Church of God News

COGwriter

Zenit.org (A Vatican news service reported the following:

Prelate: Bible Key for More Than Christianity

Says Scripture Is Europe’s “Mother Tongue”

LISBON, Portugal, JUNE 24, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The Bible is a cornerstone, not just of Christianity, but of Western civilization, proposed Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi.

The president of the Pontifical Council for Culture affirmed this in Portugal last Friday, when he gave a talk on “The Bible: The ‘Great Code’ of Western Culture” at the Portuguese Catholic University.

According to the archbishop, the Bible is present in Western culture “as structural component of the artistic, ethical and social fields.”

Citing literary critic Northrop Frye, Archbishop Ravasi said that “Scripture is the universe in which Western literature and art acted until the 18th century and, to a great extent, still act.”

The prelate suggested three models that represent “this immense influence” of the Bible…

In reminding his listeners that the Bible is one of the reference points for the faith and for civilization itself, Archbishop Ravasi quoted Goethe who “said that Christianity is ‘the maternal tongue of Europe.'”

—————————————————————————–

While I believe that people in Europe and everywhere should read the Bible, why would the Catholic Archbishop mention the Bible in this context?

The Vatican wants the Europeans to accept Catholicism as a major aspect of the European Union. And while so far the secularists have stopped this, with each vote against the European constitution/treaty (like the one in Ireland almost two weeks ago), it is becoming clearer to some in the EU that they simply need stronger support from the Vatican in order to get the type of European unity that they are working on.

I believe that telling Europeans “that Christianity is ‘the maternal tongue of Europe”, that once again the Vatican is signaling the secularist EU leaders that they need Catholic (which is how Catholics tend to define “Christianity) support.

And, of course, the Vatican is willing to provide that support if the EU endorses a few concepts, specifically recognizing some Vatican presence and authority.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Read the Bible Christians should read the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading.
What is the Appropriate Form of Biblical Interpretation? Should the Bible be literally understood? What do the writings of the Bible, Origen, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Augustine show?
Bible and Historical Resources on the Internet Electronic bibles, Two Babylons, early Christian literature, photos, and even links to old Herbert W. Armstrong materials.
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 doctrines the early Christians actually had? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
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?
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”?
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?

COGwriter

Living University announced that early registration is open and that the following classes are planned to be offered for the Fall of 2008:

Below is the tentative 2008 fall schedule of classes. WC = Web Centered Course Delivery. SCH = Semester Credit Hours.

Early Registration [June 11-August 10] • Registration [August 11-12] • Late Registration (Add/Drop) [August 13-15]

Online Registration Instructions for All New Students Online Registration Instructions for All Returning Students

Click here for a PDF copy of the 2008 Fall Schedule of Classes

Living University is affiliated with the Living Church of God.

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

COGwriter

The following news item was of interest:

Also notice what The History Channel claimed:

The ancient Maya have prophesied that the world will come to the end on 13 Katun on their current calendar. This date translates to December 21st, 2012…

The last page of the Dresden codex actually shows the destruction of the world via water…

This graphic illustration depicts the destruction of the earth by flood (Mayan Doomsday Prophecy, Decoding the Past. Original air date 08/03/06).

The fact is that although Mayan prophecies do mention flooding, the Netherlands will not be destroyed by a flood in 2012.

However, it is possible that a few years from then that it could have major flooding problems.

Unlike most countries, much of the Netherlands is below sea level and flooding is truly a national concern.

But because I do not believe that massive flooding on that type of scale will likely occur until sometime after “the Day of the Lord” begins (which is 2 1/2 years after the Great Tribulation begins), I believe that the most destructive flooding cannot occur before 2014, and most likely will not be for one or more years after that.

And yes, I know that there is flooding in the USA (see Midwest Flooding and Myanmar). But the type of deadly destruction that the 2012 prophecies appear to be referring to is not likely to happen until a few years AFTER 2012.

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? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
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”?
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them? Even though the Netherlands is not an island, it may be affected when the islands are.

The above photos of Hiroshima and Nagasaki reflect what pre-tribulation rapturists hope to miss

COGwriter

The following item in yesterday’s news was of interest:

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

In a sermon yesterday, which he eventually titled as “Following God”, he mentioned the letter he posted a couple of days ago (see Ron Weinland Admits He Had Nothing Pertinent to Report–But that he will continue!).

He said nothing will happen between now and July 16th. But he said this is also exciting and that he is responding to where God is leading. However, it has been Ronald Weinland and not God who has led his church.

He spent time trying to motivate his followers to follow even though what he said did not come to pass. He said that if the church does not have a sense of urgency then there is a problem.

Certainly the true church needs to have a sense of urgency, but his church is not true. It is a unitarian organization formed for a great tribulation to begin in the Spring of 2008 with Ronald Weinland as a self-appointed one of the two witnesses. The Godhead is NOT unitarian, the great tribulation did not happen, and Ronald Weinland is not one of the two witnesses.

He claimed that there has been an increase in “the intensity in the thunders…there is no physical evidence of the trumpets”. He also claimed that the first trumpet–which again he said was blown on April 17th–would not be fulfilled until December. He mentioned floods, earthquakes, droughts, and economic upheaval–“we are now getting close to a worldwide economic collapse” (he once said that the dollar would be worthless “a little past April” 2008).

He basically admits that he was wrong about the 1335, 1290, and 1260 days–while saying that the messages for each of those times was still somehow true.

He said that he probably should not have said certain things in radio interviews–like deadline dates by which he would admit that he was a false prophet. He also said, “I am being prepared for a job I haven’t yet started”. He then said that he was God’s prophet. He also admitted that he has been presumptuous.

But he is not God’s prophet. And he again called his critics mockers–he almost always has a bitter tone of voice during the time he discusses his critics.

He then said that on September 30, 2008 he would have more information to share (apparently on prophetic matters) and that the purpose and plan will become more exciting. He said “wait, for it will all come together on that day…things that will dumbfound you–dumbfounded me”.

And while that is good he admits some of his errors, does he not remember what he said in all the sermons since February 2, 2008 when he claimed the 1335 days began, March 18th when he claimed that the 1290 days had began, and April 17th when he claimed the 1260 days began?

He always said in his sermons that the events did occur and events were happening, but that only he and some others could see how they happened and how the prophesied events really were happening.

Why would anyone believe him?

He should be thanking people like me for warning people not to follow him, for warning people that the 1335 days did not begin on 2/2/08, for warning people that the 1290 days could not have started on 3/18/08, and why the 1260 days could not have began on 4/17/08.

Instead, he basically indicates that he and his followers are learning. As far as I can tell, he and his followers seem to be learning that they can continue to believe a lie–sadly they all seem to still be deceived.

They now (and before) should be checking out what he taught and the Bible taught. He has always been found lacking. No matter how much he continues to plead with people to follow him, he still is not God’s prophet.

He is a false prophet. That’s the bottom line.

Several articles of 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.
Was Unitarianism the Teaching of the Bible or Early Church? Many, including Ronald Weinland, claim it was, but was it?
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?
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 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?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–and Ronald Weinland is one of them–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.

Flooding in Iowa Affected More Than Urban Housing

COGwriter

AOL had this news item:

The latest World Ahead weekly update from LCG’s Dr. Douglas Winnail contained the following information about the flooding in the US Midwest:

Flooding in Iowa

Mr. Glenn Blackman, our deacon in Des Moines, reported the following concerning the devastating Midwest U.S. floods, “We have so much rain in Iowa that the ground is saturated and it just runs off…. Des Moines has two rivers that run through the downtown area. Iowa has been getting four-to-eight-inch rains up north, and it comes down these rivers. All four bridges downtown that run from the east side to the west side are shut down… the road from the downtown to the airport is also closed by flood…. Interstate 80 is closed over east, where the Cedar River crosses south of Cedar Rapids. This river took out a railroad bridge today in the city of Cedar Rapids.

“Des Moines officials are evacuating parts of the city, but some are refusing to get out. Some levees are leaking and the National Guard is working to try to keep them from failing. Thirty-one counties have been declared disaster areas because of tornados, rain and flooding… It’s too late to replant corn and too wet to try for soybeans. I heard a farm broadcaster say that it looks as if many farmers won’t get a crop in the ground this year and that, because of the weather we’ve had this spring, those who do have corn planted won’t get a very good crop. Iowa has had more rain and tornados than we had in 1993 when the floods took the water plant out.”

Midwest Flood of Biblical Proportions?

The “bread basket” of the U.S. has been drenched and inundated with water. Homes and towns are flooded and crops are being devastated in what some have called a flood that comes only every 500 years. In Iowa alone, they estimate a 20% crop failure “so far.” With record prices for grains, farmers worldwide stand to earn record incomes this year, IF the crops do not fail. However, for many Midwest U.S. farmers, the corn growing season is already lost. One agriculture expert warned, “With standing water comes concerns about manure storage, pollution, livestock safety, soil erosion, mold and fungus and other plant diseases… If the flooding continues, we won’t have any growing season to work with. For corn, time has run out” (New York Times, June 17, 2008). A spokesman for an insurance company stated, “We’ve had rainfall totals of the Noah’s Ark-type rains in east Central Illinois” (Bloomington Pantagraph, June 12, 2008). Brian Pierce, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said of the flooding, “We’re in uncharted territory—this is an event beyond what anybody could even imagine” (Associated Press, June 12, 2008). The Scriptures record warnings to the children of Israel about the consequences that would come from rejecting God and His ways, “your strength shall be spent in vain; for your land shall not yield its produce…” (Leviticus 26:20). God also reveals that He will punish the disobedient with scorching and mildew (Deuteronomy 28:22), and with rain on one city and not on another (Amos 4:7-9). Today, we appear to be reaping the consequences of turning our backs on God.

As all nations have rejected God’s ways, all the world is subject to weather problems.

Cyclone Nargis May 1, 2008

LCG’s update also contained the following update on the situation in Myanmar after the Cyclone:

Myanmar Update

On May 23, Mr. Rajan Moses received the following news from Myanmar elder Thomas Tial Hoe: “Thank you for your deep concern and your prayers for our Sakhangyi members. Though a big tree fell down between three of our members’ houses, and a tree fell down near Mrs. Saw Lay Beh’s home, it did not cause any damage to their homes. Our members were safe, saved and protected by our God. A refugee camp was set up in Sakhangyi village and about one thousand refugees stayed there. Some of our members were participating in helping refugees. Our God ‘will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and SAVE them’ (Psalm 145:19). We shall speak the praise of the Lord. As the rainy season is beginning in Myanmar and the roads are so bad, I will not be able to visit our Sakhangyi members before November.” Mr. Moses is scheduled to meet Mr. Thomas Tial Hoe in Myanmar the last week of June. Your prayers for a successful and safe trip are appreciated.

Myanmar was a tough place to live even prior to Cyclone Nagris. And all there need our prayers.

And all need the kingdom to come.

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.

Now there is good news as ultimately, God’s kingdom will come.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
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?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it. Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?
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?

Outside of Orthodox Church of St. George, May 7, 2008
Constantinople (Currently Called Istanbul, Turkey)

COGwriter

As long-time readers of this page are aware, I have long believed that the Orthodox would enter into some type of closer unity with the Vatican.

When my wife and I were at the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople last month, one of the staff members tried to assure us that while the Vatican wanted unity, that the Orthodox would resist the authority of the Pope.

Born as Dimitrios Arhondonis, he has been known as the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I since 1991

Well, in the news was an article which I believe shows how the next step towards this unification will most likely take place.  Notice the following:

The Orthodox still do not seem to understand that Rome’s plan truly is to dominate them.  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.

However, the Bible specifically warns against being part of Babylon (Revelation 18:2-4).

The Orthodox, individually, need to reject unity with Rome.  I say individually, because I believe that the major patriarchates (with the possible exception of the Russian Orthodox) will accept some type of unity with Rome. For more information, please see Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics.

And perhaps I should also add that some Catholic writers believe that unity with the Orthodox will bring an antipope–essentially the final Antichrist into power.

Notice the following two quotes:

Priest Paul Kramer (20^th century): 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.

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 (note this comment is from the Catholic writer Y. Dupont).

(For more details, please see Will An Ecumenical Pope Support Antichrist? What Do Catholic Prophecies Teach?).

The Catholics, then, also need to individually reject unity with the Orthodox.  And I state individually, because Pope Benedict XVI has clearly indicated that he is working towards unity with the Orthodox (and the Lutherans, please see Pope Trying to Appease the Orthodox and the Lutherans).  A unity that I strongly suspect will become more apparent during his pontificate, but will most likely be finalized in the next one.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

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.
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Living Church of God Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
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.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the Living Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?
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?

COGwriter

The July-August issue of WCG’s Together (formerly known as the Worldwide News) came out today.

It announced the following three retirements:

Paul Kroll…, senior editor of Christian Odyssey, author of numerous articles on our website, and writer in the Personal Correspondence Department, retired on June 6. He began full-time work with the WCG in 1964 and served as Professor of Journalism at Ambassador College and in many other capacities.

Don Mason…, pastor in Cary and Wilson, NC, retired on May 30, after almost 40 years of full-time service.

Dennis Pelley, pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Eagle Rock, CA, will retire on July 4, after 24 years of full-time service.

Dennis Pelley was temporarily our minister in WCG for a couple of months in 1994. It is sad that people like him, Don Mason, and Paul Kroll originally defended biblical truths for a number of years and then turned their backs to teach against those same truths when the Tkach administrations changed doctrine. WCG made a lot of changes (WCG Announces 35 Beliefs Book) in the past 22 years.

The BIble seems to use the term “hireling” for the type of “shepherds” who do not defend the flock (John 10:12-13).

Anyway, to me it is sad.

But the Bible does warn:

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

And those who accepted the changes away from the Bible certainly have fallen away.

So, in not too many years, the man of sin will be revealed–the one we in the Living Church of God call “the King of the North“.

COGwriter

Yesterday, the following was reported in the news:

“There are numerous other cases where national identity and religion are officially connected in some way, and where there are official bonds between a nation-state and an ethnocultural Diaspora,” he writes.

The Greek constitution, for example, makes some surprising provisions. Though it promises, to quote from article 13, that “every known religion is free and the forms of worship thereof shall be practiced without any hindrance by the State and under protection of the law,” its preamble nevertheless begins with: “In the name of the Holy and Consubstantial and Indivisible Trinity.” In the constitution itself, article 3 asserts that “the prevailing religion in Greece is that of the Eastern Orthodox Church of Christ” and takes pains to note that this church, “acknowledging as its head Our Lord Jesus Christ is indissolubly united in doctrine with the Great Church of Constantinople and every other Church of Christ of the same doctrine.”…

The preamble to the Irish constitution begins: “In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity, from Whom is all authority and to Whom, as our final end, all actions both of men and States must be referred.” Norway’s constitution decrees that “the Evangelical-Lutheran religion shall remain the official religion of the State,” that “more than half the number of the Members of the Council of State shall profess the official religion of the State,” and even that “the inhabitants professing it are bound to bring up their children in the same.”…http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1213794271014&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

And while I was told in Greece that the real power behind that government is the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church there, I had not realized that Greece and Ireland put the trinity in their constitutions.

While they most likely felt that they meant well when they did that, the truth is the the trinity was not the belief of the early Christian church.

The trinity first became taught by two heretics (one of which got it from paganism) and over time mainly in the 3rd and 4th centuries, it became the predominant view of the Greco-Roman confederation of churches (although it was not the majority view in Asia Minor until about the end of the 4th century).

Want proof?

Here are two quotes from Catholic scholars. The first is from the Catholic Encyclopedia which states,

Semiarians and Semiarianism A name frequently given to the conservative majority in the East in the fourth century…showing that the very name of father implies a son of like substance…rejected the Divinity of the Holy Ghost…

The “East” meant those in Asia Minor. Thus, it is clear that many held the binitarian view at that time (including no doubt, many who were not true Christians). Notice that the majority were binitarian (another term for “Semi-Arian”), which means that they were not trinitarian.

Have you been taught this before?

The second is from a one-time Catholic bishop named Marcellus of Ancyra around the middle of the fourth century,

Now with the heresy of the Ariomaniacs, which has corrupted the Church of God…These then teach three hypostases, just as Valentinus the heresiarch first invented in the book entitled by him ‘On the Three Natures’. For he was the first to invent three hypostases and three persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and he is discovered to have filched this from Hermes and Plato (Source: Logan A. Marcellus of Ancyra (Pseudo-Anthimus), ‘On the Holy Church’: Text, Translation and Commentary. Verses 8-9. Journal of Theological Studies, NS, Volume 51, Pt. 1, April 2000, p.95 ).

Valentinus was a second century heretic denounced publicly by the faithful Polycarp of Smyrna.

Want more proof that the early church was NOT trinitarian?

Then please consider reading and studying the following documented articles:

Binitarian View: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning Is binitarianism the correct position? What about unitarianism or trinitarianism?
Is The Father God? What is the view of the Bible? What was the view of the early church?
Jesus is God, But Was Made Man Was Jesus fully human and fully God or what?
Virgin Birth: Does the Bible Teach It? What does the Bible teach? What is claimed in The Da Vinci Code?
Did Early Christians Think the Holy Spirit Was A Separate Person in a Trinity? Or did they have a different view?
Did the True Church Ever Teach a Trinity? Most act like this is so, but is it?
Was Unitarianism the Teaching of the Bible or Early Church? Many, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, claim it was, but was it?
Binitarianism: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning This is a shorter article than the Binitarian View article, but has a little more information on binitarianism.
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Living Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?

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

Today, Ronald Weinland posted comments that included the following:

June 19, 2008

Some have asked why there have not been any recent postings on this site. The answer is, I have had nothing pertinent to report. I have been doing what others are doing: “waiting.”

As I have stated before, I am waiting until July 16 to see whether the Second Trumpet has been blown by that time, which falls within the 90 days I have referenced…

Although there is a marked increase in the thunders, there is still no physical evidence in the trumpets. And even though I have stated July 16 as a kind of deadline for the Second Trumpet, I am now deeply convinced that nothing concerning the trumpets will have occurred by that time.

This is not pleasant to have to address, as all of us have planned our lives on such timing. If the second trumpet sounds, with nuclear explosions in port cities, then everything will indeed be fully in line with what I’ve stated in the last interviews and in some sermons. But I do want to state again, I no longer believe that to be the case.

The bottom line is, I must follow what I believe God is showing me. If I have jumped the gun in a couple of interviews and interjected my own understanding into the timing of events, and have thereby been presumptuous, then I will repent and move forward…

The bottom line is that I know I am a prophet of God and God’s minister under Jesus Christ, who is the head of the Church of God, the Body of Christ. As such, I have a job to do and I am going to do it. Some will take great delight in some of this because they do not “see” what God is doing and “why.”

If what I have now been given to see over the last few days (and I am deeply convicted of this already), then there will be a very big issue addressed on Trumpets of this year. It will be the 50th truth (of major basic truths) God has given His Church in this end-time…

Because of what God has been giving me over the past few days, I now know that I am to resume the trips Laura and I make to scattered areas, and such trips will be planned all the way up to mid-December. All of you need to begin adjusting your thinking as you plan ahead. You need to expand your planning by several months, which will be explained in future sermons.

I am glad that he is admitting that he has nothing of importance to report. That is not what I would think any of the actual two witnesses would say.

But he stated repeatedly in the past if various events did not occur by various times, he would admit that he was a false prophet. He still has not done that, but at least he is admitting that he has been wrong.

That is a good first step.

But he needs to go further. Much further.

He is NOT God’s prophet. And that is the bottom line. The only message that I believe that God could possibly give him is one of personal repentance to call off this horrible claiming to be one of the two witnesses–God’s two witnesses will not be false prophets. They will not cause the type of deception that Ronald Weinland has caused.

In his future travels, what he should do is to keep his earlier word and admit that he is a false prophet.

Recall that Ronald Weinland in an interview on The Edge Radio on December 15, 2007 stated:

The proof is coming…

If it doesn’t come to pass…starting in April, then I’m nothing but a false prophet…

Beginning in April, its important that people believe it…

What we’re talking about happening in this country and around the world is a horrendous thing, it really is…

Things do start in 2008….It will be done by 2011…

There’s already been six seals opened up…and the world is ignorant of it…The seventh seal they will know though…

The destruction of the United States, we are the first to suffer…I wouldn’t want to be in Chicago, Los Angeles, or New York…

By the fall of 2011, that’s when Jesus Christ returns…

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...

The primary things…for the world…actually begin after April 2008…

The abomination of desolation has already happened…

The abomination of desolation has not happened!

Nor has Ronald Weinland admitted that he is not God’s prophet.

But for years, I have been warning people that Ronald Weinland is not one of God’s two witnesses–he did not fulfill the biblical requirements. That’s the real “bottom line”.

Several articles of 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.
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?
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 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?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–and Ronald Weinland is one of them–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.