Church of God News

COGwriter

Today is the biblical Feast of Trumpets. A day that features the good news that the resurrection of the Christians and the book of life will be opened after the destruction to hit this planet (please see the article Is Halloween Holy Time for Christians? for details).

Those who are not observing the biblical Feast of Trumpets today, seem more inclined to at least partially support (it is the third biggest financially important holiday in the USA) a pagan holiday that promotes death.

On its web page last year, WCG mentioned and promoted its current article, with the related picture, on Halloween which states:

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

May Christians and their children participate in Halloween activities? To answer this question, we should first distinguish the secular observance of Halloween from such important Christian festival days as Christmas and Easter. Christmas celebrates the birth of our Savior and Easter commemorates his resurrection. Both these Christian holidays memorialize profound aspects of the life of Jesus…

The day does have religious significance for some people, particularly wiccans and druids. For some people and in some regions, Halloween or some of its elements may have a non-Christian religious meaning. Some Halloween activities could be considered anti-Christian, and would, therefore, be avoided. Christians would want to avoid demonic associations, for example. With these things in mind, it would be appropriate for Christians to consider carefully their activities on this holiday.

…It’s true that such things as jack-o’-lanterns, bonfires and black cats, which are part of the Halloween tradition, may have roots in pre-Christian activities…

Most Christians believe they can celebrate Halloween (in some respects) as a purely secular day of fun…

It is the responsibility of each Christian to decide, based on biblical and Christian principles, whether to participate in Halloween activities, and to avoid judging other Christians who have different circumstances and make different decisions.

WCG seems to want it both ways: it knows that Halloween is pagan, but thinks that Christians can celebrate it.

Christianity Today also seems to try to have it both ways: they seem to accept the compromise to observe it but try to suggest that not celebrating is okay while they also promote its observance.  Here are a few quotes from its website:

Responding to Halloween…

Announcing a new line of costumes…

Over the years, we have come up with some great activities to strengthen our family ties in late October that you can use whether you participate in Halloween or not.

Hallowing Halloween
Why Christians should embrace the “devilish” holiday with gusto—and laughter.

Why I Let My Kids Go Trick-or-Treating…

Other Links to Halloween Resources

Holiday Tips
Tips for a safe and successful Halloween night from the American Tract Society…

Halloween: Trick or Treat?
Visit the American Tract Society’s website to learn about the history of Halloween and All Saints’ Day and find fun games for the kids to play.

I suspect that the other reason for CT’s acceptance of paganism is financial.  There are various ads promoting books and other items related to Halloween.  Interestingly, in its list of “Holidays and Events” (a listing of 25 mainly pagan holidays), no biblical Holy Day is listed.

Christianity Today fails again to promote Christianity, but instead sinks to the level of promoting compromises that were accepted and/or endorsed by the Catholics of Rome.

Halloween came from pagan sources, promotes pagan concepts, and is not in any way endorsed by the Bible.

Jesus and Paul did not observe Halloween.  They observed the biblical holy days such as the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement (which begins at sunset on October 8th in 2008).

Which should a Christian truly support?

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is Halloween Holy Time for Christians? This article provides some historical and biblical insight on this question.
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? Did they? Did Jesus? Did Paul? Should you?
The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets? Are they related? Is so how? If not, where not?
The Day of Atonement–Its Christian Significance The Jews call it Yom Kippur, Christians “The Day of Atonement”. Does it have any relevance for Christians today?
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians?
LCG 2008 Feast of Tabernacles’ Information Here is information on many Feast of Tabernacles locations for this year.

A Shofar made from the horn of a Greater kudu.
The type of trumpet used for the Feast of Trumpets historically has been some type of animal horn.

COGwriter

Tonight at sunset begins the Feast of Trumpets (see The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets?), normally referred to by the Jews as Rosh Hoshanah.  It begins at the 29th of September 2008 and continues until sunset on the 30th of September.

Although many Jews outside of Israel celebrate it for two days, in the Bible it is only shown to be a one day festival:

23 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 24 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation (Leviticus 23:23-25).

Those of us in the Living Church of God consider ourselves to be true Israel as the Apostle Paul taught (cf. Romans 9:6-9;24-26), hence we imitate his and Jesus’ example (as Paul advised 1 Corinthians 11:1) and continue to observe this Holy Day in the 21st century.

Trumpets are used throughout the Bible and are prominent in Bible prophecy.

There will be trumpets blown during the Day of the Lord and Jesus will return with the sound of a great trumpet:

6 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

The first resurrection occurs at that time.  Notice that Paul also mentions that in association with the “last trumpet”:

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed– 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

Many who profess Christ simply do not fully understand biblical prophecy nor truly understand God’s real plan of salvation because they fail to observe the same days that Jesus, the apostles, the early church, and the true church have kept.

Oddly, a greater amount actually keep demonically-inspired days (like Halloween) that the Bible never endorses.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

What Did Early Christians Understand About the Resurrection? Is there more than one future resurrection? Did early Christians teach a physical resurrection? Did early Christians teach three resurrections?
Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?
Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. ArmstrongThis 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?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? Did they? Did Jesus? Should you?
The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets? Are they related? Is so how? If not, where not?
Holy Day Calendar This is a listing of the biblical holy days through 2012, with their Roman calendar dates. They are really hard to observe if you do not know when they occur 🙂

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

It will come as little surprise to readers of this page to realize that the number one export from the USA over the past several years has not been automobiles or pharmaceuticals, but instead it has been debt:

We in the old WCG and in the current LCG have been warning about this debt accumulation for decades.  And the late Herbert W. Armstrong, unlike the main current USA presidential hopefuls, as far back as the 1980s warned the Anglo-American peoples to prepare to lower their standard of living.

How did he know?

Because it was prophesied in the Bible.

Why have others not known this?

Because many who profess Christ have little interest in biblical prophecies in the Hebrew scriptures (AKA the Old Testament), they simply have ignored the warnings that God inspired Moses and others to record.

The Bible warned the descendants of Jacob:

15 “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: 16 Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country…

43 The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. 44 He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail. 45 Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you (Deuteronomy 28:15-16,43-45).

The “time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7) is getting close.  And eventually those that lent the money will rise up against the Anglo-Americans, plunder the land, and make many their slaves (Habakkuk 2:6-8).

The stock market did not react too well today when the US House of Representatives voted against guaranteeing certain debts:

It was the biggest closing point drop in market history, but far from the largest on a percentage basis. http://www.kwtx.com/money/headlines/29903229.html

We live in perilous times.

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?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
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 Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.

The Above Church in Greece is Called the Sunday Church, But Christians are to Observe the Seventh Day

COGwriter

In his latest update, LCG’s Dr. Winnail wrote:

Together on the Sabbath—for a Reason! We understand from the Bible that the Sabbath is a special, sanctified day of rest (Genesis 2:1-3). When properly kept, it is a delight (Isaiah 58:13-14).  We are also admonished in the Scriptures to encourage one another, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some” (Hebrews 10:24-25).  In the early New Testament Church, members gathered together on the Sabbath to worship and fellowship with other believers (see Acts 2:1; 13:14, 44; 17:2, etc.).  In doing so, they were following the commandment to “remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).  Today, with many small independent groups, it is easy to assume that observing the Sabbath is all we have to do to please God and be part of His Church.  However, we need to remember that God’s Church is commissioned to “go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15).  We need to make sure that the group we gather together with on the Sabbath is part of a Church that is actively fulfilling this God-given mission.

Notice what the Bible teaches in the Book of Hebrews:

4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work”…

9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience (Hebrews 4:4, 9-1,1NIV).

25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God (Hebrews 10:25-27, NIV).

With the Day fast approaching, and certainly closer than when Hebrews was written, getting together on the Sabbath is one thing that those who truly wish to support getting the full gospel to the world as a witness will do.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

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 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.
Is Revelation 1:10 talking about Sunday or the Day of the Lord? Most Protestant scholars say Sunday is the Lord’s Day, but is that what the Bible teaches?
The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church?
The Dramatic Story of Chinese Sabbathkeepers This reformatted Good News article from 1955 discusses Sabbath-keeping in China in the 1800s.
Is God Unreasonable? Some have suggested that if God requires Sabbath-keeping He is unreasonable. Is that true?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
Sunday and Christianity Was Sunday observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians? How clearly endorsed Sunday?
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.
Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
Getting the Gospel Out is More than a Local Job Discusses Biblical rationale for doing an international, and not just a local, work.
How Much Did You Cost? Some have complained that the total costs spent to proclaim the gospel as a witness is too high since it does not (in their opinion) result in enough conversions. Is that how God sees it?
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?

COGwriter

Earlier this month, Charles Darwin made the news.  Notice some of what was reported about him:

God, Evolution and Charles Darwin

Ten surprising things Darwin said about religious faith

The reality is that although his evolutionary model was flawed and he admitted to some of its weaknesses (see Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical?), those that wanted freedom from religion (or at least many of the moral associated with it) grabbed onto his writings anyway.

Interestingly, however (as partially documented in the Ben Stein movie earlier this year called Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, for more information see the article Ben Stein’s Expelled) there are a lot of people in academia that are not interested in the scientific flaws of evolution being publicly taught.  Hence, many foolishly assume that somehow evolution is is accepted by scientists who have actually not violated scientific principles.

Of course, there is a God and God created life.  And that is the only explanation of the origin of life that does not violate all known laws of science.

For more detailed information on why that is so, please read the following articles:

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.

Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

COGwriter

There are several indications that the political leadership in the UK is leaning a bit more towards Catholicism.

Last year, former prime minister Tony Blair became Catholic (and for a while he has been one to possibly become the EU president, see Tony Blair a Catholic EU Leader?)

The monarchy rules in the UK may be changed to allow a Catholic King/Queen:

Govt mulls allowing Catholic monarchs

AFP – Sept 25, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — The government is drawing up plans to end a 300-year-old exclusion of Catholics from the line of succession, as well as ending the priority given to male heirs, according to a newspaper report.

The Labour government would introduce the necessary legislation after the next election, according to The Guardian, which has long petitioned for a change in the law that critics have condemned as discriminatory…

Rules laid out in the Bill of Rights 1688, the Act of Settlement 1700 and the Act of Union 1706 state that the monarch must be a Protestant, and any royal who marries a Catholic is barred from the line of succession…

A parliamentary briefing paper published in August warned that changing the law “could open up extremely complex constitutional issues”.

There were “problems inherent in trying to disentangle matters of religion and politics, being, as they are, at the heart of core aspects of the British constitution”, it said, in reference to the monarch’s role as head of the Anglican church.      http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iDLv7FG2IleyDobOhC6ua7lxGhpw

But perhaps even more disturbing is that Anglican leaders have not only approached the Vatican about some type of reconciliation, some went so far as to recently visit the site of one of the apparitions claimed to be Mary:

Anglican archbishop comes under fire for homily at Lourdes

While some may ultimately feel that they are safer with Catholicism, the Bible indicates that any such safety will only be temporary.

Several articles of possible interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation?  Will apparitions of “Mary” affect Europe’s future?
Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What might they mean? How might Mary view them?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the 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? This documented article answers those questions.

A Shofar made from the horn of a Greater kudu.
The type of trumpet used for the Feast of Trumpets historically has been some type of animal horn.

COGwriter

In its update today, UCG reported:

Many Old and New Testament prophecies describe the coming Day of the Lord, including those of the seven trumpets in Revelation 8-11. They create a composite picture of a time of blowing of trumpets, a time of catastrophic war, and a time when all nations will be brought together to be judged by God.

The Feast of Trumpets contains an important message for Christians. In fact, it is the most important news on the globe today. It heralds the gospel’s emphasis on repentance and judgment, the warning blasts of the shofar, the Day of the Lord and the proclamation that the Messiah is returning to establish God’s Kingdom on the earth.

Jesus Himself makes a key statement in His Mount Olivet prophecy recorded in Matthew 24: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (verses 29-31).

Notice that the return of Jesus Christ is accompanied by the sound of a trumpet.

The apostle Paul encourages Christians to keep the coming Day of the Lord in mind. He writes to the church in Thessalonica: “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.

“But let us who are of the day be sober . . . For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-10).

Indeed, the resurrection of the saints to reign with Christ in glory will come at the sounding of the last trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

The prophesied Day of the Lord is coming. The trumpet will sound, the saints will be raised from the grave and Jesus Christ will return to establish His Father’s Kingdom on the earth.

The Feast of Trumpets begins at sundown next Monday and runs until sundown on Tuesday, September 30, 2008.

Contrary to certain Protestant claims, perhaps it should be mentioned that the Bible shows that the Day of the Lord last one year. 

Isaiah shows the length and it is described as punishment for those who punished the church (called Zion):

For it is the day of the LORD’s vengeance, The year of recompense for the cause of Zion (Isaiah 34:8).

1 To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3 To console those who mourn in Zion (Isaiah 61:1-3).

Within the Living Church of God it is understood that the seven trumpets plagues of Revelation 8, 9, and 11, and the seven plagues of Revelation 16 essentially constitute much of what will happen in the “Day of the Lord” (though certain events in Matthew 24, Zechariah 14, and other portions of the Bible are also fulfilled then).

Regarding the “Day of the Lord” the late John Ogwyn of LCG wrote:

Here we should note that Scripture identifies the true saints as those who actually obey God and keep His commandments. Revelation 14:12 emphasizes this point by describing the saints in comparison to those who will receive God’s punishment…

John records a vision of seven angels, with seven golden bowls that pour out seven final plagues, one after another. This pouring occurs rather quickly, as we see when we examine the nature of the plagues. If the second and third plagues, for instance, lasted more than a few days, all life would perish from the planet.

When the first bowl is poured out, a grievous sore comes upon those who had disregarded the third angel’s message and were still loyal to the Beast system. Then, when the second angel pours out his bowl, all the oceans become like “the blood of a dead man” (16:3). All sea life dies. With the pouring out of the third bowl, all the fresh water turns to blood, and sources of drinking water are destroyed. Then, the fourth angel pours his bowl, and scorching heat from the sun punishes rebellious mankind. Next, great darkness comes upon Europe (“the seat of the Beast”) and its people are in agonizing pain and heat, engulfed in total darkness and lacking usable water all at the same time. The darkness results from the bowl poured out by the fifth angel.

After this, John sees the sixth angel pour his bowl upon the Euphrates. Demon spirits go forth to bring all the armies together north of Jerusalem. The huge Asiatic army that had previously been massed on the east bank of the Euphrates pours into the land of Israel, and converges in the area of Armageddon (Hebrew for “mount of Megiddo“). Megiddo is a hill that stands overlooking the Valley of Jezreel, about 55 miles north of Jerusalem. When the final seventh bowl is poured out, there will be a tremendous earthquake so massive that the very topography of the earth itself will be altered (vv. 18–20). Very likely this earthquake is the same one that is described in Zechariah 14:4, when the feet of Jesus Christ finally stand once more upon the Mount of Olives, located just east of Jerusalem…

It is important that we realize now, and in the crucial years ahead, that God’s victory is certain. This history has already been written in advance! Therefore, it is imperative that we come out of this world’s Babylonish system (18:4), and give our total and true allegiance to Jesus Christ and the message that He taught!

There are many details, but basically this “Day of the Lord” is God’s vengeance on the world for persecuting His people and not listening to His servants like the two witnesses.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? Did they? Did Jesus? Did the Apostle Paul? Should you?
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?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets? Are they related? Is so how? If not, where not?
The Day of Atonement–Its Christian Significance The Jews call it Yom Kippur, Christians “The Day of Atonement”. Does it have any relevance for Christians today?
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians?
LCG 2008 Feast of Tabernacles’ Information Here is information on many Feast of Tabernacles locations for this year.
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?
Holy Day Calendar This is a listing of the biblical holy days through 2012, with their Roman calendar dates. They are really hard to observe if you do not know when they occur

Superconducting quadrupole electromagnets are used in the LHC to direct the beams to four intersection points where interactions between protons will take place.

COGwriter

As I mentioned in two previous posts (see September 10th is Not the End of the World and Why Prophecy? Because the World Will NOT End Next Week), the world would not end during this month because of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Europe.  And actually, it has been shut down because it malfunctioned:

The LHC certainly may provide the EU with helpful technical and probably ultimately military insights, but the end is not yet.

Germany is now indicating that the European model will replace the Anglo-Saxon financial model:

Perhaps I should mention that Germany’s Angela Merkel indicated basically the same thing last week.  And while the Anglo-American powers will ultimately fail (see Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel) and Europe will rise (see Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation), the end is not yet.

Furthermore, I should perhaps again explain that the 1335 days of Daniel 12 will NOT begin next week on September 30th, despite the claims of CGPFK’s Ronald Weinland nor the writings of Shining Light’s James Malm.

On August 21, 2008, CGPFK’s Ronald Weinland posted:

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.

The Feast of Trumpets is next Tuesday.  And if major persecutions do not afflict the church as Daniel and Jesus indicated then (see Who is the King of the North?), it should be clear that CGPFK’s Ronald Weinland was once again wrong (although like the last time he got this wrong, CGPFK’s Ronald Weinland stated that what occurred was “spiritual” so only he and a select few could see it–then later he changed his date).

James Malm who issued me a challenge on this (see James Malm Challenges COGwriter), claimed:

Please, do not confuse me with R Weinland. I strongly disagree with most of what he says. For one thing I endeavour to provide scriptural backing for everything that I say. However I do say that 2008 is a critical year. As stated on the website I expect the Abomination (the man of sin) to be set up at the end of Sep and to go to the Holy Place within 75 days, triggering the occupation of Jerusalem. We shall know soon enough if I am correct!

Sincerely James Malm

The 75 days is the 1335 days of Daniel 12 minus the 1260 days.  The end of September is next Tuesday, and since the biblically required prerequisites have not occurred yet (such as the deal in Daniel 9:27, the lack of a King of the North , the lack of a true King of the South, etc.) it is not possible that the 1335 days can begin next week.

Those truly interested in Bible prophecy should study the following articles as they demonstrate why the 1335 days cannot begin before 2012 (and will probably begin after that, see End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something?):

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?
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?
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 (the Hindus may have some predictions for the next decade as well). 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?

COGwriter

Mistranslations of the Bible have long caused concerns.

Now there was been an unusual one in India:

The book in Kuduk language, one of the main tribal languages in Jharkhand, has been brought out by the Bible Society of India (BSI).

The translated version reportedly says: “Destroy the trees and Sarna (tribals’ worship places).”

“BSI has done a criminal act by publishing such derogatory remarks in the translated Bible. This is a conspiracy against the tribal society.

“We seek a probe and action against the society for publishing the book which hurt the sentiments of the tribal,” said Oraon.

The BJP tribal legislators came in the well of the house and shouted slogans like “Stop hurting tribal sentiments”.

Inder Singh Namdhari, former assembly speaker and independent legislator, said: “No one has the right to hurt the sentiment of any religion. Government should take suitable action on the issue.”

Deputy Chief Minister Stephen Marandi said: “We admit the fault. Wrong translation of Bible has been done by BSI.

“The state government will recall the translated version of the book and take suitable action against the publisher,” he added.

Marandi, however, did not clarify what action would be taken against the publishers.

The BJP legislators were not satisfied with the reply and they shouted slogans. They demanded action against the publisher.

The Congress legislators alleged that the BJP was politicising the issue.

A deep resentment is prevailing among the tribal scholars on the issue.

Tribal scholars demanded suitable action against the publishers. “The Christian missionaries have no right to hurt the sentiment of the tribal people. The issue could take a volatile shape if such things take place,” said Karma Oraon, a tribal scholar.

On Monday, 11 tribals were arrested in Ranchi for trying to burn the copies of the Bible.

Less than a year back, another book published by the society had insulted a local freedom fighter. The issue was also raised in the state assembly. http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/translated-bible-rocks-jharkhand-assembly_10098897.html

The above seems to be an extremely odd translation.  Apparently the translator was trying to make his/her own discriminatory “point”.

The only verse that the KJV uses the expression “destroy the trees” says not to do it:

When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees (Deuteronomy 20:19; KJV).

Mistranslations of the Bible and other early writings have affected how many view Christianity.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Another Look at the Didache, Ignatius, and the Sabbath Did Ignatius write against the Sabbath and for Sunday? What about the Didache? What does the actual Greek reveal?
Is Revelation 1:10 talking about Sunday or the Day of the Lord? Most Protestant scholars say Sunday is the Lord’s Day, but is that what the Bible teaches?
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.