Church of God News

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

COGwriter

As I have been writing for years, the world is going to shift from an Anglo-American-dominated financial system to one that ultimately will be driven by the Europeans.  Notice what the United Nations is expected to advise next week:

U.N. panel says world should ditch dollar

Reuters – March 18, 2009

Rebuilt Gymnasium in Sardis, of Asia Minor

COGwriter

While updating an article titled, SDA/LCG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666, I noticed something that CG7 reported about how they were similar and dissimilar to the Seventh-day Adventists, so I thought that I would share some of that now.

The Denver-based Church of God (Seventh Day) teaches this about some of the similarities and differences between them and the SDAs:

• • We both believe that the whole Bible, Old and New Testaments, is the Word of God.
  • We both believe that salvation is by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
  • We both believe that all of the Ten Commandments are standards for God’s people today and that the seventh-day Sabbath is to be observed on Saturday.
  • We both believe there is no consciousness for humans between death and resurrection.
  • We both believe that Jesus Christ will soon return physically to the earth.
  • We both believe that the wicked will finally be annihilated, not suffer eternal torment…

Most differences between the groups involve the role and writings of Ellen G. White. Mrs. White was a founder of the SDA Church and is regarded by it as a true prophetess. The Church of God (Seventh Day) considers Mrs. White as it would any other writer since the completion of the biblical canon: Her “truth” is mixed with error. It regards neither Mrs. White nor her writings to be an expression of the “Spirit of Prophecy.” This is the fundamental difference between the two churches.

Beyond this basic difference, here are some teachings of the Church of God (Seventh Day) that are not endorsed by Seventh-day Adventists:

• We believe that the year 1844 has no special significance in Bible prophecy. We believe that provision for salvation was completed when Jesus died, rose from the dead, and returned to heaven — not in 1844. Therefore, we believe that SDA teachings about the cleansing of the sanctuary and the investigative judgment are invalid.
• We believe that the earth will be inhabited by the saints — not desolate — during the 1,000-year reign of Christ.
• We believe that the entombment of Christ was for three full days and nights, from Wednesday evening until Sabbath evening.
• We believe that the common celebrations of Christmas and Easter are seen as a compromise with pagan customs and should not be practiced by the Church.

Those of us in groups, like the Living Church of God, would agree with the above points on where we agree and disagree with the Seventh-day Adventists.

Perhaps I should also mention that the main reasons for the Church of God/SDA split were:

1) The COG did not accept Ellen White’s messages as on par with the Bible
2) The COG would not accept the name “Seventh-day Adventist”
3) The COG taught that the millennium is to occur on the earth
4) The COG taught that there is an opportunity for salvation in the age to come

Although CG7 no longer emphasizes that last point, here is some information about what the belief differences were in the mid-1800s. The SDAs have reported the following about the “CG7 group” in Marion in the 1860s that had affiliation with its Gilbert Cranmer (CG7’s currently essentially claimed founder):

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

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

Of course, Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday (for details, please see What Happened in the Crucifixion Week?). Additionally, it is not the COG position that all win be converted, it is the COG position (that LCG at least holds) that nearly everyone will be converted (please see Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants).

On matters of history, perhaps it should be mentioned that we in the Living Church of God do believe that we have direct ties to the original apostles and can trace our history from the time of Peter, Paul, and John through the faithful in Asia Minor through Europe and to the Americas (for some details, please see The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3). For specific information on the separation between the COGs and SDAs in the 1800s, please see the article The Sardis Church Era.

Three articles of possibly related interest may include:

SDA/LCG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 The Living Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White.
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?
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.

Beijing After Rain                  Beijing on a Normal Sunny Day

COGwriter

In these times of economic turmoil, many feel that China is rising up as possibly the major economic player for the 21st century.  But despite a lot of positives, China still has weaknesses:

China likely to be stronger after crisis

International Herald Tribune – March 16, 2009

The global economic downturn, and efforts to reverse it, will probably make China an even stronger economic competitor than it was before the crisis.

Relative to the United States, China is doing many things right.  It is spending money it saved in order to help its country now, and hopefully in the future.

However, China’s pollution, potential for significant social unrest, and how it is discussed in biblical prophecy demonstrate that the 21st century will not belong to China.  But China will be a major player in a variety of events.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
The Dramatic Story of Chinese Sabbathkeepers This reformatted Good News article from 1955 discusses Sabbath-keeping in China in the 1800s.
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for China? Is it a “King of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?

Dmitry Medvedev

COGwriter

In the news today were two stories about the two most militarily powerful nations in the world showing that one will increase its spending on modern advanced weapons, while the other plans to decrease it:

Russia announces rearmament plan

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said Moscow will begin a comprehensive military rearmament from 2011.

BBC – March 17, 2009

The USA looks like it will take a different approach:

Gates readies big cuts in weapons

Battle looms with Congress

While the USA cannot afford to remain the world’s premier military super-power (see also LCG: What if We Can’t Afford the Military?), it sometime next decade will probably learn part of why it cannot afford not to.

The USA will also learn that by ultimately placing too much reliance on its allies (several of which it fought last century) will insure that it falls faster than its attackers even expect.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia? What will it do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
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.
Prophecies of Barack Obama? There are 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.
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?
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 Hindu Indians may have some 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?

Christianity Today Needs to Return to the Bible

COGwriter

Last week, I noticed that  “Christianity Today” had several articles promoting the unbiblical season of Lent.  Today, I noticed that instead of promoting biblical practices, CT is promoting ritualistic traditions that are not in the Bible.

Notice:

Return to Ritual

…by Eric Reed | posted 3/13/2009

We keep hearing of churches “returning to ritual.” Such churches often share common elements: weekly Communion, written prayers, creeds, corporate confession, and other things that for some stalwarts may feel awfully Catholic…

There are seven basic problems with the CT position:

1. The rituals that CT is promoting are not in the Bible.
2. CT’s claims that these were true Christian practices dating back 2,000 years is completely false.  There simply is no evidence that the Christians in the Bible nor those who were called by the ministries of the original apostles ever kept such rituals.  Apparently many associated with CT do not understand The History of Early Christianity.
3. Jesus was not pleased with the Pharisees and others of His time who promoted ritualistic traditions over the Bible.  Actually Jesus taught, “in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9).  But that is precisely what CT is promoting now.  What CT appears to be doing is promoting traditions of men above the teachings of the Bible as CT does NOT promote the biblical holy days for this period, but instead promotes the compromised positions that were later adopted by Rome and opposed to by people even the Catholics consider to be saints, such as Polycarp of Smyrna (see also Polycarp of Smyrna: The Heretic Fighter).
4. Maundy Thursday, etc. promote the false idea that certain events in Jesus’ last week of life occured on days of the week that even several Protestant scholars have realized were impossible.  Those who want to know the truth about this should read the article What Happened in the Crucifixion Week?
5. The faithful did not have weekly communion services, as they came through a heretic named Justin.  And amazingly Justin had a belief that those who currently are in the Roman/Orthodox/Protestant faiths hold, that Justin claimed if you held it you were not a Christian (see Justin Martyr: Saint, Heretic, or Apostate?).  So why would any follow one of Justin’s practices while being condemned by him?
6. The Nicene Creed was not the original creed found in the earliest writings.  It represented a change due to several compromises.  If the particular Nicene Creed that is being used is the same one that Rome now uses, CT should realize that the Eastern Orthodox claim that one Roman change to it led to the “great schism” between the Greco-Roman churches in 1054 A.D.  Hence, to somehow imply that the “Nicene Creed” is a return to original Christianity is completely and historically false.
7. The Bible clearly warns of a time that a powerful ecumenical religion is going to come and force worship upon itself (Revelation 13).  And while this religion is likely to call itself “Catholic” as it will likely retain rituals from that tradition, it will in fact be a changed version of that.  Many Catholic writers have warned that their religion would be changed and possibly led by a false leader that they tend to call the antipope.  By promoting ritual now to Protestants that did not have it, CT is actually encouraging Protestants to ultimately turn towards this false ecumenical religion.  One that even many Catholics fear is beginning to rise up in their church.  And one that will take over Europe and the rest of the world.

Does CT not understand that the Bible does not promote the rituals that it is now promoting?

Furthermore, as  “Pastor Rak” does not tell his congregants where he gets his sermon texts, apparently because he does not wish his Protestant congregation to realize that he is becoming so ecumenical with Catholic beliefs and practices.  This appears to be quite disingenuous.

Can CT not understand where its compromises are leading to?  Shouldn’t a magazine from a Protestant tradition instead promote beliefs from the Bible?  Or, like Martin Luther, does CT not truly believe in sola Scriptura?

We are living in perilous times and people need to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered for the saints” (Jude 3)–the faith that God had recorded in the Bible.  Those associated with CT either need to turn it away from ritual and towards the Bible, or stop supporting it themselves if they are truly interested in the Christianity of the Bible.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they?
Is Lent a Christian Holiday? When did it originate? What about Ash Wednesday? If you observe them, do you know why?
Why The Living Church of God Does Not Wear Green on St. Patrick’s Day Should non-Catholics observe a Catholic holiday?
What Happened in the Crucifixion Week? How long are three days and three nights? Did Jesus die on “Good Friday”? Was the resurrection on Sunday? Do you really know? Who determined the date of Easter?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Easter? If not, when did this happen? What do scholars and the Bible reveal?
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?

Dr. Douglas Winnail

March 17th is the day traditionally observed as “St. Patrick’s Day” by many Catholics, Irish, and others.  But the celebrations are not limited to one day as there were many parades on March 15th this year, and as the following shows, the celebrations last longer than that:

St. Patrick’s Day is practically celebrated all month on Long Island, with community parades, Irish music and dance events scheduled from Rockville Centre to Montauk. (http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/exploreli/ny-exmain6070532mar16,0,7906971.story)

But the question is, was Patrick the first to bring Christianity to the British Isles? And the related question is, does Ireland have the original Christian faith today?

The answer to both questions is no.

The one claimed to be St. Patrick by the Romans simply was not the first to bring Christianity to the British Isles. Hippolytus (an early Catholic saint), in the early third century, claimed that one of the seventy that Jesus sent out to preach ended up in Britain:

These two belonged to the seventy disciples who were scattered…Aristobulus, bishop of Britain (Hippolytus. Where Each OF Them Preached, And Where HE Met His End).

If that is so, Aristobulus could have have been placed in charge by one of the apostles as the seventy (Luke 10:1,17) had to have known the original apostles. But it is clear that by the early third century, it was known that some version of Christianity had made it into the British Isles. And as others have also indicated, this could have occurred earlier.

Eusebius, for another example, wrote in the 4th century that Jesus’disciples reached the British Isles:

His disciples…to preach to all the Name of Jesus, to teach about His marvellous deeds in country and town, that some of them should take possession of the Roman Empire, and the Queen of Cities itself, and others the Persian, others the Armenian, that others should go to the Parthian race, and yet others to the Scythian, that some already should have reached the very ends of the world, should have reached the land of the Indians, and some have crossed the Ocean and reached the Isles of Britain (Eusebius of Caesarea: Demonstratio Evangelica, Book 3, Chapter 5. Translated by W.J. Ferrar. Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. London. The Macmillan Company. New York 1920, p. 113).

Notice a sixth century account:

Venantius Fortunatus, A.D. 560, says: “St. Paul passed over the ocean to the Island of Britain, and to Thule, the extremity of the earth.” (Ireland)  (Celtic Sabbath-Keeping Study No. 264, from Cherith Chronicle, April-June 1998, pp. 46-47. http://www.giveshare.org/BibleStudy/264.celtic-sabbath-keeping.html 6/24/06)

Thus, Aristobulus and/or others (like possibly Paul) came to the Isles well before “Patrick”.

The truth is that when they arrived, the Roman Catholics were unhappy to find a Christianity in the Isles that held to very non-Catholic beliefs (more on this is in the article The Pergamos Church Era ).

LCG’s Dr. Winnail wrote the following about Patrick and Ireland:

Facts vs. Fables

But what happened to the true Gospel that the Apostles brought to Europe’s western isles in the first century? How accurate are the widely accepted traditions that Patrick converted the Irish in the 400s and that Augustine brought Christianity to England in the 600s? When you dig beneath the surface of modern assumptions, you find scholars making very interesting admissions. Irish Catholic historians relate that “traditionally… Saint Patrick has been credited with converting the entire Irish race from paganism in the very short period between 432 and 461… however, we have to admit that there were certainly Christians in Ireland before Patrick arrived… and that the saint worked as an evangelist only in part of the island [the north]” (Walsh and Bradley, p. 1). Irish writer Liam de Paor states that “Ireland was not converted by one man [Patrick]… it may be that Christianity reached the west country [of Britain] and the southern Irish sea virtually independent of the Roman system, at a very early date… centuries before Patrick” (Paor, pp. 21, 23). There are traditions that the Apostle James preached the gospel in Ireland before returning to Jerusalem, where he was martyred (see MacManus, The Story of the Irish Race, p. 103). The widely accepted notion that Patrick first brought Christianity to Ireland is a fable—not a fact. Numerous historical sources state that the Apostles brought true Christianity to Ireland four centuries before Patrick!

The truth is that while Patrick probably worked to try to do what he felt was good, biblical Christianity had been to the British Isles before him.

Perhaps I should also add that many of those in Ireland, even centuries after Patrick, refused to observe Sunday, but instead observed Saturday as the Sabbath until an English Queen (Margaret) passed a law against it (the Irish also used to practice foot washing like Jesus and His early followers did, for details see Passover and the Early Church).

Hence, even after Patrick was in Ireland, many in Ireland resisted his changes from apostolic Christianity.  That is what those who wish to be truly faithful in Ireland and elsewhere should do today.

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day does not help that at all, as it encourages not only excessive alcohol consumption, but also blurs people’s abilities to realize that the religion of Patrick was not the true apostolic faith.

Those interested in the truth may wish to study the following articles:

Why The Living Church of God Does Not Wear Green on St. Patrick’s Day Should non-Catholics observe a Catholic holiday?
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?
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 Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church?

Palace of Westminster in London

COGwriter

While much of the world (including China) looks at the total amount of USA debt as potentially horrific, some have failed to realize that the British are probably the highest indebted people in the world, and that the British economy may get a lot worse:

Britain showing signs of heading towards 1930s-style depression, says Bank

Britain is showing signs of sliding towards a 1930s-style depression, the Bank of England says today for the first time

Telegraph, London – March 16, 2009

The UK will not be able to sustain this type of debt forever.  And the debt increasing policies that both the UK and USA have been adopting in the past year or so, that the Germans have resisted (see Germany Does Not Have a “Financial” Crisis), will result in a change in who is the economic leader of the world.

Thousands of years ago, God had the following prophecy recorded:

43 The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. 44 He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail  (Deuteronomy 28:43-44).

This is what is happening to the Anglo-American peoples today.  No nation in history has ever had debt as high as the USA, and it is possible that no significant nation has ever had a per capita debt as high as the UK is likely to experience.

And those interested in the truth, may wish to realize that the Bible shows that it will get much worse for the indebted nations like the USA and UK.  They are at real risk for physical destruction and personal slavery.  I will close by quoting the next several verses in that same prophecy which demonstrates that I am not at all exaggerating the dangers that the Anglo-American peoples now face:

45 Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. 46 And they shall be upon you for a sign and a wonder, and on your descendants forever.

47 “Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, 48 therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you. 49 The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies, a nation whose language you will not understand, 50 a nation of fierce countenance, which does not respect the elderly nor show favor to the young. 51 And they shall eat the increase of your livestock and the produce of your land, until you are destroyed; they shall not leave you grain or new wine or oil, or the increase of your cattle or the offspring of your flocks, until they have destroyed you. 52 They shall besiege you at all your gates until your high and fortified walls, in which you trust, come down throughout all your land; and they shall besiege you at all your gates throughout all your land which the LORD your God has given you (Deuteronomy 28:45-52).

Some 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?
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?
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.
Prophecy Obama: 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.
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?

Mayan Codex

COGwriter

While researching what various cultures have to say about end times, I ran across something from a Hindu in India named Vijay Kumar (who refers to himself as “The Man who Realized God In 1993”).  What is highly astounding is that it appears that he is advocating that the common person take up arms in order to support a coming world dictator in order for some type of supposedly peaceful age to be implemented:

Yes! 2012… shall be the year of reckoning. 2012 shall be remembered in history of mankind forever. Why?

From the position of planetary movements and astrological calculations… the significance of number three for present civilization is immense. The 12th year of 21st century totals number three.

Talking of 2012 means… we have already stepped into the 21st century which numerically totals three. The 12th year also totals to three. A significant upheaval on the whole shall be the order of the day.

Adharma (lawlessness) would be rooted out for ever. 2012 and beyond is the period of spiritual elevation. 2012 rings start of golden era. Beyond 2012 it shall be harmony and peace all over…

2012 is the year of sacrifice. Both… the sinner (committer of crime) and the innocent will be sacrificed. One who has committed crime shall face the gallows. Those who uphold and cherish values in the society would sacrifice their lives for the sake of humanity…

The sacrifice by the eminent would be by will. To cleanse the society of its ills in 2012… many would come forward and sacrifice self on the altar of God. Unless that happens… the upheaval in the society is not possible. The blood of the innocent would be spilled. There is no other remedy…

For the society to climb back to its pristine glory of the golden era… even the meek would handle metal (pick arms). Whatever the poor and the downtrodden lay their hands upon would become their weapon. In the last phase of the Kali Yuga we are passing through… the complete society has been taken to ransom by about 6% corrupt population comprising of politicians, bureaucrats, judiciary and police force.

In every nook and corner of the world situation would be same…

2012 is the year of the Avatar of the era (god almighty manifest in human form)… people await with abated breath the coming of Bhagwan Kalki… one who delivers the mankind from the existing ills of today. Bhagwan Kalki would be a spiritual master of the highest order with the deadly combination of a wise dictator (Chanakya of the modern era)…

Prayers world-wide have delayed the coming of Bhagavan Kalki. The World War Three that was destined to start in 1998~1999 got delayed. It is the theory of mass karma that governs the destiny of every living being. WTC affair was just a preamble to the main show. Let us all prepare ourselves and wait for 2012.

Be it enlightenment 2012, mayan prophecy prediction year 2012, nostradamus 2012 predicciones armageddon doomsday happen, horrible polar shift… everything bogs down to… what is going to happen in 2012!  (Kumar, Vijay. End of the World 2012. http://www.godrealized.com/2012.html viewed 01/18/09).

Also notice that Vijay Kumar’s writing are supporting a warring power–something that the Bible warns against in Revelation 13.  I presume that most Hindus would not now be willing to do this.

However, if views like Vijay Kumar’s become predominant, it may be that they will help lead to Hindus at least temporarily accepting the religion of the false prophet and the authority of the coming dictator known as Beast that the Bible warns will rise up at the end. Hence, in that way, 2012 may have biblically prophetic significance.

Because the Mayan prophesy doomsayers are going to be wrong about the world ending in a flood then according to Genesis 9:11,15, I strongly suspect that people in various groups will claim that the proper interpretation of the Mayan prophecies was not the end of the world, but instead a time of “peace” that many prognosticators have looked forward towards throughout history.

The truth, however, is that humankind will not be the ones to bring true peace, Christ will.  However, the Bible shows that a time of false peace is coming and people are warned not to believe it even though various ones will proclaim it:

6 They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD!’ But the LORD has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed. 7 Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, ‘The LORD says,’ but I have not spoken.”

8 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you,” says the Lord GOD. 9 My hand will be against the prophets who envision futility and who divine lies; they shall not be in the assembly of My people, nor be written in the record of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord GOD. 10 Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace (Ezekiel 13:6-10).

2012 will NOT be the age of peace that many look forward to.  And peace will NOT come to the earth because some human leader forces it through warfare.

While the world will not end in 2012, it is likely that the Beast power will begin to rise up in Europe by that time (the “prince” of Daniel 9:26-27 who will later become the King of the North of Daniel 11:27-45.  And sadly, partially because of the timing, people may heed views like Vijay Kumar’s and support him.

We are living in dangerous times that are relatively soon to become much more dangerous.

Several articles of possible related interest may include:

End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans (the Hindus may have some predictions for the next decade as well). Do various Mayan/Hindu/Buddhist/New Age/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?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it. Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?
Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare? Here are current and historical perspectives on a matter which show the beliefs of the true church on military participation. Is war proper for Christians?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? What is ahead for Europe?
Who 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?

Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople

COGwriter

After unsuccessfully trying since 1901, the Eastern Orthodox expect to hold two meetings this year:

Journey begins toward convening of grand pan-Orthodox synod
by NAT da Polis

The invitation letters have gone out for the two preparatory meetings that will be held in June and December. Ten topics of discussion. The ecumenical patriarchate has been trying to hold a synod of Orthodox Churches since 1901.

Istanbul (AsiaNews) – With the sending of letters of invitation to all the heads of the Orthodox Churches for the two preparatory meetings for the grand pan-Orthodox synod, scheduled for June and December of this year, Bartholomew has set in motion the decisions made at the recent pan-Orthodox meeting in October, held in Constantinople, and attended by deceased patriarch of Moscow Alexy as his last act in life.

Bartholomew has stepped up the pace for the convening of the grand synod, which has the objective of responding to all of the problems that have built up over the course of centuries, and continue to plague relations among the Orthodox Churches, with extensive repercussions for the dialogue between Orthodox and Catholics as well. The schism of 1054, with all of its grave consequences for the universal Church, also deprived the Orthodox Church of the necessary impetus and ability to be constantly present in the course of history.

After various mishaps, in 1961 a pan-Orthodox conference was convened in Rhodes, with significant pressure from patriarch Athenagoras, for the purpose of preparing an Orthodox synod. This conference was also followed by numerous obstacles, because as theologian Giorgos Tetsetis observes, the local Churches did not have a clear idea of what they wanted from the Synod.

Now, the letters sent for the two preparatory meetings to be held in June, in Cyprus, and in December, in a place to be determined, present the following topics: 1. The Orthodox diaspora, where the jurisdiction over the Orthodox flock beyond national borders will be defined. According to the canons now in effect, before the growth in the phenomenon of emigration the faithful outside of their home country belong to the ecumenical patriarchate. 2. The manner of recognizing the status of autocephalous Church. 3. The manner of recognizing the status of Church autonomy. 4. Dypticha, meaning the rules of mutual canonical recognition among the Orthodox Churches. 5. Establishing a common calendar for feasts. For example, some Churches celebrate the Nativity on December 25, others 10 days later. 6. Impediments and canonicity of the sacrament of matrimony. 7. The question of fasting in the contemporary world. 8. Relationships with the other Christian confessions. 9. The ecumenical movement. 10. The contribution of the Orthodox in affirming the Christian ideals of peace, fraternity, and freedom.

The first four questions were the cause of friction in 1993 and 1999 with the patriarch of Moscow, because of participation in the work of the autonomous Estonian Church, with Moscow does not recognize.

“It is time,” says Fr. Tetsetis, a theologian for the ecumenical patriarchate, “that our Church finally realize that it is doing poorly as a whole. The Church needs an open and sincere dialogue. Because it is only then, with its rich tradition as a compass, that it will be able to emerge from its blind alley and together face its existential problems, which are becoming increasingly severe and complicated. It is only then that the importance of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s initiative can be understood.” According to the journalist Aris Viketos, the letter from Bartholomew is being well received in the Orthodox world. http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=14708&size

Internal unity and doctrinal consistency does make some sense. But the bigger goal of these meetings, in my opinion, is to prepare the Orthodox for ecumenical unity with the Church of Rome–something that the Patriarch of Moscow has wisely been resisting (New Russian Orthodox Patriarch).

However, unity with Rome has been a clear goal of Patriarch Bartholomew for some time (see Catholic/Orthodox: Ecumenicalism Required).  Now if he can get general agreement from the Patriarchs of Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem (all of whom have various serious problems in their respective areas), he and the current Pope Benedict XVI may accomplish their objective.  Or at minimum, set the stage for a unity that they should should reject (see Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics).

The Bible warns against a coming ecumenical Babylonian religion that is likely to call itself “Catholic”.  Yet Roman domination of the Eastern Orthodox in an re-established Babylon has been the goal of certain Catholics for over 800 years.  Around 1202 the Catholic Abbott Joachim prophesied:

A remarkable Pope will be seated on the pontifical throne, under special protection of the angels. Holy and full of gentleness, he shall undo all wrong, he shall recover the states of the Church, and reunite the exiled temporal powers. As the only Pastor, he shall reunite the Eastern to the Western Church…This holy Pope shall be both pastor and reformer. Through him the East and West shall be in ever lasting concord. The city of Babylon shall then be the head and guide of the world.

Rome, weakened in temporal power, shall forever preserve her spiritual dominion, and shall enjoy great peace…(Cited in Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno. Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, pp. 31-32).

Biblical prophecy states that there will be a major unifying religion that it calls “Babylon the Great” (Revelation 17:5)–but one that the Bible warns against (Revelation 18:4).

Sadly, the stage for “unity” to form this Babylon keeps getting prepared.  The Patriarch of Constantinople seems determine to try to make it happen.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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.

A Shofar May Be Blown at the Final Trumpet Blast

COGwriter

Last night, ICG’s Mark Armstrong reported the following:

The Garner Ted Armstrong telecast this week offered material on the subject of the “Rapture…,”  the sermon Way of Escape and the booklet Heaven on Earth.  The numbers seemed a little low, particularly based on the timeliness of the subject matter.

Here is what ICG officially teaches about the rapture:

Doctrinal Statement on THE RAPTURE

The doctrine of a secret rapture during which Christ will clandestinely return to catch away the saints from the earth, protecting them from the great tribulation, is not biblical. It is neither taught nor mentioned in the New Testament. Christ will indeed come back to this earth, but it will be only once, with power and full glory, and will be totally visible to all human beings. This will occur at the final trumpet blast, concomitant with the first resurrection, which is after the great tribulation, and just after the seventh and last plague

ICG correctly teaches  that there is no pre-tribulation rapture (for a verse by verse analysis of the “rapture passages” according to Dr. Timothy LaHaye, please see Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected?).

However despite being correct about the rapture hypothesis, ICG does not seem to understand the end-time protection mentioned in Revelation 3:10 nor 12:14-17 as its Where is Your Place of Safety? booklet teaches:

Tens of thousands believe there is a place of safety, probably in the Jordanian desert, awaiting God’s church. Thousands fervently hope they can QUALIFY to flee to this “place” to escape the coming Great Tribulation. Is this a valid hope? WILL the church go to such a place? Are YOU headed toward a “place of safety”?…

Petra has been an attractively curious, mysterious and alluring “place of safety” to various religious groups over the centuries…Surely it would take no great stretch of the imagination to quote the scripture of Revelation 12:16: “And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth,” and apply it to Petra…

WHERE is your “hiding place”?…

If you are a member of God’s true church; if you have received the Holy Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 12:13), then your life is ALREADY HIDDEN!…

Does Jesus Christ say we are to spend a great deal of our conscious thought deeply concerned over how to “FLEE” to a physical, geographical location of PROTECTION?

No!

…God Can Protect You Where You Are…

CHRIST is your PETRA! He is your ROCK, and your hiding place!

While God can protect His people anywhere, it should be pointed out that in the time of the end, He will protect His Philadelphians in a particular place according to the Revelation of Jesus Christ as well as His words as recorded by Matthew:

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,… 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth (Revelation 3:7,10).

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matthew 24:15-21).

14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev 12:14-17).

So, the Bible shows:

1. That Philadelphians will be kept from the hour of trial somewhere that will fall upon the earth.
2. That a portion of the Church will flee (Matthew 24:18,20) to the wilderness (Revelation 12:14) just prior to the great tribulation (Matthew 24:21).
3. That a portion of the Church will be physically protected for 3 1/2 years (a time, times, and half a time).
4. That the portion of the Church that does not flee will not be protected and will have war made upon it from Satan.

Hence, it should be clear that the Bible does show that it is the Philadephia Christians (Revelation 3:7) that receive protection from the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21) also called the hour of trial (Revelation 3:10), it is in a physical place upon the earth (Revelation 12:14), this protection lasts 3 1/2 years (Revelation 12:14), but that the rest of the Christians do not receive this special end time protection.

Perhaps I should add that part of the reason that ICG does not grasp this is that it teaches against the concept of “Church eras”, hence does not seem to realize that the Bible is clear that a specific physical protection from the “hour of trial” is promised to the Philadelphians.

Some articles of possibly related interest include:

Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected? What does the Bible really teach? Who really is left behind?
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
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.
Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 from 31 A.D. to present: information on all of the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now basically the Living Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era was predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. Non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to 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.
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?
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?
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?