Church of God News

Rebuilt Gymnasium in Sardis

COGwriter

The May-June 2010 edition of CG7-Denver’s Bible Advocate reported:

The Church of God (Seventh Day) in South America embraces a scattered but growing fellowship of  brethren in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. Of these, the largest is in Brazil, where the Adventist Church of Promise (IMC member since 1982) alone serves more than 1,000 congregations. The newest missions are in Chile and Peru, and the Zone 3  representative is Jorge Gillig of Argentina.

CG7 now claims that it has over 200,000 affiliated with it (see CG7 Claims 200,000 and Teaches the Mark of the Beast is Past).

But sadly, I do not believe that most affiliated with it understand that the approach that it has been taking recently towards biblical prophecy means that it simply does not understand current world events or many other highly important end time prophecies.

It remains my hope and prayer that those associated with it in South America and elsewhere will compare the teachings that its top leadership has been advocating with that which is written in the Bible.  According to scripture, there apparently are still a few among them that are part of the Church of God:

4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy (Revelation 3:4).

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 Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 from 31 A.D. to present: information on all of the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3.  CG7 is one of 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.
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.
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?

Depiction of solar particles interacting with Earth’s magnetosphere

COGwriter

The USA continues to have problems with its GPS system:

GPS Compatibility Problem Sidelines Some U.S. Weapons Systems Space – May 3, 2010WASHINGTON — The most recent upgrade to the GPS ground control segment created an incompatibility issue with a specific type of military GPS receiver used on at least 86 different U.S. weapon systems, some of which cannot be used until the problem is fixed, according to the U.S. Air Force…

http://www.spacenews.com/military/100503-gps-problem-sidelines-weapons.html

I warned about GPS problems on page 85 of my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect.  Furthermore, I have been speculating for about a year that these problems will mean that the USA will likely rely on Europe’s upcoming Galileo system for part of its space defense–and this is also apparently going to happen (see also Brain of EU Galileo Was Shipped).

Furthermore, solar flares are causing problems for the USA in space:

Intense Solar Storm Spins Satellite Out of Control

Galaxy 15 stopped responding to ground controllers on April 5.  The satellite’s manufacturer, Orbital Sciences Corp. of Virginia, has said an intense solar storm in early April may be to blame.

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/05/03/intense-solar-storm-spins-satellite-control/

While I warned about solar flares on pages 28-30 of my 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect book, I reported about the April one here at COGwriter (Largest Geomagnetic Storm in Three Years Hits Earth).

Additionally, even without all those problems, China now has more sophisticated weapons to deal with the functioning USA satellites:

“China has already tested satellite-killing abilities.  Space defense means resisting being shot down, because orbiting satellites are what DETECT nuclear missile launches, guide bomber flights, provide communication to ground troops, and make it possible for the Pentagon to sit in a Washington office and guide the war in Iraq. Without satellites, there is no GPS, no pinpoint precision attacks on stragetic positions, no guided missiles, no cruise missiles, and no orbital flights.”

Seattle Post-Intelligencer 4/30/2010 http://blog.seattlepi.com/theethicist/archives/204213.asp?from=blog_last3

The world in space is changing and the USA no longer seems to be leading.

Some articles of related interest may include:

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?
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? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? 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”, based up an early 20th century writing.
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”?

COGwriter

Today, I received an email from a reader in the Philippines who was unable to get my book in his location.

The book has always been available in electronic form, but I noticed that the electronic versions were not listed on the 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect website.  So, today I had our son Michael put those links there.

Thus anyone interested in an electronic version should be able to get the book anywhere there is internet access.  Here are the electronic links:

2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect (English)
2012 y el surgimiento de la secta secreta (Spanish)
2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German)

The book has long also been available from Amazon.com in English, Spanish, and German, and its Kindle version in English. It is also now finally available from Barnes and Noble .com at the following title links 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, 2012 Y El Surgimiento De La Secta Secreta, and 2012 Und Das Auftreten Der Geheimen Sekte.

The 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect book has more details, more prophecies, and is quite a bit a lot longer (about 384 pages in English) than my online article on 2012.

I hope regular readers of this page will read and study this book as it contains numerous prophecies and explains which will, which may, and which will not come to pass.

At least ten or eleven world events have occurred that align with the predictions documented in the book since the book was release in September 2009.

Bible prophecy has come to pass, is coming to pass, and will come to pass.  Hopefully, the comments and many biblical quotes in my 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect book will help take some of the uncertainty out of the events that are occurring and will occur in this age.

If you do not have a copy, perhaps you should get one today?  You can also go to 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect to order.

Angela Merkel

COGwriter

Germany is playing a more important role in Europe and this has major ramifications for Europe and the rest of the world:

Wall Street Begins May With a Surge

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: May 3, 2010…The toughest approval process is expected to be in Germany, where Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday that her country would provide 22.4 billion euros ($29.6 billion) to help bailout Greece over a three-year period, part of a wider plan aimed at keeping Greece afloat and protecting the euro currency…A so-called contagion around the euro zone raised questions about the future of the euro currency, as Ms. Merkel said the bailout of Greece was the “only possibility we have to ensure the stability of the euro.”    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/business/04markets.html?src=busln

May 02, 2010

The Reemergence of German Dominance in Europe

By Peter Glover and Michael J. Economides…

Germany’s contemporary reemergence as the dominating European power is not only likely, but has always been inevitable.

It is the irony of ironies that a European “supra-state” wholly conceived for the express purpose of suppressing German nationalist ambition should end up, within just two decades, in Germany’s economic thrall. http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/the_reemergence_of_german_domi.html

Merkel Says EU Deficit Violators Should Lose Votes

Bloomberg – May 1, 2010

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the European Union should be able to temporarily revoke voting rights from member states who violate deficit limits, Bild am Sonntag reported, citing an interview. Merkel, calling for “drastic” consequences after the Greek debt crisis, said sanctions for violating euro stability rules need to be changed, the newspaper reported. The EU in May will put together a working group at the level of finance ministers to examine the necessary changes, Bild reported.  http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601100&sid=aL5caEwgsQhk

We in the Living Church of God, starting with Dr. Meredith in the early 1950s have long warned of a re-emergence of German influence in Europe.  Our leadership and membership believed and taught that East and West Germany would re-unify long before it ever did.

We believed and taught that Germany would be essentially in the driver’s seat in Europe both economically and militarily.

We believed and taught that their would be a common currency used by many in Europe long before the Euro came on the scene (not that the Euro must necessarily be the final currency, however).

All of these things have been coming to pass.

We also believe and teach that Europe will become the major military power in the world for a short period of time (probably less than four years).  This, too, according to biblical prophecy will also come to pass–even the fact that the modern Germans would tend to discount that, has also been prophesied (Isaiah 10:7).

The final European beast power is in the process of re-emerging and it will have many indications of its German connections.

The time for the final European leader, known as the King of the North, to emerge is getting closer.

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”? 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?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
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 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?

Rowan Williams

COGwriter

Despite pleas from Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams, it seems that more Anglican leaders are thinking that they should defect to Rome:

Anglican bishops in secret Vatican summit

Leading traditionalist bishops in the Anglican Church have secretly told senior Vatican officials that they are ready to defect to Rome, taking clergy with them.

Telegraph – May 1, 2010

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7664705/Anglican-bishops-in-secret-Vatican-summit.html

While no one likes the sex scandals within Roman Catholicism, the open acceptance within the Anglican community of sexual practices condemned by scripture, as well as its positions on ordination of women, is proving too much for some of its more traditional leaders.

As mentioned here previously (Some Anglicans Starting to Accept Pope’s Offer of Unification), the Vatican even compromised to the point of amending its constitution so that it could accept the Anglican leaders.  Catholics may wish to recall that Pope Leo XIII declared in 1896:

“ordinations carried out according to the Anglican rite have been, and are, absolutely null and utterly void” (Pope Leo XIII: On the Nullity of Anglican Orders, Apostolicae Curae, 1896. Modern History Sourcebook. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1896leo13-apost.html)

This means for the Vatican to now accept those baptized, ordained, etc. by Anglican priests as Roman Catholic shows that compromise has occurred.  This is type of compromise is something I warned about before it happened in see Chapter 3 & 10 of my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect.  And more is expected.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Women and the New Testament Church Were women important in the New Testament Church? Which women and how were they involved?  Were they ordained to be presbyters?
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?
Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The talks for unification involve compromise and the apparent rising up of a changed religion that no one should accept.
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
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?

COGwriter

The recent sex scandals within Roman Catholicism are causing concern and major problems for the Vatican all over.  Notice the following reports:

TANZANIA: But Bishop Methodius Kilaini of the Bukoba Roman Catholic church, says although it is not the first time the sex scandal have rocked the church, Tanzanians are “not in any good mood about it and we are also feeling the pain.” http://thecitizen.co.tz/sunday-citizen/38-sunday-magazine/1641-priests-sex-shame-what-tanzanian-catholics-think-about-the-unfolding-scandal.html)

GERMANY: Nearly a quarter of Germany’s 25 million Catholics are considering turning their backs on their Church in the wake of the child abuse scandals, a survey published Friday found. The poll of more than 1,000 Catholics by the Forsa Institute published by daily Bild, found 23 percent of Church members said they were thinking of leaving. http://www.thelocal.de/society/20100423-26739.html)

AUSTRIA: More Austrians than ever in history are expected to leave the Catholic Church this year.

Official figures from today (Thurs) show that 30,004 people left the Church in the first three months of this year, up by 42 per cent compared to the same time span of 2009 when more people than ever cancelled their membership. http://austrianindependent.com/news/General_News/2010-04-22/2247/Record_2010_Church_exodus_expected_after_whopping_first-quarter_figures)

LOS ANGELES – The head of a Roman Catholic order that specialized in the treatment of pedophile priests visited with the then-pope nearly 50 years ago and followed up with a letter recommending the removal of pedophile priests from ministry, according to a copy of the letter released Wednesday.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36123847/ns/world_news-europe/)

While nearly everyone is aware of the scandals, few people do seem to be aware that these scandals may actually help fulfill an old Catholic prophecy.

Notice the following written several centuries ago:

Venerable Bartholomew Holzhauser (Born in the 17th century, in Germany). The fifth period of the Church, which began circa 1520, will end with the arrival of the Holy Pope and of the powerful Monarch…The Great Monarch will come when the Latin Church is desolated, humiliated, and afflicted with many heresies (Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, pp. 38, 114).

The recent sex scandels have humiliated the Church of Rome, which is referred to the as “the Latin Church” above (to distinguish it from the Eastern/Greek church). People leaving it may contribute to it being “desolated”.

The Great Monarch that the prophecy speaks about shares many similarities with the one that the Bible warns will rise up as the final Beast of Revelation and the the final King of the North in Daniel 11:21-44. If the above prediction by Holzhauser is correct, then it is possible that these sex scandals will be a factor involved in the humiliation of the Church of Rome for this time.  There are many other Catholic private prophecies that suggest a time when Catholics will not have much respect for their church, but after a time of trouble, this is supposed to change and an ecumenical version of that church is expected to rise up.

Perhaps it should be mentioned that some others have noted similarities between the Great Monarch and the coming Beast-Antichrist power. Notice the following:

The tradition of the Great King and the Holy Pope…first emerged from the Tiburtine Sibyl, a work that may date back to AD 380-400…Catholic writer Paul Thigpen warns, “Looking for the Great Monarch, then, who does not appear in Scripture, might lead to overlooking the Antichrist who does…It might even lead to…mistaking the Antichrist for the Great Monarch…” (Penn L. False dawn: the United Religions Initiative, globalism, and the quest for a one-world religion. Sophia Perennis, 2005, p. 420).

The Bible warns about a time when the Beast and False Prophet rise up.  These individuals share characteristics to the “Great Monarch” and an “antipope” foretold in various Catholic prophecies.

Whether or not there is any accuracy to these “private revelation”, according to biblical prophecy, we are very near the time when the “Beast” leader and “false prophet/Antichrist” will rise up.

The sex scandals may be a piece of the puzzle for certain end time prophetic events to line up.  The Vatican and its followers truly have found them to be “humiliating”, which is what Holzhauser seems to have wrote.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
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?
The Antichrist Quiz Do you really know much about the Antichrist?

Palace of Westminster in London

COGwriter

The election for prime minister of the United Kingdom is this week:

Why Britain’s American-style election will have un-American consequences

Washington Post – Sunday, May 2, 2010

By Matt Frei, anchor of “BBC World News America.”

…Since the 1980s, Britain’s Conservative and Labor parties have dispatched a few scouts across the pond to see how Uncle Sam does elections. But in 2008 there were dozens of them, witnessing the success of Barack Obama and returning here crammed with revolutionary ideas about how to massage victory for their own candidates in the next British contest.

Those lessons are being reinforced by a posse of American campaign veterans. Anita Dunn, former communications director for Obama’s White House, is helping the Conservatives spit-polish their message. The Labor Party has recruited Joel Benenson, Obama’s lead campaign pollster, as well as Michael Sheehan, a speech coach who apparently specializes in “loosening up” politicians. (Our incumbent prime minister, Labor’s Gordon “bigoted woman” Brown, could no doubt benefit from his magic.) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/30/AR2010043001101.html

So the Brits are taking lessons from Obama.

Because of the timing of this election (it is within several years of when the 6000 years for humans to rule will be up), whoever wins in the UK will likely help set the UK up for a fall.

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?
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 a lengthy article with many prophecies that Barack Obama may end up fulfilling.
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?
Is Tony Blair Apocalyptic? The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom converted to Catholicism shortly after leaving his office and has been active in European affairs. What role might he play?

Greek Riots, 2008

COGwriter

Many in Greece are not happy about how their national debt situation is expected to be handled:

Greek militants, riot police clash in Athens May Day protests

The violence signals growing social unrest as the Greek government prepares to announce additional austerity measures meant to win rescue loans from the EU and International Monetary Fund.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-mayday-protests-20100502,0,2930891.story

Now, this is no surprise (see also my post late yesterday Herman von Rompuy, the Greek Debt Crisis, and Where May this Lead?).

For years, I have warned that there will be civil unrest in Europe until the emergence of a military leader known as the King of the North finally rises up.  We are getting closer.

And in the future, I expect the situation in parts of Europe to get much worse than what is currently happening in Athens.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
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 a lengthy article with many prophecies that Barack Obama may end up fulfilling.
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?

Ancient Laodicea

COGwriter

Yesterday, UCG’s Roy Holladay posted the following:

What did happen in the book of Jonah and how might that be relevant for us today in the United Church of God? It’s a much bigger lesson than one about a fish.As I mentioned, it’s a short book. You can quickly read it in one setting. But here’s its main theme, which our soon coming King and Elder Brother completely validated.

The book is about a message that God directly gave to one of His servants and how that servant tried to dodge his responsibility for delivering it. God didn’t destroy him for not following what God said to do, but God did go to great lengths to get Jonah’s attention. Jonah was to deliver a message of warning to the city of Nineveh, which the Bible calls “an exceedingly great city” (Jonah 3:3).

After God got Jonah’s attention, this time he obeyed. And a very surprising thing happened. After Jonah delivered the message, the people of Nineveh, whom God said numbered more than one hundred and twenty thousand, saw the profound error of their ways and repented. The King of Nineveh declared a fast.

How did God respond? “God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it” (Jonah 3:10). It was a totally unexpected outcome from Jonah’s human point of view.

Brethren, let me ask you this question: do we ever doubt the power of the message that we have today all been called to deliver?  When Jonah got focused and aligned himself with God’s will, powerful things happened.

We are, as the Bible says, “a small flock.” But make no mistake. God in these last days has given us a voice.

Historically, UCG has simply not poured the resources into that “voice” (see UCG’s Roy Holladay on Priorities).  Those interested in that should also check out the article Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God.

On a related note, RCG’s David Pack took several shots at UCG.  Essentially pointing out flaws in their form of governance (some quotes from him on this are at the GCG news page).  But, of course, David Pack has his own problems (see Why Not the Restored Church of God?).

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.
Why Not the Restored Church of God? This group, led by David Pack, claims to be the most faithful. The information in this article suggests otherwise.
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.

Earthquake Damage in Port-au-Prince

COGwriter

Does God use disasters as punishment for sins?  Many of various faiths believe that He does:

Is God’s wrath at work in natural disasters?

Washington Post – May 1, 2010

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/30/AR2010043002116.html

While I am not saying that I believe that the specific “sins” (some of which are not sins) listed within the article above caused the specific events the above article listed, it is true that God often uses disasters to get peoples attention.

Here is the latest commentary by LCG’s Wyatt Ciesielka:

Massive “natural disasters” reminiscent of Mark 13:8 seem to be growing more frequent every month. In addition to the horrible destruction and loss of life, these tragedies are economically devastating. The European aviation sector alone lost more than $3.3 billion dollars from the relatively small volcanic eruption (Associated Press, “EU moves to help aviation heal $3.3 billion losses,” April 27, 2010). What would be the consequences if the U.S. Yellowstone Caldera, or the Indonesian Lake Toba Caldera erupted? It is nearly unfathomable!

Jeremiah 17:1-4 explains that national punishment is the eventual result of national sins and false religion.　 Ultimately, this punishment will lead to our wealth, and even our people being given “as plunder” to foreign nations (vv. 3-4). Furthermore, this tragic collapse will happen suddenly and when many do not expect it (Isaiah 1:7, Habakkuk 2:7, I Thessalonians 5:3).  Read more

Even more disasters are coming according to Jesus:

21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.  22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened (Matthew 24:21-22).

Notice that protection is promised for some by Jesus:

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

But the part of the good news is that Jesus will return afterwords and establish His glorious kingdom.

If you want to learn more, please check out the following articles:

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.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? What is “the beginning of sorrows”?  Have we begun or are we about ready for “the beginning of sorrows” to begin.
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.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it. Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?