Church of God News

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

COGwriter

Why pay attention to prophecy and world news events?

Because Jesus told us repeatedly to “watch” (Matthew 24:42; 25:13; Mark 13:33-37; Luke 21:36), and He meant world prophetically-related events as part of that watch:

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36, NKJV).

The Apostle Peter wrote:

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed (2 Peter 1:19, KJV).

Part of the reason to watch events and understand Bible prophecy is so that we will not affected by those who promote false doctrines or claim that the end can come before the Bible allows it (cf. Ephesians 4:14).

For example, notice the following news item:

But of course, the end cannot come next week. Nor as I pointed out before, could it come last week (see September 10th is Not the End of the World).

And while the Large Hadron Collider is a sign that Europe is becoming the world leader in physics (see Europa, the Beast, and Revelation) and it may lead to Europe developing military technology that will temporarily allow it to be THE military power of the world for 3 1/2 years (cf. Revelation 13:3-4), certain other biblically required events simply have not yet occurred (e.g. Daniel 9:27–which strongly supports the view that the Great Tribulation itself cannot begin for at least 3 1/2 years from now–the one “week” it mentions represents a total of seven years), thus those of us who have that “sure word of prophecy” do not become scared when extremists, self-appointed prophets, etc. declare that certain dates will be the end of the world (I have denounced about 6-7 of them in 2008 thus far and did it BEFORE their dates were proven false).

To address why prophecy is important, in his latest weekly update, LCG’s Dr. Douglas Winnail wrote the following:

Pay Attention to Prophecy: Jesus told His disciples to stay alert and to watch for the fulfillment of specific prophesied events that will mark the approaching end of this age (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21).  Jesus also warned in the parable of the foolish virgins that many will be caught napping and unprepared by the surge of events that will precede His return to this earth (Matthew 25:1-13).  The Apostle Paul admonished Christians, “do not despise prophecies”—don’t take prophecy lightly (1 Thessalonians 5:20).  Do we really appreciate that God has given His Church a “more sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19, KJV) so we can warn this world about the prophetic significance of both current and impending world events (Ezekiel 3 and 33)? Some misguided teachers have ridiculed the prophetic understanding that God has given to His Church and accused members of “prediction addiction” while other self-proclaimed prophets attempt to attract followers by coming up with their own particular twist on Bible prophecies—in spite of the fact that the Bible clearly states that “no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20).  As we see world events building to a historic prophetic crescendo, let’s make sure that we are building a closer relationship with God and that we are not only paying attention to prophecy, but also learning to live by every word of God (Matthew 4:4).

Prophecy assures us that God is in charge and that His will will be done.  The faithful do not have to fear what humans can say or do. Notice what Jesus said in one of the most reassuring of the prophecies:

Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32, NKJV).

The Bible is clear that certain events need to occur before the end comes.  And that includes us all growing in “grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18, NKJV).

Part of that knowledge is prophetic.  And part of that biblical knowledge tells us that the world will not end next week.

Several articles of possibly related 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? 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?
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?
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?
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.
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?

Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev, President of Russia

COGwriter

The following news item was of interest:

No matter what any politician says, the financial markets can change quickly.

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?
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”?

The World Currency Markets Have Been More Unstable This Year Than Last

COGwriter

2008 has thus far been a year of rising then falling oil prices, combined with economy uncertaintities and less stable currency markets than the previous year or two.

The Euro had major gains against the US dollar, but gave up a lot of those gains in the past month or so (apparently because of its own problems and US economic uncertaintities combined with the situation in Georgia).

World stock markets reacted yesterday to news of continuing financial problems of US financial institutions (Lehman Brothers being the apparently the main one yesterday):

So yesterday, the US stock market had its biggest drop since 9/11/01.  This morning, it also is down (another US company, AIG is also being speculated as a problem), though it can still rise:

Stocks extend slide on worries about health of AIG

By TIM PARADIS
AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is extending its massive decline as nervous investors grapple with concerns about insurer American International Group Inc. and await the Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates.

Worries about AIG have intensified after several ratings agencies reduced their ratings on the company. Investors are worried that a failure by the world’s largest insurance company would touch off a wave of financial turmoil.

And comments from Goldman Sachs Group Inc. about the banking sector added to investors’ glum mood a day after the Dow Jones industrial average fell more than 500 points.

The Dow is down 113 at the 10,803 level. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WALL_STREET?SITE=VANOV&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

As I have been writing all year, there will be ups and downs, but the long term trend for the US dollar will be down.  As an American (but not really an investor), the changes in the economic winds can be a bit unsettling, but that is partially why the Bible contains prophecy.

No matter where in the world you live, you may wish to reflect on an insightful comment made by the late Herbert W. Armstrong.  He once held up a Bible and stated something to the effect of, “I read the end of the book, and in the end we win”.

And in the Bible, notice what the Apostle Peter wrote:

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts (2 Peter 1:19, KJV).

In the end we win, but until then, times may be tough for many.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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”? What is ahead for Europe?
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan. Will God save the Japanese?
Mexico, Central America, South America, and Brazil in Prophecy What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they suffer in the future?
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?
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.

COGwriter

For some time, I have been working on a rather lengthy manuscript on church history and prophecy.  When the indexes are completed, it should be about 600-620 pages long.  The working title of the text is The Beginning and the End of the Christian Church Era: An alternative view of church history by one who actually believes the Bible.  The subtitle is:

Why What Happened in the 2nd, 3rd, and Later Centuries Will Affect You in the 21st Century

I am looking for editorial assistance on this project, but not an editor per se.  Specifically needed is:

1. Proof-reading
2. Development of a Scriptural index
3. Development of a subject index
4. Reference formats
5. Miscellaneous technical assistance

Knowledge of developing indexes, and probably a table of contents, in Word a must.  Excellent proofing are skills essential.  LCG membership is preferred, but not required.

For an idea of the writing style in the text, please see the articles Location of the Early Church: Another Look as Jerusalem, Ephesus, Smyrna, Rome, and Alexandria and Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes?

If you have the qualifications, as well as a strong interest in biblical matters, church history, and prophecy, and would like to possibly assist in this project, please send an email.  In the email, please explain your qualifications, any compensation requirements, and COG affiliation.  Please put “Editorial Assistance” on the subject line in the email.

Serious inquiries only, please.  My email address remains cogwriter@aol.com  [Note: as of 9/21/08, I am still looking for assistance]

Tzipi Livni Candidate for Prime Minister of Israel

COGwriter

While nearly everyone is aware that John McCain picked Sarah Palin to be his vice-president if elected, few are aware that Israel may get a woman in its top job:

Although evangelicals in the USA and pragmatists in Israel seem pleased with their potential women leaders, many seem not to understand that the Bible indicates that this is not necessarily a blessing:

As for My people, children are their oppressors, And women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths (Isaiah 3:12).

And that is NOT to say anything bad about the particular women attempting to attain high offices, but that there are essentially problems in both nations that lead to this possibility.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

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? Are they related to Judah? 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?
Might Sarah Palin Fulfill Prophecy? Are there any prophecies that involve women ruling? Would Sarah Palin not be the top leader if John McCain becomes president and then has problems with his health?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”.
Women and the New Testament Church Were women important in the New Testament Church? Which women and how were they involved?

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

COGwriter

In his sermon in Belgium yesterday, CGPFK’s Ronald Weinland admitted that “the government is coming after” him.  This presumably is related to a criminal investigation of him by the US Internal Revenue Service (please see IRS Criminal Investigation of Ronald Weinland?).

Ronald Weinland in yesterday’s sermon also publicly stated that he thought he and his wife would end up in Switzerland, but now even though he believes that it will lead the European Beast power in order to destroy the United States he stated that they instead may end up in Germany.  Perhaps on one of his international trips, he may decide not to return to his native USA.

Even though Ronald Weinland has proven to be a false prophet (he claimed that the USA would be nuked by June 8th and that he would stop preaching by mid-July 2008 if it was not, he said it would be insane not to stop then, please see Ronald Weinland Insane?), claimed the prophesied events for certain dates had begun even though most did not have the spiritual discernment to see them (for one example, see Ronald Weinland: Nothing Happened March 18th Because What Happened Was Spiritual?), and then changed his dates (he claimed that the 1335 days of Daniel 12 began on February 2, 2008, and then decided in late June that it would be September 30 2008, see Ronald Weinland Claims Thunders Are Growing Louder), he still sometimes gets media coverage.

Last month, for example, BBC mentioned him, when it stated, “Preacher Ronald Weinland’s book 2008 – God’s Final Witness, predicts that the US will be destroyed within two years. “.  And while the USA will be destroyed, it was not to be two years from 2006 when he wrote the 2008 – God’s Final Witness book, nor in 2009 as he currently seems to be teaching.

Ronald Weinland is a false prophet who causes the way of truth to be blasphemed (2 Peter 2:1-2).

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.
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?
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?
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?
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”? What is ahead for Europe?
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.

Dr. Meredith and I in his office (January 2008)

COGwriter

LCG’s Wayne Pyle reported about Roderick C. Meredith’s telecast titled Overcoming Satan:

Wow, wow, WOW! A number of factors came together last weekend to make last week’s response the highest ever for a Tomorrow’s World telecast. Three new TV stations began airing, plus BET aired two times. The biggest factor, of course, was the program itself: program #318, “Overcoming Satan,” which offered the booklet Twelve Keys to Answered Prayer. The two previous airings earlier this year had both produced 4,000-plus responses. The first airing back in February generated 4,889 replies, and the second airing in April brought in 4,375 responses. But this weekend’s third airing of program #318 shattered all previous response records—making this week’s telecast the third time ever for a Tomorrow’s World program to break the 5,000-barrier…. we are expecting the week to end with well over 5,100 responses.

LCG has the most effective and extensive television reach of any COG.  BET is just starting to air the Tomorrow’s World telecast regularly and I expect that the reponses will continue to rise for a while.

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 easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
The 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.
Getting the Gospel Out is More than a Local Job Discusses Biblical rationale for doing an international, and not just a local, work.
How Much Did You Cost? Some have complained that the total costs spent to proclaim the gospel as a witness is too high since it does not (in their opinion) result in enough conversions. Is that how God sees it?
The Temple and the Work This article discusses the two temples of the Old Testament and gives insight as to their possible relevance to the situation which has impacted the Church during this past decade or so.
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

In its latest update, LCG reported the following:

Germany To Track Citizens for Life and Beyond. For the first time in history, all fiscal databases in Germany will be centralized so that the state has control over everything that has to do with money given or received from citizens. Information from this central database will be stored at a “Center for Information Processing and Information Technology” (ZIVIT), which is linked to a customs bureau and all aspects of the newly created “e-government” called “Project Germany Online” (www.identifikationsmerkmal.de, September 3, 2008). Germany is preparing, under the name of “simplified and more efficient tax procedures for citizens,” to have full control and oversight over monetary aspects of its citizens. Although several European nations already have similar systems, with Germany coming online with such a system, it may be possible in the foreseeable future to track all EU citizens through a central database. This new German database is also interesting in light of Bible prophecies about the future role of Germany on the world scene and within the structure of a future European Beast power. God will use Germany and the Assyrian-descended peoples to gain control over many Israelite-descended peoples, just prior to the return of Christ (Isaiah 27:13), and prior to the time when God will elevate Germany, Egypt and Israel in His Kingdom (Isaiah 19:23-25).

Perhaps Germany is following the lead of the United States to eliminate financial privacy.

The Bible tells of a time where financial privacy will be all but gone:

16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666 (Revelation 13:16-18).

Steps are heading in that direction.

Several articles of related interest may include:

Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”. Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy.
SDA/LCG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666The Living Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White.  Who is 666?
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”? What is ahead for Europe?
Where Are the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel? Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, 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?
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?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”.
Might Sarah Palin Fulfill Prophecy? Are there any prophecies that involve women ruling? Would Sarah Palin not be the top leader if John McCain becomes president and then has problems with his health?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
Who Are The Two Witnesses? What is their job? What does the Bible reveal? What has the Church of God taught on this subject? Might even Roman Catholic prophecies give some clues here?
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse What is the Book of Revelation trying to tell us about them? Does the first one deceive many?

Hurricane Gustav

COGwriter

Hurricane Ike seems to be stronger reaching the USA than the over-rated Hurricane Gustav.

In his update tonight, Texas-based ICG leader Mark Armstrong reported:

Up here in Tyler there is something of a crisis atmosphere. Our area is bulging with people from further south who have come to our area to escape hurricane force winds and flooding expected to arrive later tonight. Area grocery stores are jammed with shoppers making provisions for the problems associated with forecast high winds, torrential rains and power outages that may visit here as the storm is expected to track right up our way. Some of the gas stations up and down the highway where our offices are located are out of regular gas, in some cases roped off and completely out. Local forecasts are calling for 50 or 60 mph winds, but we also have the potential for tornadoes. We’ve made calls to members of the local congregation, canceling the Tyler service for tomorrow.

The news made the following comments about Hurricane Ike:

Monster Storm Ike Hammers Texas Coast

Earlier today, WCG’s J. Tkach commented:

Hurricanes – floods – earthquakes – tornadoes – fires. The very words can be terrifying.

We know that God is powerful enough to stop such disasters.

The Bible reveals that God does control the weather and it is one of the ways He tries to make certain points with humans.

Weather problems seems to be increased this year.  But the end is not yet.

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

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

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it. Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?

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

Nearly all COGs (Churches of God) have had some indirect connection to the Church of God (Seventh Day), CG7, based out of Denver.

During the nineteenth century, the COG clearly separated from those known as Seventh Day Baptists, as well as those known as Seventh Day Adventists.

The late Dr. Herman Hoeh reported:

In 1843 several followers of Miller in Washington, New Hampshire, became acquainted with the truth of the Sabbath. It was not until after the miserable disappointment of 1844, however, that the general body of adventists had the Sabbath question called to their attention. A small number accepted the Sabbath and SOON UNITED WITH THE FEW REMAINING CHURCH OF GOD BRETHREN who refused to be affiliated with the Seventh-day Baptist Conference (Hoeh, A True History of The True Church).

Somewhat similarly, the late John Kiesz wrote:

It is evident that there were Sabbath-keeping groups (independent) besides the Seventh Day Baptists, before and during the time of William Miller’s preaching and prediction of the end of the world, in 1844. Elder Gilbert Cranmer of Michigan wrote in his memoirs that he received his first light on the Sabbath in 1843 from an article in the Midnight Cry, a Millerite publication, written by J. C. Day of Ashburhan, Massachusetts. S. C. Hancock of Forestville, Connecticut, also advocated the doctrine in the same year (Kiesz J. SOME CHURCH OF GOD HISTORY (7TH DAY)).

A Seventh-day Adventist leaning book stated:

CHURCH OF GOD (SEVENTH DAY). Adventist group that traces it origin back to the original sabbatarian Adventist movement.  After H.S. Case and C.P. Russell came into conflict with Ellen G. White in Jackson, Michigan, in 1853, they began publishing the Messenger of Truth and two years later formed an alliance with J.M. Stephenson and D.P. Hall in Wisconsin…advocating the belief that during the millennium individuals would have a second chance to accept Christ (Land G. Historical Dictionary Of Seventh-Day Adventists: Historical Dictionaries of Religions Philosophies, and Movements, No. 56. Published by Scarecrow Press, 2005, p. 63).

Of course, a “second chance” is not actually taught by the COG, but a legitimate first chance is.  But it was in the 1850s that there was a separation between those that supported James and Ellen White and those that held to more traditional COG positions. The current CG7 teaches no longer teaches that an opportunity for salvation comes after the millennium and the second resurrection–but the Living Church of God clearly does.

CG7-Denver (the largest CG7 group) teaches this about its mid-nineteenth century and more recent history,

The Church of God (Seventh Day) grew from the efforts of dedicated advent believers living in Michigan and Iowa in the late 1850’s. In 1863, the Michigan church began to extend its influence into the eastern and central U.S. through a publication called The Hope of Israel. This magazine invited fellow Christians to assemble at conferences and campmeetings, and created interest in their distinctive doctrines: the second advent of Christ and the seventh-day Sabbath. Through these means, the General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh Day) was organized in 1884 and incorporated in Missouri in 1899. Its offices were located in Stanberry, Missouri, until 1950, when they were transferred to Denver, Colorado. Over the years, The Hope of Israel also moved from Michigan to Iowa, then to Missouri. After several name changes, it is now known as the Bible Advocate. More than 100 years later, this flagship publication of the Church continues to be published and mailed ten times a year from the Denver offices (http://www.cog7.org/Intro.English.html, 02/14/06).

One important item that CG7 neglected to mention above is that nearly all of its founding members broke away from those that became the Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs) when certain leaders had infiltrated the Church of God, took over, proposed the name Seventh-day Adventist, and came up with prophecies and other views which were never held by the true Church of God. This did appeal to some who were disappointed in 1844 as well as those who did not have the “love of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:10) as well as to many SDBs (Randolph, C.F. A History of the Seventh Day Baptists in West Virginia, 1905. Reprint 2005. Heritage Books, Westminster (MD), pp. 202,228).

CG7’s Robert Coulter reported the following history about his organization:

By 1860 a conference of several congregations located across south-central and western Michigan was organized…another branch of the Church of God (Seventh Day) was founded in Iowa…at Marion…

Cranmer recalls in his biography that he seventh-day Sabbath was first brought to his attention in an Advent publication called The Midnight Cry…Gilbert Cranmer, founder of the church in Michigan, 1858 (Coulter R.  The Story of the Church of God (Seventh Day). Bible Advocate Press, Denver, 1983, pp. 9,11).

Perhaps it should be mentioned that the Sabbatarians were not formally called Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs) in 1858.  They did not adopt that name formally until October 1, 1860.

The SDAs have reported the following about the group in Marion:

The Marion party adopted the name Church of God (Adventist)…While retaining Sabbath observance, they differed in their understanding of the Millennium, favoring an earthly millennium at which time, with Christ’s presence upon the earth, all mankind will be converted.  They promoted the keeping of Old Testament Feast days and advanced the unscriptural notion that Christ died on Wednesday and arose Saturday afternoon, having spent seventy-two hours, three whole days and nights, in Joseph’s tomb.

…an offshoot of this church formed adopting the named Church of God (Seventh Day) (Standish RR, Standish C. The General Conference Confronts Apostasy.  Hartland Publications, , 2006, p. 84).

While we in the Living Church of God do not teach that ALL of humankind will be converted (and it is possible that the SDA writer slightly misunderstood that point as I noted some other errors in that book, such as it called H.W. Armstrong, W.W. Armstrong), the doctrines listed above are consistent with the historical positions of the true COG (such as the fact that Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday and was resurrected on a Saturday, for details, please see What Happened in the Crucifixion Week?).

Some in Ohio left affiliation with the SDAs once they had the name Seventh-day Adventist imposed upon them.

Notice the following report:

…the church carrying the message of truth, teaching the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, at this time was called “The Church of God,” we submit the following, from the Review and Herald of April 9, 1861, under title of “Secession.” It reads as follows:– “Brother Smith: We conclude from present aspects that the name, Seventh Day Adventist,’ is being made obligatory upon our brethren. Without further light Ohio cannot submit to the name, ‘Seventh Day Adventist,’ as either a test, or an appropriate name for God’s people.– “Being appointed a finance committee at the last conference, and having now on hand means for carrying on the cause in Ohio, we could not conscientiously expend those means in any other than the advancement and extension of the truth and the `Church of God.’– “If such means are expended otherwise it will be necessary for the churches in Ohio to assemble in conference, and to give instruction to that effect, and to choose some other committee to make the disbursements. “Signed J. Dudley, L. E. Jones, J. P. Flemming, Finance committee of Ohio.”(Dugger AN, Dodd CO, Chapter 22).

In 1863, Enos Easton wrote in the first edition of The Hope of Israel on August 10, 1863:

As principles we maintain,

1st. “That the Bible and the Bible alone” contain the whole moral law; and that its precepts are sufficient to govern God’s people in every age of the world…” (Coulter, p. 19).

For believing the above, the SDAs apparently considered those in the Church of God movement rebels, but they themselves did not consider that to be the case.  Notice something on church circular that was later republished in the Hope of Israel in 1864:

On the 10th of June, 1860, something over 50 of us adopted a form of a church covenant drawn up by one of the approve messengers [to wit, M.E. Cornell]…

Nearly a year and a half afterward, the same messenger held up publicly, some other volumes by the side of the Bible, or a recent date, and averred that these recent publications were of equal authority and urged us to adopt their teaching, also as a rule of faith and discipline…

We now discover that the cry for organization, had been made under false colors; and that while the plea of holding church property, and securing church imposters was held out, the real object was to put the visions of Ellen G. White on the same eminence with the Bible. …

As it regards rebels, we boldly assert that we are not rebels.  We have not rebelled against the constitution which we adopted, for we stand firm on it yet.  We have not rebelled against Ellen G. White, for we never endorsed her…so the charge of rebellion reflects with shame on them who have made it, they being the ones who have departed from their first position [the Bible and the Bible alone] and have adopted a new one (Coulter, p. 16-17).

Thus, the faithful claimed that it was those who accepted Ellen G, White’s visions as at least as important as the Bible who were the rebels.  Hence, they are claiming (correctly) that the Church of God did not come out of the SDA movement per se, but that when they thought that the SDA movement believed in the Bible alone, they were originally willing to have organizational fellowship with it.  Yet, once they realized that the SDAs rejected the position of the Bible alone to the position of the Bible as interpreted by Ellen G. White, that they could no longer be affiliated with it.

And those in the true Church of God rejected Ellen White as a prophetess then, and still do now (this does not mean that all her “prophecies” were false–even Roman Catholic “prophets” have made statements that came to pass–it simply means that we in the COGs do not believe that Ellen White was a prophetess sent by God, nor do we refer to her writings as “inspiration” as many SDAs do).

Another fundamental difference for the split between those now known as SDAs and those in the COGs can probably be shown from the sanctuary interpretation of 1844 by Ellen White. Notice what she wrote:

THE SUBJECT OF THE sanctuary was the key which unlocked the mystery of the disappointment of 1844. It opened to view a complete system of truth, connected and harmonius, showing that God’s hand directed the great advent movement, and revealing present duty as it brought to light the position and work of His people (White E.G. Will America Survive? 1888; Reprint, 1988 by Inspiration Books East, Jemison (AL), p. 405).

Now while I do believe that Ellen White was correct that prophecy is important, we in the COGs do not believe that the message of the Bible is that the Advent movement is correct because of her sanctuary interpretation. It is the Bible, and not Ellen White’s interpretations, that unlock the mysteries of God and which is the complete system of truth.

The plain truth is that the Church of God people had a lot of biblical doctrines in the 1800s. The Whites came in contact with them and accepted many of their doctrines, and hence did teach many biblical truths. However, their excessive fixation on Ellen White’s prophetic interpretations, combined with the fact that she (and ultimately nearly all other SDA members), began to lose many biblical COG doctrines shows that the SDAs are simply not part of the COG (although some who believe that they are in that movement may be).

I should also mention that although in the early 20th century, CG7 believed in the doctrine of “church eras” (as they pertain to the churches of Revelation 2 & 3), they no longer do.

However, the Living Church of God still does.

The “church era” doctrine, in my opinion, helps better explain the history of the true church from its beginning in 31 A.D. until its end (which appears to be in the 21st century).

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 from 31 A.D. to present: information on all of the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3.
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?
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?
SDA/LCG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 The Living Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White.
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 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.
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.