Church of God News

Page 9 of the Dresden Codex (from the 1880 Förstermann edition)

COGwriter

As regular readers of the COGwriter news page are aware, I do not believe that the Great Tribulation can begin until at least 2012–and that it will most likely start in 2013-2017.

The reason for at least 2012 is biblical (comparing Daniel 9:26-27 to Daniel 11:31 and Daniel 12) as there needs to be a certain 7 year deal that gets broken in the middle to be started before it can be broken–adding 1/2 of seven years to any date after June 30, 2008 brings one to 2012 or later (more details are in the article End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something?).

Now part of the reason that I believe that the tribulation will NOT start until 2013 or afterwards is because I believe that since Satan knows when Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, Satan has a pretty good idea of when his 6,000 year reign over humankind will be over.

I believe that Satan, thus, has inspired many throughout the ages to prophecy events to occur in 2012 and other periods so that when the true Church proclaims when the end is coming (which may be shortly after 2012) that the vast majority of humankind will dismiss those proclamations as more false prophecies.

USA Today reported the following in an article titled Does Maya calendar predict 2012 apocalypse?:

Journalist Lawrence Joseph forecasts widespread catastrophe in Apocalypse 2012: A Scientific Investigation Into Civilization’s End. Spiritual healer Andrew Smith predicts a restoration of a “true balance between Divine Feminine and Masculine” in The Revolution of 2012: Vol. 1, The Preparation. In 2012, Daniel Pinchbeck anticipates a “change in the nature of consciousness,” assisted by indigenous insights and psychedelic drug use…

Part of the 2012 mystique stems from the stars. On the winter solstice in 2012, the sun will be aligned with the center of the Milky Way for the first time in about 26,000 years. This means that “whatever energy typically streams to Earth from the center of the Milky Way will indeed be disrupted on 12/21/12 at 11:11 p.m. Universal Time,” Joseph writes (G. Jeffrey MacDonald. Does Maya calendar predict 2012 apocalypse? USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2007-03-27-maya-2012_n.htm viewed 01/14/08).

What the records actually were intended to mean by the ancient Mayans is unknown and has been subject to a lot of debate.

When the Spaniards came across the Mayans, they considered them to have pagan practices associated with the devil. Because of that, once they conquered them, they began to burn and otherwise destroy most of the writings of their civilization (known as codices), most notably under the direction of Bishop Diego de Landa. One Catholic, however, intervened and prevented three from being destroyed. These Mayan codices are now known as the Madrid, Dresden, and Paris codices. There also is a fourth, the Grolier codex, whose authenticity is sometimes disputed, but may be genuine–only a few pages from it survive. From time to time, other fragments of Mayan writings of this period have also been found. The Dresden Codex contains the highest amount of astronomical observations and calculations of any of the surviving texts.

One writer (probably Robert Bast who has his own “wiki”) has stated this about the Mayans and the calendar:

Like the Aztec and Inca who came to power later, the Maya believed in a cyclical nature of time. The rituals and ceremonies were very closely associated with celestial/terrestrial cycles which they observed and inscribed as separate calendars. The Maya priest had the job of interpreting these cycles and giving a prophetic outlook on the future or past based on the number relations of all their calendars. They also had to determine if the “heavens” or celestial matters were appropriate for performing certain religious ceremonies (Mayan Civilization. http://2012wiki.com/index.php?title=Maya_civilization viewed 01/14/08).

The actual Wikipedia states:

The Mesoamerican Long Count calendar forms the basis for a New Age belief, first forecast by José Argüelles, that a cataclysm will take place on or about 21 December 2012 (Maya Calendar. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_calendar viewed 01/14/08).

The History Channel claimed:

The Mayan calendar seems to say that the world will end in 2012 (Crowley, Phil. 2012, Decoding the Past. Original air date 03/01/07).

So we see two interpretations from different sources that indicate that either something terrible or something very good will happen in or near the end of 2012 according to Mayan prophecies.

And while I believe that 2012 is just a little bit too early for the end, several divergent sources seem to point to that year for some type of major change.

Perhaps one of the more fascinating is related to the Chinese I Ching. Although some aspects of it slightly remind me of the so-called Bible Code, there have been some calculations made apparently based upon looking at all the 64 possible combinations one can obtain by throwing the three discs and plotting the associated full and broken lines from using the I Ching:

Fractal time and the I Ching…

Various fringe scientists have tried to calculate this point of infinity, giving us calculated dates ranging from 2010 to 2050. Dates that many of us will live to see. Perhaps the date is Dec 22, 2012. Ethnobotanists and fractal time experts Terrence and Dennis McKenna believe so, and they present their ideas in Invisible Landscape: Mind Hallucinogens and the I Ching (1993).

Their studies began with the I Ching, which is composed of 64 hexagrams, or six-line figures. It struck them that 6 x 64 = 384, which is exceptionally close to the number of days in 13 lunar months (29.5306 x 13 = 383.8978), and that maybe the I Ching was originally an ancient Chinese calendar. Further multiples had astronomical significance…

The McKenna brothers arrived at the 2012 end date by using fractals. Starting from a table of differences between one hexagram and the next, they developed a Mandelbrot fractal in which each level is 64 times greater then the one below it. They then laid this fractal pattern on top of a time scale. The peaks and troughs of the pattern relate to the level of connectedness or novelty in any span of time, whether it covers a day, millennia or even since the beginning of time. By matching the levels of the pattern with key periods in history, they determined it would fit best if the end of the time scale was December 22, 2012. This is the only point in which the level of novelty reaches its maximum, and everything that happens is new (Bast R. Survive 2012. http://survive2012.com/why_2012_fractal.php viewed 04/12/08).

So, some believe that December 22, 2012 was long known as the date for the world as we know it to end.

There is also a tradition from India:

It is interesting that this prediction of the emergence of a new world is prophesied to appear about the same time that the Mayans predicted it to come! The Mayan calendar began with the Fifth Great Cycle in 3114 BC and will end on 21 December 2012 AD. The Hindu Kali Yuga calendar began on 18 February 3102 B.C. There is only a difference of 12 years between the Hindu’s beginning of the Kali Yuga and the Mayan’s beginning of the Fifth Great Cycle. It is amazing that both calendars began at about the same time over 5,000 years ago and both calendars predict a totally new world and/or golden age after about 5,000 years into their calendars! We are definitely on to something with these Mayan and Hindu 2012 predictions. Historically, this is an amazing fact since these two ancient cultures did not have any contact…Lord Krishna’s Golden Age could easily begin in 2012! (Hindu Calendar. http://2012wiki.com/index.php?title=Hindu_Calendar viewed 01/14/08).

A source, related to the above India/Hindu comments, also stated:

The Hopi prophecy is an oral tradition of stories that Hopis say predicted the coming of the white man, the world wars and nuclear weapons. And it predicts that time will end when humanity emerges into the “fifth world.” The Mayan calendar predicts a similar end in 2012; some Hopis have said their prophecy roughly coincides with that time. The tradition says the years after 2012 could be a golden age with humans at peace. It also says the world will go through a time of trial, suffering and purification before a time of “one-heartedness” (Hopi Civilization. http://2012wiki.com/index.php?title=Hopi_Civilization viewed 01/14/08).

And although a Robert Bast is the source of many of those written quotes, a program (2012 episode of Decoding the Past) that The History Channel originally aired March 1, 2007, had a variety of sources that basically stated the same things that Robert Bast has written. And one of those was that the end of “the fourth world” in Hopi prophecy is about upon us.

I wish to make it clear that I do not believe that the world will end then or that a God-ordained golden age of peace will happen then either.

I should, add however, that Roman Catholics do believe that an “age of peace” is to arrive and, if the Malachy prophecies have merit (somewhat accurate predictions of all popes from the 12th century to present), there is only one pope listed to come after the current one (Bander, Peter. The Prophecies of St. Malachy. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973). Hence, the end of the predicted line of popes will occur soon. And it is likely that the final pope will come on the scene by 2012-2017.

But as I have stated before, I tend to believe that the great tribulation will occur sometime after 2012 and because 2012 will have had so much attention, when we in the Living Church of God claim that the Great Tribulation is about to begin, most will dismiss us as being less likely important than the Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/I Ching prophecies.

But the end will come whether people believe us or not. Will you be ready?

Two articles of related interest may include:

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?

Which Book Do You Think Christians Should Rely On?

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

COGwriter

April 17, 2008 is now well past. And although Ronald Weinland claimed that the 1260 days and the first trumpet blast of the Book of Revelation started then, this simply has not been the case.

Ronald Weinland and his followers have repeatedly relied on allegory over scripture and have sometimes confused events that may be related to “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8) with those that occur later in the great tribulation (Matthew 24:21).

If Ronald Weinland and his followers would have taken the passages in Daniel 9, 11, and 12 more literally, they would have realized that when the events the Bible shows needed to come to pass on the 1335, 1290, and 1260 days of Daniel 12 did not come to pass on February 2nd, March 18th, and April 17th (the dates that Ronald Weinland indicated that those days began respectively, see Ronald Weinland Announced When He Claims Jesus Will Return and RW’s Wife the 2nd Witness? Comparing 4/17/08 and the Bible to “2008 God’s Final Witness”) they would have all repented by now. Instead, those still with him are ignoring the Bible.

Notice what he taught in a sermon given March 29, 2008:

If by Pentecost I’m just going to make this real clear to everyone. If by Pentecost it is not powerfully and abundantly clear that there has been a great deal of destruction that will clearly encompass a third of all plant life in the US and at least the clear results of this mingled with blood the death of very much animal life and the beginning of large numbers of human life then I will stop preaching. Just so all the critics and everyone out there will understand. I am true to my word in these things. OK? And for all the critics if by the end of July and for most likely around Pentecost if nothing has clearly caused great destruction and death I will make it very clear that I was a false prophet. I will do exactly what I said I would do on all of those interviews that I have held; to do less, aah well, would be quite insane. To do less. Well. Would be quite insane (Weinland R. Three More Weeks–quote from near the 1 hour 28 minute point from the CGPFK website version. Sermon given March 29, 2008).

Since Pentecost in 2008 is June 8th, by mid-June Ronald Weinland has to stop preaching according to his own words. And by mid-July 2008 apologize and admit his error (there is a rumor that some of his followers will continue with others leading CGPFK, and that may be possible–furthermore, in his 4/26/08 sermon, see Ronald Weinland Changes and Delays, But Without Apology, he seems to contradict what he said in the 3/29/08 sermon–so when or whether he will step down is uncertain as his positions have changed).

Also Ronald Weinland, this time in an interview on April 10, 2008 (see Ronald Weinland: False Prophet by Mid-June), gave himself until mid-June 2008 to be a true or false prophet (see also Ronald Weinland Seems to Give Himself More Time, But Done By Labor Day), yet the fact is that now that it is May 2008 shows he is clearly a false prophet.

How?

Well, although there are many reasons (see for example Ronald Weinland: Nothing Happened March 18th Because What Happened Was Spiritual? and February 2008 is Past Ronald Weinland), one is that the dollar still has value.

Notice what Ronald Weinland claimed in a radio interview on December 15, 2007:

A little after April…a dollar bill won’t be worth anything…We’re going to be brought down the tubes, very quickly, starting in April…What happens when a nuclear weapon goes off in New York and Chicago?… If we come to the point in time where what I’ve said doesn’t come to pass, the reality is that I’m just a false prophet. That’s the bottom line… The reality is if it doesn’t happen, then you’re just false…I’ll acknowledge my error, my wrong, if I’m wrong…

It is now “a little past April”, the dollar still has value, and the great tribulation, simply did not begin. Furthermore, notice what he wrote on November 24, 2007:

Beginning in February, those thunders will increase dramatically, and by April this world will begin to be shaken to its foundations. Everything I am doing, and everything the Church of God – PKG is doing is geared towards these realities. There is no wavering and there is no hesitation!… February will be here soon! Don’t squander the time that is in front of you. Use it wisely!

I tried to use February 2008 “wisely” and without “wavering” or ”hesitation” as he advised, and posted several news items warning people not to follow him.

Notice two specific claims that Ronald Weinland made in April 2008:

…that has to do with the Catholic Church…He is going to be saying…He is going to be given special powers beginning April 17th when he is in Washington. D.C. (James Whale Interview. talkSPORT Radio. April 10, 2008).

And the 17th marked the identifying and the beginning of Satan’s direct power and influence of a great false prophet, the Pope of the Roman Catholic church (Weinland R. Begun–the 1260 Days Have Begun. Sermon April 19, 2008).

I, for one, have not noticed any “special powers” that Pope Benedict XVI supposedly received three weeks ago. Thus, another prediction from Ronald Weinland has not been fulfilled.

Ronald Weinland simply does not understand biblical prophecy, such as Daniel 11 which discusses future kings of the North and South. And as I have been warning people for a long time, partially because there is no King of the North or King of the South yet, the Great Tribulation CANNOT begin in 2008.

Furthermore, if Ronald Weinland understood, Daniel 9:26-27, he would see that the Great Tribulation cannot begin before 2012 as the “prince” (who will become the King of the North), has not yet made a deal with Israel–a deal that he will break after 3 1/2 years. If this deal is not made until after June 30, 2008 (and I do not believe that it can be made before the Fall of 2008, and a later year is more likely), then the Great Tribulation will not begin before 2012. And while the end is coming, Ronald Weinland and his followers seem to be a least 4-5 years premature.

Furthermore, as I wrote last month, Ronald Weinland immediately should do the following:

1. Apologize to leaders of various Churches of God to whom he sent letters warning them of their impending deaths about two years ago.
2. Apologize to his followers for misleading them.
3. Go back on the few radio programs he was on and apologize for his presumptuousness for appointing himself as a prophet and one of God’s two witnesses.
4. Apologize to me (and now others) for the disdain whereby he treated me two years ago, and how he has treated those that pointed out why he was wrong ever since. Calling for our slow deaths was also not nice (see Ronald Weinland Again Calls for Death).
5. Give me, Bob Thiel, the www.the-end.com URL since he misused it, while the cogwriter website has been properly explaining end-time events during the time he has been around.
6. Shut down the Church of God, Preparing for the Kingdom organization so that it cannot continue. There are rumors that some wish to keep it going even AFTER Ronald Weinland’s latest dates prove to be false.
7. Spend a lot of time communicating with people he has misled to attempt to help them understand that he was wrong and that they should have relied much more on the Bible and not on his false interpretations of biblical prophecy.

And whatever else he and his wife can think of to try to minimize the damage that they have caused others and the Church of God.

It’s been three weeks since Ronald Weinland claimed that God began his and his wife’s 1260 day job as the two witnesses–but they have not been effective witnesses as they STILL are being basically ignored by the world (they have mostly had fringe coverage or none at all).

Nor are they close to converting millions like he indicated that they should be (for more details, see Ronald Weinland Prophesied Millions & Is Spending to Accomplish That) by now. Nor have they done any of the biblically indicated miracles that the two witnesses should be able to do (see Revelation 11:3-6).

Ronald Weinland has always been a SELF-appointed prophet. He is not one of God’s prophets, nor are he and his wife the prophesied two witnesses.

A few articles of possibly related interest may include:

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.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.
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?
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?
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?
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 Weekly Sabbath Begins Sunset on Fridays

The April/May 2008 edition of CG7’s Bible Advocate has the following question and answer:

Q. Doesn’t Colossians 2:16, 17 speak against Sabbath observance?

A. These verses read: “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” If this puzzling text opposes the weekly rest day for Christians, it is the only one of sixty Sabbath references in the New Testament to give a negative witness to the seventh-day rest of creation and of Christ.

A closer look, however, shows that this text is not against Sabbaths any more than it is against food, drink, or festivals. No day is the problem here but the misuse of days for un-Christian purposes.

Exploring the background of this epistle, we learn that the first century church in Colosse was troubled by teachings that later became known as Gnosticism, a heresy that troubled the church in the first centuries after Christ. Gnosticism borrowed from Judaism, paganism, and Christian doctrine, combining them into an amalgam in which the person and work of Jesus were no longer central.

A reading of Colossians 2 suggests that the false teachers (early Gnostics) taught a philosophical form of faith (v. 8) that mixed worship of angels (v. 18), ascetic practices of the body (vv. 20-23), and Jewish holy days, with the weekly Sabbath (v. 16). Some of Jesus was surely sprinkled in for good measure, but the resulting spiritual soup was actually a toxic mixture of man-made religion upon which repeated warnings are pronounced: “Let no one cheat [judge] you . . .” (vv. 8, 16, 18).

Speaking positively, Paul urges that Christ be preeminent in all things (vv. 2, 3, 6, 9, 10ff, 17; also 1:13ff). These verses are the heart of the apostle’s argument in this chapter. With our Lord at the church’s head and reigning in our hearts, the weekly Sabbath and every other proper teaching can assume their rightful place.

Taken in context, then, the message of Colossians 2:16, 17 is that the church must not elevate anything above the Lord Jesus Christ: not angels, not dietary practice or other forms of self-denial, not Hebrew festivals, and not even the weekly Sabbath. All are subordinate to Him who lived, died, and rose again for our eternal redemption. — Elder Calvin Burrell

And that is basically correct.

However, there is one main point that I would like to emphasize.

And that is that the reason that most who profess Christ do not know the truth about this is because nearly all translators have intentionally mistranslated these verses, thus most have been misled into thinking this verse is opposed to the Sabbath and the Holy Days (it also enjoins the Holy Days as much as the Sabbath, but CG7 is not a big fan of those, which may be why that point was not expounded upon in the article).

So, let’s examine one slight mistranslation of it:

16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ (Col 2:16-17,KJV).

The above translation is close, however, it added a word that is not in the original Greek.

The word added is “is”. Truly literal translations leave it out as it is not in there. Notice the Strong’s words for verse 17:

3739. 2076 4639… 3588……. 3195 ………..3588.. 1161. 4983 9999 3588 5547
Which are a shadow of …things to come; …….the.. but.. body ….is…. of… Christ.
(Interlinear Transliterated Bible. Copyright (c) 1994 by Biblesoft).

It should be noted that 9999 means that there was no word in the biblical text. It should also be noted that #3588 is most often translated as “the”.

Because the same three Strong’s words (#4983, 3588, & 5547) are used four other times in the New Testament and in those times the KJV translates it as “the body of Christ” (Romans 7:4; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 4:12)–as does the NKJV.

Therefore, if all the translators were simply consistent with themselves, they would have translated Colossians 2:16-17 to state:

16 Therefore let no man judge you in eating and drinking or in respect of a festival or of an observance of the new moon or of a sabbath; 17 for those things are a shadow of the things to come, but the body of Christ.

Or in other word, do not let those outside the body of Christ (the church, Colossians 1:18) judge you regarding holy days, but only the church itself. Colossians 2:16-17 is not saying that the holy days are done away. It is poor exegesis (biblical interpretation) to rely on a mistranslation to claim that the holy days are done away with.

It is sad, but most in the Protestant world have misunderstood Colossians 2:16-17 because translators who know better MISTRANSLATED it.

The truth, of course, is that the seventh-day Sabbath and the biblical holy days were not done away with in the New Testament. And, they were observed by Jesus, His original disciples, early Christians, and still are today by those of us in the Living Church of God.

Several articles of possibly related interest, for those who wish to see more of the truth, may include:

The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church?
Is God Unreasonable? Some have suggested that if God requires Sabbath-keeping He is unreasonable. Is that true?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
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.
Church of God, Seventh Day: History and Teachings Nearly all COG’s I am aware of trace their history through this group. Whaid Rose is the president of the largest CG7 group (Denver). Do you know much about them?
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

United Church of God council censures elder Aaron Dean
http://www.thejournal.org/issues/issue125/ucg-council-rebuffs-elder-aaron-dean.html

A firestorm has raged lately on Internet forums fueled by the recent decision by the council of elders of the United Church of God, based in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area, to “censure” one of its members.

The governing 12-man body sent a letter to members of the church’s general conference of elders (GCE) in March 2008 informing elders worldwide that Aaron Dean of Gladewater, Texas, a council member since January 1999, had been officially censured.

The council’s action means Mr. Dean is prohibited from speaking in any UCG congregation until after the 2008 Feast of Tabernacles.

Although the membership of the church was not generally aware of the council’s letter to the elders, word of the censure surfaced.

Mr. Dean, who served as a personal aide to Worldwide Church of God founder Herbert W. Armstrong from 1974 until Mr. Armstrong’s death, in 1986, delivered a sermon and answered questions at a meeting of a Church of God group in Huntsville, Texas, during the 2007 Feast of Tabernacles.

Mr. Dean’s speaking engagement in Huntsville violated a UCG policy about addressing other groups and brought about the censure.

“Orthodox” 16th Century Representation of the “Apocalypse”

COGwriter

While many Protestants and others believe that the final Antichrist will be a pope, it seems that certain Catholic writings support the idea that a final (or nearly final) pope will be ecumenical, be an antipope, and be the “false prophet” and/or the final Antichrist.

Furthermore, it appears that many Catholic prophesies suggests that it is an antipope that supports a new religious order:

Oba Prophecy. “It will come when the Church authorities issue directives to support a new cult, when priests are forbidden to celebrate in any other, when the highest positions in the Church are given to perjurers and hypocrites, when only the renegades are admitted to occupy those positions (Dupont Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 115).

Anna-Katarina Emmerick (19th century). “I saw again a new and odd-looking Church which they were trying to build. There was nothing holy about it…(Dupont, p. 116).

Yves Dupont (writer interpreting A. Emmerick), “They wanted to make a new Church, a Church of human manufacture, but God had other designs…An anti-pope shall be set up in Rome” (Dupont, p. 116).

The Prophecy of Premol (5th century) “…And I see the King of Rome and his Cross and his tiara, shaking the dust off of his shoes, and hastening his flight to other shores. Thy Church, O Lord, is torn apart by her own children. One camp is faithful to the fleeing Pontiff, the other is subject to the new government of Rome which has broken the tiara. But Almighty God will, in His mercy, put an end to this confusion and a new age will begin. Then, said the Spirit, this is the beginning of the End of Time.”

Comment: From this prophecy, it is clear that the true Church will be faithful to the Pope in exile; whereas the new Pope in Rome will be, in fact, an anti-pope…a large number of Catholics will be misled into accepting the leadership of the anti-pope. (Dupont, pp. 72-73). {Note the comment is from Dupont personally}.

Jeanne le Royer (d. 1978) I see that when the Second Coming of Christ approaches a bad priest will do much harm to the Church (Culligan, E. The Last World War and the End of Time. The book was blessed by Pope Paul VI, 1966. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 128).

Yves Dupont {reader and collector of Catholic prophecies} “prophecies are quite explicit about the election of an anti-pope…Many prophecies predict an anti-pope and a schism” (Dupont, pp. 34,60-61).

Catholic priest and writer R. Gerald Culleton: “A schism of short duration is destined to break out…An antipope, of German origin, is to be set up, and finally Rome itself will be destroyed” (Culleton, R. Gerald. The Prophets and Our Times. Nihil Obstat: L. Arvin. Imprimatur: Philip G. Scher, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno, November 15, 1941. Reprint 1974, TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 42).

Frederick William Faber (died 1863)…Antichrist…Many believe in a demonical incarnation–this will not be so–but he will be utterly possessed…His doctrine as apparent contradiction of no religion, yet a new religion…He has an attending pontiff, so separating regal and prophetic office (Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p. 87).

Blessed Joachim (died 1202): “Towards the end of the world Antichrist will overthrow the Pope and usurp his See” (Connor, p. 76).

Merlin (7th century) “There will come a German Anti-Pope. Italy and Germany will be sorely troubled. A French King will restore the true Pope” (Culleton, p. 132).

St. Francis of Assisi (d. 1226) “There will be an uncanonically elected pope who will cause a great Schism, there will be divers thoughts preached which will cause many, even those in the different orders, to doubt, yea even agree with those heretics which will cause My order to divide, then will there be such universal dissensions and persecutions that if these days were not shortened even the elect would be lost” (Culleton, p. 130).

Catholic writer and priest P. Huchedé (19th century): “…the false prophet…will not be a king, nor a general of an army, but a clever apostate, fallen from episcopal dignity. From being an apostle of the Gospel he will become the first preacher of the false messiah…” (Huchedé, P. Translated by JBD. History of Antichrist. Imprimatur Edward Charles Fabre, Bishop of Montreal. English edition 1884, Reprint 1976. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 24).

Priest Herman Kramer This false prophet possibly at the behest of Antichrist usurps the papal supremacy…His assumed spiritual authority and supremacy over the Church would make him resemble the Bishop of Rome…He would be Pontifex Maximus, a title of pagan emperors, having spiritual and temporal authority. Assuming authority without having it makes him the False Prophet…Though he poses as a lamb, his doctrines betray him (Kramer H.B. L. The Book of Destiny. Nihil Obstat: J.S. Considine, O.P., Censor Deputatus. Imprimatur: +Joseph M. Mueller, Bishop of Sioux City, Iowa, January 26, 1956. Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 319).

St. Francis de Paul (1470)… “The time is coming when the Divine Majesty will visit the world with a new religious order of the holy Cross-bearers… This shall be the last religious order in the Church, and will do more good for our holy religion than all other religious institutions. By force of arms he shall take possession of a great kingdom. He shall destroy the sect of Mahomet, extirpate all tyrants and heresies. He will bring the world to a holy mode of life. There will be one fold and one Shepherd. He shall reign until the end of time…”(Culleton, pp. 160-162).

Comments from writer D.A. Birch on the above from his book “Francis…speaks in a series of letters to Simeon de Limena, Count of Montalto in great detail of a future Great Monarch who will be a Roman Emperor. Limena was a great patron of St. Francis’ order and also a great military protector of the Church…He is described as founding a new religious order. To the reader this may sound like he also become a priest. That is not the case. What happens is that he founds a religious order, part of which contains military men who take religious vows. He will be the head of the military arm of this order. In this sense it will be like the Knights Templar of the Middle Ages” (Birch, DA. Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before During and After Antichrist. Queenship Publishing Company, Goleta (CA), 1996, pp. 267-270).

D. Birch (commenting further in his book), “Many of the prophecies speak of the fact that the Great King at first will not be well-liked, especially by the French clergy” (Birch, p. 276).

Laurence Ricci, S.J. (died 1775) “… At a time when the whole world seems doomed, God will intervene. With His aide a valiant duke will arise from the ancient German house which was humiliated by the French monarch. This great ruler will restore stolen Church property. Protestantism will cease and the Turkish empire will end. This duke will be the most powerful monarch on earth. At a gathering of men noted for piety and wisdom he will, with the aid of the Pope, introduce new rules, and ban the spirit of confusion. Everywhere there will be one fold and one shepherd” (Connor, p.37).

Notice that Francis de Paul prophesied that there will be a new essentially Roman Catholic religious order that will do more good for the Roman Catholic Church than all other religious institutions as it will eliminate nearly all opposition. (This is because the King of the North will successfully work with the Pope to make the world nominally Catholic.) However, notice that some of the Catholic clergy will at first oppose this new order, these changes to Catholicism, but that the (probably final) pope will embrace them.

Hence the idea of someone claiming to be a Roman pope, yet possibly being the final Antichrist is supported by several Catholic writings.

Thus while some Catholic prophecies praise a new religious order, others indicate that a new type of Catholicism will not be true to some of its beliefs. Furthermore, it needs to be understood that the Great Monarch would seem to be the same person as the ten-horned Beast (also known as 666). Thus, there are Catholic prophecies that support the idea that a Pope/anti-pope will accept changes that a new European military leader will implement. In addition, since most Protestants have no knowledge of Catholic prophecies, they do not grasp the danger of the “ecumenical” plans of the Roman Church. Because after all is said and done, the one we in the Living Church of God would consider to be the ten-horned Beast (also known as 666 and the King of the North), will, according to Catholic prophecy, eliminate Protestantism:

Father Laurence Ricci, S.J. (died 1775): “After the rule of Napoleon a time will come when the people will become poor and the world will be punished in three ways: wars, famines, and pestilences. At a time when the whole world seems doomed, God will intervene. With His aide a valiant duke will arise from the ancient German house which was humiliated by the French monarch. This great ruler will restore stolen Church property. Protestantism will cease and the Turkish empire will end. This duke will be the most powerful monarch on earth. At a gathering of men noted for piety and wisdom he will, with the aid of the Pope, introduce new rules, and ban the spirit of confusion. Everywhere there will be one fold and one shepherd” (Connor, p.37).

St. Francis of Paola (Born in Italy, 15th century). “By the grace of the Almighty, the Great Monarch will annihilate heretics and unbelievers” (Dupont, p.38).

Why? Because Catholics have long considered Protestantism, and all non-Greco-Roman Catholicism as false. Notice what one priest reported:

Pope St. Pius V teaches in his Catechism, the Roman Catechism — also known as the Catechism of the Council of Trent — that all of the Protestant religions are false religions, they’re inspired by the devil; and therefore their fruits are evil…The Protestant religions, as such, are inspired by the devil, as Pope St. Pius V teaches in his catechism (Kramer P. The Imminent Chastisement for Not Fulfilling Our Lady’s Request. An edited transcript of a speech given at the Ambassadors of Jesus and Mary Seminar in Glendale, California, September 24, 2004. THE FATIMA CRUSADER Issue 80, Summer 2005, pp. 32-45 http://www.fatimacrusader.com/cr80/cr80pg32.asp viewed 4/15/08).

Notice what some Catholics have written about their “ecumenical plans”:

D.A. Birch “The Pope calls an Ecumenical Council which will be viewed as the greatest in the history of the Church. The world is spiritually and materially prosperous as never before and many Jews, Mohammedans, heathens and heretics will enter the Church” (Birch, p. 555).

Venerable Bartholomew Holzhauser (Born in the 17th century, in Germany) …God will bind Satan for a number of years until the days of the Son of Perdition…there will be an ecumenical council which will be the greatest of all councils. By the grace of God, by the power of the Great Monarch, and by the authority of the Holy Pontiff, and by the union of the most devout princes, atheism and every heresy will be banished from the earth. The Council will define the true sense of Holy Scripture, and this will be believed and accepted by everyone (Dupont, p. 40).

Priest Herman Kramer “The thunders may mean the dogmatic declarations of the Church against infidels expressed in an ecumenical council…such as that of…the Infallibility of the Pope…The Seven Thunders may then be declarations of an ecumenical council clearing up all that was left unfinished by the magisterial office of the Church, before God will permit Satan to exert his supreme efforts to destroy her from without. The Seven Thunders will strengthen the faithful and loyal clergy”…(Kramer H., pp. 241-242).

Priest Paul Kramer “The errors of Orthodoxy and of Protestantism will be embraced by that false church, it will be an ecumenical church because the Anti-Pope will be recognized by the world — not by the faithful, but by the world — by the secular world and the secular governments. The Anti-Pope will be recognized as the legitimate Pope of the “church,” and the legitimate head of the Vatican State. That “church” will be united with all the false religions. They will be united together under the universality of the Masonic umbrella. In that motley ecumenical union will be the established religion of the so-called civilized world. This is how we will get into the time of great persecution such as the world has never seen (Kramer P. The Imminent Chastisement for Not Fulfilling Our Lady’s Request. An edited transcript of a speech given at the Ambassadors of Jesus and Mary Seminar in Glendale, California, September 24, 2004. THE FATIMA CRUSADER Issue 80, Summer 2005, pp. 32-45 http://www.fatimacrusader.com/cr80/cr80pg32.asp viewed 4/06/08).

Hence some Catholics are looking to a time that an ecumenical pontiff will appear. Some (like the first quotations above) are looking forward to that, while others (like the last quotation above) consider that this will be a sign of an Anti-pope. Notice that the last quote indicates that some of the “errors of Orthodoxy and of Protestantism will be embraced”, yet this will be a church ruled by some type of a Pope. That is where all of these “ecumenical discussions” are going to lead to as far as Catholic prophecies are concerned. The current Pope (Benedict XVI) has been working for ecumenical unity and is apparently setting the way for a more ecumenical pontiff to arise (for information, see the news items Pope Benedict XVI to Have “Ecumenical” USA Trip and Pope Trying to Appease the Orthodox and the Lutherans).

On a somewhat related note, the Pope who works with and/or precedes the Great Monarch is specifically prophesied to rule over the Eastern Orthodox Church as well—and re-establish Babylon! Notice the following:

Abbott Joachim (died 1202)…A remarkable Pope will be seated on the pontifical throne, under special protection of the angels. Holy and full of gentleness, he shall undo all wrong, he shall recover the states of the Church, and reunite the exiled temporal powers. As the only Pastor, he shall reunite the Eastern to the Western Church…This holy Pope shall be both pastor and reformer. Through him the East and West shall be in ever lasting concord. The city of Babylon shall then be the head and guide of the world. Rome, weakened in temporal power, shall forever preserve her spiritual dominion, and shall enjoy great peace…At the beginning, in order to bring these happy results, having need of a powerful assistance, this holy Pontiff will ask the cooperation of the generous monarch of France (Great Monarch)… A man of remarkable sanctity will be his successor in the Pontifical chair. Through him God will work so many prodigies that all men shall revere him (Connor, pp. 31-33).

“Prodigies” means miracles.

Interestingly, the Roman Catholics do realize that the expression, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!” (Revelation 18:2) is referring to Rome. And the Bible says this happens after the Antichrist comes. It needs to be understood that although the above quote is in a book with an Imprimatur (high level Roman Catholic approval), some Roman Catholics have somewhat distanced themselves from some of Abott Joachim’s writings (i.e. Birch, pp. 143,235, but other Roman Catholics writings tend to support the Abbott’s writings, but I do not recall seeing others that support “Babylon” as the head of the world).

Perhaps it might be helpful to note that while the Bible shows that the Beast and the False Prophet perform miracles (Revelation 16:13-14), Catholic prophecies indicate that one of the popes also does miracles:

Bl. Anna-Maria Taigi (19th century)…. “After the three days of darkness, St. Peter and St. Paul, having come down from Heaven, will preach in the whole world and designate a new Pope. A great light will flash from their bodies and will settle upon the cardinal who is to become Pope. Christianity, then, will spread throughout the world. He is the Holy Pontiff, chosen by God to withstand the storm. At the end, he will have the gift of miracles, and his name shall be praised over the whole earth (Dupont, p.45).

The following suggest that the Great Monarch may also perform some type of miracles:

Abbe Souffrand (died 1828): “The Great Ruler will perform such great and noble deeds that the infidels will be forced to admit the working of God’s Providence. Under this reign the greatest righteousness will be practiced and the earth will bear in overabundance…”(Connor, p. 37)

St. Thomas a’Becket (12th Century)…”A knight shall come from the West. He shall capture Milan, Lombardy, and the three Crowns. He shall then sail to Cyprus and Famagoste and land at Jaffa, and reach Christ’s grave where he will fight. Wars and wonders shall befall till the people believe in Christ toward the end of the world” (Birch, p. 255).

The parallels to the ten-horned Beast and the False Prophet are undeniable. And because of the wars, economic pressure, and wonders, many will be deceived into accepting the religion of the Beast and the False Prophet (Revelation 13). Sadly, also including many Protestants.

And part of this is because Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and most Protestants simply do not realize that true Christianity was from the beginning, and will be until the end of the Church era, opposed to participation in carnal warfare (Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare?). Because nearly all who profess Christ do not really understand what happened to the true Church in the second through fourth centuries (and beyond), their foundation is on sand and thus their combined house shall fall greatly (c.f. Matthew 7:26-27).

Articles of related interest may include:

Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”. Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy.
Do Certain Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus? Will the final “Anti-Christ” be Jewish, insist on Saturday, be opposed to the trinity, and bring in the millennium? Catholic writings indicate this, but what does the Bible show?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”?
The Antichrist Quiz Do you really know much about the Antichrist?
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.
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?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.

COGwriter

Beliefs: How Was Early Christianity Practiced?

While scholars have a variety of opinions, this page itself will simply mention the following beliefs held by true Christians in the second century, with links to highly documented articles on each subject (which are primarily based on the Bible and early historical writings).

But first, notice what one Roman Catholic writer has written:

Protestants of many traditions are now espousing recent Protestant traditions and modern schisms; yet they all claim the early Church as their own–asserting that they are the rightful heirs to the teachings of our Lord, the apostles, and the Fathers of the apostolic Church. Are they? Do they have a legitimate claim to the theology of the early Church? Was the “early Church essentially Protestant” in her theology and polity, or was she Catholic? (Ray, Stephen K. Upon This Rock. St. Peter and the Primacy of Rome in Scripture and the Early Church. Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 1999, p. 15).

Well, what if the early Church was the Church of God, which is neither Protestant nor Roman Catholic? What if that is what the Bible and early writings demonstrate?

Notice the following teachings of early Christianity–all of which are accepted by the true Church of God and only a relatively few of which are practiced/taught/still accepted by Roman Catholics or Protestants (though early leaders considered as “saints” by the Catholics also held them):

Baptism was by immersion and did not include infants.
The complete Bible with the proper Old Testament and New Testament was relied on by the true Church in Asia Minor.
A Binitarian view was held by the apostolic and post-apostolic true Christian leaders.
Birthdays were not celebrated by early Christians.
Born-Again meant being born at the resurrection, not at the time of conversion.
Celibacy for Bishops/Presbyters/Elders was not a requirement.
Christmas was not observed by any professing Christ prior to the third century, or ever by those holding to early teachings.
Deification of Christians was taught by the early leaders of the Church.
Duties of Elders/Pastors were pastoral and theological, not predominantly sacramental–nor did they dress as many now do.
Easter was not observed by the apostolic church.
The Fall Holy Days were observed by true early Christians.
The Father was considered to be God by all early professing Christians.
Holy Spirit was not referred to as God or as a person by any early true Christians.
Hymns were mainly psalms, not praises to Christ.
Idols were taught against, including the use of the cross.
Immortality of the soul or humans was not taught.
Jesus was considered to be God by the true Christians.
The Kingdom of God was preached.
Lent was not observed by the primitive church.
Military Service was not allowed for true early Christians.
Millenarianism (a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth, often called the millennium) was taught by the early Christians.
Monasticism was unheard of in the early Christian church.
Passover was kept on the 14th of Nisan by apostolic and second century Christians in Asia Minor.
Pentecost was kept on the same day that the Jews observed it by all professing Christians.
The Resurrection of the dead was taught by all early Christians
The Sabbath was observed on Saturday by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church.
Salvation was believed to be offered to the chosen now by the early Church, with others being called later, though not all that taught that (or other doctrines) practiced “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).
God’s Six Thousand Year Plan for humankind to rule itself was believed by early professors of Christ.
Sunday was not observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians.
The Ten Commandments were observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians–and in the order that the Living Church of God claims they are in.
Tradition had some impact on the second century Christians, but was never supposed to supercede the Bible.
The Trinity was not a word used to describe the Godhead by the apostolic or second century Christians.
Unclean Meats were eaten by the early allegorists, but not by true Christians.
Leavened Bread was removed from the homes of early Christians when the Jews did the same.
The Virgin Birth was acknowledged by all true ante-Nicene Christians.

What About Today?

Almost none who profess Christianity hold to all of those beliefs.

The largest group (which happens to also be a “little flock”) that agrees with all the positions above, that were part of “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) is the Living Church of God.

And unlike most groups today, it also specifically traces its history from the Apostles through Polycarp, Polycrates, and other leaders in Asia Minor.

Those interested in learning the truth about the early and true Christian church should prayfully study the following articles:

The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 Do they matter? Most say they must, but act like they do not. This article contains some history about the Church of God (sometimes referred to as the continuation of Primitive Christianity) over the past 2000 years.
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
Apostolic Succession What really happened? Did structure and beliefs change? Are many of the widely-held current understandings of this even possible? Did you know that Catholic scholars really do not believe that several of the claimed “apostolic sees” of the Orthodox have apostolic succession–despite the fact that the current pontiff himself seems to wish to ignore this view? Is there actually a true church that has ties to any of the apostles that is not part of the Catholic or Orthodox churches? Read this article if you truly are interested in the truth on this matter!
Another Look at the Didache, Ignatius, and the Sabbath Did Ignatius write against the Sabbath and for Sunday? What about the Didache? What does the actual Greek reveal?
Ancient “Christian” Sermon This is believed to be the oldest complete surviving post-New Testament sermon. Have you ever read it?
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they?

Hurricane Gordon Hit the Azores and Western Europe in 2006

COGwriter

The following item was in the news this morning:

Deadly Cyclone Pummels Myanmar

By Aung Hla Tun, Reuters

Posted: 2008-05-04 09:00:05

YANGON (May 4) More than 200 people have been killed in military-ruled Myanmar by a Category 3 cyclone that ripped through Yangon and the Irrawaddy delta, where it flattened two towns, officials and state media said on Sunday.

Packing winds of 190 km (120 miles) per hour when it hit on Saturday morning, Cyclone Nargis devastated the former Burma’s leafy main city, littering the streets with overturned cars, fallen trees and debris from battered buildings.

“Utter war zone,” one Yangon-based diplomat said in an email to Reuters in Bangkok. “Trees across all streets. Utility poles down. Hospitals devastated. Clean water scarce.”

“We believe hundreds of people are dead,” said Khin Maung Win with the Democratic Voice of Burma — a broadcast media group run by opposition expatriates.

A government official in Naypyidaw, the ruling general’s new capital 240 miles to the north, said the latest death toll was more than 200…

“I have never seen anything like it,” one retired government worker told Reuters. “It reminded me of when Hurricane Katrina hit the United States.”

Although the sun was shining by Sunday morning, the former capital was without power and water, and food prices had doubled, with many storeholders unsure of when they would be able to replenish stocks. Most shops had sold out of candles.

An Electricity Board official said it was impossible to know when the power supply — hit-and-miss at the best of times in one of Asia’s poorest countries — would be restored.

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/deadly-cyclone-pummels-myanmar/20080504064309990001?icid=1616058736x1201521535x1200303519

The Living Church of God has at least two congregations in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma).  Even without weather problems, those in Myanmar always need our prayers.

Also notice this news item:

Severe weather continues

05/04/2008

It continues to be a terrible spring for tornadoes, as severe weather outbreaks last week grabbed headlines.

We started the week with tornadoes cutting a 25-mile path of destruction through southern Virginia. Luckily, nobody was killed, but more than 200 people were injured.

We unfortunately ended the week on the opposite end, as seven people died as storms associated with the same cold front that passed through our area ripped through Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas.

A month ago, I discussed this topic, talking about how we’d already had 70 deaths and more than 500 tornadoes this year. As of today, we are at 731 preliminary tornado reports. They are responsible for 76 deaths, just five short of the total deaths for all of 2007.

The 10-year average for tornado reports is 1270 per year. We aren’t halfway through this year and we are already on pace to beat that by September. We now are over 6800 reports of severe weather for 2008, including tornadoes, hail and winds gusts over 58 mph.

http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19659533&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=416046&rfi=6

Severe weather problems not only can be personally devastating, they can cause food supply disruptions and even famines.  Even CENTRAL Europe had deaths this year related to a hurricane (for details, please see the news item Hurricane Causes Deaths in Central Europe).

LCG has long had a booklet of possibly related interest titled “Who Controls the Weather? ” that is available for those interested in more on the weather and Bible prophecy.

On a possibly related note, there have been increases in earthquakes with the infamous New Madrid fault in the Mid-West of the USA showing signs of activity–as well as the many earthquakes we are having in California (there was notable one centered about 40 miles from where I am writing this from a couple of days ago).

Of course we are not to be alarmed by these occurrences, as even more intense problems are foretold.  Notice what Jesus taught:

11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven… 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls. 20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near (Luke 21:11,18-20).

But since we do not yet see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, there still is time before the start of the tribulation–I do not believe that the great tribulation can begin before 2012, with a year or so later more likely.

But it seems that weather problems are increasing and that the end is getting closer.

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 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?
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?
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.
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?

Northern Shore of Reykjavík, Iceland

COGwriter

At Living Church of God (LCG) church services yesterday, the following was one of the weekly announcements:

On the week of April 6, Mr. Rod King traveled to Iceland, after being invited by the Gospel Channel for an interview. He reported, “I was interviewed for one and a half hours on the Gospel Channel which covers all of Europe via SKY television. The interviewer was a man who has been a BBC radio presenter… He had visited Ambassador College in the 70s and read The Plain Truth from time to time… he allowed me to talk about and advertise Tomorrow’s World and our booklets Do You The True Gospel and Your Ultimate Destiny…The next day they interviewed me for two half-hour programs that will air later on the Gospel Channel. We discussed marriage and family breakdown, and how God has ordained marriage as a holy covenant between two people, with God as the third Partner. We discussed tithing, the Sabbath, the Holy Days and much more. I was able to correct the notion that many people have about us, that we teach ‘salvation through works.’”

And although LCG has been able to get out message into Europe, this is fabulous as it not only would be of interest to those in Iceland, but now in another way (as opposed to just the Tomorrow’s World program), the gospel message will be sent over Europe.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Getting the Gospel Out is More than a Local Job Discusses Biblical rationale for doing an international, and not just a local, work.
How Much Did You Cost? Some have complained that the total costs spent to proclaim the gospel as a witness is too high since it does not (in their opinion) result in enough conversions. Is that how God sees it?
The Temple and the Work This article discusses the two temples of the Old Testament and gives insight as to their possible relevance to the situation which has impacted the Church during this past decade or so. It also answers the question, does a physical temple need to be built in Jerusalem before Christ returns?
Parable of the Mustard Seed Jesus told many parables. Why? What might this one mean?
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?
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

Today, The Journal: News of the Churches of God, sent out the following:

Longtime Church of God member Jim Ussery dies in Big Sandy

http://www.thejournal.org/issues/issue125/jim-ussery-obituary.html

BIG SANDY, Texas — Funeral services for James D. “Jim” Ussery, 80, of Big Sandy are scheduled for noon Saturday, May 3, 2008, at Croley Funeral Home in Gladewater, Texas, with Wayne Cole of Tyler, Texas, officiating.

Mr. Ussery, a longtime Church of God member and retired pastor of a congregation in Arkansas, died April 28 at his residence. He had earlier served as a deacon, elder and lay pastor. Mr. Ussery was also a retired U.S. Navy lieutenant.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Dorothy “Dot” Ladnier Ussery; children Lorraine Witz, Minneapolis, Minn., Darlene Warren, Big Sandy, Donna Toombs, North Little Rock, Ark., Lydia Wiley, Terrell, Texas, Jay Ussery, Marco Island, Fla., and Sharon Jalil, Arlington, Texas; sisters Elfreda Lieblong, Loell Bowie, Reba Luck and Joanna Earl; 17 grandchildren and stepgrandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Daughter Darlene Warren handles advertising sales and placement for The Journal.

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.

COGwriter

Ronald Weinland (RW below) was once again interviewed by Mike McConnel (MM below). Here are some transcripted notes put mainly together by Weinland Watch:

MM: OK. Well, the last posting I saw from you was on the 18th of April where you thought things would begin to unravel. Uh the last posting I guess you still had six or eight hours to go in the day that uh you know around the globe elsewhere it still was the 18th. You were waiting for something to happen. Were you somewhat let down at the end of the day when nothing you could certainly put a finger on actually began to transpire?

RW: Not physically. Uh there are, uh, that’s uh that’s what most people want. They want physical evidence…I mentioned in the program before that there would be 45 to 90 days.

MM: Mm-hm.

RW: Uh, when things will begin to transpire, they’ll become more evident, and what people really want are physical things to look at. Uh–

MM: Well yes, you said, and that forty-five to ninety days, things are going to be pretty well unravelled, according to you…I get the impression from your posting on the eighteenth that you expected something to happen on the seventeeth…

RW: [pauses] Well they will begin to see evidence…that is when our job began on that particular day and is also uh I’d also announced about a great prophet that was going to have a great influence on the earth–Not necessarily looked to as a prophet but he was here in the United States at that time, and that’s the Pope. He was in Washington DC and he was in New York city at that particular time

MM: Mmhmm.

RW: Whereas we were in Jerusalem, where our job begins, and where our job ends as I mentioned. Those are very notable things if people could only grasp it. But people don’t understand yet um–

MM: Well I-I mean but at the end of this you could-you’d end up being, if it doesn’t pan out you’re Mr. and Mrs. False Prophet.

RW: Oh exactly right. That’s a great position to be in isn’t it?

MM: You tell me!…Have you heard from other people who feel disappointed?

RW: I think there are people who are disappointed because they expect something physical to happen in the very beginning and I have tried to tell people that it’s a process that’s going to take place over a period of time here. Uh obviously as far as my own physical desire, yes I’d like to see something big happen so right away here so that people could you know begin to turn to what they need to turn to in order to go through what’s ahead here. But that isn’t the way God does things. And he hasn’t from the very beginning uh I think we–

MM: What what what will happen if we go through the forty-five to ninety days and things are pretty much on course as they are right now? Sun rises and sets where it’s supposed to, and everybody has a pretty nice day?

RW: Well. [pause] It’s not going to be that way but um [pause] I think of one individual that interviewed me right after you did, he’s over there in the UK, the James Whale show, TalkSport Radio over there he made a comment that when the second trumpet uh goes off and there’s a nuclear weapon that goes off here in the United States in different uh city, or different cities, he said, “Then I’ll believe you.” And that pretty much sums it up. And that’s candidly when some people are going to begin to change because they wanna see something dramatic they wanna see massive destruction they wanna see I mean–I mean that’s a that’s a sick thing in one respect but it’s going to take place but that’s what people want. They want that evidence. They–you really don’t want that evidence. Because it’s going to be a horrifying thing to live through when it comes to that point in time. The reality is it’s coming. But what leads up to that are some of the things that are already transpiring. And I tell you what. Little rumblings here and there and it starts to take place here as far as you know our economy I’ve talked about that. I don’t know if you’ve been watching–

MM: Well we’ve always had those rumblings about the economy.

RW: I’ll tell you what though right now we are in the last part of it. We’ve had rumblings but this is a finality for it. This–just like earthquakes right now. People don’t even–people aren’t even paying any attention to it. We had uh–

MM: The the other day I pulled out the Misery Index going back to 1948. We’re not even CLOSE to how bad the economy USUALLY is.

RW: And I app–

MM: Not just how bad it was in the 1970s and 1980s–

RW: And I appreciate what you’re saying and that is going to be some of the evidence of things as we go through this summer that is going to be far more evident to people that’s just one of many things that’s going to take place. We also had a second aircraft carrier that went in the Persian Gulf. What do you what you think they’re getting prepared for? Uh a lot of people you know they they speculate that there’s gonna be a strike on Iran. Umm [pause] You know we’re on–

MM: Well it might be but we have military strikes all the time. It’s nothing out of the ordinary. We just hit Somalia yesterday!

RW: [overlapping] Yeah and when you add all these things together just like when I started to mention here about earthquakes. Do you know how many earthquakes we’ve had here in the last few weeks in the United States? This is this is not normal. Just like in February. We had ten times the amount of tornadoes here and people said well that’s not, no it’s not normal. Things are speeding up. Things to do with the weather and things with earthquakes and so forth. And people make fun of that when I talked about earthquakes. But you know to have an earthquake here and there is one thing but to have two of them recently here in the midwest there’ve been six hundred out there off the uh off the coast of Oregon right we’ve had two here this past week. In southern California, one in northern California, in Eureka. Uh the Reno Nevada that keeps having

MM: All right…

RW: Yeah well stay tuned because there’s more coming and they’re going to grow in magnitude and that’s just exactly what’s taking place but people don’t listen to those kinds of things.

MM: Right. Well. Again my point would be about back to the last interview and you know I could it it–you suggested then that between that–that something big was going to happen on the seventeenth of April and that between–

RW: [laughing]

MM: And that between the forty-five and ninety days the world as we know it would not be recognizable.

RW: No. No I didn’t say anything like that.

MM: I–you’re–pretty much along the–well I’ll pull it back out.

RW: I list–

MM: Or we’ll talk again at the end of ninety days.

RW: I listened to it again last night. I was very specific. I said on April the seventeenth is when everything begins in the sense of the first trumpet of the seventh seal of Revelation I said about nine minutes into it you can go check I said the seventeenth is a beginning as I explained the first trumpet will be blown uh–

MM: Well, no, I–about the end of the forty-five to ninety day period. By by by second trumpet time this is supposed to be a pretty unrecognizable place.

RW: No by the second trumpet time we only have the first major strikes–what I mean–and I even mentioned there–it appears to be as though it’s going to be something nuclear. Uh if if that happens in some of the major cities obviously our our whole lifestyle in the United States changes. If it happens in New York, and Chicago, Washington, DC. Things are gonna change major for us here in the United States. But the United States continues on for several months. This doesn’t destroy us. Things can continue on–look what happened with Katrina did that hurt the rest of the United States? NO.

MM: Well no, but we never thought it was gonna destroy the United States.

RW: Well we are coming to that. We are coming to a point where by the time you get to the fifth trumpet we are going to be destroyed in essence. We’re not going to have a whole lot left.

MM: Well we’ll be talking to you again at the end of the ninety day period.

RW: Uh that’s up to you if you’d like to. Uh that’d be great.

MM: Sure the ninety days would be up I’m guessing July?

RW: Yes.

MM: Sometime mid-July?

RW: Yep.

MM: Well I’ll make it a point to be around.

RW: Good…

MM: End time 2008 dot com. Ron Weinland good to have you come back and face the music and we’ll do it again.

RW: You bet.

Having earthquakes, like there have been, at most, points to what Jesus called the “beginning of sorrows” which occurs BEFORE the Great Tribulation (cf. Matthew 24:7-8 and 21).

The truth is that physical things MUST happen at the start of the 1260 days–and much more obvious physical things than Ronald Weinland is referring to. And the economy, in the USA at least, will be destroyed shortly after the beginning of the Great Tribulation.

These things have not come to pass.

People really need to check what Ronald Weinland says against what the Bible teaches. Notice one simple example:

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matthew 24:15-21).

The events of Matthew 24:15-20 have NOT happened, thus the Great Tribulation (vs. 21) has not began. The Bible clearly shows that Ronald Weinland is a false prophet as people were not fleeing Jerusalem, etc.

Speaking of false prophets, the “True Bible Code” people have once again changed when a nuclear attack is supposed to occur. When what they predicted for last weekend (please seeEurope to Launch Satellite for Galileo, But More False Witnesses) did not take place, they came up with another prediction:

Cute, but wrong, until we are right inspite of ourselves! – Michael Schwingenschloegl and Francis Conger
The World ended judicially on 2008Nisan14 which was 2008April20. The Kingdom of God began judicially on 2008Nisan17 which was 2008April23. Jesus has married his bride, the 1NC saints in heaven.We are now in the time of the end. This runs from 2008Nisan14, which was 2008April20, the judicial end of the world, to 2009Sivan15, which will be 2009June9/10, the day that the last non raptured human dies, the literal end of this world. That period is a time (a year), times (2 months) and half a time (half a day) of Daniel 12 – Gordon Ritchie

Dear readers, We have had to make a revision to the biblical lunar calendar…

We now therefore expect a dual terrorist attack in the US and the UK on 2008Iyyar17 or 2008Iyyar21, which in fact corresponds with solar dates between the sunsets of May23/24 or May27/28. This is the fulfilment of the stone of Daniel2 hitting the image and of mushroom the cloud of 1Kings18 rising from the sea. We have got this wrong so far around 70x.

What a joke! These false prophets still do not give up.

The Weinlands and the “True Bible Code” people simply seem to be too involved in their own opinions and not involved enough in paying attention to the Bible.

Several articles of 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.
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.
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?