Church of God News

Living Church of God Sign & Family, In Charlotte, NC, January 2008

COGwriter

With all the dissent in UCG right now, I thought the following news item that came out on AOL today was of somewhat amusing interest:

Charlotte Ascends as Top Place to Live

Relocate-America.com ranks top 100 cities in its annual list

By AMY HOAK,

Marketwatch.com

CHICAGO (May 15) — Apparently, there’s just something about North Carolina. For the second year in a row, America’s best city in which to live lies within its borders, according to Relocate-America.com’s annual list.

This year, Charlotte, N.C., is in the top spot, the site announced this week…

Areas need to be nominated on the site in order to be eligible for the list; more than 2,000 were nominated this year, Nickerson said. Special efforts are made to prevent spamming campaigns from influencing the results, he added.

But the site’s editorial team also takes into account an area’s growth, its educational and employment opportunities, crime rates and housing options before granting it a spot in the top 100. Environmental highlights also play a role, with a city gaining points for good air and water quality or the strength of its recycling efforts, Nickerson said.

Source: http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/charlotte-ascends-as-top-place-to-live/20080515160609990001?icid=1615984945x1202945870x1200307245

Charlotte is where the headquarters of the Living Church of God is located.

And while I doubt many with UCG are interested enough in Philadelphia-era governance, the few that are might want to reconsider where they fellowship.

Have YOU considered Charlotte?  If not, perhaps you may wish to consider the faithful, non-Laodicean,  church located there.

Several articles of possible related interest may include:

Herbert W. Armstrong and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
What is a True Philadelphian? Many claim to be part of the Philadelphia era of the Church, but is claiming enough? This article has biblical and historical evidence about who really are the Philadelphians.
Attending the Church of Choice This article discusses whose choice is important to worship God; should you attend the church of your choice or the church of God’s choice?
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it?
18 Truths Restored to the Churches of God Herbert W. Armstrong wrote that he felt he had restored at least 18 lost truths to the Church, here is Herbert W. Armstrong’s list given 12/17/83. This articles also has links to show that these truths were believed by professors of Christ in earlier times, hence they were not some invention of Herbert Armstrong.
Do You Believe God Used Herbert W. Armstrong to Raise Up the Philadelphia Era of the Church of God? Nearly everyone while in WCG used to believe this, most do not seem to anymore.
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.

Has Winter Hit UCG in the Spring?

COGwriter

In its UCG Weekly news and updates from www.ucg.org :: May 22, 2008 email, that email left out any news or comments about its council meetings. But apparently, that has not stopped UCG elder Joel Meeker for making his own comments.

Before getting into that news, I perhaps should mention that UCG has two councils. A Council of Elders (further referred to as the Council), normally consisting of about a dozen leaders, who tend to run UCG (or at least manage its president who is supposed to have the day-to-day administrative responsibilities).

UCG also has a General Council of Elders (GCE), which consists of basically all the credentialled and accepted elders in UCG. In theory, it is the General Council of Elders which actually have the power to completely run/change any aspect of UCG. But the Council has often been less than pleased with some of the decisions (and what it sometimes senses as stalls) from the GCE.

The following is from Gavin Rumney’s site where it is claimed that this came from a UCG elders’ online forum. Since I have never gone to a UCG elders’ forum, I will presume that perhaps it checks identities–but even if not, and even if Joel Meeker did not write this, this report does seem to show some dissent in UCG over the latest incidents (for prior details please see UCG Keeps Aaron Dean on Council and Votes to Rescind Texas Move and UCG Reports on Its COE Meeting):

To: [UCG Elders Forum]

Sent: Thu, 22 May 2008 5:27 am

Subject: EF: Requiem for truth and honor

Joel Meeker, Milford OH

There have been times in the history of the United Church of God when I’ve been very proud of this association. There have been times when we’ve come through trials or temptations with our heads high, and our GCE or COE or particular leaders have performed with distinction.

But now we’ve disgraced ourselves as a body and I for one am ashamed to be part of this General Conference of Elders.

Last year we prayed and fasted and voted on relocation and it was finally approved by 7 votes. This year we were assured that revisiting the decision would bring unity and closure and everyone would be “brought on board.” We fasted and prayed and the relocation was canceled by 10 votes. So far I haven’t heard anyone who was so morally indignant last year, complain about this obvious lack of consensus; that this decision was made by such a slender margin. But that wouldn’t be due to a double standard, or situation ethics….

This year 9 fewer men voted against the move, 34 fewer men voted to support the relocation. So 43 men, nearly 10% of our GCE, were discouraged enough or disgusted enough or far enough along in the process of disengaging from the GCE that they didn’t vote this year when they had last year. Thank you for the new unity, and for getting everyone on board. Or is that silence you hear the sound of some more saints having been worn out?

What does this prove: that 10 is more than 7 so God has finally spoken? Does God work through misinformation, innuendo, and railing accusations against the brothers we have chosen for our administration? Does He accomplish His will through furtive slanderous internet forums and personal attacks? I guess we’re supposed to believe so. Thus far those who were in favor of the relocation have generally behaved with decorum and respect, so I expect this issue will remain a dead letter now for some time. Some elders do have a sense of propriety and shame. Would that it had been so with those who worked so hard, with so much misleading misinformation to defeat it. Yes, I’m ashamed to be part of an association that supposedly repudiates factions – where a faction can behave with such cunning ruthlessness and contempt for the truth, and still win its own will.

The most telling blow and the most shameful to us, however, is that an elder who blatantly defied the lawful decision of our president – made in the best interest of the Church, a man who according to the Council showed no repentance or remorse and stated plainly he might do the same thing again any time he chose, who thereby soiled all respect for our rules, our policies, our leaders and anyone who doesn’t agree with his own personal view of “God’s will,” a man who was censured by our COE – an unprecedented act of sanction and disgrace – for his actions and his attitude; that man we have blithely reelected to serve on our Council of Elders.

Shame on him. But even more than that, shame on us.

I suppose we get the leaders we deserve. We shall drink deeply of that cup.

We have just crossed a moral line. I don’t believe we can ever go back to the ethics and principle-driven values we at least tried to have before. Populist politics have taken over – just like in the world; we have espoused a post-modern, emotion-driven worldview. A majority of our balloting elders have shown they will not support the consensus of the GCE if they don’t feel like it. They have shown that they will listen to mud-slinging and vituperation and even lies, mixed with generous helpings of fawning and flattery and they will willingly cooperate.

They have shown that they don’t care about rules or codes if they don’t feel like it, even if we’ve all previously agreed to abide by them. They have besmirched our ministerial code of ethics by reelecting a defiant, self-willed man to the Council.

Either that or they were just duped. And that would scarcely bode any better for the future of this association.

I believe this is the beginning of the end for the United Church of God as we have known it. The fissures caused by the moral earthquake we all just felt will no doubt be papered over for a while and we will be assured that all is well in the best of worlds. Great trees don’t fall in an instant, but the cracking sound is getting louder. Some of you have sown the wind; you will in time reap the whirlwind. God is not mocked. In the meanwhile, may God have mercy on His people; they deserve better.

The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

From: Joel Meeker

To: [UCG Elders Forum]

Sent: Thu, 22 May 2008 6:25 am

Subject: EF: Post may be shared

Joel Meeker Milford OH

My post of this morning may be shared in accordance with our EF rules.

Now while I am not part of UCG, it is sad when any COG has problems. Yet, UCG’s form of governance is pretty much guaranteed to cause a variety of issues–including the bind it is now in regarding its move (see also UCG Keeps Aaron Dean on Council and Votes to Rescind Texas Move).

Back in March 2008, the COGwriter site reported that UCG’s Council was attempting to prevent what it termed “bloc voting” (please see United Church of God COE on Bloc Voting, Finances, and Doctrinal Changes) and I believed even back then that this was partially intended to stop the re-election of Aaron Dean to the Council–though if that was part of the reason then it obviously back-fired.

FWIW, perhaps I should add that I knew more about the Aaron Dean censure than The Journal announced (for The Journal announcement, please see United Church of God Council Censures Elder Aaron Dean), I knew about a long time before The Journal announced it in May 2008, and I felt based on information I knew before then (which I still have not posted) that Aaron Dean should NOT have been censured.

What ramifications all of this will have for UCG is still, however, not clear. Of course as the post from the elder’s forum stated:

I suppose we get the leaders we deserve. We shall drink deeply of that cup.

I perhaps will add that I disagree with the poster (apparently Joel Meeker) when he indicated that Aaron Dean “blatantly defied the lawful decision of our president“–the poster either did not have all the facts or chose to view them in a way differently than I have.

UCG’s governance has always been a disappointment to me as it clearly repudiated the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong and other Philadelphia Era Church of God leaders in this area.

Several articles of possible related interest may include:

Herbert W. Armstrong and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
What is a True Philadelphian? Many claim to be part of the Philadelphia era of the Church, but is claiming enough? This article has biblical and historical evidence about who really are the Philadelphians.
Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees? Discusses similarities of the Sadducees and Pharisees to various COGs in this end-time.
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 evangelists?
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.

The crystal skull at the British Museum, similar in dimensions to the more detailed Mitchell-Hedges skull.

COGwriter

Today, the first “Indiana Jones” movie in many years titled, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull., is being released.

It seems to built upon a legend that various crystal skulls are ancient, perhaps came from aliens, and will affect the course of the planet–and possibly cause doom or save the planet from doom.

Here is what one website states about crystal skulls:

Crystal skulls vary in size from a few inches to the size of a human head, or bigger. The age of a skull can be equated not so much to the year it was carved, or the place of origin, but to the age of the crystal from which it was created, some crystals being thousands of years old, while others are more contemporary. Crystal skulls are most often associated with ancient Mesoamerican cultures, especially the Maya which takes us to the Mayan Long Calendar and related prophecies…

Crystal skulls are tools that awaken human consciousness…

There are many theories about 13 crystals skulls that will come together soon, as human consciousness remembers its soul’s purpose and all evolves in the alchemy of time.

• 13 crystal skulls were left behind by a sophisticated Hollow Earth society who left thirteen “master skulls” which contain around the planet the history of these people, their relationship to our creation, and the future of humanity.
• 13 crystal skulls were left behind thousands of years ago, by ancient Mayan elders, to be found by future generations. These skulls are containers of great knowledge and wisdom holding information about the history of the planet, the evolution of mankind, and above all, our purpose on this Earth and our future destiny. The legend says that one day, at a time of great crises, all of the 13 crystal skulls will be discovered and reunited. When that time comes the information will be divulged to humanity, who will be ready to understand it.
• 13 life-size crystal skulls scattered throughout the planet that will one day be brought together, forming a grid matrix that will allow human consciousness to evolve and return to its natural state of light. Some of the skulls are allegedly in the hands of indigenous people, shaman perhaps, who are custodians of the artifacts, while other crystal skulls remain in the hands of those who are not yet aware of their importance.
• 12 people, along with their crystal skulls, will be guided to a specific place, when the time is right, most likely the Yucatan. No one seems to know exactly when or where that will, though the time feels soon. The location of the 13th skull is most likely unknown at this time. Theories abound from a link to extraterrestrials, to buried beneath the ground, to it will manifest when time is resequenced, to being hidden by ancient Mayan elders. When placed together, the crystal skulls will form a grid matrix (reality is a consciousness holographic matrix) aligned with the 13th skull, allowing human consciousness to ascend (return) to its natural state of being, light….

Crystal skulls are primarily linked to the ancient Mayans as so many skulls are found in Mesoamerica. The Maya take us to Quetzalcoatl and the Mayan Calendar prophecy of December 21, 2102 as an end time date for the programmed reality in which we experience at this level of conscious awareness.

The most widely celebrated and mysterious crystal skull is the Mitchell-Hedges Skull, for at least two reasons. First, it is very similar in form to an actual human skull, even featuring a fitted removable jawbone. Most known crystal skulls are of a more stylized structure, often with unrealistic features and teeth that are simply etched onto a single skull piece. Second, it is impossible to say how the Mitchell-Hedges skull was constructed. From a technical standpoint, it appears to be an impossible object which today’s most talented sculptors and engineers would be unable to duplicate. The discovery of the Mitchell-Hedges crystal skull, sometimes referred to as the “Skull of Doom”, is a controversial matter, and reads like a sci-fi action adventure film.

The skull was made from a single, unusually large block of clear quartz crystal, and measured 5 inches high, 7 inches long, and 5 inches wide, weighing 11 pounds, 7 ounces. It closely corresponds in size to a small human cranium, with near perfect detail, even to rendering the skull without the globular prominence or superciliary ridges, which are characteristics of a female. Source: http://www.crystalinks.com/crystalskulls.html

Of course, the truth is that the discovery of crystal skulls of itself, will not change the destiny of humankind. Furthermore, although determining the actual age of crystalline objects like these skulls seems to be impossible, most sources I have checked with have concluded that they are fake.

Here, for one example, is some of what is published online at Archeology.org:

Crystal skulls have undergone serious scholarly scrutiny, but they also excite the popular imagination because they seem so mysterious. Theories about their origins abound. Some believe the skulls are the handiwork of the Maya or Aztecs, but they have also become the subject of constant discussion on occult websites. Some insist that they originated on a sunken continent or in a far-away galaxy. And now they are poised to become archaeological superstars thanks to our celluloid colleague Indiana Jones, who will tackle the subject of our research in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull…

These exotic carvings are usually attributed to pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures, but not a single crystal skull in a museum collection comes from a documented excavation, and they have little stylistic or technical relationship with any genuine pre-Columbian depictions of skulls, which are an important motif in Mesoamerican iconography…

Although nearly all of the crystal skulls have at times been identified as Aztec, Toltec, Mixtec, or occasionally Maya, they do not reflect the artistic or stylistic characteristics of any of these cultures. The Aztec and Toltec versions of death heads were nearly always carved in basalt, occasionally were covered with stucco, and were probably all painted. They were usually either attached to walls or altars, or depicted in bas reliefs of deities as ornaments worn on belts. They are comparatively crudely carved, but are more naturalistic than the crystal skulls, particularly in the depiction of the teeth. The Mixtec occasionally fabricated skulls in gold, but these representations are more precisely described as skull-like faces with intact eyes, noses, and ears. The Maya also carved skulls, but in relief on limestone. Often these skulls, depicted in profile, represent days of their calendars.

French and other European buyers imagined they were buying skillful pre-Columbian carvings, partially convinced perhaps by their own fascinated horror with Aztec human sacrifice. But the Aztecs didn’t hang crystal skulls around their necks. Instead, they displayed the skulls of sacrificial victims on racks, impaling them horizontally through the sides (the parietal-temporal region), not vertically.

I believe that all of the smaller crystal skulls that constitute the first generation of fakes were made in Mexico around the time they were sold, between 1856 and 1880. This 24-year period may represent the output of a single artisan, or perhaps a single workshop. The larger 1878 Paris skull seems to be some sort of transitional piece, as it follows the vertical drilling of the smaller pieces, but its size precludes it being a bead, or being worn in any way. This skull now resides in the basement laboratories of the Louvre, and the Musée du Quai Branly has begun a program of scientific testing on the piece that will include advanced elemental analysis techniques like particle induced X-ray emission and Raman spectroscopy, so we may know more about its material and age in the near future…

The skull that arrived at the Smithsonian 16 years ago represents yet another generation of these hoaxes…

Jane MacLaren Walsh is an anthropologist at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History

The fact is that the “Indiana Jones” movie will probably do quite well, and despite evidence to the contrary, some people will believe that crystal skulls may signal doom or improvement upon the planet.

The truth is that the end will come when it is to come, and biblically there is no reason to believe that crystal skulls have anything to do with it.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans and the Hindu Indians (who were not even on the same continent). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin?

The Strength of Dollars Have Long Been Part of the “Pride of the Power” of the USA (which will be broken per Leviticus 26:19)

COGwriter

Yesterday, PCG posted the following by its Robert Morley titled Road to an Inflation Nation:

The world is going through an economic power shift not experienced since America defeated the ussr in the Cold War to become the globe’s only superpower. Only this time, America is on the losing end. Fareed Zakaria, writing for Newsweek, called this power shift the “Rise of the Rest.” In biblical terminology, it is called “the times of the Gentiles.”

The evidence is becoming apparent in many areas. For example:

• The dollar is on its way to becoming the most disliked currency in the world. Since the U.S. Dollar Index’s peak in 1985, its value has plunged by over 57 percent, hitting the lowest level in its history last March. And since the late 1990s, the ratio of dollars held by foreign nations as reserves has also been declining. As the dollar’s value continues to erode, so does its status as the global reserve currency.

• America’s banking system has a stained reputation and, if truth be told, might be largely insolvent. If it wasn’t for the massive multi-billion-dollar bailouts over the past year by Singapore, Dubai, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, some of America’s biggest banks including Citi Group, Merrill Lynch, and Morgan Stanley may have already died. Bear Stearns is already dead.

• Government debts are out of control. The federal government has not balanced a budget since Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, it relies on foreigners to fund current expenditures, and if Social Security and Medicare commitments were accounted for using generally accepted accounting principles, the government would be insolvent too. USA Today says federal liabilities exceed $59 trillion—and the total federal budget for 2008 was only 2.9 trillion. U.S. government debt levels are proportional to a family with an annual income of $50,000 owing over $1 million.

• Economic growth in America compared to the rest of the world is anemic. For example, in 2006 and 2007, 124 countries grew their economies at over 4 percent a year—including more than 30 African nations. China and India grew at over 10 percent a year. Meanwhile, the U.S. grew at 2.2 percent in 2007 and at 0.6 percent last quarter. Even stodgy old Europe is now growing faster than America.

But perhaps the most compelling evidence is the deterioration of the U.S. government’s credit rating.

“On the basis of credit default swaps, which are used to speculate on a government’s ability to repay debt, the 10-year note reached a record high of 16 basis points on March 12,” reports Daily Reckoning economist Bill Bonner. “German bonds traded at 15 basis points, also a record” (emphasis mine throughout). What that means is that the market thinks there is greater risk of America defaulting on its bonds than Germany.

What does it tell you about America’s financial condition when the cost to insure its debt is pricier than insuring Germany’s—a nation about a quarter of the size of the U.S. that has instigated and lost two world wars and has resorted to indiscriminately printing money to pay its creditors in the past?

It means that America is in far worse economic condition than is generally perceived—and that is quite significant considering the well-publicized housing market bust and banking turmoil…

When home prices were rising, cities raked in piles of cash as property taxes soared. But now, according to the Globe and Mail, “With housing values plummeting—down 19 percent in January, year over year—so are tax assessments, and thus, revenues.” But even though revenues are falling, the expanded programs and the borrowing initiated during the housing boom years still need to be paid for. Coupled with lost construction, lending, and real-estate jobs, and rising wage pressures, councils are feeling the pinch. And for many states, this is really only year one of the housing bust.

Over the next couple of years, many cities could easily face default. Large centers such as Detroit and Cleveland, where half of all subprime mortgages are ending in foreclosure, could also come under pressure to drastically cut services and jobs to balance budgets in the years ahead.

State budgets are being punished too. California has already declared a state of fiscal emergency due to an expected deficit of around $20 billion over the next 12 to 15 months. And on the East Coast, Rhode Island is experiencing its worst budget crisis in years. Rhode Island is terminating welfare benefits to families of 3,400 children; it has released nonviolent criminals out of prison early; it has slashed health care benefits for state employees—and next year’s budget deficit is projected to be more than twice as severe.

Other housing bubble epicenters like Florida, Arizona and New Mexico could be next. Unfortunately, they may not be alone. Twenty-four other states are facing budget shortfalls for the 2009 fiscal year, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a liberal research group in Washington…

“[F]or the first time in modern history there are grave doubts about the very viability of our money,” says economic analyst Richard Russel. “Even during the Great Depression, nobody doubted the value of a dollar. The dollar was ‘as good as gold.’ The only problem was—nobody had dollars.”

“Today it’s a different story,” he says. “Today there are too many dollars around—but the world is questioning the viability of the U.S. dollar. … The wonder is that the dollar is viable at all.”

And the announcement that the Federal Reserve Bank injected another $200 billion into the banking system on March 11 is not providing the confidence that it was intended to either…

The road to inflation nation ends in food riots, wheelbarrows of paper notes, and billion-dollar postage stamps. Unfortunately, that’s the road America is choosing to travel.

The fact is that the USA is in decline. And while it DOES need change, the type of changes I heard in a speech from one of the major presidential candidates (who is probably the most likely one to become the USA president) will NOT fix this decline. I believe that no matter which of the three wins, the decline will continue (though the decline may happen faster or slower depending upon who wins).

Americans need to repent, accept the true Christ of the Bible, and begin to produce more than they spend (or as Herbert W. Armstrong basically put it, live the way of give as opposed the way of get).

As this does not seem likely, massive inflation, future economic upheavels, weather disasters, disease epidemics, terrors, and the destruction of the USA followed by the slavery of surviving its peoples is what it has in store.

But this does NOT have to happen to YOU. YOU can repent and if God determines that you are Philadelphian, He has a plan that will allow your protection.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin?
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
The Bible: Fact or Fiction? This is a booklet written by Douglas Winnail that answers if the Bible is just a collection of myths and legends or the inspired word of God.
Read the Bible Christians should read the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading.
Were the Pharisees Condemned for Keeping the Law or Reasoning Around it? Many believe that the Pharisees were condemned for keeping the law, but what does your Bible say? If they were not condemned for that, what were they condemned for?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.

Barack Obama

COGwriter

In the latest issue of Tomorrow’s World magazine, LCG’s Roderick C. Meredith wrote the following:

In the very thick of the United States’ election season, many Americans have lost sight of the Big Picture! Where is the U.S. really headed? Are any of the current presidential candidates even remotely capable of solving the truly massive problems that will certainly confront the next U.S. President?

Furthermore, those few Americans who are genuinely willing to believe and trust the God of the Bible may ask: is our vaunted “democratic process” really the best way to run a nation?

Few realize that—partly because of democracy—the U.S. is headed for a financial catastrophe unless major changes occur! As Election Day approaches, will either the Democratic or Republican nominee have the boldness to tell citizens just how serious the problem really is—and how it must affect each of them in the pocketbook?

Four years ago, neither major candidate had such nerve. As USA Today pointed out in a front page article shortly before the 2004 election: “American taxpayers have a hidden debt of at least $53 trillion [Emphasis ours] in government obligations, mostly from Medicare, Social Security and the federal debt. This debt equals $473,456 per household, dwarfing the $84,454 in personal debt per household owed for mortgages, car loans and other borrowing. The federal government would have to double taxation or cut benefits in half immediately to make good on its promises of providing health care and pension benefits for retirees in the coming decades. Both major political parties and the presidential candidates have avoided confronting the problem for fear of angering voters” (October 4, 2004).

Has anything really changed? Of course, the actual debt has grown larger—USA Today not long ago reported that the debt figure had increased to $516,348 per household. A colossal financial “iceberg” is about to hit “Battleship America,” and possibly even sink it, but the “fear of angering voters” will likely keep this issue out of public view again this election year!

Why?

Because, in our modern “democracies” (whether pure democracies or representative republics), politicians must be very selective about which facts they tell the voters. Generally, they must tell people only what they want to hear—whether it is true or not. When politicians confront the public with too much reality, it usually amounts to committing political suicide! The most successful politicians are usually the ones who promise the most: “I’ll cut your taxes and still give you greater benefits.” That is “democracy at work.”

Most people simply do not realize the flaws of human democracy.

In this morning’s news, the campaign of Barack Obama is reported as stating:

“A clear majority of elected delegates will send an unmistakable message — the people have spoken, and they are ready for change,” Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said in an e-mail message to supporters. http://news.aol.com/elections/story/_a/obama-to-reach-delegate-milestone/20080519210609990001?icid=1616058736x1202742061x1200306149

And it is extremely likely that Barack Obama will receive the Democratic nomination for the US presidency.

There seems to be an unusual Kenyan “prophecy” that indicates that a “son of Kenya” (Barack Obama’s father was Kenyan) will be responsible for enough change to result in the destruction of the United States (please see Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States). Whether or not that is true, it is certainly possible that the Great Tribulation will begin within the next 8 years (before the end of the next two USA presidential terms).

While I believe that both Barack Obama and John McCain (the Republican presumptive nominee) are well intentioned, I do not believe either has a real clue on how to properly change the direction of the United States. And I believe that without massive repentance, the destruction of the United States will likely occur next decade.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. This is a subject Christians need to understand.
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans and the Hindu Indians (who were not even on the same continent). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin?

Has Winter Hit UCG in the Spring?

COGwriter

Late this morning, the following was on UCG’s official members’ website:

The annual General Conference of Elders meeting included a special Sabbath service May 17. President Clyde Kilough gave a sermon on spiritual maturity that was heard by an estimated 5,400 members. There were 196 elders and 146 elders’ wives registered for the conference, and 90 congregations were on phone hookups. There were also 401 video Web connections, 53 English audio connections and nine Spanish connections…

Mr. Dick introduced the 14 elders of United Church of God ordained or credentialed since last year: Bill and Joanna Bradford, David Campbell, Grant and Kim Chick, Fred and Sandy Davidson, Ed and RaeAnn Dowd, Michael and Angelene Erickson, Kossi and Delali Fiaboé, Charles and Kaye Haughee, Ralph and Ingrid Helge, Bill and Ronnie Kubon, Tony and Brenda Levy, Antonio and Christine Ndung’u, Jerrison and Nice Shachoongo and Terry and Linda Swagerty…

Keynote Address

After the balloting, Mr. Dick gave the keynote address. He asked, “Is the theme ‘Going on to Perfection’ a platitude or a precept”—a set of marching orders? “What have I done that is worth something to God?” He gave James 1:27, Psalm 15 and Job 29:12-17 as examples of the priorities that really matter.

Mr. Dick mentioned the problem identified early in United’s history, “We have not always treated one another in a godly manner.” He commented on some of United’s successes, including creating appeals processes, the peaceful transitions of power in UCG offices, teen summer camp program, the long-range planning for retiree care and the relations with those of other churches…

Mr. Kilough thanked Tom Kirkpatrick for his years of service as treasurer. He then introduced the new treasurer, Jason Lovelady…

Mr. Franks also gave the following statistics: There has been a 1.5 percent increase in U.S. church attendance for the year (about 200 more people). Average attendance is 11,430. High attendance was 13,374 for the First Day of Unleavened Bread. There’s been a decrease of two pastors (89 to 87), and the number will likely drop to 85 soon because of retirements. At the high, United had 125 pastors.

Mr. Franks also reported on education programs such as Ambassador Bible Center, which is expanding to a nine-month program and will be featured in a video in the next few weeks. He mentioned that Ministerial Services is doing ABC, World News and Prophecy, focused education and marriage seminars. Sabbath youth instruction and Festival youth instruction lessons are being rewritten. Mr. Franks also discussed the United Youth Corps and the ministerial development programs.

Mr. Franks concluded that we are seeing real growth, even if not large, and that we face an aging ministry. Christ said to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send more laborers. Pray for the zeal and passion to do the work…

Mr. Salyer quoted from Herbert W. Armstrong’s editorial policy and said it is even more relevant today…

Ballot Results

An outside auditing firm oversaw the ballot counting, and Mr. Dick read the preliminary ballot results at the end of the day.

The General Conference of Elders selected Paul Kieffer (international) and Aaron Dean, Darris McNeely and Robin Webber to the Council of Elders.

The Strategic Plan was ratified with 287 yes and 72 no.

The Operation Plan was ratified with 280 yes and 79 no.

The budget was ratified with 270 yes and 91 no.

The Amendment to Bylaws 12.2.2.11 and 12.2.2.12 (allowing statements of support for amendments to be included with the call and notice packet) was approved. The other four proposed amendments were not approved.

The resolution to rescind the 2007 GCE vote to relocate the home office to Texas was approved with 186 yes and 176 no.

However, no comments were included to what this vote to rescind the move to Texas will mean. It may simply be that UCG will have to set up a committee to look into what to do.

Perhaps it can sell or somehow stop itself from acquiring the Texas property or perhaps it will hold on to it until it can make a stronger case to its General Council of Elders (GCE–its local elders).

I did find it a bit odd that UCG’s Chairman Robert Dick mentioned UCG’s successes as “creating appeals processes, the peaceful transitions of power in UCG offices, teen summer camp program, the long-range planning for retiree care and the relations with those of other churches” as opposed to baptisms, public pronouncements, or other fruits of having a biblical work to the world.

An article of possibly related interest may be:

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 evangelists?

Has Winter Hit UCG in the Spring?

COGwriter

This morning, the following was on UCG Council member Victor Kubik’s website:

BALLOT RESULTS FOR THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF ELDERS:

Elected to the Council of Elders:

International: Paul Kieffer
US: Aaron Dean, Darris McNeely, Robin Webber

Motion to rescind the 2007 GCE resolution to relocate in Texas: For: 186
Against: 176

What is strange is that UCG itself did not have anything posted yet on its web page for COE updates when I checked around the same time this morning. I presume that they will do so relatively soon.

UCG’s Council had attempted, in my opinion, to put Aaron Dean in a negative light and some apparently hoped that he would not be re-elected (please see United Church of God Council Censures Elder Aaron Dean).

The Gavin Rumney’s site reported that the following lost their seats on UCG’s Council:

Gone: Leon Walker, Jim Franks and Larry Salyer. A power shift perhaps from the hardliners to the “progressives”?

Although I would not characterize Larry Salyer as a hard-liner (and I believe that Leon Walker was probably intending to leave the Council based upon earlier statements from him), the changes may certainly change the future direction of UCG.  (And no, I do not believe any of the three of those listed as now being out are likely to ever be with LCG–though perhaps one, who I will not publicly mention here, might be possible.)

But it is this motion to rescind the move to Texas may, in the short-term, really hurt UCG. Notice what UCG reported in its United Church News in January 2008:

On Jan. 4, 2008, the United Church of God signed the closing documents on the new property in Texas.

This purchase is an important step in relocating the home office, a decision that was first discussed during the Council of Elders meeting in December 2006, brought forward as a proposal and approved by the Council in February 2007 and ratified by the General Conference of Elders in May 2007…

At 81.5 acres, we now have more acreage than is presently needed on which to build a home office complex. This assures that the Church will have the capacity into the distant future to expand its facilities to accommodate future growth God may give even beyond ways we can envision at this time.

The development currently on the planning table includes a building for administrative offices, an educational center for ministerial training and Ambassador Bible Center, an outreach support building (warehouse, mailing and shipping) and limited housing for those using the training center. Any future development would come in separate stages as needed.

Clyde Killough, UCG’s President, also wrote about this decision in December (see United Church of God Buys Texas Property).

Will UCG listen to its elders now or stand by what its Council did based upon what the elders approved last year?

Whatever happens, the ramifications may be severe.

As I have written for years, UCG’s governance is not Philadelphian, and we will see what the latest voting will do to UCG as it has the potential to split UCG.

I expect that there will be several unusual developments because of UCG’s latest voting. Check back here for details.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
The Laodicean Church Era was predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. Non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.

COGwriter

Yesterday, my wife and I watched the Ben Stein docu-movie Expelled; No Intelligence Allowed. We would have seen Expelled earlier but it was not playing in any theaters within 85 miles of here until the a day or two before we went to Turkey. I have long found Ben Stein intriguing as years ago as I occasionally watched his old game-show titled Win Ben Stein’s Money.

Here is some of what one Protestant minister named Bryan Griem wrote about Expelled :

Intelligence Allowed” has made Ben Stein the new hero of believers in God everywhere, and has landed a smart right cross to the protruding jaw of evolution’s elite…

Humorous film clips punctuate the movie, making what many might think a dry academic topic for theater-going into a smart romp and most enjoyable experience. Audiences are applauding as credits roll, and people are leaving theaters empowered as they perceive a mighty chink has now been made in the armor surrounding our culture’s impenetrable, atheistic, Darwinian monopoly.

There is little doubt that evolutionary belief and atheism go had in hand, as one after another of its intellectual proponents admit this to Stein. When Darwinism is embraced, atheism is sure to follow as death follows decapitation, and this fact appears born out as the elite interviewees confess the sequence in their own lives and careers.

One Cornell University professor in the movie positively conceded that the end result of accepting evolution was, for him, the realization that there is no free will and no after-life. This seems a peculiar and irrationally happy reaction to the prospect, and thinking people everywhere would find this a rather undesirable state of affairs if true. So much is at stake, and the conclusion of the godless mindset is neither certain nor very scientific.

In addition, Stein noted that “evolution’s top apologists have switched from defending Darwinism to attacking religion,” and this is really the thing upon which the movie most concentrates. Is the United States a freedom loving, free-thinking, intellectually inquisitive nation of cordial academic pursuit, or is it a politically correct, closed-minded arena of thought controlling, in-crowd Neanderthals? The latter seems to be the conclusion of internationals, and the audience will draw the same conclusion as professors and educators present their tales of discrimination, blacklisting, and defamation at the hands of the American evolutionary juggernaut and its related tentacles.

The evidence is clear that a glass ceiling exists for scientific professionals who would dare countenance the notion of God as an explanation for what they readily observe in their various disciplines, and one notable scientist (who actually discovered a planet) immediately lost tenure for merely suggesting other than the Darwinian status quo…

The Berlin wall is also included as something of an illustration for what our own culture is doing with regard to scientific dissent. The East Germans walled out the western ideas that might get across and upset its prevailing communistic philosophies, and so our own culture has erected non-material walls against one informed dissenting hypothesis, namely, Intelligent Design (ID).

http://christiananswers.net/spotlight/movies/2008/expelled2008.html

Although I think it would have been more effective with several changes, I thought that Ben Stein’s film did a good job of pointing out how many are so afraid of the truth that they will often conspire against those who advocate it and use ridicule to try to prevent others from understanding views that differ from the mainstream.

I also liked the fact that the film pointed out how Adolf Hitler used extermination techniques consistent with Darwin’s views, and the fact that the acceptance of Darwinism is a major factor in both atheism (which I believe can be dis-proven, please see Is God’s Existence Logical?) and support of abortion (information on abortion can be found in the article Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose).

One of the prominent atheists in the film was Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion. Toward the end of the movie, Ben Stein asked Richard Dawkins what he would say to God if after death he met him. Dr. Dawkins responded to the effect:

I would ask Him why he made Himself so hard to find.

Ben Stein (as well as the Protestant reviewers I have read) let that answer pass, but I will not. The fact is that most people do not realize that God is only calling a relative few now and will call everyone else later. That is why many feel He is hard to find.

The fact that some few are called now and the rest will have their opportunity later is one of the most important teachings of the Bible, yet Catholics and Protestants simply do not get it (some of the Orthodox, however, do).

Some articles of related interest may include:

Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?
Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge.
Where Did God Come From? Any ideas? And how has God been able to exist? Who is God?
How is God Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient? Here is a biblical article by Wallace Smith which answers what many really wonder about it.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
The Bible: Fact or Fiction? This is a booklet written by Douglas Winnail that answers if the Bible is just a collection of myths and legends or the inspired word of God.

Cyclone Nargis May 1, 2008

COGwriter

In its latest update, LCG reported the following related to Cyclone Nargis:

Myanmar Update

News has reached us indirectly that our brethren in Sakhangyi were protected from Cyclone Nargis, as were members of other Church of God groups in the Yangon area. We are very thankful to God for His protection on His people. Mr. Bruce Tyler reports, “We have received a second-hand or third-hand report from one of our members in the Delta region of Myanmar indicating that all our members were basically unaffected by the initial devastation caused from tropical cyclone Nargis. The following is a newspaper article sent by Mr. Rajan Moses, our elder in Malaysia, indicating how the region where our brethren live was spared. However, with more rains on the way and the lack of humanitarian aid, more difficulties seem to be on the horizon. The article mentions Myaung Mya, the town near where our brethren live. Sakhan Gyi is basically an outer suburb of Myaung Mya:

‘The shops are shutting early in the town of Myaung Mya and people are talking of being mugged after dark as more and hungrier and desperate cyclone refugees pour in from the devastated Irrawaddy delta. Everyday small groups of bedraggled survivors of cyclone Nargis drift in by lorry and boat, stretching this bustling town of 100,000 people to its limits. “How many more days are we going to be able to feed them?” one businessman said yesterday in the town about 70km north of the coastline and out of the storm’s direct path when it hit. People here can barely afford to feed themselves. It is more than a week now since the cyclone’s 190kph winds ripped into the southwestern delta of the military-ruled and impoverished nation, churning up 3.5-metre wall of water that swept through coastal villages. As many as 100,000 people were feared killed and 1.5 million people in need of shelter and water and food, according to the United Nations.

‘Myaung Mya was largely unscathed. Wooden shutters rattled and timbers creaked but none of its buildings lost their roofs and walls, as happened in the worst hit villages and towns. Now, its school, monasteries and public halls are crammed with thousands of survivors, the refugees of the storm. Residents of the town fear the refugees will turn to looting if conditions do not improve (New Sunday Times, May 11, 2008).’

“I pray for the Sakhangyi brethren and hope they are safe. It appears our brethren survived the cyclone, but what may now follow as a result of the lack of food, water and hygiene may be just as devastating. We will keep you posted as we are able. Mr. Moses is applying for a visa to visit Burma in June. We hope that by then the Burmese government will lift its tight visa restrictions. We may have to evaluate the health and disease situation as we get closer to the proposed travel time, if indeed a visa is even granted.”

Is “Mother Nature” Going Haywire? Two weeks ago a terrible cyclone hit southern Myanmar. It has killed between 69,000-128,000 people so far and is impacting the lives of two million people. The military government, in an effort to maintain total control, has almost completely prevented rescue efforts by other nations. Sources within Myanmar say that food aid is not reaching the people or, when it does, it is rotten because government troops take all the best food. Another cyclone may be forming in the Indian Ocean as this piece is being written (Yahoonews.com, May 14, 2008; Associated Press, May 12, 2008). Meanwhile, China experienced a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake on Monday, centered in Sichuan Province. As of Wednesday night, the death toll was almost 15,000. Although the epicenter was nearly 29 miles underground, the powerful quake wreaked destruction hundreds of miles away. The earthquake even rattled buildings in Beijing, almost 1,000 miles to the north (ChinaDaily.com, May 12 and 14, 2008; Associated Press, May 12, 2008). God prophesied that these horrible “natural disasters” would increase as we approach the end of the age. “And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven” (Luke 21:11). The Greek word for “earthquake” can mean either a storm of the air or of the ground, so it can include great storms (cyclones) as well.

Weather problems are prophesied to increase towards the time of the end.  I mentioned this cyclone just before leaving for Turkey and it has turned out to be much worse than the early reports (see Myanmar, USA, & Severe Weather).

Which Book Do You Think Christians Should Rely On?

VS.

Ronald Weinland Says His Books and His Interpretations of the Bible Are What He Wants Potential Supporters to Study. The COGwriter Site Instead Urges Those Interested in Him and End-Time Prophecies to Spend More Time Checking His Writings with the Bible and Actual Events.

The self-appointed prophet Ronald Weinland wrote the following:

Laura and I are going to resume making Sabbath visits for as long as we are able to do so. Before the Passover season, it was not yet clear whether we would be able to continue this program, but now it is evident we will have some more time to make such visits. Generally we are not going to make such plans very far in advance for the U.S., and from time to time we may have to make last minute changes.

Today, according to his schedule, he is to be in Los Angeles.

Why any continue to follow him is a mystery as none of the events he “prophesied” have come to pass.  Furthermore, in a sermon two weeks ago, one of the anti-COG sites reported that Ronald Weinland actually stated:

Much of what we’re going through at this time is not easy for the church, I know, because it hasn’t been real easy for me, so I know it has to be some times that it hasn’t been easy for all of you as well…

Today’s sermon is simply entitled, “April 17th”. April 17th. It’s good we go back and revisit some of that and think about some of those things.

Brethren, whether we understand it or not, that will prove to be a most important day in history. It truly is…

So as we go forward, again, I can only give to you what God gives to me. I am not a fortune teller, and I’m not a future teller.

Well, in all due respect, Ronald Weinland has for the past couple of years portrayed himself as the one God has chosen (along lately with his wife) to specify what would happen in the future.  And April 17th will mainly be an important day to Ronald Weinland because its stigma will remain with him the rest of his life–April 17th was NOT the start of the 1260 days like Ronald Weinland still falsely teaches.

The scriptural passage that I would like to close with would be the following:

21 “And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’– 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him (Deuteronomy 18:21-22).

As I have been writing for years, Ronald Weinland is a false prophet and is NOT one of God’s two witnesses.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples ofthe United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin?
Who Are The Two Witnesses? What is their job? What does the Bible reveal? What has the Church of God taught on this subject? Might even Roman Catholic prophecies give some clues here?
Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up and that the end will come in 2008. Is he a false prophet? He has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the COG.
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans and the Hindu Indians (who were not even on the same continent). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?