Church of God News

COGwriter

Last year I reported about an old prediction that the “third temple” was to be re-built starting March 16, 2010 (Will a Third Temple Be Built in 2010?).  Now as we get closer to that date, there are two recent news items that tie into this:

From ruin to reconstruction, the Hurva Synagogue is completed – again

The Jewish Journal of Greater L.A. – March 9, 2010

“After four years of construction, the Jewish Quarter’s landmark Hurva Synagogue – built by Polish Jews in 1701, destroyed by Arab creditors two decades later, rebuilt in 1864 by followers of the Vilna Gaon, and dynamited in 1948 by Jordan’s Arab Legion – is being re-dedicated this Sunday and Monday (March 15-16, 2010).  http://www.jewishjournal.com/nation_world/article/from_ruin_to_reconstruction_the_hurva_synagogue_is_completed_-_again_201003/

Regarding the Rumor about the Building of the Holy Temple on March 16, 2010

and the Story that Lies Behind It

The Temple Institute – Jerusalem

A STORY HAS BEEN CIRCULATING RECENTLY concerning the prophesied commencement of construction on the Holy Temple on March 16th, 2010.  It would appear that the current interest began when a certain Israeli daily newspaper published a story claiming that the celebrated Rabbi of Vilna, Eliyahu ben Shlomo, known to this day as the Vilna Gaon, (The genius of Vilna), or by his acronym, the Gra, who lived over 200 years ago, (1720-1797), purportedly declared that the beginning of the redemptive process would commence upon the completion of the rebuilding of the Churva synagogue in Israel. http://www.templeinstitute.org/gra-churva-holy-temple.htm

The Hurva Synagogue, of course, is not the temple.

The reality is that it appears that the Temple Institute would love to be able to begin construction next week.  And it is right that Israel could authorize it.  However, as it does not appear that any one has gotten official government approval for this project, to actually formally start temple construction seems remote.

It is fairly clear that a third temple will not be completed in the Temple Mount area in Jerusalem in 2010.  Additionally, the political situation simply does not seem to be able to allow it at this time.

Now that does not mean that some Jews may not build implements for a third temple (this has already occurred under the auspices of the Temple Institute) or that some may not try to start some construction somewhere in that area.

But a complete third temple will not be finished in 2010.

However, as the Europeans and Americans are now working on a peace plan for the Middle East  it may be possible that a peace plan could allow for some type of temple activities.  But even that would seem to be questionable at this stage until at least the Fall of 2010 (and probably later than that).

Either way, it should be pointed out that a temple in Jerusalem is NOT required for Jews perform sacrifices according to the Bible (Ezra 3:6) and certain Jewish sources (like the current Sanhedrin).  Bible prophecies related to sacrifices can be fulfilled even if no third temple is built during this age.  But it may be that this 19th century prophecy will motivate some to try to do something this month to push the idea of a temple and/or sacrifices forward.

An article of related interest would be:

Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required? Although people like Timothy LaHaye teach a third Jewish temple is required for end-time prophecies to be fulfilled, who is ‘the temple of God” in the New Testament?  What does the Bible teach about the temple in the end-times?  The Bible teaches that the sacrifices will be stopped (Daniel 9:27; 11:31), but do Jewish sources or the Bible mandate a completed temple for those sacrifices?  What did Ezra do when there was no temple?

COGwriter

Another biblical city may have just be identified:

Khirbet Qeiyafa identified as biblical ‘Neta’im’

The new identification of Khirbet Qeiyafa in the region of Israel’s Elah Valley as ‘Neta’im’ confirms the supremacy of the Kingdom of Israel in the 10th century BCE, during the times of King David

University of Haifa – March 7, 2010

….It is further proof of a large and powerful kingdom during the days of King David,” Prof. Galil concludes. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-03/uoh-kqi030710.php

More discoveries are likely, as the Bible is true.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge.
The Bible: Fact or Fiction? This is a booklet written by Douglas Winnail that answers if the Bible is just a collection of myths and legends or the inspired word of God.

Greek 2 Euro Coin Shows Woman Riding a Beast (cf. Revelation 17:3)

COGwriter

Because of the economic situation in Greece and elsewhere, the EU has decided to take steps to protect the Euro:

European Monetary Fund to Launch by June

Plans for an EU counterpart to the International Monetary Fund are taking shape as leaders discuss how to improve economic coordination and protect the euro http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/mar2010/gb2010039_054891.htm

As I have long written, there will be ups and downs with the Euro.  But ultimately, the USA dollar will be worthless, and some European currency (the Euro, unless it is replaced by something else) will dominate world trading in accordance with certain interpretations of biblical prophecies.

Two articles of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? 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?

COGwriter

The late Herbert W. Armstrong made the news recently in India:

How to become beautiful

Times of India – March 5, 2010

By MAULANA WAHIDUDDIN KHAN, founder of CPS International.

Rebuilt Gymnasium in Sardis

COGwriter

In the March-April edition of CG7-Denver’s Bible Advocate was the following:

The eighteenth chapter of Revelation describes the judgment of the beast-riding prostitute first introduced as a little horn (Daniel 7) and later described as a two-horned beast (Revelation 13:11-17). God purposed that the kingdoms she reigned over would ultimately rise up against her, hate and destroy her. An angel of great authority appeared, illuminated the whole earth, and shouted, “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird” (18:1, 2).

This cry of judgment was upon the harlot church that God had permitted to make war against the saints and exalt herself against Him for an extended time (Daniel 7:25; Revelation 12:6, 14; 13:5). That time had ended; now God held her accountable for her wickedness.

The 1,260 years reign and judgment of the prostitute did not occur in John’s day. He was privileged to anticipate it, while we are blessed to look back on it in history…

Thank God! His judgment on the prostitute has occurred in history. It is not the judgment that will occur when the Lord Jesus returns to claim His kingdom, but it prevents the Roman church from enforcing her will upon God’s universal church in our time. (Coulter R.  God’s Judgment.  Bible Advocate, March-April 2010, pp. 19-20)

This is becoming a trend from CG7.  CG7-Denver keeps teaching that end-time prophecies have already been fulfilled, hence it is teaching that no one needs to be concerned about the rising power in Europe and that there will be a compromised Church of Rome that will increase power.

Those in CG7 need to read their Bibles and not rely on such inaccurate positions.

Jesus warned one COG (Sardis):

…if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you (Revelation 3:3).

CG7 seems more and more determined to minimize end time prophecy.  Officially they seem to be teaching against following Jesus’ admonitions to “watch” (Matthew 24:42, 25:13; Mark 13:9, 33-37; Luke 21:36; Revelation 3:3).

Those in CG7-Denver seem to be being told not to watch as it is claiming that certain future events have been fulfilled.  They have not been.

For more information about CG7 and other subjects in this post, please prayerfully study the following:

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?
The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and COG-7th Day.
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 has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation discusses the largest church since the second/third century, which in a real sense is the eighth church mentioned in the Book of Revelation (it also endorses “eighth day” worship). What church would support the Beast?
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.
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.
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer.
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.

COGwriter

The latest issue (print date February 28, 2010) of The Journal just came out.

The focus is mainly an interview with former WCG minister Brian Knowles and a 2009 FOT site in Destin, Florida.  It also has articles about two groups that are looking for volunteers (Legacy and Port Austin), someone in CGI recounting an incident that he felt one or more angels protected him, pigs, various letters, and personal opinions.

One line that I would like to quote from one article was from George Crow, an attorney:

‘Tony Blair went to Rome and was baptized
a Roman Catholic and was immediately made
a deacon in the Roman Catholic Church.’

An article of related interest may be Is Tony Blair Apocalyptic?

One section I would like to quote was from Reginald Killingley:

Jews did not raise pigs because they viewed them as unclean, or disallowed as food, based primarily on Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14…

But it’s not just the Bible that makes the case for avoiding pork, a prohibition dating back thousands of years.

In early 2009, going back just a few months, The New York Times published a couple of op-ed articles just one month apart detailing some of the present dangers of pork consumption.

One article, “Our Pigs, Our Food, Our Health,” by columnist Nicholas D. Kristof, described growing concern that pigs are incubating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, sometimes referred to as a potentially deadly flesh-eating bacterium.

Mr. Kristof suggested that “we as a nation have moved to a model of agriculture that produces cheap bacon but risks the health of all of us.”

The problem is not confined to the United States. Mr. Kristof went on to mention a strain of MRSA that “has spread rapidly through the Netherlands—especially in swine-producing areas.”

Intensive pig farming

In another article, “Free-Range Trichinosis” by James E. McWilliams, a professor at Texas State University at San Marcos, the author discussed problems with the horrors of intensive pig farming and the high rate of salmonella and other bacteria and parasites in free-range pork. Dr. McWilliams concluded that, if these problems cannot be solved, “there’s only one ethical choice left for the conscientious consumer: a pork-free diet.”

An article of related interest may be The New Testament Church and Unclean Meats

While The Journal is available only by paid subscription (though some subscriptions are free to those who cannot afford it), you can view the pdf. of its front and back page is available at: www.thejournal.org/issues/issue138/jf022810.pdf

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

COGwriter

This weekend there were several of announcements from Iran:

Iran’s Ahmadinejad: Sept. 11 attacks a ‘big lie’

By ALI AKBAR DAREINI (AP) – 22 hours ago

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Saturday called the official version of the Sept. 11 attacks a “big lie” used by the U.S. as an excuse for the war on terror, state media reported.http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ixeFBxfLzaSjs8Mb8cuFmtPOT6-wD9E9A7U80

Iran Announces Production of Short-Range Missile

07 March 2010 VOA News

Iranian state media are reporting Iran has begun production of a new short-range missile that can destroy warships that weigh up to 3,000 tons…

Tehran’s ambitious space and military programs have worried Western countries.  They have expressed fear the same technology could be used to launch nuclear warheads.  http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/middle-east/Iran-Announces-Production-of-Short-Range-Missile-86747777.html

‘World powers will fail to agree on Iran sanctions’

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:35:33 GMT

Iran says world powers will fail to reach a consensus on imposing new sanctions against Iran over the country’s nuclear program.”Since the principle of sanctions lacks the legal and logical basis regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran’s basic right to peaceful nuclear activities; and since this policy is pursued under the political pressure of certain countries, it is natural that such a consensus [on sanctions] will not materialize,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said on Sunday. http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=120276&sectionid=351020104

These announcements suggest that perhaps Iran does expect that it may be attacked.  Israel would seem to be the nation that would be the most likely to conduct such an attack.  And perhaps in 2010.

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 (and Iran) 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?  How might Iran be involved?
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?

Reykjavík, Iceland

COGwriter

Iceland’s election yesterday made the news:

Iceland Rejects Icesave Depositors Bill in Referendum (Update2)

March 07, 2010, 5:29 AM EST

By Omar R. Valdimarsson

March 7 (Bloomberg) — Icelanders rejected by a massive majority a bill that would saddle each citizen with $16,400 of debt in protest at U.K. and Dutch demands that they cover losses triggered by the failure of a private bank….

The island’s economy… contracted 6.5 percent in 2009 as a whole.

Household debt with major credit institutions has doubled in the past five years and reached about 1.8 trillion kronur ($14 billion) in 2009..

Icelanders, the world’s fifth-richest per capita as recently as 2007, ended 2009 18 percent poorer… http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-07/iceland-rejects-icesave-depositors-bill-in-referendum-update1-.html

However, despite the vote, Iceland is stuck.  Iceland does not have the ability to directly pay the debt in the short-term, but not paying it back is hurting the nation now, and will have negative affects in the future.

Americans would do well to notice that those in Iceland HAD the fifth highest standard of living in 2007 and that the standard of living there is still dropping.  And while Iceland is small enough that some European nation/large company could probably pay off the debt if Iceland sold much of its resources, etc., that type of arrangement will not happen with the USA and its massive debt.

Icelanders are likely to ultimately turn to the EU–and if so, they will surrender their sovereignty–which they will do if the situation there gets bad enough.  For the USA and its indebted friends like the UK, that will not even be an option.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
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?

Herman Van Rompuy

COGwriter

It was reported that an EU tax is getting closer:

EU draws up plans for first direct tax with fuel levy

The European Union is drawing up plans for its first direct tax with a “green” levy on petrol, coal and natural gas that could cost British consumers up to £3 billion…

Herman Van Rompuy, the new EU president, has already thrown his weight behind the idea of new taxes.

Proposals currently circulating in Brussels could mean that all airline tickets, shopping and petrol station receipts in Britain list the amount of aviation tax, VAT or fuel duty that goes directly to Brussels as an “EU tax”. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/7370614/EU-draws-up-plans-for-first-direct-tax-with-fuel-levy.html

Regular readers may recall that I have been discussing that a European tax would be coming for some time.  And that ultimately, Britain may leave the EU.

I also wrote that it is possible that the EU’s first permanent president, Herman Van Rompuy, may make a European tax happen and possibly fulfill a prophecy in Daniel 11:20  (see Herman Van Rompuy Takes Office Today: Might He Fulfill Daniel 11:20?).

End-time events are lining up.

Roderick C. Meredith

COGwriter

Members of the Living Church of God are fasting today as suggested by Dr. R.C. Meredith (in two emails):

…we have set the Church-wide fast for the Sabbath of March 6, 2010. This will be just twenty-two days before Passover! And with Satan the Devil attacking many of us, attacking and even dividing many of our separated brethren and with the traumatic prophetic events now under way around the world—especially in Haiti—we as a Church need to “seek God” in prayer and fasting more than ever! As the end of this age truly draws close, God’s Word tells us in many ways to draw closer to Him.

So please announce to all the brethren that we as a unified body will be conducting a Church-wide fast on the Sabbath of March 6! Urge everyone to take part and to wholeheartedly “seek God” and ask the Father and our Head, Jesus Christ, to bring more and more of His faithful people together into one Church so a truly significant Work may be accomplished! Even now, many of us are putting our very beings into the Work—as many of you know. But we need help, we need more laborers and we need the “gifts” of the Holy Spirit in order to reach and to convict this very confused world.

So let us go “all out” in seeking God’s guidance and blessing on this coming fast and to draw us closer to Him in every way. God willing, I will be writing a complete letter to all of our brethren—explaining the reasons in more detail. But please earnestly encourage all of their participation, let them know the date so they can prepare, and let us pray for the success of this effort to draw closer to our Creator.

Your brother in Christ,

Roderick C. Meredith

……………………………………..

Right now—as far as I know—we have a wonderful sense of unity and loyalty throughout the Living Church of God. Yet, in spite of this, our income has suffered the early part of this year because of the unusual storms and upset weather and because of our severe national economic downturn. Yet, we truly need to be able to do more—not less—in reaching out to this world on television, on the Internet, and in hiring more ministers and servants to help do the Work. All this takes a great deal of money and many of God’s people are “hurting” at this time. So we certainly need to pray for God’s intervention and mercy. We truly need God’s intervention in this matter in order to effectively reach this confused world and to serve our dear brethren around the world!

Also, individually, many of our own brethren are having trials of serious illnesses, and spiritual trials and tests as well. As a Church, we need God’s Holy Spirit to be poured out upon us for healing, guidance and deliverance from all kinds of trials and from the assaults of Satan.

In addition, as many of you know, many of our “separated brethren” in other Church of God fellowships are being severely tried and tested as never before. In the splits and divisions that are already beginning to occur, many may simply fall away and leave the Church of God altogether! We do not want this. So we should pray and fast for these dear people as well! We should fervently ask God to guide them and lead them, to help them see the Big Picture and realize that He, their Creator, is very much alive and that He wants His people not only to serve Him individually, but to do His Work! For as Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” But, please remember, Jesus Christ did not stop right here! The Son of God continued with these words, “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). Brethren, Christ never said that the Work would stop when Mr. Armstrong died. Mr. Armstrong would be horrified to hear people to say such silly things! We are commanded to go into “all the nations” and preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 24:14). More and more of God’s people need to learn to work together to actually accomplish this powerful mission!

So let us pray for these scattered people and for their spiritual salvation. But we may rightly ask that God may—as He knows is best—bring many of these hurt and confused people with us in the Living Church of God  in order to help us “finish” the Work with power. And when they come, let us warmly welcome them, encourage them and continue to pray for those who remain elsewhere that they may also be led into more Truth and may be in the first resurrection as God works with each one individually.

As these massive earthquakes and other “natural catastrophes” increase, we desperately need God’s divine protection, His guidance, His healing and His inspiration. As we come before God this coming Sabbath in earnest prayer and fasting, let us pour out our hearts for each other and for our separated brethren as well.

With Christian love,

Roderick C. Meredith

The late Herbert W. Armstrong used to teach that the Church of God moves forward on its knees.  And prayer and fasting are tools to facilitate that.

I had previous reported this on the News of the Living Church of God page, but thought mentioning it here would also be a good idea.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
Getting the Gospel Out is More than a Local Job Discusses Biblical rationale for doing an international, and not just a local, work.
How Much Did You Cost? Some have complained that the total costs spent to proclaim the gospel as a witness is too high since it does not (in their opinion) result in enough conversions. Is that how God sees it?
The Temple and the Work This article discusses the two temples of the Old Testament and gives insight as to their possible relevance to the situation which has impacted the Church during this past decade or so.
Parable of the Mustard Seed Jesus told many parables. Why? What might this one mean?
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
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/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.