Church of God News

World Currencies Including the Euro Can Have Problems

COGwriter

In a news story today, the International Monetary Fund claims that part of the world is in a depression:

COGwriter

Was the idea that Christians are begotten by the Holy Spirit upon baptism and born-again at the resurrection, simply a phase that the church went through or was it a teaching that was embraced in the second, third, and fourth century, that God led Hebert W. Armstrong to restore to the true Philadelphia portion of the true Church of God?

A couple of days ago, I reported that in an interview with Dixon Cartwright, CG7’s former president Robert Coulter stated (see also CG7 Admits Change, But Sardis A Joke?):

…there was a point in time when some ministers in the Church of God (Seventh Day) taught that we were begotten but not born again, and that was primary, a big thing, with Herbert Armstrong at one point . . .

But that was a temporary thing [in the CG7]. It was like going through a phase. The church finally said, no, our conversion is a completed work. When Jesus said you must be born again, He facilitates the spiritual rebirth of the convert, and it’s a completed work. We continued then to strive for sanctification, a lifelong process.

Anyway, we abandoned that position years and years ago, but Herbert Armstrong froze that position at the time of his departure from the church, because essentially in the early and mid-’30s that was being taught in some quarters in the Church of God (Seventh Day)…

(Cartwright D. Former CG7 president gives his understanding of history of Church of God and Mr. Armstrong. The Journal: News of the Churches of God. Sep-Dec 2008)

Does he, CG7’s probably best known historian, not understand early church history? (See also CG7 Admits Change, But Sardis A Joke?)

Perhaps this would be a good time to provide some direct proof of that.

Notice what Theophilus of Antioch wrote in the second century,

But the moon wanes monthly, and in a manner dies, being a type of man; then it is born again, and is crescent, for a pattern of the future resurrection” (Theophilus of Antioch. To Autolycus, Book 2, Chapter XV. Translated by Marcus Dods, A.M. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 2. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

In the third century, Hippolytus (the greatest of the early theologians according to Roman Catholic scholars) understood that we are begotten by the Holy Spirit at baptism. Notice what he wrote:

This is the Spirit that was given to the apostles in the form of fiery tongues. This is the Spirit that David sought when he said, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Of this Spirit Gabriel also spoke to the Virgin, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.” By this Spirit Peter spake that blessed word, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” By this Spirit the rock of the Church was stablished. This is the Spirit, the Comforter, that is sent because of thee, that He may show thee to be the Son of God.

Come then, be begotten again, O man, into the adoption of God…For he who comes down in faith to the layer of regeneration, and renounces the devil, and joins himself to Christ; who denies the enemy, and makes the confession that Christ is God; who puts off the bondage, and puts on the adoption,–he comes up from the baptism brilliant as the sun, flashing forth the beams of righteousness, and, which is indeed the chief thing, he returns a son of God and joint-heir with Christ (Hippolytus. The Discourse on the Holy Theophany, Chapters 9,10. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 5. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1886. Online Edition Copyright © 2005 by K. Knight).

Also, even in the fourth century, it was understood that Christians are first begotten, that Jesus was the first born of the dead, and that we become born again later. For even though he had other heretical ideas, Athanasius apparently understood this as he wrote,

For God not only created them to be men, but called them to be sons, as having begotten them. For the term ‘begat’ is here as elsewhere expressive of a Son, as He says by the Prophet, ‘I begat sons and exalted them;’ and generally, when Scripture wishes to signify a son, it does so, not by the term ‘created,’ but undoubtedly by that of ‘begat.’ And this John seems to say, ‘He gave to them power to become children of God, even to them that believe on His Name; which were begotten not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.’ And here too the cautious distinction is well kept up, for first he says ‘become,’ because they are not called sons by nature but by adoption; then he says ‘were begotten,’ because they too had received at any rate the name of son…He became man, that, as the Apostle has said, He who is the ‘Beginning’ and ‘First-born from the dead, in all things might have the preeminence…He said to be ‘First-born from the dead,’ not that He died before us, for we had died first; but because having undergone death for us and abolished it, He was the first to rise, as man, for our sakes raising His own Body. Henceforth He having risen, we too from Him and because of Him rise in due course from the dead…He is called ‘First-born among many brethren’ because of the relationship of the flesh, and ‘First-born from the dead,’ because the resurrection of the dead is from Him and after Him…And as He is First-born among brethren and rose from the dead ‘the first fruits of them that slept;’ so, since it became Him ‘in all things to have the preeminence (Athanasius. Discourse II Against the Arians, Chapters 59,60,61,63,64. Excerpted from Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Volume 4. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. American Edition, 1892. Online Edition Copyright © 2005 by K. Knight).

Thus the idea of being begotten when converted and being born again at the resurrection is not a relatively new one among professing Christians.

It should be clear that early church history does document that early professors of Christ did in fact hold to the same doctrines that CG7’s Robert Coulter admits his church changed.

Perhaps I should add that the United Church of God’s position on this, like CG7’s, has changed.  Though UCG is much less bold about what it actually teaches on this than Living Church of God does(details on UCG’s position are shown in the article Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God).

We in the Living Church of God clearly still teach that Christians are begotten by the Holy Spirit upon baptism and born-again at the resurrection.  We have continued to, “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

Shouldn’t you?

Several articles on related matters would include:

Born Again: A Question of Semantics? Many Protestants use the term born-again. Do they know where the concept came from or does it matter? Are you born or begotten upon proper baptism?
Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
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?
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
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.
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?

COGwriter

In it latest email, WCG had a letter from its J. Tkach that stated the following:

Around the world, with Africa not yet reporting, 33 new elders were ordained in 2008, more than 500 new believers were baptized, and some 60 new churches and Bible studies were started. Africa’s report will probably more than double the baptism figures. We currently have a worldwide membership of about 42,000 meeting in more than 850 churches in more than 90 countries and territories.

WCG seems to have had membership statistics in this range the past few years.

A lot of the non-Church of God doctrines have been adopted by the Tkach WCG–hence their new “believers”, would do not seem to believe the original faith (cf. Jude 3).

Three articles of possibly related interest may include:

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.
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
The 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?

USA President Barack Obama

COGwriter

Some feel that President Obama must be confused about abortion as the following article shows:

President Obama is correct that no loving God “condones taking the life of an innocent human being“.  But he seems to be a bit confused.

While some may pretend that in the first few weeks of pregnancy the unborn baby it is not a human life (of course, it can’t turn into anything else), no thinking person should fail to recognize that late term abortions are obviously killing innocent human lives.

Bas-relief at Angkor Wat, dated circa 1150, depicting a demon performing an abortion by pounding a mallet into a woman’s belly.

Does any believe that those who used mallets and other instruments to stop the life of the unborn baby during pregnancy were not killing an innocent human life?

President Obama should not let political considerations confuse his mind on this matter (which perhaps he did as he took steps that would increase abortions soon after taking office, see Obama’s Abortion Changes).  Certainly he is intelligent enough to realize that abortion is killing an innocent human being.

Without repentance, immoral actions can only result in the destruction of the United States.  A country that while proclaiming “In God We Trust” on its money, is using that same money to promote abortion, because of President Obama’s “confusing” actions (see Obama’s Abortion Changes).

Four articles of possibly related interest may include:

Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this?
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.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled since he is to be the USA president?
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?

Nostradamus: Original portrait by his son Cesar

COGwriter

Last month I reported that an article by the Daily Squib that stated that someone at the Smithsonian Institute who claimed to have found new Quatrains from the famed French Catholic seer known as Nostradamus seemed to be a satirical hoax (see Nostradamus’ Predictions of Obama: A Hoax?).

Twice last month, I wrote the Daily Squib to ask if they would stand behind their story (which is popular on the internet).

Here is some of what I wrote:

Sadly, the Daily Squib did not respond to either email.  Since its article is quite popular, I felt that I should address it here.

While there are biblical and other reasons  to believe that US President Barack Obama will be instrumental in the fulfilling of certain prophecies (even some of the legitimate older writings of Nostradamus might, see Prophecies of Barack Obama?), articles that seem to make things up tend to make people discount real reasons that Barack Obama is in a sense prophetic.

The timing of his election is close to the end of the 6,000 years that God gave humanity to rule itself is about over (see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?), the USA is attempting accumulate more debt which seems to fulfill the prophecies of Habakkuk 2 (see Anglo – America in Prophecy), soon the King of the North will rise up, soon the King of the South will rise up, relatively soon the Great Tribulation will begin (Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011?).

As the President of the United States this late in the 6,000 years (see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?), Barack Obama will directly or indirectly have a part in many of those events.

But by putting out a story that it will not stand by, a story that seems to not have any basis in fact, the Daily Squib seems to be interfering with those looking for reliable prophetic news that may involve the new USA president.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
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 his timing and at least one Shiite prophecy suggests?  This is the longest and most detailed of the articles here at COGwriter related to prophecy and Barack Obama.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled since he is to be the USA president?
Kenya Rejoices as Obama Wins This is a follow-up to the Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States news item and contains additional information about him, prophecies, and his background.  And when the United States and its Anglo-allies may be destroyed.
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 Carries Hindu Monkey God Although there are some strange and false stories about Barack Obama, this one seems to be true.
Barack Obama is Not the Antichrist Some have suggested that he may be, but he cannot be.  Find out why.
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 This article explains how the LCG views this, and compares this to Ellen White.  Neither John McCain nor Barack Obama are 666.
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 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?

COGwriter

There is an article in the latest issue of The Journal interviewing CG7’s former president Robert Coulter.  And while I have issues with many parts of it, I will try mainly to focus on three points today: church eras, change, and Sardis.

Here was a question related to church eras, with the answer coming from Robert Coulter:

Church eras
Q: What about the seven churches of Revelation 2-3 and Mr. Armstrong’s teaching that they represented seven church eras?

A: Let me say that the Church of God (Seventh Day) never taught the seven eras. There were some men who taught the seven eras. Dugger and Dodd’s book sort of appeals to the seven church eras, and I know Herbert Armstrong appealed to the seven church eras quite strongly.

(Cartwright D. Former CG7 president gives his understanding of history of Church of God and Mr. Armstrong. The Journal: News of the Churches of God. Sep-Dec 2008)

Notice that while denying the idea of church eras, Robert Coulter essentially admits that some (like A.N. Dugger, one of CG7’s longest and most effective leaders) did believe in church eras, thus his contention here that CG7 never taught church eras is somewhat in error (he also admitted this to me personally when we spoke in late 2008).

Notice what The Journal said that Robert Coulter said about CG7 history:

He said Mr. Armstrong was a close associate of Andrew N. Dugger and that Mr. Armstrong looked upon Mr. Dugger as a mentor. In 1933 Mr. Dugger “led a rebellion in the Church of God (Seventh Day)” after failing to gain office during a conference of August 1933.

“On Nov. 4, 1933, Andrew Dugger and several colleagues organized a separate conference at Salem, W.Va., to compete with the conference at Stanberry, Mo., which was the original one organized in 1884.”

…Mr. Coulter noted that the Salem conference, during its time of separation from Stanberry, made up an official seal that stated around its edge: “Church of God (Seventh Day), Organized 33 A.D., Jerusalem, Palestine, Reorganized 1933, Salem, W.Va., U.S.A.”

Mr. Coulter sees that wording as a misleading attempt to authenticate the notion that an unbroken line of apostolic succession existed between the 1st century and the CG7 of the 20th.

Apparently, it sounds like Robert Coulter is somewhat hinting that CG7 does not acknowledge that the Salem group was truly part of CG7 (which elsewhere it has said that it was).  So, what Robert Coulter appears to believe is that while A.N. Dugger (who had ran CG7) and others believed in church eras, the fact that he later split and formed the Salem group meant that the Salem group was never part of CG7, so in that respect CG7 never taught church eras.  And while there may be some technicality there, I believe that to claim that CG7 never taught church eras is really a stretch.

Also in the interview, Robert Coulter specifically stated:

Let me make an observation here. When Herbert Armstrong left the Church of God (Seventh Day), his doctrinal position, his representation of the teachings of the Church of God (Seventh Day), were frozen in time to that point.

[For example] there was a point in time when some ministers in the Church of God (Seventh Day) taught that we were begotten but not born again, and that was primary, a big thing, with Herbert Armstrong at one point . . .

But that was a temporary thing [in the CG7]. It was like going through a phase. The church finally said, no, our conversion is a completed work. When Jesus said you must be born again, He facilitates the spiritual rebirth of the convert, and it’s a completed work. We continued then to strive for sanctification, a lifelong process.

Anyway, we abandoned that position years and years ago, but Herbert Armstrong froze that position at the time of his departure from the church, because essentially in the early and mid-’30s that was being taught in some quarters in the Church of God (Seventh Day)…

I think our membership in the U.S. and Canada is close to 12,000 to 15,000. Worldwide it’s 400,000 to 500,000.

By making some of the statements that he did, Robert Coulter also is showing that Herbert W. Armstrong was correct that CG7 lost truths, but gained adherents.  Believing certain doctrines and then changing them, however, is a CHANGE, not merely “going through a phase”.

To suggest that the doctrines of being begotten by the Holy Spirit and being born-again at the resurrection were only a phase misses the fact that it can be proven that they were actually held by some of the earliest professors of Christ (see Born Again: A Question of Semantics?).

Of course, to admit that those doctrines were original teachings would be to somewhat admit that the church truly did start in Pentecost in Acts 2 and continued through the centuries (which is the only real way one could understand Jesus’ comments in Matthew 16:18; cf. Hebrews 13:5).  But CG7 does not want to acknowledge or believe that if it supports the truth about church era.

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.  CG7’s current size (claiming over 400,000) seems to fit the situation in Sardis.

In the interview, Robert Coulter also stated that Garner Ted Armstrong distanced himself from the church era teaching that his father, Herbert W. Armstrong, had:

Garner Ted…was somewhat apologetic for his dad’s attitude and [his dad’s] referring to the Church of God as the Sardis church and so on.

I want to tell you the references to the  Sardis church were a joke. I mean we never took that seriously.

I would say that this is not entirely the case, if  “never…seriously” means that they never tried to do something about the charge.

Although Robert Coulter himself may have never taken them seriously, CG7 apparently has.  CG7 specifically brought this Sardis Church teaching up with Tkach WCG years ago and encouraged it to change its position on it (and the Tkach WCG complied).

Furthermore, CG7 wrote to the Living Church of God a couple of years ago essentially asking it to tell me NOT not post articles that teach that CG7 is/was the Sardis era of the Church of God.  If CG7’s leadership still considered this a joke, then I doubt that they would have taken the time to make the effort to try to stop me from doing this.

And, of course, LCG did not ask me to stop this as we in the Living Church of God (and not just me) basically agree with the assessment of Herbert W. Armstrong on this matter.

While I like Robert Coulter personally, I wish he would re-think his position on church eras and certain other matters.

And as far as the idea of CG7 being  Sardis a joke, he and others affiliated with CG7 would do well to recall what Jesus inspired the Apostle John to write about the  Sardis Church:

1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,

‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you (Revelation 3:1-3).

Jesus seems to be strongly warning  Sardis to know its history, stop changing doctrine, and pay attention to prophecy.  This is a serious matter.

With its intentional lack of knowledge on church eras, its doctrinal changes, its tendency to joke that it could not be Sardis, and its lack of prophetic understanding (see the article Church of God, Seventh Day: History and Teachings), it really does seem to me that no other group throughout recent history fits Jesus’ description of the Sardis Church than CG7.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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.
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?
18 Truths Restored to the Churches of God Herbert W. Armstrong wrote that he felt he had restored at least 18 lost truths to the Church, here is Herbert W. Armstrong’s list given 12/17/83. This articles also has links to show that these truths were believed by professors of Christ in earlier times, hence they were not some invention of Herbert Armstrong.
Born Again: A Question of Semantics? Many Protestants use the term born-again. Do they know where the concept came from or does it matter?  Are we born or begotten at baptism?
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?

Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany Since November 2005

COGwriter

Changes in the European military are taking place:

Germany to Station Troops in France for First Time Since WWII

French President Nicolas Sarkozy

Nicolas Sarkozy has actually and specifically called for a stronger European military in the past (see France Wants Greater EU Military), and apparently allowing German troops to be stationed in France will help this come to pass.

Europe is flexing not only its military power, but also its economic power as US President Obama has taken note of the importance of Europe this week, as the following shows:

President Obama to water down ‘Buy American’ plan after EU trade war threat

I have long been writing that the USA would listen to the EU on a variety on economic matters (e.g. A Combined EU & North American Trade Block Coming?).  And once Barack Obama was elected, I also wrote that I felt that he would have to have policies that would help enable the rise of the European Beast power, also known as the King of the North (see Prophecies of Barack Obama?).

We live in interesting times when the French want German troops and the USA is not allowed to spend taxpayer funds with only American companies.  As Jesus taught, watch.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
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?
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?
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 his timing and at least one Shiite prophecy suggests?  This is the longest and most detailed of the articles here at COGwriter related to prophecy and Barack Obama.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled since he is to be the USA president?
Kenya Rejoices as Obama Wins This is a follow-up to the Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States news item and contains additional information about him, prophecies, and his background.  And when the United States and its Anglo-allies may be destroyed.
Barack Obama is Not the Antichrist Some have suggested that he may be, but he cannot be.  Find out why.
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 This article explains how the LCG views this, and compares this to Ellen White.  Neither John McCain nor Barack Obama are 666.
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?
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?

BBC Photo of Jehoash Tablet

COGwriter

An ancient sandstone tablet may provide additonal proof of the accuracy of the Hebrew scriptures:

New Findings Document Authenticity of Ancient Sandstone Tablet that Supports Existence of Jewish Temple on the Mount

Touro College, New York – Feb 2, 2009

New York, N.Y. – The antiquity of one of the most significant Israeli archeological finds in history has been documented in a recently-published article co-authored by Howard R. Feldman, a biology professor at the Lander College for Women/The Anna Ruth and Mark Hasten School at Touro College.

The findings, recently documented in a peer-reviewed academic journal, offer first-time physical evidence supporting the authenticity of an inscription in a sandstone tablet that buttresses the existence of a Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The inscription, the co-authors contend, dates back to the First Temple Period.

The tablet’s inscription has become embroiled in controversy in an ongoing forgery trial in Jerusalem. The co-authors’ findings supporting its authenticity were recently documented in “Archaeometric analysis of the ‘Jehoash Inscription’ tablet,” published in the Journal of Archaeological Science [35 (2008) 2966-2972].

“Analysis strongly supports the authenticity of the Jehoash tablet and its inscription,” Professor Feldman said. “All evidence indicates that the production of the tablet and the carving of its inscription occurred essentially at the same [ancient] time.”

Jewish and Christian sources, he said, believe that the Temple of Solomon was located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Carved into a rectangular arkosic sandstone tablet measuring about 31 x 25 x 9 centimeters, the tablet contains 16 lines of text in ancient Hebrew, similar to the ancient Phoenician script. The inscription discusses repairs to King Solomon’s Temple as described in II Kings chapter 12. http://www.touro.edu/media/pr/releases/PR-Sandstone.asp

There are a variety of critics of the Old Testament who do not believe the account of the Temple in the Bible.  This tablet may be strong proof that they were in complete error.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge.
Where Did God Come From? Any ideas? And how has God been able to exist? Who is God?
How is God Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient? Here is a biblical article by Wallace Smith which answers what many really wonder about it.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
The Bible: Fact or Fiction? This is a booklet written by Douglas Winnail that answers if the Bible is just a collection of myths and legends or the inspired word of God.

COGwriter

Even though it is now February 2009, latest issue (September-December 2008) of The Journal just came out.  And while The Journal is supposed to come out monthly, this edition is to cover 4 months, presumably so that it can get its edition dates closer to the actual publishing date.

The primary stories covered are the death of SDA scholar Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi (which was covered here a while back, see SDA Samuele Bacchiocchi Died), CG7 history from its former president, Robert Coulter, a review of a James Tabor book by Ken Westby, news of PCG’s auditorium (see also Philadelphia Church of God Announces “Armstrong Auditorium”), a PCG project, some FOT items, and the usual type of odd advertisements and articles.

As I have covered Dr. Bacchiocchi’s death twice recently (SDA Samuele Bacchiocchi Died and SDA Perspectives Gone?), the only comment to add is that Dr. Bacchiocchi did try to stand for the truth about the Sabbath, although he and I did not agree on all of his details.

Of more personal interest was the story with former CG7 president, Robert Coulter. I spoke with Robert Coulter related to COG and CG7 history a couple of times last fall.  And while he and I do not agree on some of the details, he is more open to certain details than the story in The Journal might suggest to some  (I hope to cover more of this later).

Here are some comments in The Journal from Ken Westby related to a book by James Tabor:

Dr. Tabor is calling for a “restoration” to the true faith of Scripture, a faith largely lost in traditional Christianity. This is a radical idea and a bold critique of mainstream Protestant and Catholic Christianity for which he will be roundly attacked.

We in the Living Church of God have repeatedly and publicly often called for the restoring of Apostolic Christianity.  I am glad that Dr. Tabor feels that is also needed, and that he also recognizes that mainstream Protestants and Catholics do not like to hear that call.

As PCG tends to be a bit less open than some groups, perhaps providing a few details of what The Journal reported might be interesting to some.

Rendering of Armstrong Auditorium (Rees Associates)

Here is some of what The Journal reported about “Armstrong Auditorium”:

The $15 million 800-seat concert hall, Armstrong Auditorium, modeled after the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif., will eventually, perhaps by late 2009, serve as the location for Sabbath services for the PCG’s headquarters congregation and provide a venue for the church’s performing-arts series.

Here is a report related to some PCG projects (note: HWAC stands for Herbert W. Armstrong College):

HWAC and the PCG made international news recently when six students from the four-year college helped out for a few months on an archaeological dig in Jerusalem that located a tunnel that dates from the time of King David…

As reported on the Web site of The Daily Oklahoman (newsok.com), President Stephen Flurry of HWAC said he hopes the find at the dig leads to the discovery of King David’s palace.  That would “verify the accuracy of the Scriptures,” he was quoted as saying. “Certainly the historical significance is what we are most interested in.”

Of course, the Bible is true irrespective of what archaeologists dig up, but support from archeology is appreciated from any source that is actually interested in the truth.

While The Journal is available only by paid subscription, you can view the pdf. of its front and back page is available at:  www.thejournal.org/issues/issue132/jf123108.pdf

Pope Benedictus XVI

COGwriter

The Pope has been asked to resign:

In a related story, Zenit.org (a pro-Vatican news agency) reported:

Paris Cardinal Notes “Horror” at Holocaust-Denier

Reiterates That Church Unity Is Pope’s Mission

I do not expect the Pope to resign over this.

To the contrary, I expect him to keep working to bring the Orthodox and others claiming to be distanced Catholics into unity with Rome–which is something that the Orthodox should not do (see Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics).

Perhaps it should be mentioned that if certain Catholic prophecies apply to this pontiff (see One More Pope?), he would not actually resign but ultimately may leave Rome.

But even if those prophecies do not apply, I do not believe that Pope Benedict XVI will resign over the current matter.

Four articles of possibly related interest may include:

Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. 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?
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!
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.
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?