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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

CGPFK’s Ronald Weinland gave his sermon entitled A Transition in Eras yesterday in the Netherlands.  In it he presented a few more unique (and false) doctrines.  Here is come of what he said from my notes (hence it is not always precisely verbatim):

On November 14th we left the Laodicean era…that era is behind us…

Much of what the Bible teaches about the Great Tribulation for the church, not the world…it was spiritual…

We are to enter…a millennial era, so different than the other eras…We are in the transition time from one era to another…another age…the transition lasts exactly 1260 days…

So many read this {the Book of Daniel} physically…Antiochus…that’s stupid…It wouldn’t be something standing in the Holy place physically…Jerusalem…is a sick place…

God spewed the whole church out of His mouth…

December 14th begins the 1260 days…This {CGPFK} is the group that has riled people up…

Now it goes to physical tribulation…Not immediately…The whole world will be able to see what happens…the resurrection of the 144,000…the end of the 1260 days…then Jesus returns and seven trumpets {begin}…and then the world will see…It begins with Manasseh…

Crazy things are happening…We are not living in normal times…

It will take four of them {trumpet blasts} against the United States…then Europe will rise up…

The focus was right eight months ago…but it has been tweaked…but we know some much more now…We put more into advertising again…the internet…

Some of our “fans” twist some things…they think they understand what they do not…

I’m going to bring back all that {money in the Swiss bank} to the USA…for advertising…We’ve been made stronger…We know the dollar will collapse…

You can be baptized now, but not pastored now…you will have to wait 3 1/2 years…There are NO pastors, NO preaching elders in the {CGPFK} church right now.  Our elders…{will talk} to those who are brought to baptism…they can share, but not in the same way…They will work with new people…

Ron Weinland also stated that the apostles were not asking about His second coming in Matthew 24.  He said that the first six of the seven seals in Revelation were not supposed to be about physical events to affect the world, but that they were essentially fulfilled in his mind in what has been happening to the church.  He indicated that the “abomination” of Daniel 11 took place on December 17, 1994 (apparently a reference to a sermon by J. Tkach, Sr.).  He seems to be teaching (he was not clear on this, so may have meant something different) that it may be years before the physical tribulation will be clear–and then Manasseh (the USA) will be experiencing the first four-five trumpets of Revelation.  He also spent a lot of time indicating that the members should not expect much in the way of ministerial counseling as his elders have other things to do–but that this would change when Jesus returns.

Although we are not living in normal times, Ronald Weinland was wrong in many ways.

The Laodicean era has not ended.   The abomination of Daniel 11:31 still has a future fulfillment.  The seven seals do affect the world.  The entire church is not to be spued out of God’s mouth–that is only to happen to the Laodicean portion (cf. Revelation 3:16), And while the millennium will begin after the 1290 days, he is wrong that this started on November 14, 2008.

He is also wrong that the 1260 days begins on December 14, 2008.  He is also wrong that the seven trumpets start with Christ’s return and the first resurrection–this happens at 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 (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

16 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).

Thus, the first resurrection happens at the last trumpet, not the first of the seven as Ronald Weinland taught yesterday.  He and his followers really need to check out what he says and compare them to the Bible–and people need to believe the Bible over Ronald Weinland.

Of course, Ronald Weinland is correct that he has riled some up.  But he has done it through his repeated false prophecies and his inclusion of a variety of false doctrines (he also is essentially teaching unitarianism–but that doctrine is false, see Was Unitarianism the Teaching of the Bible or Early Church?).  He also is apparently setting everything up so that he can claim this time he will not be wrong when the biblically required do not happen, that he has preempted it with a “spiritual” interpretation.

But he was correct that we know so much more now.

And what do we know?

We know that Ronald Weinland was wrong eight months ago.  And that his physical predictions did not come to pass. For example, while he is correct that the dollar will collapse, notice what he said about it last year:

This year of 2007 is nearly over. Looking back, it has proven to be prophetically eventful. This year has been marking a conclusion to mankind being allowed to freely follow the path of his own choosing. We are about to enter the period when God begins to bring a full end to man’s self-rule. The fulfillment to end-time prophetic events is about to be thrust upon the whole world, and man’s way, as well as Satan’s, is about to begin to be shut down!

The world economy is shaking/quaking worse each day and is coming more and more to the forefront of news commentary. 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.

Everything I am doing, and everything the Church of God – PKG is doing is geared towards these realities. There is no wavering and there is no hesitation!…

February will be here soon! Don’t squander the time that is in front of you. Use it wisely! (Weinland R. YEAR NEARLY OVER. November 24, 2007).

A little after April…a dollar bill won’t be worth anything…(Ronald Weinland Interview on The Edge Radio on December 15, 2007).

And those predictions by Ronald Weinland were wrong.

We also know that Ronald Weinland broke his promises to at least two radio shows to come back and apologize if he was wrong.  He also did waiver and his change of dates is hesitation–even though he claimed that he would not do either.

While I have been stating for many years that Ronald Weinland was not God’s prophet, all who look at the facts should clearly be able to see that I was right about Ronald Weinland and that he was wrong.

Ronald Weinland needs to repent and those following him need to check out what the Bible warns against false and heretical leaders like him.

Those who really want to know what the Bible teaches will happen related to the the 1335 days, the 1290 days, and the 1260 days of Daniel, when the 6000 years should end, etc. should read the following articles:

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?
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?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
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 Prophecy? Because the World Will Not End Next Week Some question or downplay the role of prophecy. This article gives some of the biblical reasons what it is important and explains why the world cannot end for at least 3 1/2 years from now.
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.

Those interested in more of Ronald Weinland’s teachings may wish to read the often updated article:

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.

Patriarch Alexius II of Russia (also known as Alexy II)

COGwriter

The Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church died yesterday:

Head of Russia’s Orthodox Church dies

Patriarch Alexiy II, the head of the country’s powerful Orthodox Church, has died at the age of seventy-nine, Russian media reports say.

A spokesman for the Moscow Patriarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church confirmed the reports, adding that Patriarch Alexius II passed away on Friday morning.

Born as Aleksey Ridiger, Alexiy II was enthroned on June 10, 1990, replacing Patriarch Pimen I, less than a month after the latter’s death.

Taking power shortly after the downfall of the Soviet Union, he set about restoring the church’s authority and oversaw a religious renaissance with the building of churches across the country…

In 2006, he called the Vatican’s action in the traditionally Orthodox parts of Russia “extremely unfriendly” and “non-brotherly,” according to Russian reports.

The religious leader was considered a popular figure among 50% of the country’s population, and deemed extremely involved in Russian politics, according to a poll conducted on the 10th anniversary of his enthronement. http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=77511&sectionid=351020602

Unlike those in Constantinople, the Russian Orthodox have tended to distance themselves from unity with Rome and some of them still seem to accept some Church of God doctrines such as Millenarianism.

It is not clear what will happen next, but because of his timing, the next Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church will help (at least indirectly) support the fulfillment of some biblical prophecies.

Three articles of related interest may include:

Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Living Church of God Both groups claim to represent the original Christian faith. Do you know much about them? Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The Bible warns the Orthodox against this unity as do some Catholic prophecies.  The Orthodox need to heed these warnings now.
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?

Laodicea Has Many Scattered Structures that Are Relatively Ineffective

COGwriter

As a result of my recent post of a news link from CGG, a reader contacted me and wanted to point out that CGG has a variety of prophetic errors.  And while I have long known that (please see Teachings of Church of the Great God), this seemed to be a good time to point at least one of them out.

The following is from a CGG sermon transcript from its website (COG-related websites are at COGs: Churches of God) and was titled Where is the Beast Part I:

My entire 43 years in the church I have been taught, and I have taught, that we should look for the Beast to arise in Europe; but where is it? Perhaps the most deceiving of all is that Europe isn’t acting much like the Beast described in the book of Revelation. Doesn’t the scripture say, “Who can make war against the Beast?” Doesn’t that exclamation give you a fairly specific picture? Do you know of anybody that fears Europe? Internationally, Europe as a whole is a joke in terms of terrifying power. Europe is not coming together in the way that we anticipated. Europe is not becoming the colossus that we expected to see arise. Europe is, in reality, disunited, flat on its back politically, economically, militarily, and religiously.

There are many errors with the above.

First, the Europeans are uniting and growing larger.

Second, they do have major military plans.  For years it has been working on the Galileo GPS system which it intends to use for military purposes (see EU, UK, US, Asia, & Galileo).  Europe also has started to test the Large Hadron Collider (see Why Prophecy? Because the LHC Will Not End the World Next Week), which is considered as the premier physics project in the entire world–this is attracting many of the leading scientists and is likely to improve its military abilities.

The Bible is clear that the Europeans (Assyria in prophecy) do not think that they wish to be militaristic, but that it is clearly part of their nature.  Notice:

5 “Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger
And the staff in whose hand is My indignation.
6 I will send him against an ungodly nation,
And against the people of My wrath
I will give him charge,
To seize the spoil, to take the prey,
And to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
7 Yet he does not mean so,
Nor does his heart think so;
But it is in his heart to destroy,
And cut off not a few nations (Isaiah 10:5-7).

Thirdly, like the old WCG under Herbert W. Armstrong, we in the Living Church of God teach that the ten toes of Daniel 2 are referring to a union that is fragile:

42 And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile (Daniel 2:42).

This clearly does apply to the Europeans.

Fourthly, the ecumenical efforts of the Catholics, led by the recent popes and the current Cardinal Walter Kasper (Catholic/Orthodox: Ecumenicalism Required) are setting the stage for a religious revival in Europe.  Once the Europeans clearly determine that radical Islam cannot be tolerated (and they are moving in that direction now), most WILL embrace an ecumenical form of Catholicism.

Furthermore in that same sermon, CGG’s John Ritenbaugh also stated:

Even though Europe is planning uniting far beyond the prophesied ten nations, to twenty-five nations by 2007, the attempt to unite, combined with the laws being enacted by those people in Brussels—enacted to make standards uniform—are producing the opposite effect, because each of these nations involved has personal interests to protect. The more laws that are enacted by this group in Brussels, the more it is irritating these other nations. Europe is, in fact, declining in many areas important to being a super power that reflects what the Bible shows the world-dominating Beast to be.

And of course, instead of shrinking, the European Union has gotten larger.  And many more nations are trying to join it.  And I should add that the Bible does not state that the EU is limited to ten current nation states.  Notice specifically what the Apostle John was inspired to write:

12 The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast (Revelation 17:12).

The fact that they do not have a kingdom as of yet, but will receive authority for a short while indicates that these are not ten current nations, but will be some type of future political entity that will apparently transcend current national boundaries.

Now later in that same sermon, John Ritenbaugh added this disclaimer and odd comments:

With that foundation, I want to emphasize to you that what I’m going to speak on from here on is not church doctrine. I am thinking out of the box. I’m speculating, based on what I see going on right now, and I’m actually looking to you for help, for ideas, for criticisms and suggestions. Now events may happen that will change my point of view in the future, but right now it looks like either a major portion of “the Beast” may be arising in the nations of Israel, led by the United States and the United Kingdom, or the woman riding the Beast in Revelation 17 consists of the nations of Israel, led by the United States and the United Kingdom. That is the one that I presently consider most likely at this point.

Well, he can state that this is not church doctrine, but if those in his church do not believe that the Europeans are to be the Beast power and that the Anglo-Americans are, then it shows that he is leading his followers down the wrong path on this just like he has on other doctrines/speculations/etc. (see Teachings of Church of the Great God).  Furthermore, if this is not CGG’s position, then perhaps it should take steps to remove it from CGG’s official website.

Now, since John Ritenbaugh said he was willing to consider changing his position, perhaps he should study the following:

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry…
6 “Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases What is not his–how long? And to him who loads himself with many pledges’? 7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty (Habakkuk 2:3,7).

The above clearly applies to the Americans being destroyed in the end times as it is the USA which is the most indebted nation in the history of humanity.  And as Habakkuk reported at the appointed time of the end, it is the indebted who would be destroyed by their creditors.

Thus, the USA and its Anglo-nation allies are NOT destined to become the ultimate economic power of the world.  To the contrary, they are now in decline while the Europeans are rising up.

Perhaps those in CGG will reconsider their positions here.  For if they do not, they will not see what truly is happening.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Church of the Great God This group says the bride must first be made ready. Might this lead to a selfish bride?  It also seriously misunderstands certain aspects of end-time prophecy.
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.
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies about Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.
Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy? There is actually a 17th century Shiite prophecy that some believe that Barack Obama will fulfill that will lead to a rising up of Islam.
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?
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?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
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?

Senator (now President Elect) Barack Obama

COGwriter

Despite the fact that he outwardly claims to be some type of Christian, apparently many Americans, as well as various ones in Islamic countries, believe that Barack Obama is a secret Shiite Muslim.  Notice some of what Time has reported:

I have repeatedly stated at this website that I do not believe that Barack Obama is a Muslim of any type–his claiming of Christianity and support of abortion (which also negates his Christianity claim) would seem to disqualify him.  (But sadly, there are some Shi’ites who believe that they can go to any extreme to conceal their faith–but even so, there really has not been the type of evidence that one would think would have to exist if Barack Obama was truly a Shi’ite Muslim–for he really would have had to “conceal” his faith for a very very long time.)

Barack Obama’s religion is not Islam (the fact that he carries a Hindu “monkey god” in his pocket also would seem to eliminate that possibility, see Barack Obama Carries Hindu Monkey God).

Here is what Barack Obama’s “Fight the Smears” website claims:

The Truth About Barack’s Faith

Barack Obama is a committed Christian. He was sworn into the Senate on his family Bible. He has regularly attended church with his wife and daughters for years.

But shameful, shadowy attackers have been lying about Barack’s religion, claiming he is a Muslim instead of a committed Christian.(http://fightthesmears.com/articles/3/baracksfaith viewed 11/29/08)

So, he at least publicly professes Christ.

However, is Barack Obama a Muslim sympathizer?

The answer to that question is unclear. But, since he did grow up in predominantly Muslim-influenced Indonesia and had more early Muslim contacts than anyone else ever elected as President of the United States, he would probably have more reasons than most U.S. presidents to have sympathy for Muslim perspectives. Here is some of what Barack Obama’s “Fight the Smears” website quotes about this:

Newsweek…Obama’s only personal contact with Islam came as a boy when he moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, with a stepfather who mixed his Islam with Hindu and Animist traditions…

Boston Globe…His Kenyan paternal grandfather and Indonesian stepfather were Muslim…

Thus, while the selected quotes seem to have been intended by the Obama campaign to minimize his ties to Islam, Barack Obama had more early ties to Islam than any ever elected to becoming President of the United States.

And while he is not a Muslim, and certain Shiite prophecies may or may not apply to him (see some of what Forbes reported in the item Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy?), because of his timing, I do believe that the final Madhi (presuming he will fill the role of the final King of the South) will arise directly or indirectly partially based upon Barack Obama.

That does NOT mean that Barack Obama is a secret Muslim anymore than I believe the fact that his presidency will also partially directly or indirectly help lead to the rise of the final Beast (the King of the North) makes Barack Obama a secret Roman Catholic.

But his timing and policies will (most likely inadvertently) lead to the rise of several leaders that the Bible warns against who will ultimately destroy the Anglo-American nations and many in the Middle East and Northern Africa.

Now since the issue of Barack Obama’s birth keeps coming up, perhaps I should report a recent news item:

Supreme Court Not Considering Obama’s Birth Certificate Case

By Michael Kraskin
Dec 5th 2008…

No, the question before the court today is not whether Obama was born in the U.S., it’s whether that birth makes him a natural born citizen. The argument brought by Leo Donofrio goes like this:

“Don’t be distracted by the birth certificate and Indonesia issues. They are irrelevant to Senator Obama’s ineligibility to be President. Since Barack Obama’s father was a Citizen of Kenya and therefore subject to the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom at the time of Senator Obama’s birth, then Senator Obama was a British Citizen ‘at birth’, just like the Framers of the Constitution, and therefore, even if he were to produce an original birth certificate proving he were born on US soil, he still wouldn’t be eligible to be President.

The Framers of the Constitution, at the time of their birth, were also British Citizens and that’s why the Framers declared that, while they were Citizens of the United States, they themselves were not “natural born Citizens”.

Got it? The argument is that even if he was born in the U.S., his daddy was an immigrant, so he can’t be president. Donofrio in fact “concedes Mr. Obama was born in Hawaii.”

Also, the Supreme Court isn’t hearing the case, they are deciding whether to hear the case.

But whether or not Barack Obama is considered to be a “natural born citizen” or not by the Supreme court (if they decide to hear this at all), the next several years will be a time of transition for the United States from a major power to that of a former one.

Those interested in learning more related to prophecy, may wish to study the following articles:

Prophecies of Barack Obama? Are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies about Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.
Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy? There is actually a 17th century Shiite prophecy that some believe that Barack Obama will fulfill that will lead to a rising up of Islam.
Barack Obama Carries Hindu Monkey God Although there are some strange and false stories about Barack Obama, this one seems to be true.
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?
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?
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?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
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?
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?

Gerald Flurry

COGwriter

Gerald Flurry’s so-called Philadelphia Church of God just took out a full page ad in The Oklahoman.

In it, Gerald Flurry wrote:

LAST NIGHT FOX 25’s Primetime News at Nine launched an outrageous attack against the Philadelphia Church of God leaving little doubt in the minds of their viewers that they see our church as some kind of doomsday cult, similar to the Branch Davidians.

Nothing could be farther from the truth.

The truth is actually this: Fox 25 is being dishonest. And they know it.

In their slanderous report, for example, reporter Nick Winkler cited a letter, supposedly written by an anonymous former member of our church, who apparently noticed a change in my thinking in 1993. According to this anonymous source, I somehow became paranoid in the same year, as Fox 25 pointed out shamelessly, that David Koresh murdered his followers in Waco, Texas.

Based on that fraudulent, completely illogical “connection,” Fox 25 compared me and the Philadelphia Church of God to David Koresh and the Branch Davidians.

It was disgraceful. Yellow journalism at its worst…

I was born in the state of Oklahoma in 1935. My service to God’s work brought me back here in 1985, where I have since resided. I’ve been in Oklahoma for nearly as long as that junior reporter from Fox has been alive…

Truth be told, Fox 25 has more in common with the Branch Davidians. We invited their crew onto our campus and gave them full access to all of our facilities, and we will do the same for anyone who is interested. We are proud of what God is building here…

They were much more concerned about digging up dirt about me—like my intoxication arrest, which happened 15 years ago. Why, if that incident was such a critical part of their “investigation,” didn’t Nick Winkler ask my son about it during their hour-and-a-half long interview? Because the reporter only wanted to expose the ugly slice of the truth. Any additional truth, like my not having a drink of alcohol for over 13 years since then, would have brought a much more complete and balanced picture to light. But such truth would not have fit within the sleazy David Koresh parameters Fox 25 had set for the story.

They were far more interested in sensationalism and distorted truths than in real journalism. They proved themselves willing to titillate their viewers no matter what the harm to our organization or our church members.

Telling only part of the truth can make the truth out to be a lie. But that didn’t matter to Fox 25.

That members of my church were well aware of my 1993 sin didn’t matter. That I publicly repented of the sin before the church and before God doesn’t matter. That I haven’t had a drink of alcohol for years doesn’t matter.

And, that one of my detractors may have been part of a terrorist plot in Jerusalem and, to this day, cannot travel to Israel doesn’t matter.

NONE OF THAT MATTERS.

All that matters is that an anonymous detractor detected a mind change in me and it just happened to be in 1993. Aha! The Branch Davidian standoff with the FBI was also in 1993. And if that isn’t proof enough, my alcohol incident happened that same year!

This is how Fox 25 “investigates” and then prosecutes its neighbors before the court of public opinion? Where is there any sense of fairness and balance in that kind of sleazy innuendo? No wonder the general public distrusts the media so much…

My congregants hold me accountable based upon God and His inspired Word–the Holy Bible…

Fox’s negative reporting has given us unwanted, unwarranted and unfortunate publicity…

Now, as I have stated many times, Gerald Flurry is a self-appointed “prophet”.  I consider him to be a false one, hence do not trust him nor his pride.  I truly do pray that his congregants would not succumb to his words (cf. 2 Peter 2:1-3) as I do not believe that he has been faithful to the word of God.

On the other hand, I agree that PCG was not treated right by FOX 25 and so stated as soon as I saw the two segments (see PCG on the News).

PCG also held a news conference on Monday, which was covered in the Edmund Sun:  And while I covered some of it before (see PCG Responds to FOX 25), the following contains a few additional quotes:

Church responds to TV news report

Mark Schlachtenhaufen
The Edmond Sun
EDMOND — An Edmond church Monday responded to a recent report by a local TV station, saying it was particularly offended by an effort to connect it to the fiery 1993 Branch Davidian standoff in Texas.

Oklahoma City’s FOX25 aired a two-part series about the Philadelphia Church of God, located on a 170-acre campus in far south Logan County at 14400 S. Bryant Ave.

The report, aired last week during a ratings period for TV news stations, described PCG’s mission as being to warn people that the world will soon come to a violent end, and that followers believe only the faithful will survive…

During a Monday morning press conference on the Edmond campus, Stephen Flurry responded to what he called an attempt by the station to connect the PCG to the 51-day Waco siege, which ended on April 19, 1993, when dozens of people, including Davidian leader David Koresh, died in a fire.

“The one we took the greatest offense to was the connection that they tried to make between our church and what happened down in Waco, Texas, in 1993,” Stephen Flurry said.

He said in the report, FOX25 cited a letter written by an anonymous ex-member who noticed a change in Gerald Flurry’s thinking that took place in 1993, when he allegedly became more paranoid.

“This just so happened to be the same year that David Koresh had his confrontation with the FBI,” Stephen Flurry said. “To make that sort of dishonest and really illogical connection we feel like was just disgraceful, yellow journalism at its worst.”http://www.edmondsun.com/homepage/local_story_337004953.html?keyword=leadpicturestory

I agree with Stephen Flurry that some associated with that FOX 25 telecast used improper inuendo, etc.  But, as I stated before (see PCG Responds to FOX 25), for PCG’s marketing director (I believe it was Shane Granger) to suggest as she did on the air that tithing in PCG was voluntary, was highly misleading as PCG will not consider any as a member in good standing who should tithe, but does not.

While I agree that Fox 25’s coverage of PCG was improper, I do not believe that PCG itself is proper.  I believe that its leader should realize that the following scripture applies to him:

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber (2 Peter 2:1-3).

Just because FOX 25 was wrong in various ways, does NOT mean that PCG itself is right.

And, hopefully PCG’s membership will more closely compare PCG’s teachings to the Bible and realize that that PCG is not truly the Philadelphia remnant of the true Church of God.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Tithing Questions and Some Answers Addresses some non-biblical arguments against tithing. Should people tithe?
Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God Simply calling oneself ‘Philadelphia’ does not make one so (see Revelation 3:7-9), nor does Gerald Flurry calling himself “that prophet” make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which claims to be faithful.
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.
What is a True Philadelphian? Many claim to be part of the Philadelphia era of the Church, but is claiming enough? This article has biblical and historical evidence about who really are the Philadelphians.
Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees? Discusses similarities of the Sadducees and Pharisees to various COGs in this end-time.
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.

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

COGwriter

The path towards Greco-Roman unity continues to become more of a goal for certain Orthodox and Roman leaders:

Orthodox patriarch, Vatican cardinal agree that ecumenism is a duty
December 02, 2008

At an ecumenical celebration for the feast of St. Andrew, the patron of Constantinople, Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I devoted his homily to ecumenical affairs, noting that St. Andrew and St. Peter were brothers “in the flesh” whose bonds grew even deeper as they became brothers in Christ. The Ecumenical Patriarch remarked that Rome and Constantinople have grown steadily closer since the historic meeting between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras in 1964. He said that both parties are fully committed to the path of ecumenism– to pursue it until restoring full communion.

Cardinal Walter Kasper, the president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, attended the celebration as the Pope’s representative, and preached at the same service. Underlining the Patriarch’s message, Cardinal Kasper said that ecumenical work is not an option but a requirement for Christian leaders, because it is the Lord’s command. http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=1293

While I do have a certain respect for Cardinal Walter Casper (e.g. his quote in the article Apostolic Succession is true), I believe that he and Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I are in error in the type of ecumenical unity that they are seeking.

They need to encourage their churches to return to the teachings of the true Church of God as found in the Bible and NOT prefer traditions of men in preference to them.

The Bible warns that those who prefer an ecumenical unity of humans are destined to destruction when Christ returns (Revelation 18:1-4).  (Even some Catholics have warned against it, see Orthodox Getting Closer to Unity with Catholics).

The true Church should not change basic doctrines as:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Yet the Catholics and Orthodox have made many changes.

Those interested in learning various doctrines that the Greco-Romans changed from those originally held by the true Church of God, and still held by the Living Church of God are found in the following articles:

Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Churches of God Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The Bible warns the Orthodox against this unity as do some Catholic prophecies.  The Orthodox need to heed these warnings now.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja viva do deus? Tambien Español: Cuál es fiel: ¿La iglesia católica romana o La Iglesia del Dios Viviente? Auch: Deutsch: Welches zuverlässig ist: Die Römisch-katholische Kirche oder die lebende Kirche von Gott?
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.

Those who want to better understand what happened to the true Church should read the following articles:

The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 Do they matter? Most say they must, but act like they do not. This article contains some history about the Church of God (sometimes referred to as the continuation of Primitive Christianity) over the past 2000 years.
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church.
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Should Christians be Nazarenes today? What were the practices of the Nazarenes.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
Apostolic Succession What really happened? Did structure and beliefs change? Are many of the widely-held current understandings of this even possible? Did you know that Catholic scholars really do not believe that several of the claimed “apostolic sees” of the Orthodox have apostolic succession–despite the fact that the current pontiff himself seems to wish to ignore this view?  Is there actually a true church that has ties to any of the apostles that is not part of the Catholic or Orthodox churches?  Read this article if you truly are interested in the truth on this matter!

COGwriter

For the first time since World War II, a Russian warship is being allowed to pass through the Panama canal:

The Panama Canal has long been a symbol of U.S. clout in Latin America, and Dygalo said no Soviet or Russian military ship has sailed through it since World War II. The wartime alliance between the U.S. and the Soviet Union swiftly gave way to the mistrust, military buildups and proxy conflicts of the Cold War.

In a throwback to those times, the Russian navy statement announcing the plans referred to the base the Admiral Chabanenko will visit as Rodman naval base—its name when it was a U.S. base many years ago.

Rodman was the hub for all U.S. naval activities in South America and supported fleet units transiting the 50-mile (80-kilometer) canal. But control of the facility shifted to Panama a decade ago, and it is now called the Balboa naval base.

Monday’s joint maneuvers with Venezuela, which brought the Admiral Chabanenko and the nuclear-powered missile cruiser Peter the Great across the Atlantic along with two support ships, were widely seen as a show of Kremlin anger over the U.S. use of warships to deliver aid to Georgia after its August war with Russia…

Dygalo would not say where the Peter the Great, which led the Russian squadron, would be located while the destroyer visits the Panama base. http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D94REPNO1&show_article=1

Why is this of any prophetic interest?

We in the Living Church of God believe that one of the blessings that God promised the descendants of Rebekah were the gates of those who would hate them.  Notice the following from the Old Testament:

60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her:

“Our sister, may you become
The mother of thousands of ten thousands;
And may your descendants possess
The gates of those who hate them.” (Genesis 24:60)

Notice what Living Church of God’s Roderick C. Meredith wrote about it:

In the late summer of 1954, I traveled with Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong and their elder son, Richard David, through much of Britain. Mr. Armstrong gave, in a series of meetings, a personal warning to the British people about what would happen if they did not repent. Many who heard those warnings are still alive.
Mr. Armstrong told the British people that although God had given them national greatness and control over the vital “sea gates” such as Suez, the routes around the tips of South Africa and South America, the vital Malacca Strait in Southeast Asia and other sea passages absolutely vital in controlling world trade and vital in time of war, God would begin to take these “gates” away—one by one—unless they repented. And the true God would humble the British-descended and American peoples and begin to break the “pride” of our power (Leviticus 26:19).
Only about 700 people turned out to hear Mr. Armstrong in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and even smaller crowds attended in Scotland and England. Enthusiasm was high because of Mr. Armstrong’s dynamic style, but many doubted what he was saying: that these vital sea gates would in fact be taken away.
Yet only two years later, my wife and I were sent to Britain and visibly felt the impact of some of these prophetic statements that no one else understood at the time! For the winter of 1956–57 was the time of the “Suez Crisis” when Britain was forced to withdraw from the Suez Canal. Then there was a terrible fuel shortage. And in the intervening years, Britain was also pressured to give up control of the Malacca Strait, the great Simonstown Sea Base (the passage around the Cape of Good Hope). Since then, the U.S. has given up control over its only major sea gate—the Panama Canal.http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/cgi-bin/tw/tw-mag.cgi?category=Magazine16&item=1104098600

The Anglo-American powers controlled most of the most important sea gates and many of the important land gates for many, many decades.  However, we in the also believe that because the Anglo-American nations have turned their backs on God, that He would remove those blessings–and we in the true church have been saying this for over 50 years.

And now, instead of controlling the majority of strategic sea gates that gave an advantage over the enemies of the Anglo-American nations, those considered enemies now control or at least can use those same gates for their strategic advantage.

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? 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?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.
Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy? There is actually a 17th century Shiite prophecy that some believe that Barack Obama will fulfill that will lead to a rising up of Islam.
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies about Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? This is the longest and most detailed of the articles here related to prophecy and Barack Obama.
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?

Protestant Reformer Martin Luther

COGwriter

While most who believe in a literal interpretation of scripture oppose the concept of infant baptism, many are unaware that Martin Luther and other Protestant Reformers not only embraced it, they also condemned the Anabaptists for rejecting it.

Anabaptists were even condemned as “dippers” because the Anabaptists insisted upon baptizing (baptize means to immerse or even dip) people who professed Christ even if they received infant baptism.

Even though Catholics accept and promote infant baptism, The Catholic Encyclopedia noted:

Infant baptism has, however, been the subject of much dispute. The Waldenses and Cathari and later the Anabaptists, rejected the doctrine that infants are capable of receiving valid baptism, and some sectarians at the present day hold the same opinion (Fanning, William H.W. Transcribed by Charles Sweeney, S.J. Baptism. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume II. Published 1907. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Nihil Obstat, 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York).

Some affiliated with the Waldenses, Cathari, and even the Anabaptists were part of the Church of God (please see the article The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3).

Furthermore The Catholic Encyclopedia also recognizes:

Persons rejecting infant baptism are frequently mentioned in English history in the sixteenth century (Weber N.A. Transcribed by Robert H. Sarkissian. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume II. Published 1907. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Nihil Obstat, 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York).

Yet, some of the most important Protestant reformers embraced infant baptism and condemned those who opposed it.

Martin Luther taught:

“Why are babies to be baptized? A. Babies are to baptized because they are included in the words ‘all nations’ (Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, 1986, p.202).

Martin Luther also got these statements confirmed,

Article IX: Of Baptism. Of Baptism they teach that it is necessary to salvation, and that through Baptism is offered the grace of God, and that children are to be baptized who, being offered to God through Baptism are received into God’s grace. They condemn the Anabaptists, who reject the baptism of children (The Confession of Faith: Which Was Submitted to His Imperial Majesty Charles V. At the Diet of Augsburg in the Year 1530. by Philip Melanchthon, 1497-1560. Translated by F. Bente and W. H. T. Dau. Published in: Triglot Concordia: The Symbolical Books of the Ev. Lutheran Church. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, pp. 37-95.)

Thus Martin Luther not only encouraged infant baptism, his supporters condemned those who opposed infant baptism.

Nor was he the only one.  Sadly, notice the following account:

Calvin, who could smile with complacency over the tortures of those who refused to be governed by his own opinions; and Zuinglius, who, when questioned regarding the fate of certain Anabaptists, replied,

“Drown the Dippers” (Davis, Tamar. A General History of the Sabbatarian Churches. 1851; Reprinted 1995 by Commonwealth Publishing, Salt Lake City, p. 106).

Condemning Anabaptists, calling for your drowning, and other such policies of the early Protestant “reformers” shows that they reformed themselves away from the teaching of Jesus.  They sadly became persecutors (for more information, please also see Persecutions by Church and State).

The Bible itself shows that those who received John’s baptism had to be “re-baptized” (Acts 19:3-5) and that those baptized needed to repent–that is something that infants simply cannot do.

Recall that the Apostle Peter taught,

Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)

And the Bible shows:

Then those that gladly received his word were baptized (Acts 2:42).

Christian baptism cannot include those who cannot repent–and God does have a plan for those who die before they have a real opportunity for salvation (please see Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis).

In the 20th century, Herbert Armstrong (a COG leader) wrote:

Should Children Be Baptized? One cannot be baptized until after he has fully REPENTED. Only those who BELIEVE, both the true GOSPEL (the Message Jesus preached, which is the Kingdom, or Government of God) and on JESUS CHRIST as personal Saviour, can be baptized (see Acts 2:38; 8:37; 16:31). Children have not reached that maturity where they have the self-discipline to truly repent, and believe (Armstrong H. All About Water Baptism. 1948, 1954, 1972 edition).

In the 21st Century, the Living Church of God, which does not baptize infants, teaches:

Baptism by immersion
After God calls us and brings us to repentance, and we accept Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, the next vital step to salvation is water baptism. One should be baptized (Acts 2:38; 8:35-39; 9:1-18) as a sign of total surrender to God and of a willingness to bury the old self (Romans 6:3-6). (Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs. Living Church of God, 2002).

I was baptized as a helpless little infant — unable even to discern my left hand from my right hand, let alone able to grasp the enormity of sin and deeply REPENT of my sins and accept Jesus Christ as my Savior. Was I, then, a true Christian?Of course not! (Meredith RC. Christian Baptism. LCG Booklet, 2005).

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Baptism and the Early Church Was it by immersion? Did it include infants?
Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, did Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority? Statements from him changing and/or discounting 18 books of the Bible are included. Do you really want to know the truth?
Lies Where did they originate? What was really the first lie? What happens for lies?
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?
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.
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?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja viva do deus? Tambien Español: Cuál es fiel: ¿La iglesia católica romana o La Iglesia del Dios Viviente? Auch: Deutsch: Welches zuverlässig ist: Die Römisch-katholische Kirche oder die lebende Kirche von Gott?
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?

Senator Barack Obama

COGwriter

CGG is a group that I would probably cover more, but its last real “Church News” post was about a conference held in December 2007.  However, it does have links to world news and linked to the following story:

“Obama is merely a fop for the global elite”

By Judi McCleod

Have you ever wondered how capitalism was pushed over the edge of the cliff just six weeks before the American presidential election?

According to financial experts, the world, as we know it will change dramatically by the year 2012.  People, who provided for their families only three years ago, will be desperately searching for food.

The story of the economic meltdown of 2008 begins and ends with the United Nations and its carefully managed One World Order.

Behind the curtain of this dark chapter in human misery are ogres Maurice Strong and George Soros.

It is both power lust and an all-consuming hatred of the United States of America that elevated this deadly duo to ogre status…

Leading economic experts and Strong agree that in 2012 people will be going hungry…In 1991, Strong wrote the introduction to a book published by the Trilateral Commission, called Beyond Interdependence: The Meshing of the World’s Economy and the Earth’s Ecology, by Jim MacNeil. (David Rockefeller wrote the foreword)…

In an era ridden by bankruptcies and job loss, Zombie-like cultists will swarm Washington, D.C. for the January 20, 2009 inauguration of Barack Obama.

Voluntary acceptance of global governance is the preferred means of achieving a takeover of America without a single shot having been fired…

It is Obama’s job to demoralize the 58 million people who did not buy into his campaign and for all of those who do not want One World Order. http://www.augustreview.com/news_commentary/u.s._elections/%22obama_is_merely_a_fop_for_the_global_elite%22_20081124105/

Now, while I do not believe that Barack Obama is merely a “fop” for the elite nor do I believe that he intends to intentionally demoralize those who do not want a “One World Order”, I do believe that because of his timing (and his policies), he will (probably inadvertently) allow for the formation of a new world order different than the conspiracy theorists expect.

It will NOT truly be peaceful as after the King of the North (Europe) and the King of South (Islamic confederation) make a deal (Daniel 11:27; Psalm 83), this will result in the destruction of the United States and its Anglo-allies.  And contrary to the suggestion by Judi McCleod, the enemies will fire shots and the USA will receive them.

The article is correct that the economic order of the world will change, but this mainly means that the Europeans will become the head with the USA becoming more of the tail (cf. Deuteronomy 28:44).

One of the reasons that I posted the article, however, is that I have heard reports that CGG has taken some rather unusual views towards matters prophetic and wonder if that is why it linked to that type of article without commentary (it appears that the item was purposely chosen by CGG, though that is not certain).  If CGG is into conspiracy theories, then it is becoming a bit more like CBCG.

The Bible teaches:

Do not say, ‘A conspiracy,’ Concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, Nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled (Isaiah 8:12).

While we in the Living Church of God are not into conspiracy theories, we do take Jesus’ multiple admonitions to “watch” (Matthew 24:42;25:13, etc.) seriously and do believe that we are getting close to the end of this age, but that because of various prophecies (e.g. Daniel 9:26-27) that the Great Tribulation cannot begin prior to 2012, and likely will start 1-5 years after that.

We in the Living Church of God also believe in praying for leaders (cf. 1 Timothy 2:1-3) like Barack Obama.

Those interested in learning more, may wish to study the following articles:

Prophecies of Barack Obama? Are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies about Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests.
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?
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?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
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?
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?

Gerald Flurry

COGwriter

PCG took exception to the reporting of it on FOX 25 last week (this was covered here, please see PCG on the News) as what reported today:

Church responds to TV news report

Mark Schlachtenhaufen
The Edmond Sun…

During a Monday morning press conference on the Edmond campus, Stephen Flurry responded to what he called an attempt by the station to connect the PCG to the 51-day Waco siege, which ended on April 19, 1993, when dozens of people, including Davidian leader David Koresh, died in a fire.

“The one we took the greatest offense to was the connection that they tried to make between our church and what happened down in Waco, Texas, in 1993,” Stephen Flurry said.

He said in the report, FOX25 cited a letter written by an anonymous ex-member who noticed a change in Gerald Flurry’s thinking that took place in 1993, when he allegedly became more paranoid.

“This just so happened to be the same year that David Koresh had his confrontation with the FBI,” Stephen Flurry said. “To make that sort of dishonest and really illogical connection we feel like was just disgraceful, yellow journalism at its worst.”

He said the PCG felt it had to come out to say this is not the case, and anyone who is fair and objective, anyone who has seen the campus and the PCG’s work, knows the sincerity behind its actions.

Joe Spadea, FOX25 news director, said the station stands by Winkler’s work, which was based on “exhaustive” and objective investigative reporting. Spadea said the station would have been at the press conference if it had been notified in advance, and that it was not “shying away” from the event.

Stephen Flurry said the report, based on innuendo and aired during a ratings period, was geared toward increasing ratings, which would mean increased revenue for the station. The report was aimed at scaring Oklahoma City and Edmond residents about what the church is or is not doing, he said.

“To me, they’re the ones scaring people to get money,” Stephen Flurry said. “We don’t scare people to get money. Our people give voluntarily, and they give because they believe in this work.”

Regarding the financial giving, Stephen Flurry said the PCG has members who obey the “tithe command as we see it.”

Shane Granger, PCG marketing director, said the second tithe does not come to the church, but is saved by members for their own expenses and spiritual enjoyment attending biblical annual festivals.

The third tithe is contributed every third year, Granger said, and goes not into church operations, but for the support of its widows, orphans and poor, taking that burden off public tax rolls.

Granger said the Bible is clear that many people, not just church members, will survive the coming time of trouble. “We have never said otherwise,” he said.

Granger said the church took issue with the statement that police and the FBI investigated the PCG, but prosecutors have not charged the church with a crime.

While The Edmond Sun was not able to get a comment from the Oklahoma City FBI office by press time, Jessica Brown, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, said the OSBI has not conducted a past or current investigation into the PCG.

Kevin Woodward, undersheriff with the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, which has legal jurisdiction over that area, said his office has not received any recent complaints about the PCG. But about a year ago, Woodward’s office conducted a “flyover” of the PCG campus, a preventative measure to see if everything was “on the up and up” and to be sure there would be no Waco-like incident here. http://www.edmondsun.com/homepage/local_story_337004953.html?keyword=leadpicturestory

As I mentioned before (PCG on the News), even though I believe that Gerald Flurry is a false leader (I do not accept his claim that he is a prophet), I believe that FOX 25 took some unfair shots at PCG.

However, perhaps I should also add that when someone on that newscast stated that tithing at PCG was voluntary (and it was not Stephen Flurry), that was inaccurate as I do not believe that those who have tithable income and do not tithe can be members in good standing with PCG.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Tithing Questions and Some Answers Addresses some non-biblical arguments against tithing. Should people tithe?
Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God Simply calling oneself ‘Philadelphia’ does not make one so (see Revelation 3:7-9), nor does Gerald Flurry calling himself “that prophet” make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which claims to be faithful.
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.
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.