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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 one of the two posts I made yesterday (see China Supporting the Dollar?), I referred to some false statements by Ronald Weinland and the US dollar.

Also yesterday, the Shadows of WCG blog posted part of a transcript of a sermon from Ronald Weinland’s sermon titled Stay the Course, Part 1, which he gave the end of 2007.

Here is what it reported that Ronald Weinland himself stated:

“I wanna speak very plainly and try to speak openly about some of these things…

You know, one of the things as well, what if Ron Weinland, what he says doesn’t come to pass in April, what if these things don’t happen in 2008. I think about, you know, what have I said in interviews? There’s really a simple answer. False prophet. You know, I get tons of email, I get email every day from people saying, “Well I guess in 2009,” a lot of sarcasm comes out, “I guess you’re gonna be saying this or saying that or trying to explain to people”, No, I’m done.

Just to be real candid with you so people know and people out there listening who don’t believe this at all, they’re listening because they have a different intent, because they know someone else is listening with a different intent then them, again, that’s the only answer, that’s why I answer like I do during the interviews.

Furthermore, Ronald Weinland stated the following in a radio interview around the same time from my own notes:

The proof is coming…

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

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…(Ronald Weinland Interview on The Edge Radio on December 15, 2007).

Yet, instead of keeping his word, Ronald Weinland has changed his dates and continued. Thus, Ronald Weinland is a liar. Before continuing, a scripture came to mind that perhaps should be quoted here:

Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son (1 John 2:22).

By teaching a form of unitarianism (for information on unitarianism, please see Was Unitarianism the Teaching of the Bible or Early Church?), Ronald Weinland does deny the truth about the Father and the Son. hence, instead of being one of the two witnesses as he falsely claims to be, Ronald Weinland is simply becoming one of the many antichrists (there are many, but there will also be a final one–see Some Doctrines of Antichrist).

Notice what Ronald Weinland 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. (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 was June 8th, by mid-June Ronald Weinland was to stop preaching according to his own words.

And by mid-July 2008 Ronald Weinland was to apologize and publicly admit his error. Instead he changed his dates and declared that denouncing his critics was the 50th truth that was restored to the church.

Unbelievable.

And even though his internet impact is not as high as it was in April 2008, it is still relatively high (his 3 month Alexa rating is 101,276–better than all or nearly all COG-related sites). That suggests that at least some people believe this false prophet still–perhaps they should have believed him when he repeatedly and publicly stated that he was a false prophet if events did not occur between April 17th and June 8th 2008–because those events that he prophesied did not occur.

According to Ronald Weinland’s own words, he is a false prophet.

Several 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. Why is he a false prophet? He also has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the Church of God.
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? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
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?
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse What is the Book of Revelation trying to tell us about them? Does the first one deceive many?

Depiction of Levites Carrying the Ark of the Covenant

COGwriter

The Temple Institute, an Israeli-based group hoping “to build the Holy Temple of G-d on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem” and also to resume sacrifices, reported earlier today (http://www.templeinstitute.org/kiyor-keter.htm) that it has completed another instrument that it feels its priest will need:

Preparing the Ornamental Crown for the Brass Laver

WORK CONTINUES APACE ON THE NEW COPPER LAVER being produced by the Temple Institute, and this past Wednesday, (19 Av, 5768/August 20, 2008), an important step forward was taken: the copper keter, or ornamental crown, which will be affixed to the top of the laver, was completed and delivered to the Acco based factory of Shlomo Buchbut, where the laver is being prepared.

THE BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED KETER IS THE WORK OF CHAIM ODEM, renowned Israeli metalsmith. Chaim has taken part in the design and manufacture of many of the metal vessels produced by the Temple Institute, most notably the golden menorah. For months Chaim has been busy at work on the keter, a process which began with his own artistic rendition of a crowning ornament worthy of adorning the Holy Temple-bound copper laver. Once having acheived a suitable design, Chaim then had to create molds and templates, only after which did he begin the painstaking task of hammering by hand the design into the copper sheet.

This brass/copper laver was probably made based upon Exodus 30::

17 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 18 “You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base also of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar. And you shall put water in it, 19 for Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet in water from it. 20 When they go into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the LORD, they shall wash with water, lest they die. 21 So they shall wash their hands and their feet, lest they die. And it shall be a statute forever to them–to him and his descendants throughout their generations.” (Exodus 30:17-21)

So, one more implement has been prepared for the Levitical priesthood to resume sacrifices. The Temple Institute seems determined to animate/imitate portions of Old Testament history in order to (unknowingly, most likely) fulfill Bible prophecy.

The Bible shows that the sacrifices will, however, be stopped by the prince who becomes the King of the North (Daniel 11:31)–but this cannot happen for at least 3 1/2 years from now (Daniel 9:26-27).

Several articles of possibly 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 others (who were not even on the same continent). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012? How might any of this tie into Daniel 9:26-27?
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? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?

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

COGwriter

The following news item was of interest:

While China’s support will at some point in time end, the above totally contradicts CGPFK’s Ronald Weinland’s false predictions on November 24, 2007 and on December 15, 2007:

Next year will see the Dollar collapse and the Euro become the new strength for the world’s economy. The thunders of Revelation are now going to begin to increase in intensity and frequency. Beginning in February, those thunders will increase dramatically, and by April this world will begin to be shaken to its foundations (Weinland R. YEAR NEARLY OVER. November 24, 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…(Ronald Weinland Interview on The Edge Radio on December 15, 2007).

But, as I have reported for years, I do not consider Ronald Weinland to be God’s prophet (nor do I consider someone named Thomas B. Gardner who claimed to be “God’s Last Prophet” in an email to me last night as well as one today to be one of God’s prophets either–he falsely claims that the Kingdom of God will not be established on earth for at least 1,157 years from now–he apparently does not accept the 6,000 year plan or if he does, he is confused about how much time has past and is left). Jesus warned, that even among those who consider themselves part of the true Church of God, that false prophets would rise up (cf. 2 Peter 2:1; Acts 20:30).

One of the reasons I have been able to correctly and biblically oppose Ronald Weinland (and many others this year, please see: Ronald Weinland, Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God; the True Bible Code, Europe to Launch Satellite for Galileo, But More False Witnesses; Geoff Neilson, Sep-Oct 2007 Journal Out; Yisrayl Hawkins, Pentecost and Prophecies; Tim Carpenter, Yes, There Was An Earthquake, But… and James Malm, James Malm Challenges COGwriter) is that, in accordance with Daniel 9:26-27, the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21) cannot occur before the year 2012 (but also I do not believe that the kingdom cannot start for at least 1157 years).

This does not mean that there will not be ups and downs for the US dollar. But the time for it to be worthless is not yet here (though it may tank greatly between now and the Great Tribulation).

However, the long-term trend will be down. Having such huge amount of US dollars makes China a major player, with real economic power, on the world scene. But ultimately, the US dollar will become totally worthless.

At some point near the start of the Great Tribulation, Habakkuk 2:3-7 indicates that our creditors will rise up against us and ultimately make the Anglo-American powers (the world’s greatest debtors) slaves.

Though, because of other scriptures, this appears to a European power (the King of the North) assisted by an Islamic power (the King of the South), and not China itself (a country that prophecy indicates will apparently team up with Russia, Japan, India, and other Asian nations to invade the future European King of the North, Daniel 11:44-45).

Several articles of possibly 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 others (who were not even on the same continent). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 This article explains how the LCG views this, and compares this to Ellen White.
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”?
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? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans?
India, Its Biblical Past and Future: Any Witness? The Bible discusses the origins of those of Indian heritage and discusses some of the witness to them.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for China? Is it a “King of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan. Will God save the Japanese?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia? What will it do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
Modern Nations and God’s Ancient Plan Many peoples are mentioned in the Bible. And other than the fact that the modern nation of Israel represents the ancient kingdom of Judah, do you know who any of these people are now?
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?

The Hymnal of the Living Church of God Consists Mainly of Psalms and Biblical Passages Set to Music

COGwriter

Having attended both Roman Catholic and Protestant church services while growing up, one of the things I noticed that was different about the true Church of God was the type of hymns that were sung.

While Catholics and Protestants tended to sing songs that had religious messages, the old Worldwide Church of God (and the current Living Church of God) mainly sung hymns which were extracted from the Psalms in the Bible.

And while we have been criticized for that (see Praises to Jesus Christ or Biblical Hymns: Which Should Christians Primarily Sing?), the fact is that the practice of the Living Church of God (and the old Worldwide Church of God) appears to be the same as those of the earliest professors of Christ.

The Book of James teaches:

Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms (James 5:13).

The Apostle Paul noted:

Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm (1 Corinthians 14:26).

The noted historian K.S. Latourette observed:

From a very early date, perhaps from the beginning, Christians employed in their services the psalms found in the Jewish Scriptures, the Christian Old Testament. Since the first Christians were predominantly Greek-speaking, these psalms were in a Greek translation. We hear of at least one form of service in which, after the reading from the Old Testament, the “hymns of David” were sung…Until the end of the fourth century, in the services of the Catholic Church only the Old Testament Psalms and the hymns or canticles from the New Testament were sung…Gradually there were prepared versical paraphrases (Latourette K.S. A History of Christianity, Volume 1: Beginnings to 1500. Harper Collins, San Francisco, 1975, pp. 206,207).

Because of fears of gnostic influence, Christians did not add outside poetic phrases or non-biblical lyrics until well after the second century (Ibid).

On the Roman date of 7 March 203, Tertullian records that while being prepared for martyrdom:

Perpetua sang psalms (Tertullian. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

Here is a quote from a fourth century publication known as the Apostolic Constitutions :

It appears likely that the Sunday practice of singing songs of praise to God ultimately led to the practice of shifting the primacy of psalm singing to praises towards Jesus in what we now consider to be the Protestant world (as they got Sunday from the Romans).A recent book on early biblical and church practices states:

Hence evidence does support the idea that psalms were the main types of hymns that the early Christians sang on the Sabbath (as that is when the early Christians, did in fact meet–Sunday worship is not alluded to in any historical literature prior to the 2nd Century–and the first clear mention of Sunday worship was by Justin Martyr: A Saint, Heretic or Apostate?).

The songbook of the Living Church of God is almost exclusively English-translations of the Book of Psalms and other parts of the Bible set to music.

In non-English speaking areas, Living Church of God congregations basically sing the same hymns translated into other languages such as Spanish, French, German, etc.

Three articles of possibly related interest may include:

Praises to Jesus Christ or Biblical Hymns: Which Should Christians Primarily Sing? This biblical article on music is in response to an advertisement critical of WCG’s 1974 The Bible Hymnal. It also address early church practices here.
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?
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different Church of God groups. 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.

Laodicea Has Many Scattered Structures that Are Ineffective

COGwriter

At UCG’s Council Meeting earlier this month, UCG leaders are still somewhat in a bind because they have bought property approved for relocation to Texas, yet the field elders blocked the moved in a later vote (for details, see UCG Keeps Aaron Dean on Council and Votes to Rescind Texas Move). Here is what was reported about it:

How Do We Proceed From Here?

Mr. Kilough presented a seven-page document to the Council. It included a review of what the new Strategic Plan and Operation Plan address about having necessary facilities for our training and educational programs. Immersion education provides the optimal growth atmosphere for our ABC and pastoral training participants, and on-site housing is a critical component. He also noted that we need better media production facilities that will allow us to expand and improve our program formats. We also need room soon for adding manpower to expand and improve our Web delivery capabilities.

The next section of the document included the facts of where we are now. We currently own 81 acres of land in Denton, Texas. The original proposal costs for construction and development are now out of date, and will be higher as time goes by. The projections we presented two years ago concerning manpower are coming to pass. This year we have three pastors seeking retirement, and others have indicated to us their plans for the future. The need for pastoral training is now, and it will only increase. To implement the tremendous opportunities for expanding our media reach and increasing our effectiveness, we will require more manpower and better facilities.

Three options were then presented with the understanding that the restoring of trust needs to be considered as part of the process of going forward. The options presented did not have cost estimates for implementation. Therefore, whichever option the Council would choose, the next step would be for the administration to conduct a due diligence study of costs, manpower needs, etc. The study would then be presented to the Council with a detailed proposal for final approval.

The first option was to conduct a strategic facilities study. This would include a task force comprised of Council, administration and GCE representatives. The Council and administration would develop a “scope of work” for the task force. It would involve standardizing the needs and criteria for any location decision and the hiring of an outside consultant. Key areas of communication would include the Council communicating the entire study plan to the GCE. The task force would give regular progress reports to the Council, GCE and administration, and the Council would communicate the results to the GCE. This option has the advantage that the use of an outside consulting firm would satisfy any concerns about a lack of objectivity. One of the disadvantages is that this option could take a long time—up to two years—and it doesn’t address our immediate needs for manpower and space, without which we will be increasingly hampered.

The second option is to decide to build in the Cincinnati area. The administration would choose a “location task force.” As with the first option, there would be a need to set the “scope of work” and communication efforts would be employed just as thoroughly. The advantages to this option are that we can move forward faster, and it does not put the GCE through another relocation decision. A disadvantage is that it does not provide a comparative study of locations and, without a fair study, it could alienate the almost 50 percent of the GCE who favored the move to Texas.

The third option is to remodel the current facility, concurrently implementing the strategic facilities study (option 1). This option does not expand, but remodels the current building. It could meet the immediate needs for the next three to five years. This option would allow for the warehouse to be moved to a nearby, leased facility. We could create a multimedia auditorium in what is currently the warehouse space. We could create more space for offices and conference rooms. This option allows for the cautious approach, satisfying the concern that the original proposal was too hurried. It does meet the immediate needs for increased office space and allows for time to implement the strategic facilities study. Also, it does not increase the size of our current facility that could reduce our future ability to sell. The disadvantage is that it does not provide for on-site housing for ABC and ministerial training, and it means investing money in the short term that we cannot count on being recovered when the facility is sold.

Mr. Kilough then read the administration’s recommendation: The president and the operation managers agreed that option 1 focuses on addressing the long-term vision. It is a critical and logical element in sound strategic thinking. The downside to option 1 is the time factor, as task force work can be very slow and lengthy.

Therefore, the third option, which calls for the remodeling of the current facility and concurrently implementing the strategic facilities study, offers the most advantages at this time. It gives us the best balance of choices and the greatest flexibility.

Mr. Kilough then opened the floor for discussion. Council members stated their appreciation for the work and effort that went into preparing these proposals.

The Council discussed various issues such as whether some research from the past studies could be used again. Other topics included the need to have set criteria standards for a facility’s usage. A lot of questions dealt with how the current facility could be remodeled, and if we should consider hiring a professional efficiency expert to maximize our current space.

Discussion then led to future planning that included the design of future buildings. Mr. Kilough said when we first moved into this current facility, it was great, and then we needed more room, and we still do. We do need acreage to use in case there is even more growth. There needs to be long-term planning that accommodates growth that we may not be able to anticipate at this point. We do have real tangible problems with our current facility that is now outgrown.

Robert Dick thanked Mr. Kilough and the staff for the material they provided the Council. Mr. Dick then asked the Council to consider providing the administration with a sense of direction as to which option the administration should now focus on. This will be part of the agenda for the last day’s meeting.

UCG has always had a form of governance that Herbert W. Armstrong wrote against, hence having troubles because of it is certainly no surprise.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
The Laodicean Church Era was predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. Non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.

Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev: Do the Europeans Trust this Russian President?

COGwriter

In its weekly update read at services yesterday, LCG reported:

Global Implications of a “Summer War” in Georgia. Christ warned that signs of the end of the age would be “wars and rumors of wars” and nations rising against nations (Matthew 24:6-7). The brief “summer war” in Georgia and South Ossetia fits in well with Christ’s predictions—here we see ethnic groups in the north and south of Georgia fighting each other and the government of Russia quickly intervening in support of the break-away region. But this war is more than just a “summer war” over South Ossetia’s right to become independent. Currently, Europe relies on Russia for nearly 40% of its oil and gas. Georgia was a promising tool to bring oil and gas across southeastern Europe and into Turkey—and eventually to Austria to help offset Europe’s reliance on Russian fuel. This was while Georgia was viewed as a stable and safe nation. Russia, well aware of Georgia’s strategic fuel resources, opposed from the start a pipeline project to bring Georgian fuel to Turkey (Globe and Mail, August 18, 2008). Germany and Europe are in turmoil about how to deal with the current crisis, with many calling for “offensive” actions against Russia’s “imperial tactics” instead of just defensive (Der Spiegel, August 18, 2008). Russia’s “summer war” in Georgia will also likely further galvanize the EU—especially if the EU chooses to take unified military action on what many view as European soil.

Essentially, I believe that the situation with Georgia has shown the Europeans that they must be able to stand up against the Russians and that they need a stronger military of their own in order to do this. I believe the Europeans are learning that they should not trust the Russian president.

The Georgia war should make it easier for the European leaders to convince the average European that since they do need oil and that the Russians are starting to threaten them (see Russia Threatens Poland with Nuclear Attack), that a more united and militaristic Europe is needed.

Of course, once they are a more significant military power, a united Europe will be strong enough to deal with others (including those that they currently do not see as direct enemies, see Isaiah 10:5-7). And that will affect the rest of the world.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia? What will it do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
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? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?

Barack Obama

COGwriter

US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama announced his choice for vice-president. The BBC reported:

US Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has announced that Joe Biden will be his running mate in November’s election.

Mr Obama’s choice, confirmed on his website and with a text message to supporters, comes ahead of next week’s Democratic Party convention.

Mr Biden, a 65-year-old veteran lawmaker, is highly respected on foreign policy issues…

“Barack has chosen Joe Biden to be his running mate,” a brief statement on Mr Obama’s campaign website said.

As far as who will or should win this election, two scriptures come to mind:

The will of the Lord be done (Acts 21:14).

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

Christians are to pray for and about their political leaders, in accordance with GOD’S (not their own) will.

Two articles of possibly related interest may include:

Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled if he is elected president?

Beijing After Rain                  Beijing on a Normal Sunny Day

COGwriter

Christianity Today has an article titled Whither China? Terrance Halliday that includes the following:

In the aftermath of the catastrophic Sichuan earthquake, there will be considerable international sympathy for China, perhaps defusing some of the criticism that built in the months leading up to the games, as the Olympic torchbearers ran gauntlets of foreign protesters. But which China will follow the Beijing Olympics? The hot China of spectacular economic growth or virulent anti-Japanese demonstrations? The warm China of pandas and cultural exchanges? The cool China of military build-up and hard-headed Communist Party rule? Or the cold China of Tiananmen Square and support for the genocidal Sudanese government?…

Certain facts about China are unassailable. Over thirty years China has sustained annual economic growth of around 8-10 percent, lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, become the world’s industrial factory, enacted hundreds of new laws, moved from a command economy to a predominantly private market, graduated from amongst the poorest countries in the world to a mid-level developing country, risen from a country of bicycles to only the third nation in history to put a man in space…

On political rights—freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of assembly—the government takes a harder line. Here social stability is its touchstone. The Communist Party will brook no rivals. That includes religion, because of a “long history of religious movements toppling dynasties in the past.” The Propaganda Department and State Security Ministry control tightly discussion of politically sensitive topics…

If all goes well China will be a South Korean success story—a rich, stable, democratic, open society—in a few decades. It might even become, as the book’s subtitle provocatively suggests, “a model for the rest.”

This is not the China that Susan Shirk observes. A distinguished China scholar and former Deputy Assistant Secretary with responsibility for China in the Clinton Administration, Shirk has been closely following Chinese politics for three decades…

The social security of the “iron rice bowl has gone,” and with it guaranteed health care, permanent employment, and assured retirement pensions. Tens of millions of workers have lost their jobs, especially in China’s northeast rustbelt. China’s west and hundreds of millions of its rural population are being left behind in a widening inequality that could trigger “massive unrest.” Opportunistic speculators, often in complicity with local officials, seize land without adequate compensation. Corruption is rampant among officials. Environmental problems make domestic headlines daily.

Add these together—rising mass protests, ethnic unrest in Tibet and Xinjiang, labor unrest, rural unrest, student unrest over international incidents, social unrest—mix them with flammable nationalism, and the paranoia of China’s authoritarian leaders intensifies. From this vantage point, a white-hot economy merely buys time for China’s vulnerable leaders who can barely stay in the saddle of their writhing dragon.

China’s Communist leaders, Shirk believes, have made a Faustian bargain. Above all, they strive to stay in power. Yet they are “haunted by the fear that their days in power are numbered.” They struggle to maintain political control, fear their own citizens and exude “a deep sense of domestic insecurity.” They look back to Tiananmen Square, where they came within a hairsbreadth of losing the country…

Not least, says Shirk, ultimately the Party relies on the People’s Liberation Army to keep it in power, as Tiananmen bloodily revealed. Leaders who lack the gravitas of Mao or Deng Xiaoping have bought loyalty by spending heavily on military modernization. The military is projecting its naval power farther and farther from China’s coasts; its rockets can destroy satellites in space; its missiles become ever more accurate and farther reaching. A stronger military tolerates slights less willingly…

For James Mann, former Beijing Bureau Chief for the Los Angeles Times, neither Peerenboom’s relentless optimism nor Shirk’s sober realism hits the right note…

To rock the boat would be to tell the truth, Mann says, and the truth is ugly. China is a repressive state run by the Party (7-8 percent of the population) for its narrow interests. He concurs with Shirk that the Party will do anything to stay in power—mow down weaponless protesters with tanks, spirit away tens of thousands of political prisoners to remote camps, use torture and executions to silence dissidents. One way or another, political dissent is ruthlessly silenced…

In Mann’s view, purveyors of the “Soothing Scenario” subscribe to the “Starbucks Fallacy”: more middle-class consumers will eventually lead to more political choice. In fact, China’s population, it is said, is pretty happy. “People in China don’t care about politics,” they just care about “making money.”

In response, Mann doesn’t fall back on a fragility analysis, à la Shirk. He acknowledges that there is an “Upheaval Scenario” in which disaster looms through economic downturns and political disintegration in response to inequality, corruption, rural protests, land seizures, and ethnic struggles…

Shirk skillfully points to contingencies for China’s future, to pressure points and faultlines in Chinese society and politics from which seismic shocks might abruptly alter the course of China’s economy and position in the world. An international political incident could escalate out of control, shattering the fragile porcelain that is China’s present creation. Or an economic shock—contamination of Chinese food, an international backlash against Chinese competition, an over-reaction to Chinese product safety—could precipitate a crash “that throws millions of workers out of their jobs or sends millions of depositors to withdraw their savings from the shaky banking system.” The threat of such an event, Shirk warns, is the “greatest political risk” facing China’s leaders.

Not only is history fraught with contingency, unexpected turns, and sudden jolts, but social and economic theories of democracy and markets cannot naively assume that one necessarily or inevitably accompanies the other. Mann does us the service of calling into question the widely held assumption that democracy in China is just over the horizon if we only wait long enough and don’t interfere. As he rightly observes, another model altogether is possible—an economically developed country that is also politically repressive…

Curiously, none of these authors has much to say about religion in either China or the United States, now or in the future…Shirk by contrast attributes none of China’s fragility to religious restiveness, although she hints that rights-champions in the United States, some of whom are religious activists, might be among those whom China’s leaders and publics find confrontational.  http://www.christianitytoday.com/bc/2008/004/8.30.html

Economically China will grow, but it will have problems. LCG’s Dr. Meredith commented on the pollution and the potential for social unrest on his visit there (for details please see China Olympics and Air Pollution).  As China has a 5th of the world’s population and is growing in economic might, what happens to it will increasingly have more impact on the rest of the world.

But China while appearing strong, does have significant instability issues that eventually money itself will not satisfy.

And according to the Bible (Revelation 13:11-12), religion will play a huge role in China’s future–even though the religion that does will be centered in Europe–a power that the Chinese will eventually turn against (Daniel 11:44).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for China? Is it a “King of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where?
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”?

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

For the first time in nearly two months, Ronald Weinland posted a letter on his website.

It states:

THUNDERS GROW STRONGER

August 21, 2008

First, before going into the purpose and content of this posting, I would like to announce that the 50th Truth has now been added to The 50 Truths of God that is in the “Publications” section of the Church website.

Postings to this site have been minimal since April…

There have been no interviews and the advertising being done on the Internet has been reduced dramatically…

Since things did not happen in the original time frame that was given because God had not given this 50th Truth, those who were responding solely out of fear and desire for self-preservation are no longer seeking God’s help. Those who are skeptics, critics and mockers have only grown bolder in their deceived and misguided confidence…

The reality is that all that has been given in the past will still come to pass, but simply a few months later than previously understood. As covered in the 50th Truth that has just been posted, on Trumpets of this year the final countdown for the return of Jesus Christ will have begun, but the world will not begin to respond to God until the Trumpets of the Seventh Seal begin to sound, and most will not begin to be earnest in their response until after the Fifth Trumpet has sounded…

One of the most astonishing events and loudest thunders since 9-11 is the conflict between Georgia and Russia…

The minds of peoples and leaders in ten European nations are now being molded so that one day soon they will agree to unite as the United States of Europe and it will be at that time that they determine to set their own course and control of the future—through immediate aggression in war. It will be this European union that plunges the whole world into war, and not Russia or the United States.

This is not a time to draw back, become slack, or let down from being spiritually on guard. Everything is rapidly moving forward, and on Trumpets of this year we will have entered the final 1335 days before the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the government of God over all the earth.

Actually, it is Ronald Weinland who has misguided confidence. He claimed that he and his wife were the two witnesses; that the 1335 days began on February 2, 2008; that the Great Tribulation would begin on April 17, 2008; that the USA would be nuked by June 8th (then changed to mid-July); and now he claims that the 1335 days will start on Trumpets (which is September 30, 2008).

The Bible did not support the start of the 1335 days on February 2, 2008 as I posted back then, nor does it support the 1335 days beginning on September 30, 2008 (which is what James Malm seems to be teaching–I denounced both Ronald Weinland and James Malm’s positions in 2007 see At Least Two Wrongly Claim Great Tribulation Will Begin in 2008, as well as throughout the year 2008).

Perhaps I should mention that Ronald Weinland never prophesied the Russia-Georgia situation as part of the coming thunders. He claimed that with the increasing thunders first COG leaders would die (none did); then the USA dollar would be worthless a little past April 2008 (it is worth perhaps more now than then); then his critics would be stricken and apparently die (none have as far as I can tell); then the nuclear attacks would affect the USA (this did not happen); then other countries would be involved.

Now Mike at Don’t Drink the Flavor Aid (an anti-COG site) posted the following quoting Ronald Weinland yesterday:

God could have revealed this truth at any time, and it has always been solely within His own power and prerogative to do so whenever He chose. God had given the Church most of the understanding concerning the meaning of the Feast of Trumpets, but not all. God has now given the Church to understand some of those reasons why He has chosen to reveal this great truth just before Trumpets of 2008.
1) This is part of a continuing process to make a distinction in the Church (the actual physical organization where the spiritual body of the Church is being nurtured and led through whom God is working) and all other organizations who were scattered from the Church (where God is no longer working).
2) This was reserved until now because there is a continuing spiritual battle against Satan and his demons. Satan and the demons know their time of reign is nearly over and then they will be removed from the presence of mankind for 1,000 years, but they have not fully known what that exact timing involved. God is about to expose Satan and the demon world for the true evil they are.
3) God is also going to reveal the perverted attitude and spirit of all who mock Him, His Church, and His servants. Those who scoff, criticize, ridicule, and mock God’s Church have used the occasion of this revelation to find fault with God’s Church for changing doctrine (as they see it) and timing in order to better suit their own false needs. Such critics foolishly and unwittingly put themselves in a position of judging God. The very thing they mock is the very thing that will end up being used to mock them. God is revealing the kind of hatred that has existed in the hearts of men and women toward Him and His people for nearly 6,000 now.
4) As part of a direct relationship to the previous point, this very thing that scoffers and mockers try to use to discredit God’s end-time prophet and two witnesses is one of the very things that God will use (in a far greater way) to prove who it is through whom He is working. In reality, the fulfillment of the 50th Truth will be great evidence of God’s true servants and the events that reveal the fulfilling of this truth will put mockers and scoffers to shame.

Although I do not mock nor scoff–I simply explain why people like Ronald Weinland are in error according to the Bible and world events, I would like to post Mike’s comment on the above which was:

The scoffers and mockers are not scoffing at God, His Church, or His Servants. We’re scoffing and mocking God’s False Prophet, Ronald Weinland. “2008: God’s False Witness”.

Ronald Weinland remains a false prophet. Sadly, I believe he is getting more and more delusional. No matter how much the Bible and world events do not support him, the more he seems to try to persuade himself that he is right.

As I have been reporting for many years, Ronald Weinland is a false prophet. And as I have reported throughout 2008, he truly claimed God revealed to him specific dates, insisted that the prophecies were fulfilled on those dates, and then changed his dates–God’s prophet and appointed two witnesses would NOT do that.

Some 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?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans and the Hindu Indians (who were not even on the same continent). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
Who 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?
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.

Rebuilt Gymnasium in Sardis.

This is one of the most impressive buildings in the area of any of the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3. However, it has been recently and massively rebuilt as its original condition was in ruin. And while it and its size are impressive, it no longer functions as it once did.

COGwriter

In the September 2008 edition of CG7’s Bible Advocate magazine, its president, Whaid Rose related the following:

Consider this conversation between a little boy and his father. “Who made me?” the boy asked.

“God,” Dad replied.

“Who made you?” the boy continued.

“God did.”

Again the boy asked, “Did God make everybody?”

“Yes,” Dad responded, “all the people in the world.”

So far, Dad’s answers were correct, but the tough question followed: “If God made all the people in
the world, then who made God?”

Dad scratched his head, then said, “I guess God made Himself.”

Wrong answer! To say God made Himself implies that at one time God did not exist and that He is a created being. This contradicts the scriptural assertion that God is creator, not created; that He has always existed apart from His creation; that He is the uncaused cause, the unmoved mover, the I AM.

And Whaid Rose’s assessment of the Dad’s position is correct.

God, whose family began with the Ancient of Days (the Father) and the Word (Jesus), was not created.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge.
Where Did God Come From? Any ideas? And how has God been able to exist? Who is God?
How is God Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient? Here is a biblical article by Wallace Smith which answers what many really wonder about it.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
The Bible: Fact or Fiction? This is a booklet written by Douglas Winnail that answers if the Bible is just a collection of myths and legends or the inspired word of God.
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 Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and COG-7th Day.
Who Was Herbert W. Armstrong? How is He Viewed Today? Includes quotes from the 1973 edition of The Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong and explains how he is and should be viewed today.
Binitarian View: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning Is binitarianism the correct position? What about unitarianism or trinitarianism?
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? Unitarians tend to claim that Jesus was created. Many, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, claim the early church was unitarian, but was it?