Church of God News

Ancient Laodicea

COGwriter

The following is from Larry Darden “As General Counsel for the Church and Special Counsel to the Board of Directors” for UCG:

On March 18, 2010, a document titled “Resolution to Establish a Governance Review Task Force” (herein “Resolution”) was sponsored by three Corporate officers (President, Secretary and Treasurer) and sent out by the Secretary as an “agenda” item as part of the packet for “Call and Notice” to all members of the General Conference of Elders (GCE”) to be balloted on at the annual GCE conference to be held in early May 2010. Instructions regarding the balloting on said Resolution stated that the same “will stand approved” if it received “a simple majority approval (“YES” ballots).”

The Council of Elders (“Council” or “Board”) were not given an opportunity to see the Resolution before it was mailed out and the Church’s attorney Larry Darden, who serves as both General Counsel and as Counsel to the Board (“Darden”), was also unaware of the Resolution, its contents, or even that it was being contemplated by these Officers prior to its dispatch.

On March 25 the Chairman of the Board, after conferring with attorney Darden, sent a letter to the GCE to the effect that he was asking the Council and our legal counsel to carefully review the content and ramifications of this resolution with the possibility that Council “may in the near future issue a statement regarding the same.”

Since attorney Darden reports both to the President (as General Counsel) as well as to the Chairman of the Board (as Special Counsel to the Board) it was deemed prudent to also obtain the opinion of another attorney specializing in California non-profit religious law at a highly respected and prestigious law firm. The same attorney who had helped the Church during governance troubles in 1998 was retained for that purpose.

It should be noted that the Church is required to adhere to applicable corporate law as well as its own governing documents.

At a meeting of the Board on April 8, 2010, the opinion of the attorneys present was that the Resolution violated the Bylaws and the Constitution and that if the Council agreed with their opinion it had the right and power to withdraw the Resolution as an agenda item…Legal Counsel does not support the Resolution. There are a great many concerns about it beyond the legal opinion that it is a clear violation of the Bylaws. It has a generally negative tone, and appears to use carefully selected catchwords or presumptions that implant questions and unwarranted doubts about the structure of the Church’s governance. Counsel does not agree, as stated as a fact in the Resolution, that “our current governmental system” contains “inherent weaknesses” which, if not corrected, “will deeply and irreparably damage the United Church of God.”

The GCE created a representative structure with a Council (board of directors) empowered to do what is normally done by such boards, including the appointment of officers who are expected to work very closely with the board, keep it informed of important developments or matters of concern (such as their proposed Resolution) and to carry out the board’s directives. If changes are needed in our governance they should be specifically identified and implemented through our existing amendment process.

I also object to having my name associated with the Resolution and to being involuntarily assigned to what could be a very long and time-consuming assignment without the Council’s permission.

The Resolution could have been properly withdrawn for any of the reasons stated in the opinion, but I believe the cumulative effect of them all coming together (as well as other matters of concern in that document) justified the Council’s decision to withdraw the Resolution.

After reading the whole document over, I was not impressed.  But since I am not part of UCG, it matters little.

It seems that basically, two or more legal advisers felt that something that apparently UCG’s president and some other top leaders wanted to propose was not a good idea.  Having held high level positions in various corporations, this does not seem like it should have led to the current UCG crisis.  Especially since “bylaws” can be (and have been) amended in the past.  Since it was not worked out between the UCG officers and the board, apparently they decided that they really were not united and agreed to part company.

UCG always has had governance problems and the recent events, and the above letter, simply highlight that.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
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?
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

Unofficial Earth Day Flag

COGwriter

Today is the 40th anniversary of “Earth Day”.   COGaIC posted the following previously about it:

Earth Day Report:
Green With Compassion

Barring natural disasters or other forces beyond our control, when human relationships are good, life is good. And while we may have all kinds of important relationships, perhaps the most important for ensuring that life is good—or even that it’s possible at all—is the crucial interaction that occurs between humanity and the planet we inhabit.

The above article mainly had to do with interpersonal relationships and did not really discuss Earth Day per se, despite the headline (although it is clear that human behavior affects the planet).

Here is a little about Earth Day’s origins:

Earth Day turns 40: Now global, it all began over a diner

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14935676

There are several scriptures that would seem to be appropriate for “Earth Day”. Here is one to look at:

15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it (Genesis 2:15).

The concept of tending and keeping a garden suggests proper environmental stewardship.

Notice, however, the following:

18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth (Revelation 11:18).

Thus, God is not pleased when humans abuse the environment.

And the time for God’s judgment is coming. It is even possible that the “beginning of sorrows” which includes “earthquakes in various places” has began. The time to turn to God is now, for whosoever will respond to God’s calling.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
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? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
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?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?

Ancient Laodicea

COGwriter

The following is from a “transcript from a new “About Our Father’s Business” video by interim president, Roy Holladay:

When we have that type of spiritual fruit evident in our lives, we have one very important outcome, which is unity. Unity in the Church doesn’t mean that we can’t have differences.

As I wrote in the recent member letter that you’ve received, the book of Proverbs clearly states that iron sharpens iron. Unity comes when we’re all working toward the same thing in a spirit of peace and gentleness.

When we do have our differences, whatever they are, we are to express them in a form of civility and brotherly love. When our path is clearly defined before us, then we are to lay aside our differences and work together for the good of the Church.

While Roy Holladay may believe he is being civil, here is a bit more of what his recent member letter stated:

During these past months, certain administrators severely disagreed with the oversight and direction that the Council was providing, even though they are bound by the bylaws of the Church to support it. During that same time, the basic work of the Church continued and the level of conflict was unseen by most of you. Given that latter fact I believe you deserve an explanation. However, as I explain where we have recently been, I don’t want to belabor any points because the past is the past. Reconciliation, unity and love are more important than organizational justification. For your review, here are some details.

As part of the General Conference of Elders meetings in 2008 and 2009, the ministers balloted in the established way for a number of new members of the Council of Elders, replacing several members who were part of the administration. As time went on it became apparent that the priorities and perspectives of the existing management team were quite different from those of the Council as chosen by the ministry of the United Church of God.

As collectively established in the beginning of our fellowship 15 years ago, the Council of Elders is directly and solely responsible for oversight and setting direction and policy for the Church. This is quite a different structure from the one we experienced in our former church affiliation…

Fifteen years ago we collectively chose a very different structure of governance on the physical level…

Functioning under the direction of the Council of Elders is the management team comprised of certain officers (president, treasurer and secretary) and operation managers for finances, media and ministerial services, and a home office staff…

During the past few months, disagreements—however well-intentioned—among certain administrators and other ministers about the Council’s direction and priorities mounted up. Without getting into specifics of those disagreements, I will simply say that the situation and stalemate had grown very frustrating to all. Matters finally came to a head with the introduction of a proposed resolution that was outside of the Church’s established means for proposing changes in the Church’s governing documents and structure. Without even the traditional review of the full Council and our legal counsel, the proposed resolution was placed in the formal mailing to all ministers with the idea that it would be voted on at the upcoming General Conference of Elders next month…To prevent potential harm to the Church, the Council determined that the resolution should be withdrawn…

Soon the Council will announce the process and plans for appointing a new president, and during that time I’ll be communicating regularly.

The above seems to be hinting that Roy Holladay believes that certain top level administrators (apparently Clyde Kilough, Jim Franks, and/or Larry Salyer) did not keep the word and commitment.

To me, the current UCG crisis continues to demonstrate that the United Church of God has never really been that united and that it still after 15 years has major problems with its chosen form of governance as well as its fruits.  Others can look at UCG’s fruits to determine if they are hot or cold or lukewarm and what should be done according to Jesus (Revelation 3:14-20), because there is another option (Revelation 3:7-13).   He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
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?
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

Jerusalem

COGwriter

There may be an election in Israel on April 22, 2010 that may change the situation in the Middle East:

Crisis in Jerusalem: Israel, Moshe Feiglin and the iPad

By Bernie Quigley – 04/19/10…

“Soon, with God’s help, we will establish Jewish leadership for Israel,” writes Feiglin. “Please be forewarned that when that happens, our familiar, comfortable Pesach holiday will be radically changed. … When we establish Jewish leadership for Israel … the prime minister and his Cabinet will ascend to the Temple Mount with their sacrificial lambs. The entire national mentality will change.”

Instead of sitting in the comfort of living rooms and chewing on matzah that symbolizes the Pesach offering, Israelis will “joyously sit in the streets and alleys surrounding the Temple Mount,” eating roasted sacrificial lamb.

“The international uproar will be deafening,” he writes.  http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/international-affairs/92989-crisis-in-jerusalem-israel-moshe-feiglin-and-the-ipad

Manhigut Yehudit Movement Becoming a Force within Likud

Jewish Journal – March 11, 2010

Many Jews in America have heard of Labor, Meretz, Likud, Shas, Kadima, but few have heard of a new party, a force emerging within Likud which is on the verge of ousting Bibi Netanyahu and taking over the party and the prime ministership.

http://www.jewishjournal.org/index.php/story/community_forum/manhigut_yehudit_movement_becoming_a_force_within_likud/

I have written for years that I believe that at some point in time, there will be a situation in Israel where the politicians demanding the sacrifices will get enough influence to make it happen.  And while I do not expect daily sacrifices right away, the stage is getting set for enough political leaders in Israel to rise up to require the allowance of sacrifices.

Pretty much every day, events aligning with end-time predictions keep happening.

Two articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
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?

Ancient Laodicea

COGwriter

Last night, I got a letter from UCG’s interim president Roy Holladay that included the following:

While it may not have been evident to the membership at large, in recent months a serious level of conflict existed about certain issues between the Council of Elders and some administrators…

During these past months, certain administrators severely disagreed with the oversight and direction that the Council was providing, even though they are bound by the bylaws of the Church to support it.

Roy Holladay has clearly been frustrated by UCG’s governance.  So was its last president, Clyde Killough (apparently referred to above as part of “certain administrators”, who just resigned.

I always have had issues with UCG’s governance and bylaws, but that was the main original reason that I decided against UCG.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.

Hiroshima After the Atomic Bomb Was Detonated

COGwriter

Not content to remain behind Iran, Saudi Arabia is moving forward with its own nuclear research:

Saudi Arabia to Create First Nuclear City in Kingdom

U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council – April 18, 2010

Saudi government officials recently announced plans to build the first ever peaceful nuclear energy program in the Kingdom.

http://www.us-sabc.org/custom/news/details.cfm?id=640

Off to the races – Saudi Arabia to develop nuclear energy

Middle East Perspectives – April 17, 2010…

Saudi Arabia is looking across the Persian Gulf at what is likely the world’s next nuclear-armed nation. The Saudis, long-time American allies, are unsure of the direction of American foreign policy in the region and probably think they may need something to counter Iran’s accession as a regional power. A Saudi nuclear energy research and development center is the logical answer – after all, that’s how Iran’s program got started.

http://francona.blogspot.com/2010/04/off-to-races-saudi-arabia-to-develop.html

It would seem likely that some weapons technology will come out of this.  Some, believe, that even now Saudi Arabia indirectly at least has nuclear weapons (Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons, Saudi Arabia, and the King of the South).

But the reality is that they are working on developing nuclear technology now.

Since it appears that the final King of the South will be an Islamic power, it would seem reasonable that it would have some type of nuclear technology.  But not enough to eliminate the “King of the North” who will ultimately defeat the King of the South.  (Daniel 11:40-43)

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?

Reykjavík, Iceland

COGwriter

Iceland’s volcano is impacting Europe in ways few expected:

Tuesday, 20 April 2010 14:12 UK

Volcanic ash chaos ‘a lesson for Europe’

By Laurence Peter
BBC News

Europe’s ash cloud has triggered a flurry of anguished calls for the EU to improve its crisis response and co-ordination, as countries struggle to help thousands of stranded passengers. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8632034.stm

The reality is that Europe has a lot of areas that it needs to look at, but this crisis may speed up some integration and control decisions for the EU.

And although there will be opposing debate, Bible prophecy suggests that the EU will end up with a lot of control over many areas for a short while.

Some articles about some of what is expected to happen in Europe would 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?
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.
Large Hadron Collider may result in military applications The Europeans have the largest physics project on the planet. Some scoff, but might it result in military applications? May the Large Hadron Collider help fulfill Revelation 13:4?
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

This morning I am scheduled to be on radio at 7:15 PDT, 10:15 EDT with Paul Moore on his Let’s Talk show on WVVI in St. Croix, Virgin Islands.

Tonight, I am scheduled to do an interview with Michael Ray Dresser on his Dresser After Dark show, www.DresserAfterDark.com, blogtalkradio out of Mequon, Wisconsin. It is not yet clear if it will be live tonight or if I will be on tomorrow evening. The Show Hours are: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Eastern, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Central, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm Pacific.  But this will likely be a short interview for me as the show tends to have many, many guests.

On March 31, 2010, I did a two-hour radio show with Brett Holland syndicated across Canada from CKLU, Lawrence, Ontario.

I am supposed to do a one hour interview Wednesday, April 21st in Canada on Rob McConnell’s The ‘X’ Zone Radio Show which is broadcast internationally and syndicated by  The ‘X’ Zone Broadcast Network (www.xzbn.net) and the TalkStar Radio Network (www.talkstarradio.com), Monday – Friday from 10 pm – 2 am Eastern / 7 pm – 11 pm Pacific and then the show is repeated in its entirety from 2 am – 6 am Eastern / 11 pm – 3 pm Pacific.  I believe I will be on for about an hour.

On Thursday morning, April 22, I am scheduled to be on a radio show in Minnesota with  Jason Manning and Frank Befera, called the KD Morning Show, 95 KQ 101.7 fm, Duluth, MN, April 22, 2010.  This will be a fairly short interview.

I have done close to 30 radio interviews since July 2009. I like radio because I can do the interviews via telephone and hence, I do not have to travel anywhere for them.

The interviews so far have been related to 2012, Sony’s 2012 movie, prophecy, and my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. In the book, I basically explain how certain predictions line up with (or are opposed to) biblical prophecies. The book provides a sequence of events which readers can check out for themselves to see if future events are coming to pass.

And, many world events have aligned themselves up with what my biblically-based book shows.

Two links of essentially related interest could include:

End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus 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? How might Barack Obama be involved in 2012?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This also has YouTube videos related to 2012. The book is for those truly interested in understanding how prophecies inter-relate and who want to see a real sequence of end time events.

Russian Orthodox Church
(Patriarchate of Moscow)

COGwriter:

A Russian Orthodox priest and educator highlights some issues he sees:

Russia Society Dominated by ‘Baptized Godless,’ Mitrofanov Says

April 19, 2010

Paul GobleVienna, April 19 – At the end of the Soviet period, many Russians believed that theirs was an “Orthodox” people which simply lacked churches, but now, a leading Orthodox educator says, they recognize that this was an illusion and that Russian society consists of “baptized godless” people who have numerous “magical and pagan prejudices.” http://georgiandaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18258&Itemid=72

Of course, Europe, South America, Australia, Oceania, and North America are filled with people who were baptized into some form claiming Christianity, yet not practicing it.  But this is the first time, I recall seeing this complaint about the Russian Orthodox.

Sadly, paganism and mysticism have long been problems amongst those claiming Eastern Orthodoxy (what they call “the victory of Orthodoxy” was when the Eastern Orthodox got Rome to fully and officially embrace idols and icons).  But apparently, for at least one Orthodox priest, paganism amongst the Orthodox seems worse lately in Russia.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Living Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? What about the use of the cross, by the early Church?

Rice (Oryza sativa)

COGwriter

It looks like the Philippines will need more rice imports than hoped:

Philippines unlikely to meet rice self-sufficiency target

---

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 04/20/2010

MANILA, Philippines – Due to lack of proper funding, damages from typhoons, and the dry spell brought about by the El Nino phenomenon, the Philippines is unlikely to attain its target of becoming self-sufficient in rice by 2013…

The Philippines, which imports at least a tenth of its rice needs, is considered the world’s biggest rice importer…

But with little government resources to fund key programs aimed at propping up rice output, Francisco said he was uncertain if 2017 was a realistic target.  http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/04/19/10/philippines-unlikely-meet-rice-self-sufficiency-target

Famines are part of what Jesus called “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:7-8).

And while the Philippines is not there yet, famine could happen there relatively easily.  And ultimately the Anglo-nations will likely suffer even greater food shortages than the Philippines has ever seen.  And possibly by 2017.

Articles of related interest may include:

Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia?  Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
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?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
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?