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COGwriter

In his sermon yesterday, titled Awe of God, pt 4 (from Spokane, WA), CGPFK’s Ronald Weinland continued to vacillate.

For example, he began by mentioning that CGPFK’s would have several Feast of Tabernacles’ sites this year, and only one in Canada.  He then, a minute or two later stated:

The Feast of Tabernacles…We don’t know if we will be able to observe it.

He then said that was because “we” do not know the dates of that certain upcoming seals from the Book of Revelation will be opened.

For those unfamiliar with Ronald Weinland, some background may be in order.  Ron Weinland was a minister in the old Worldwide Church of God, then in the current United Church of God, and then he went out on his own and founded his CGPFK.  He declared himself a prophet, and then a couple of years ago, declared that he was one of God’s Two Witnesses.  And on April 17, 2008, he declared that his wife Laura was the other witness.

Ronald and Laura Weinland are two relatively unknown “witnesses”.  They do not have the doctrines, the signs, the reliability, nor the notoriety that God’s Two Witnesses would actually have.

He made many declarations in 2008, like the Great Tribulation began on April 17, 2008, that the USA would be nuked by June 8, 2008, that he would stop preaching if he was wrong, etc.  He, of course, continued to preach, and later declared that the Great Tribulation began on December 14, 2008.

One thing about him that has not changed is his horrific attitude towards others, like his critics.  In his book, 2008: God’s Final Witness he called for the death of various COG-affiliated leaders.  The first “power” he claimed he got on April 17, 2008 was to pronounce death towards his critics:

All of this is from God…

For those of you who want to mock, I do forewarn you, you are going to cease or you will die…You see, I have a unique job and you don’t understand what that job is…You don’t understand…

You don’t understand the power of God and what He has given me to do…

And my first exercise in use of power, that God has granted me in Revelation 11, is to you, you mockers…Truly.

It begins with you, first and foremost.

You will be the first to experience…You don’t have to wait long.

For those who mock, again, from this day forward, by what you say against God’s people, by what you say against God’s truth, by what you say against God’s truths, by what you say against God’s prophets, you will suffer from sickness that will eat you from the inside out. And you will die. (Weinland, R. It Has Begun–the 1260 Days Have Begun. Sermon pre-recorded but played 4/19/08).

He made a similar pronouncement on December 2008.  He also wrote against his critics at least twice in the summer of 2008.

In yesterday’s sermon, Ron Weinland again ranted and railed against his critics, and specifically those of us who report about him on websites.    He claims we hate him with a passion and twist his writings.

I cannot speak for others, but I do not hate Ronald Weinland, nor have I ever written anything about him that is not true.

He specifically stated yesterday:

God shall afflict them…but in His time…My enemies do not change their ways.  They do not fear God…Scorning, that’s what happens on the internet.

He basically also stated that those who do not listen to him are fools.

He did make an interesting promise to his critics in March 2008:

Just so all the critics and everyone out there will understand. I am true to my word in these things. OK? And for all the critics if by the end of July and for most likely around Pentecost if nothing has clearly caused great destruction and death I will make it very clear that I was a false prophet. I will do exactly what I said I would do on all of those interviews that I have held; to do less, aah well, would be quite insane. (Weinland R. Three More Weeks–quote from near the 1 hour 28 minute point from the CGPFK website version. Sermon given March 29, 2008).

But he did vacillate on that, as he did not keep his word.  If he was a “man of God”, one would think that he would keep his public word.

Instead, last summer (after his other predictions did not come to pass), he claimed that God revealed a “50th truth” to him.

Here are parts of number 50 related to his critics:

3) God is also going to reveal the perverted attitude and spirit of all who mock Him, His Church, and His servants. Those who scoff, criticize, ridicule, and mock God’s Church have used the occasion of this revelation to find fault with God’s Church for changing doctrine (as they see it) and timing in order to better suit their own false needs. Such critics foolishly and unwittingly put themselves in a position of judging God. The very thing they mock is the very thing that will end up being used to mock them. God is revealing the kind of hatred that has existed in the hearts of men and women toward Him and His people for nearly 6,000 years now.

4) As part of a direct relationship to the previous point, this very thing that scoffers and mockers try to use to discredit God’s end-time prophet and two witnesses is one of the very things that God will use (in a far greater way) to prove who it is through whom He is working. In reality, the fulfillment of the 50th Truth will be great evidence of God’s true servants and the events that reveal the fulfilling of this truth will put mockers and scoffers to shame.

I also do not believe that pointing out why he is false possibly mocks God. Does Ronald Weinland not realize what the Bible teaches?

20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’ 21 “And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’– 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him (Deuteronomy 18:19-22).

According to God’s word, Ronald Weinland is a false prophet and we should be looking to see that what he claimed did not come to pass. He needs to repent or God may strike him down.

I have not vacillated in my reporting about him for the many years that I have.

Why?

Because I have long compared his words to the Bible and world events, and Ronald Weinland has often been found lacking.  He relies on himself and his own delusions.

And while Ronald Weinland is correct that the end is near, he is not the only one who realizes that–but unlike the COGwriter site, he keeps making statements that have repeatedly been proven false.  The reality is that several biblically required events have not occurred that would be required for the Great Tribulation to have began in 2008.  Thus, he is in error that the Great Tribulation began on April 17, 2008 or December 14, 2008.

Ronald Weinland needs to repent and publicly apologize for declaring that he was one of the two witnesses, that the Great Tribulation began, for his calls for death against his critics, and misleading his followers.

Those interesting in learning more about the subjects in today’s post may wish to read the following articles:

Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up and that the end will come in 2008 (first April 17th, then June 2008, now December 14, 2008). Why is he a false prophet? He also has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the Church of God.
Who Are The Two Witnesses? What is their job? What does the Bible reveal? What has the Church of God taught on this subject? Might even Roman Catholic prophecies give some clues here?
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. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradaumus prophecies have any value here? 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?

COGwriter

In his latest update, GCI/WCG’s Joseph Tkach wrote:

Mother’s Day

One of the last things Jesus did on the cross was ask a friend to look after his mother. The Gospel of John tells the story in chapter 19, verses 25-27:

“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” (NIV).

It’s a touching story, and it points up how important it was to Jesus that his mother be properly cared for. The disciple whom Jesus loved, a person referred to only in the Gospel of John, was John himself. And as a close and dear friend, he was Jesus’ choice to see that his mother would not fall destitute with no one to provide for her.

Honor your Father and your Mother, the Commandment says. And Jesus certainly honored his…

Of course, no mother is perfect, and precious few mothers are what their children would call ideal. But whatever their flaws and shortcomings, most mothers do love their children in a profoundly deep and unconditional way. And such unconditional love is rare in today’s world. But it’s there, and wherever you see it, it’s a reflection of the unconditional love our heavenly Father has for us.

More than 40 countries have an annual celebration of motherhood. In the United States, Mothers’ Day owes its origins to the work of Ana Jarvis of Grafton, West Virginia. Her letter-writing campaign eventually resulted in President Woodrow Wilson’s 1914 proclamation of a national observance of mothers, to be held each year on the 2nd Sunday of May.

Sunday, May 10th is observed in many lands as Mother’s Day.

Perhaps, an article of related interest may be Women and the New Testament Church.

Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Canada

COGwriter

The following news item was of interest:

Canada, Aiming to Curb U.S. Reliance, Starts EU Talks

Bloomberg – May 6, 2009

by Theophilos Argitis

Canada, the world’s eighth-largest economy, kicked off trade talks with the European Union as it seeks to reduce dependence on a slowing U.S. economy. Prime Minister Stephen Harper met European Commission President Jose Barroso today in Prague to discuss an accord. Canada’s exports will drop 22 percent this year because of the weak global economy, the country’s export development agency predicted last month.

“This is an historic step for Canada,” Harper told reporters in Prague. “It is a glimmer of light in the darkness of this global recession.”

A trade agreement with the European Union would be the country’s largest since the North American Free Trade Agreement. Canada is suffering its deepest slump since the 1930s amid plunging demand for its goods in the U.S., which buys about 80 percent of its exports.

Canada, home to aircraft producer Bombardier Inc. and among the world’s 10 largest auto producing nations, will record a 7.3 percent drop in first-quarter output, the country’s central bank estimates.

Canadian officials, including Trade Minister Stockwell Day, also have complained about what they say is growing protectionism in the U.S.

Protectionist Risk

A U.S. decision to let states exclude Canadian companies from projects paid for by the $787 billion stimulus package risks igniting a protectionist backlash, Day told reporters last month in Washington. The U.S. also recently imposed $54.8 million in duties on softwood lumber from four Canadian provinces.

Canada and the EU, too, will need to overcome trade disputes as they start negotiations. The European Union yesterday approved a ban on imports of seal products, prompting Canada to threaten action with the WTO.

The EU is targeting products derived from seals that are killed and skinned in ways that cause pain and suffering.

Day told reporters yesterday in Prague the dispute won’t affect the trade talks with the EU.

“We’re going to pursue a broader trade agreement with the EU but there will always be individual disputes as there will be with this case with the seals,” he said.

A trade agreement could boost Canadian exports by C$12 billion ($10.2 billion) annually, Day said.

Beyond Tariffs

The scope of negotiations will reach beyond tariffs, making it a broader agreement than Nafta. Canada and the EU are seeking an “ambitious” agreement including government procurement and regulatory co-operation, according to a statement released by Harper’s office today. Canada and the EU traded C$90.4 billion worth of goods in 2008.

An agreement may open up European markets to Canadian aerospace and engineering companies such as Bombardier and SNC Lavalin Group Inc., while providing Europeans access to Canada’s energy resources, said Simon Potter, a trade lawyer at McCarthy Tetrault in Montreal.

“This is the very first trade deal we’re going to sign with a huge economy after Nafta,” Potter said in a telephone interview. “I expect energy is going to be a major part.”

Canada sits on the largest pool of oil reserves outside of the Middle East, and is a major exporter of natural gas.

“Europe strategically is looking to work its way out from the yoke of Gazprom and seeking other suppliers,” Dale Botting, an economic development official from Saskatchewan, said in a telephone interview. Canada “can try to fill the gap.” http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=aA7320P3ohA0&refer=canada

Certainly, the Europeans are looking for alternative nations to supply oil and natural resources and the Canadians always want new paying customers.

Interestingly, to me it least, was something I saw on Canadian television several years ago that indicated that in the future, Quebec would become an ally of the EU and help lead to the destruction of Canada (and possibly also the USA, if I remember that part well enough).

As  I have long believed and reported, the USA and Canada will make various deals with the Europeans, but ultimately, the USA, Canada, and their Anglo-allies, will decide to cooperate more with each other than with the Europeans (Quebec, though, could be in a different category).

However, Anglo-unity is likely to be one of the factors that will lead to the destruction of the Anglo-descended peoples by the coming European Beast power.  An event that may occur sometime next decade.

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?  What will happen to the nation of Israel?
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. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradaumus prophecies have any value here? 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?
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?
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?

Jerusalem

COGwriter

In his latest update last night, ICG’s Mark Armstrong wrote the following:

There are enough social, political and environmental controversies in play domestically to keep your head whirling as we watch our beloved United States devolve toward politically correct totalitarianism at the same time that the government is taking control of industry and finance.

Of even greater concern is the prospect of a nuclear Iran, and potentially, a nuclear Taliban. Washington is trying to diplomatically romance the Iranian leadership, and bring Syria into the fold. Traditional Arab “allies” Egypt and Saudi Arabia are less than enthusiastic. Israel appears poised to take action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, having, according to reports, already practiced dry runs. Meanwhile the U.S. administration is determined to impose its will for a Palestinian state on Israel, blaming the Iran’s push for nuclear weapons and the lack of Arab/Israeli peace on Israel.

Articles in the Jerusalem Post indicate that the U.S. administration is trying to get the Arabs, the Europeans and the UN to draw up an elaborate agreement that will include Israel withdrawing to pre-1967 borders and accepting millions of Palestinian refugees. According to a very enlightening op-ed column in today’s Jerusalem Post, Israel would effectively cease to be a Jewish nation under the plan, and would be unable to defend itself against foreign attack. But even that logic is meaningless to the current framers of U.S. policy. Consider the following quote, “As far as the Obama administration is concerned, Israel is the only obstacle to peace.”

Circumstances dictate that the status quo cannot drag on much longer. You are aware that the pope is in the middle of a Middle East tour, with plans to visit Israel during the days ahead. Public statements he made in Jordan claim that the Vatican is not a political power, but intends to use its “spiritual power” to promote Middle East peace. One can only wonder what that might entail at this stage of the game…

Prime Minister Netanyahu is scheduled to come to D.C. and meet with administration officials week after next. The preliminary meeting with Shimon Peres earlier this week did not go well, and Netanyahu is expected to get a chilly reception as well. Everything to do with the traditional U.S./Israel alliance is being revamped. Israel is being treated as if it is the ugly stepchild of the Middle East, and a liability under the new strategy of trying to reason with and befriend our mutual enemies. Relations with Israel are already so strained that the author of the above noted article doubts that much further damage can be done if an attack on Iran goes forward.

It is amazing to see so many pieces of the prophetic puzzle falling into place. But there are still some open gaps, namely, a cohesive coalition of power in Europe. We’ll have to watch intently to see if events in Pakistan, and the inevitable clash between Israel and Iran contribute to that eventuality.

There are two points from the above piece that I would like to comment upon.

The first, is that prophetically, Israel will remain a nation for some time, irrespective of the opinions of various writers or world leaders.  But it certainly is likely to ultimately make a peace deal that will backfire against it (Daniel 9:26-27).

The second point  is that while  military action by Israel against Iran may occur, I do not believe that this is what will really lead to much improved cohesion among the Europeans.

The more I study Catholic literature and visit Europe (currently I am averaging two trips per year to Europe), the more convinced I have become that it is likely to be visions claiming to be Mary that will be a factor leading to significant European cohesion (see also Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions ).  Of course, anti-Muslim sentiments are expected to play a major role as well.

As Jesus said,

35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming–in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning– 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! (Mark 13:35-37)

And the goings on in Israel and the Middle East are certainly areas that He was referring to (cf. Mark 13:14).  So, we should all watch them.

Although Iran is not the final King of the South it is likely to take actions that will help lead to the rising up of that coming Islamic power.  The Bible also shows that the USA and Israel will not have too long to survive after that happens as the King of the South will make a deadly deal with the coming King of the North (Daniel 11:27; Psalm 83)–a deal to cut the USA, Israel, and their Anglo-allies off from being a nation (Psalm 83:3-4).

Prophetic events continue to line up.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What might they mean? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How might Mary view them?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?
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?  What will happen to the nation of Israel?
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?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.
Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy? There is actually a 17th century Shiite prophecy that some believe that Barack Obama will fulfill that will lead to a rising up of Islam.
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies about Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? This is the longest and most detailed of the articles here related to prophecy and Barack Obama.
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?

Pope Benedict XVI

COGwriter

The Pope arrived in the Middle East today:

Pope hopes church can play role in Mideast peace

Associated Press – May 8, 2009
By VICTOR L. SIMPSON

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) – Pope Benedict XVI said Friday he hopes the Catholic church can play a role in the Middle East peace process as he began his first trip to the region with a stop in Jordan, where he hopes to improve frayed ties with Muslims…

“We are not a political power but a spiritual power that can contribute,” Benedict told reporters on the plane before he landed in Amman.

The pope was met at the airport by Jordan’s King Abdullah, Queen Rania and Muslim and Christian leaders. A Jordanian army band equipped with bagpipes and drums played the Vatican and Jordanian national anthems before the pope and the king inspected the honor guard.

Benedict’s three-day stay in Jordan is his first visit to an Arab country as pope. During his time in the country, Benedict is scheduled to meet with Muslim religious leaders at Amman’s largest mosque—his second visit to a Muslim place of worship since becoming pope in 2005. He prayed in Istanbul’s famed Blue Mosque…http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D98220O80&show_article=1.

The Bible speaks of a time when a peace treaty will be made in this part of the world and then broken:

26b And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate (Daniel 9:26-27).

While this deal will not happen yet, the stage for this is now being set.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?
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?
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?

Parnaíba River in Piauí.  Piauí was one of the hardest hit states.

COGwriter

Brazil has had a lot of flooding problems this year:

At least 31 dead, 50,000 homeless in Brazil flooding

May 7, 2009 — Updated 2357 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (CNN) — Rain-induced flooding over large parts of Brazil have killed at least 31 people and left another 500,000 homeless, the government’s civil defense agency said Thursday.

About 270 towns and communities in 10 states have been flooded by swollen rivers. About one-third of the deaths have occurred in Ceara state in the northeastern part of the country, officials said.

The remaining deaths have occurred in four other states.

Food, supplies and other aid sent by the government can only reach some communities by helicopter because roads are flooded.

Rain has fallen steadily in some places for more than two weeks and is forecast to continue for another 10 days. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/05/07/brazil.floods/

Here is what Wikipedia reported a few days ago:

The 2009 Brazilian floods and mudslides is an ongoing natural disaster primarily in, but not limited to, five northeastern states of Brazil.

Because of the rains and certain economic difficulties, 2009 has been a rough year for Brazil.

It has been too wet in much of Brazil, while it has been too dry in the USA West.

While Latin America will have certain disasters, biblical prophecies indicate that perhaps sometime next decade, it will do much better than the U.S.A., Canada, and their Anglo-descended allies.

Two articles of possibly related interest may include:

Mexico, Central America, South America, and Brazil in Prophecy [Español: México, America Central, Suramérica, y el Brasil en profecíal] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What rule might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
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?

COGwriter

As reported at the LCG News page, yesterday, was the “National Day of Prayer” in the U.S.A.:

Obama plans a scaled back National Day of Prayer

Associated Press – May 6, 2009

by RYAN J. FOLEY

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The White House is planning a muted observance of Thursday’s National Day of Prayer, a response that has disappointed both Christian conservatives and an atheist group that wants to end the tradition.

Congress established the day in 1952 and in 1988 set the first Thursday in May as the day for presidents to issue proclamations asking Americans to pray.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said President Barack Obama would issue such a proclamation Thursday but not hold any public events with religious leaders as President George W. Bush did.

Obama’s decision drew a rebuke from the National Day of Prayer Task Force, a private group that promotes prayer events around the country. The task force estimates 2 million Americans attended more than 40,000 events marking the day last year.

“We are disappointed in the lack of participation by the Obama administration,” said task force chairwoman Shirley Dobson, wife of Focus on the Family founder James Dobson. “At this time in our country’s history, we would hope our President would recognize more fully the importance of prayer.”

The debate over the day has landed in federal court in Wisconsin. The Obama administration has asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which claims the day violates the separation of church and state.http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gd8532foDasi_HtAzi9JolkMVlqQD980T9VO3

The reality is that irrespective of what I think of the President’s religion, I have no problem with him only signing a declaration about this as some public displays of faith can be inappropriate (cf. Matthew 6:5-6).

But, as I and LCG have been teaching consistently (LCG: Pray for President Obama), President Obama and the other leaders in the U.S.A. and other governments need our prayers.

Christians need to heed what the Apostle Paul was inspired to write:

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior (1 Tim 2:1-3).

Notice that Christians are to pray for worldly leaders and those that have authority over us so that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life.

We also are to pray:

The will of the Lord be done (Acts 21:14).

Now,  while some details of the next several years will be difficult for probably everybody, we need to understand that it is best for everyone that the will of the Lord be done.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Prophecies of Barack Obama? This article gives eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests?  This is the longest and most complete article on this page on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
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 if he is elected 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?
Barack Obama Carries Hindu Monkey God Although there are some strange and false stories about Barack Obama, this one seems to be true.
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?
ny of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
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. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradaumus prophecies have any value here?  How might world leaders be involved?  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?

Vatican Square, May 2004

COGwriter

Unity Publishing, a pro-Vatican publisher, sent a link to the following yesterday:

The Catholic Church is the only church that can claim God for its founder (Jesus is both God and man) and, therefore, it has a fullness of revelation in Jesus as no other, for He comes directly from the Father and speaks and does only what the Father wills. Jesus also gives His Church the protection of His own Holy Spirit to unfold the mystery of God’s Revelation and to protect it from error. No other church has a divine founder and protector, for no other can trace itself back to the apostles and Jesus, Who founded this Church on the rock, Peter, our first Pope. There were no divisions in the Christian Church the first 1,000 years, none until Martin Luther, who correctly opposed some errors that had come into the Church but sadly broke the unity of the Church by starting his own church.

The above is, to a great degree, perpetuating several delusional myths.

First of all, the Living Church of God and many other churches claim that God (via Jesus Christ) as their founder.   The Catholic Church is not the only church to make that claim.  However, because of doctrinal consistency, Living Church of God has best historical claim to the original church.

Secondly, if the Holy Spirit was given to the Catholic Church to “to unfold the mystery of God’s Revelation and to protect it from error” why then has it CHANGED so many doctrines that those early ones it calls saints held?  Those who have any doubts about this really need to study the article Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? as it clearly documents that the Church of Rome changed in areas where the Church of God never did.

Thirdly, the statement “No other church has a divine founder and protector, for no other can trace itself back to the apostles and Jesus” is not true as we in the Living Church of God can do that, but the Church of Rome cannot.  Rome simply does not have proof of apostle to bishop to bishop transfer as there simply is no real evidence that Rome even had a bishop (other than perhaps the Apostle Paul) prior to sometime in the middle of the second century.  Respected Catholic scholars understand that I am correct on this.  For proof, please read What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History?, Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome, The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3, and Apostolic Succession.

Fourthly, while we in the Living Church of God do accept that Peter had a certain primacy, the Bible shows that Jesus was the rock (for details, please see Was Peter the Rock Who Alone Received the Keys of the Kingdom?).  Furthermore, we the Living Church of God do have the same original practices that the Apostles Peter, Paul, and John and their true successors had, and we do trace ourselves through the leadership of Peter.  Rome, however, changed many doctrines and practices from those that Peter and others had (for details, please see Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God?).

Fifthly, the statement “There were no divisions in the Christian Church the first 1,000 years” is perhaps one of the biggest delusions.  The reality is that the there were divisions in Jerusalem in the second century, and the Church of Rome did not have unity with the areas of Antioch and Asia Minor until sometime in the third century.  This is documented by respected Catholic and other scholars, and a summary of this is at The History of Early Christianity page.

Sixthly, the 1000 year division that was mentioned was between the Orthodox and the Church of Rome.  The Orthodox call it “the great schism.  Essentially the Orthodox claimed then, and now, that they never were in subjection to the Church of Rome, only that Rome deserved a special honor.  They also essentially teach that if Rome would quit insisting on supremacy that the schism can likely be resolved.  And while that is what the Orthodox hope for, the reality there is that biblical and Catholic prophecies suggest that Rome will ultimately win out there.  But the Orthodox should individually resist what is going to happen (please see Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics).

Seventhly, most Catholics do not realize that the first two times that Greek term for “catholic church” was used in the ancient literature (roughly 110 and 156 A.D.) it was referring to the Church of God in Smyrna–those in Smyrna were NOT a church under the domination of Rome.  Asia Minor (including Smyrna) remained distant from the Romans and Alexandrians.  Once persecution rendered the faithful of less numeric consequence in the third century, others in Asia Minor became numerically superior and joined with Rome and Alexandria.  This is essentially taught by Catholic scholars.  Hence, in a very literal sense the original “catholic church” was the Church of God in Smyrna–which was composed of those who taught many things later condemned by the Church of Rome.  Sadly, the Roman Catholic Church does not have many of the doctrines or practices that those it calls saints had in the second/early third century Church of God in Smyrna had.  But we in Living Church of God still do.

If you are somehow affiliated with the Church of Rome AND you believe that you should be affiliated with the original Church that Christ founded through His apostles, then I urge you to seriously study the articles cited today.

If you will study them in their entirety, check out the references to prove that what I am saying is so, and will not simply dismiss them as many of the positions will be quite different than what you are used to hearing, then you will find that the church that truly is the most faithful from the time of Jesus to present is the Church of God, now best represented by the Living Church of God.  Protestants, who generally trace their history via Martin Luther, who came from the Church of Rome, would be wise to do the same thing.

If you are not sure which articles to start with, then perhaps the following three articles may be a good place (Protestants may prefer to start with the third one):

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.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja viva do deus? Tambien Español: Cuál es fiel: ¿La iglesia católica romana o La Iglesia del Dios Viviente? Auch: Deutsch: Welches zuverlässig ist: Die Römisch-katholische Kirche oder die lebende Kirche von Gott?
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

Ruins of Ancient Laodicea

COGwriter

UCG just posted minutes of its May 3-4 Council meeting, as reported by its Mike Bennett:

General Conference of Elders Meeting Report – May 3-4, 2009

An outside auditing firm oversaw the ballot counting, and Mr. Dick read the preliminary ballot results at the end of the day.

The General Conference of Elders selected William Eddington (international), Scott Ashley, Melvin Rhodes and Richard Thompson to the Council of Elders.

The Strategic Plan was ratified with 253 votes yes and 46 no.

The Operation Plan was ratified with 243 yes and 51 no.

The budget was ratified with 235 yes and 54 no…

General Conference of Elders Meeting Report – May 3-4, 2009

International Reports

Five international reports were presented this year. (International regions present reports to the GCE on a rotating basis.)

Carmelo Anastasi reported on the work of the Church in Italy. He mentioned that as a cost-saving measure the Italian Good News is now mailed only four times a year. They also produce newsletters for members and coworkers. He said that now 35 percent of new subscribers come through the Internet, and the Web site is the main low-cost promotional tool. In order to be more effective with Web searchers, the Church in Italy has a new approach on its Web site. We call ourselves a community of believers, and only mention the Church at the end…

Mr. Anastasi explained the difficulty in following our doctrines in a society that is completely opposite of what we teach. He mentioned the strong move toward ecumenicalism in Italy. Those who don’t accept the Catholic Church’s overtures toward ecumenicalism are seen as sects. Mr. Anastasi said the Italian brethren are enduring, and they appreciate the prayers of the brethren around the world.

Saul Langarica reported on the work of the Church in 16 countries in Latin America. There are 19 ministers in the Spanish-speaking area (nine are employed by the Church) and 43 congregations. There are also 22 video and audio groups. Regional Director Leon Walker visits each area about twice a year.

There has been slow but constant growth in Latin America, from 865 baptized members in 1996 to 1,167 today. Attendance has gone from 1,754 in 1996 to 2,485 today. There were 44 baptisms in the region last year.

The Internet plays an important role for the Church in Latin America. Besides the Spanish Good News Web site, there is also a central Church Web site with local Web sites for each country with the same design and information as the central site, but with local information as well. There is also a site for the youth. They also use the Internet to transmit live services from Mexico and Chile. Our new elder from Argentina, Alfredo Arboleas, has introduced an innovative Web program that has made it possible for them in the same service to have a sermonette from Argentina, a sermon from Bolivia—or vice versa—while special music and the opening and closing prayers come from other areas!…

General Conference of Elders Meeting Report – May 3-4, 2009

Victor Kubik reported on Nordic/Baltic/Eastern European area. He called Johnnie Lambert, who volunteers his time to serve in the region, the “patron saint” of the area.

Mr. Kubik pointed out that Russian is the fifth-largest language in the world, so there is a large field in front of them. He gave a number of statistics. They send out 1,600 Good News magazines, including two articles in the local language with each magazine. So far 220 have finished the Estonian Bible Study Course, and 100 are taking the Bible Study Course in Russian. At this point there are no local congregations, since the members are scattered throughout the region…

General Conference of Elders Meeting Report – May 3-4, 2009

Bill Bradford reported on the work of the United Church of God in Australia. He said there are 14 elders and one ministerial trainee serving the country. Recently Grant Chick moved in from South Africa and Matt Sieff was hired as trainee. Steve Clark, who had been training with Mr. Bradford since 2002, took over Melbourne congregation and also travels to the growing area of Western Australia.

The Church in Australia has been growing. There are now 22 congregations (up from 16 with four video groups in 2004). Attendance is now 643 (up from 502 in 2004). The growth is like adding a small congregation of 28 people every year. There are now four Feast sites in Australia, and there has been a 28 percent increase in Festival attendance over last four years.

In the last 30 months there have been 55 baptisms, and of those, 62 percent have no Church of God background. Mr. Bradford also pointed out that that 69.1 percent of those were under age 50, and 52.7 percent were under age 35.

The Good News circulation has grown from 20,830 in 2004 to 37,017 this year…

General Conference of Elders Meeting Report – May 3-4, 2009

Tony Levy reported on the work of the Church in the eight countries of Southern Africa (currently we have no members in two of those, Namibia and Swaziland).

Morgen Kriedemann serves Johannesburg, South Africa, as well as Malawi and scattered members. André van Belkum serves Durban, South Africa, but will soon be moving to New Zealand. He is assisted by Neville Smith. Neil Becker serves East London, South Africa, and handles the office. Stan Botha serves Cape Town, South Africa.

We have two congregations in Malawi, the third-poorest country in world. We are helping with grants to help with education to improve the members’ lives.

Attendance in Zambia is now about 300. They are served by Kambani Banda, who is assisted by Jerrison Shachoongo and Derrick Pringle.

Mr. Levy mentioned that there are no elders or deacons in Zimbabwe now, but three capable men help look after the 43 members in this very troubled country.

In Southern Africa there are a total of nine elders (six full-time) and 19 leading men (nine in South Africa and 10 in rest of Southern Africa). Leaders are being trained through a monthly standardized leadership training program…

General Conference of Elders Meeting Report – May 3-4, 2009

Treasurer’s Address

Treasurer Jason Lovelady talked about “aligning people, technology and strategy.” He reported on the four primary categories of expenses: programs (mission specific), facilities, management and general, and legacy (insurance and benefits). Programs were by far the largest budgetary items…

General Conference of Elders Meeting Report – May 3-4, 2009

He said that the United States in many ways faces the greatest economic crisis since the Depression, which will lead to at the very least a weakening of the dollar and high inflation in the future.

Mr. Lovelady pointed out that U.S. attendance figures over the last six years have increased 1.9 percent, while income over the same time period increased 33.3 percent. Can we expect income to continue to increase with little or no increase in attendance?…

General Conference of Elders Meeting Report – May 3-4, 2009

Ministerial Services

Jim Franks, Ministerial Services operation manager, thanked all the elders for their service and gave a snapshot of Ministerial Services as UCG enters its 15th year.

Average U.S. attendance has increased from 11,346 in 2006 to 11,522 in 2009. This is about a half percent increase per year, or less than one person per congregation.

The demographics of the Church (from U.S. Festival registration in 2008):

• Under age 30, 35 percent (4,699).
• Over 60, 28 percent (3,663).
• Ages 30 to 60, 37 percent (4,878).

New people who contacted U.S. pastors, by quarter:

• 398 in the third quarter of last year.
• 354 in the fourth quarter.
• 515 in the first quarter this year (Mr. Franks mentioned this was a very encouraging increase).

Baptisms from 2003 to 2008 have been fairly consistent, with a range from 163 to 196.

Currently Ministerial Services employs 87 pastors, three associate pastors and three assistant pastors, for a total of 93. From 2001 to now, 20 men have been hired.

Altogether, there are 253 elders, and 247 of these have their ages on file.

• Over 80, 11 percent.
• 70-79, 30 percent.
• 60-69, 32 percent.
• 50-59, 20 percent.
• 40-49, 7 percent.

Mr. Franks also mentioned that 83 percent of the Ministerial Services budget goes directly to the pastors and local congregations.

This was a fairly extensive statistical report from UCG. Although I would like to see its total number of attendees and ministers, as opposed to the USA only.  Television, etc. responses were also not reported.

Another question I had, that was not addressed, is how its current income is doing, but that will be known shortly as UCG’s fiscal year ends on June 30th (though it may not report those results until the Fall).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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.
Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand.
6. 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.
7. 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.

COGwriter

While I have never watched the show called “The View”, it tends to get more than its share of media coverage considering its ratings, and evolution was an item on it this week.

Here are two recent news items concerning that:

Elizabeth Hasselbeck and Joy Behar got into a row over whether creationism should be taught in schools alongside the theory of evolution. (Guess who’s pro-creationism? And so, for the record, is Sherri Shepherd.) When Behar said that refusing the teach evolution in some schools amounted to “child abuse,” Hasselbeck went semi-ballistic. Joy: “I stand by my statement.” Elizabeth retorted, “I stand on your statement!” Huh??  http://watching-tv.ew.com/2009/05/the-view-donald.html

05/06/09 AOL Headline:  Joy Gets Heated Over Creationism.   Says You Must Teach Kids Darwinism.  Or It’s ‘Abuse’. Then Elisabeth Steps In.

The reality is that teaching evolution as anything but a historical hypothesis is damaging to students.

In the movie “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed”, Ben Stein interviewed various scientists who explained that evolution was so commonly taught despite its lack of scientific evidence.  Ben Stein highlighted that those who accepted evolution were often unwilling to consider scientific explanations that differed from it.  Not a particularly open-minded scientific approach.

Evolution, as the explanation for the origin of life, is unscientific and false.  It also requires students to accept a belief that violates other known laws of biological science.   Evolution has led to the intentional ignorance of appropriate scientific methods.

Furthermore, Darwinism leads to human abuse, in my opinion.

Those interested in the truth about evolution’s lack of scientific support may wish to read the following articles:

Is Evolution Probable or Impossible This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge.
Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true?