also Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God). The fact that it does not seem to be able to resolve the 'errors' internally suggests that it is not as unified as it tries to portray. Yet, whether or not it is unified, the reality is that I believe that LCG is a Laodicean COG and the announcement read in its services today is proof for any with eyes to see and ears to hear (cf. Matthew 11:15-16).
Here is a link to a booklet on Church history put out by the Continuing Church of God that does not contain any known historical errors: Continuing History of the Church of God.
07/11/14 a.m. LCG just sent out the following:
Bible prophecy reveals that the final leader of the end-time European Beast power will be an influential person who is both self-confident and arrogant (Daniel 11:36-39). This charismatic leader will lead ten nations who give their "power and authority" over to him (Revelation 17:12-13). (A Young Face Among Old European Leaders. TW News & Prophecy, July 11, 2014)
LCG continues to insist on its 'ten nations' position. Those who hold to that will not possibly know when the Great Tribulation will begin if the final European Beast power consists of more than 10 or 11 nations. Here is what it reported in May 2014:
In recent years, as the EU grew to 27 members, skeptics criticized the biblical idea that ten nations would form the nucleus of a final Beast power in Europe (Daniel 2:41-43). However, the Bible clearly states that at the time of the end, “ten kings… will give their power and authority to the beast” (Revelation 17:12-13). If this Beast is led by a particular nation (e.g., Germany), then the total number involved could well be 11! While it is not yet clear which nations will make up the final Beast power prophesied by Daniel and the Apostle John, world events indicate that a group of 10 or 11 nations coalescing to form the final Beast power is not far-fetched, fictional, or even a far-off idea-it is a soon-coming reality! (TW News & Prophecy, May 16, 2014).
The idea of ten currently existing nations is NOT a biblical idea. Neither Daniel 2:41-43 nor Revelation 17:12 use the Herbew or Greek terms for nations in conjunction with the words for ten. Although LCG is referring to Daniel, the number of toes in Daniel 2 is ten, not eleven. The European Union currently has 28 member nations.
FWIW, the idea that this final configuration was limited to ten nations was NOT the position of the old Worldwide Church of God: