Church of God News

Prince Charles

COGwriter

The Prince of Wales was in the news:

My duty is to save the world:

Prince Charles believes he was born for a purpose

Daily Mail, UK – July 30, 2010

The Prince of Wales says he believes he has been placed on Earth as future King ‘for a purpose’ – to save the world…Critics condemned his words as ‘delusional’. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1299099/Prince-Charles-My-duty-save-world.html

He likely does have a higher purpose in this age, but not likely one he understands.

If he becomes King of England, he most likely will be the last occupant of that throne until Jesus comes and takes the throne for Himself.

He likely will have other roles.

As far as Charles and one aspect of religion, Wikipedia reported this about him:

The Prince of Wales also travels each year to Mount Athos to spend time in the Orthodox monasteries there,^[65] as well as in Romania,^[43] demonstrating his interest in Orthodox Christianity…Along with his father, who was born and raised as Greek Orthodox, Charles is patron of The Friends of Mount Athos, as well as the 21st International Congress of Byzantine Studies.^[69]. It is also believed that Prince Charles has an Orthodox icon corner in his house where he keeps the majority of his Orthodox icons. None of this is surprising, as Prince Charles’ father was raised Greek Orthodox…

I suspect, since he has some interest in matters Eastern Orthodox, that he may help support the likely reunification between the Church of Rome and the Orthodox.  He may believe that “church unity” may be part of how he hopes to help “save the world”.

However, biblical, Orthodox, and Catholic prophecy suggests this would be a compromising disaster.

Furthermore, once the United Kingdom and the USA are taken over and divided (Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided?), it may be that Charles will attempt to get the Europeans to improve conditions for those that they will have made slaves because of the takeover.  This, however, is not likely to succeed.

Charles might partially fulfill the following verses in the Bible in trying to get help from the Assyrians (modern Germany with its allies) after they have destroyed the U.S.A. and its Anglo-Allies:

1 “Ephraim also is like a silly dove, without sense–They call to Egypt, They go to Assyria. 12 Wherever they go, I will spread My net on them; I will bring them down like birds of the air;
I will chastise them According to what their congregation has heard (Hosea 7:11-12).

8 Israel is swallowed up; Now they are among the Gentiles
Like a vessel in which is no pleasure. 9 For they have gone up to Assyria, Like a wild donkey alone by itself; Ephraim has hired lovers (Hosea 8:8-9).

1 Ephraim feeds on the wind, And pursues the east wind; He daily increases lies and desolation. Also they make a covenant with the Assyrians, And oil is carried to Egypt (Hosea 12:1).

It would seem that perhaps Charles would try to use his contacts at the European power in order to try to improve the lot of the British at that time since he currently has many contacts within the EU.

Since I tend to believe that these verses in Hosea will be fulfilled after the start of the Great Tribulation and before the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God, if Charles  is involved in their fulfillment, in that specific way he might personally also be Apocalyptic.  He may try to help change the world, but it may not be quite the way he hopes to.  Time will tell.

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?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics There are many problems that will happen if they unify, including make them part of end time Babylon.
Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
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.

Ancient Laodicea

COGwriter

The United Church of God (UCG) just posted the following from its president, Dennis Luker:

In a July 29 teleconference, the Council of Elders chose Aaron Dean as its next treasurer and Financial Services operation manager. Mr. Dean, 58, will assume his new duties at the end of the Council of Elders meetings scheduled for August 9-11…Mr. Dean currently lives in Gladewater, Texas, and will relocate to the Cincinnati area in the coming months.

Aaron Dean was once the personal aid of the late Herbert W. Armstrong and held one or more vice-president titles in the 1980s for WCG organizations.

Although he has been on UCG’s Council of Elders for many years, he was censured a couple of years ago for speaking to an non-UCG group and some tried to oust him from the board back then, but he survived (see United Church of God Council Censures Elder Aaron Dean and UCG Keeps Aaron Dean on Council and Votes to Rescind Texas Move).

Aaron Dean being selected as treasurer for UCG was a surprise to me as historically, he has often not been part of the majority on UCG’s Council.  Also, he has long been the only UCG Council member NOT on UCG’s payroll.  If this position is full-time (and it seems to be), then he will apparently go on UCG’s payroll.

On other UCG related news, Abigail Cartwright, who has a website related to UCG’s various problems, made the following announcement of a new organization which she says is not a church:

As one of the organizers of the newly formed International Ambassador Outreach (“IAO”) I am pleased to make this introductory post. Newly formed as a nonprofit 501c3, International Ambassador Outreach has been created to support our international Christian family…Please note a key feature of IAO is that it is “not a church, nor will it become one…

Our Board views the most pressing current need to be our Latin American brothers and sisters who have recently suffered significant budget cuts that will undoubtedly affect their ability to pay for church hall rentals, member assistance, scholarships, assistance in enabling members to attend the Feast, and other basic needs.

John Carmack, a UCG supporter, wrote about this and included the following:

I want to bring this up because there seems to be a misconception amongst a few (or, at least one) that somehow Latin America has huge assets that UCG might be missing out on because of this split.  The fact is that due to circumstances beyond their control, most of them are quite poor.  There are no huge assets there.  The US administration has heavily subsidized the Latin America region for some time.

It’s a pretty good bet that none of the Latin American members are leaving for the money, to keep the money or to walk away with any “assets”.  That’s pure nonsense.

Frankly, both sides have a lot to lose in this particular disagreement.

Anyway, as I am not part of this, I will provide no opinion about the positions of “both sides” of this split in UCG.  I will say, however, that I was aware that Latin America was subsidized by UCG in the USA and felt that those who left would have financial issues.  And that seems to likely be the case.

The only thing to add is that because of UCG’s rejection of the governance its top leaders publicly embraced before forming UCG, that UCG has had many governmental problems and this past four months simply highlights them for all to see.

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?
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it?
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.

Rendering of Armstrong Auditorium (Rees Associates)

COGwriter

The following was reported by Ray Hibbard in the Edmond Life & Leisure:

World-Class Performing Arts Center to have September grand opening

The mission of the Armstrong International Cultural Foundation’s performing arts series is to champion Oklahoma as a world class center for the arts by bringing monumental cultural experiences to the Heartland of America…All in all, it is a $20 million facility for Edmond…

Outside the entrance to the auditorium will be Swans in Flight, a bronze and steel sculpture by internationally renowned British sculptor, Sir David Wynne. Wynne is scheduled to attend the Grand Opening event Sept. 5, 2010.  http://www.edmondlifeandleisure.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=81&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=4512&wpage=&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2528&hn=edmondlifeandleisure&he=.com

Armstrong International Cultural Foundation is affiliated and controlled by Gerald Flurry’s claimed Philadelphia Church of God (PCG).  Armstrong International Cultural Foundation seems to be patterned after the old Pasadena, California-based Ambassador International Cultural Foundation.

According to Ray Hibbard, PCG spent millions and millions of dollars in order to promote the glory of Oklahoma.  That’s the mission?

What Ray Hibbard wrote is consistent with what PCG is claiming at its Armstrong International Cultural Foundation website:

The mission of the Armstrong International Cultural Foundation’s performing arts series is to champion Oklahoma as a world-class center for the arts by bringing monumental cultural experiences to the Heartland of America.

In this writer’s opinion, the real purpose for building Armstrong Auditorium seems to be to produce a physical relic similar to the old Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena, California.  Since its inception, PCG leaders have purchased various ‘relics’ of the old Worldwide Church of God including relics related to the old Ambassador Auditorium (see PCG Added Another Relic).  The Swans in Flight sculpture is one of those ‘relics’.

According to the article, PCG spent $20,000,000 on this project.  As PCG has approximately 6,000 members (including those outside the USA), this equates to something like $3,000 for almost every attendee.  If PCG has more members, I have seen no evidence of this–any who have a better documented number are encouraged to contact me.  Even if PCG has more people, the focus on the building seems disproportionate, but that is apparently PCG’s priority.

Now PCG’s leaders will say that they are only walking in the footsteps of the late Herbert W. Armstrong.  But they have put the proverbial cart before the horse.  Herbert Armstrong had the Ambassador Auditorium constructed for many purposes (including the fact that when he was alive there were more than enough members of his church in Southern California to fill it for services each week).  But the main purpose that Herbert Armstrong had it built was to support his international public proclamation mission.

But this emphasis and mission is not what PCG has.  Actually, since declaring himself a ‘prophet’, PCG’s leader Gerald Flurry has claimed a variety of revelations and titles to himself.

In the July/August 2000 edition of Royal Vision, Gerald Flurry specifically calls or refers to himself the following variety of titles (listed in the order they occur in that issue): that prophet, the last voice, a third voice, the physical head of God’s work, the last and final voice, a prophet, God’s man, one that was prophesied by Jeremiah and Ezekiel, this watchman, end-time watchman, a prophet to the nations, Christ’s man, a breaker, a modern type of Micah, this king, this counselor, the breaker whom God has chosen, God’s watchman, prophesied by Habakkuk, a lawgiver, His lawgiver, God’s leader, an end-time Malachi-type prophet, the one who fulfills Zechariah’s role in the end-time, ruler over His household, a type of Elisha, the conduit, God’s true prophet, the voice, that voice, type of Joel, a preacher of righteousness, this man (of God), an end-time Obadiah, a warrior for God, the one God actually wants us to focus on, and only a messenger–at least one of those titles he is taking refers to Jesus. The titles of the articles, all of which were written by Gerald Flurry were (in order of appearance, all CAPS from G. Flurry), THAT PROPHET PART ONE: WHO IS ‘THAT PROPHET’?, THAT PROPHET PART TWO: A NEW THING, THAT PROPHET PART THREE: GOD’S WATCHMAN, THAT PROPHET PART FOUR: THE THRONE AND LAWGIVER, GOD’S COMMAND, ZECHARIAH’S FLYING SCROLL, THAT PROPHET PART FIVE: THE ELISHA WORK, and THAT PROPHET PART SIX: THE VOICE OF THE DAY OF THE LORD. He also calls PCG “God’s greatest gift” (p.12).

Furthermore, Gerald Flurry wrote,

And I have been the conduit for revelation from all the major and minor prophets, Colossians, Lamentations, Daniel, Revelation, the former prophets and other books. All this prophetic revelation has come from God through THAT PROPHET (p.33).

Many people believe that when the Bible uses the term “that prophet”, it was a reference to Jesus coming, not Gerald Flurry.

Gerald Flurry wrote,

Almost every book or booklet which I have written is filled with prophecy…Do they even have a smattering of the abundance of new revelation which God has rained down on His people through me? (p.15).

I have the authority of of God’s watchman–THAT PROPHET…God sets ONE WATCHMAN at a time (p.17).

He also wrote,

This verse indicates a NEW COMMISSION for the PCG…This trumpet-blowing commission is directed towards me personally (p.18).

So the mission, the “NEW COMMISSION” is something to do with Gerald Flurry personally.  That, I do believe.

Physical ‘relics’ likely assist him in his real mission, as Gerald Flurry may believe that they make him more credible.

Two articles of possibly related interest may include the following:

Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God Simply calling oneself ‘Philadelphia’ does not make one so (see Revelation 3:7-9), nor does Gerald Flurry calling himself “that prophet” make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which claims to be faithful.
What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did Catholic and Orthodox “saints” endorse or condemn idols and icons for Christians?

COGwriter

Another archaeological find supports scripture:

Philistine Temple Ruins Uncovered in Goliath’s Hometown

Israel National News – July 29, 2010

Bar Ilan University archaeologists have uncovered the ruins of a Philistine temple in the ancient city of Gath, home of the Biblical Goliath, buried in one of the largest tels (ancient ruin mounds) in Israel.

The temple and a number of ritual items dating back to the 10th century BCE were discovered at Tel Tsafit (Tell es-Safit/Gath) by Professor Aren Maeir of BIU’s Martin (Szusz) Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology and his international team…

“Interestingly, the architectural design of this temple, with its two central pillars, is reminiscent of the architectural image that is described in the well-known Biblical story of Samson and the Philistines,” Maeir said. He added that the discovery could indicate that the story of Samson reflects a type of temple that was in use in Philistia at the time.

He also said that his team had found impressive evidence of an earthquake in the 8th century BCE, reminiscent of the earthquake mentioned in the Book of Amos 1:1…

In addition, Maeir said, the summer’s excavations have uncovered further evidence of the destruction of the city by Hazael, King of Aram Damascus, around 830 BCE, as mentioned in Kings II 12:18…http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/138843

Of course, for those of us who believe the Bible, no further proof is needed.  But for some who have heard statements from pseudo-archaeologists that deny the biblical accounts, it may be helpful for them to realize that as time goes on, more and more archaeological evidence surfaces that supports the Bible.

And apparently Aren Maeir’s group has found a fair amount recently.  The mention of the similarity of this recent find to the temple that Sampson destroyed was interesting as it is one additional way to partially verify the biblical account.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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.
Read the Bible Christians should read and study the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading.
What is the Appropriate Form of Biblical Interpretation? Should the Bible be literally understood? What do the writings of the Bible, Origen, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Augustine show?
Bible and Historical Resources on the Internet Electronic bibles, Two Babylons, early Christian literature, photos, and even links to old Herbert W. Armstrong materials.

Beijing After Rain               Beijing on a Normal Sunny Day

COGwriter

There was a news story out of the Wall Street Journal reporting that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) believes that China will again run a very large trade surplus (IMF Sees China’s Trade Surplus Ballooning).  And this is the situation that most countries wish to emulate.

However, there are many underlying problems in China with pollution (as shown in one of the photos above) being one of the more obvious ones.

Chemical fears trigger run on bottled water in northeast China

2010-07-29

HARBIN, July 29 (Xinhua) — Residents in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province are rushing to buy bottled water after thousands of barrels of chemicals were swept into the upper reaches of the Songhuajiang River in Jilin Province…

People were gathering in grocery stores and supermarkets to buy bottled water although the governments of Harbin and Jiamusi cities along the Songhuajiang River said domestic water supplies no longer came from the river. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-07/29/c_13421446.htm

The reality is that while China does have a lot going for it (large inexpensive labor force, foreign currency reserves, drive, technology), it has issues with pollution, corruption, discrimination, and poverty.

And while many, including certain Chinese leaders, believe that the 21st century will belong to China, the Living Church of God has a different view.

After visiting China, LCG’s Dr. Meredith wrote the following a few years ago:

Many publications have suggested that the 21st century will be “China’s century.” Even though the Chinese are fiercely moving forward, and their progress in developing their industries is obvious, these publications are dead wrong for two reasons. First, the inspired word of God describes specifically how a coming European Union will be the dominant force in this world—obviously within the next several years. Therefore, brethren, I would like to focus your mind on this matter so you can more intelligently “watch” world events along this line as they unfold before your very eyes. In the coming years, you will perhaps even see a revolt of the peasants in the outlying Chinese cities, who have lagged far behind the standard of living afforded those who have moved to Beijing and Shanghai. Plus, the tremendous pollution of the water, air and foodstuffs may bring about massive disease epidemics and other problems for the Chinese.

In addition, distracting wars and other events may— as God chooses to guide it—greatly undermine the material progress now being made by the Chinese…

So the 21st century will not be the “Chinese century!” (Meredith R.C. An Inspiring and Successful Trip. Living Church News. May-June 2007, p. 21).

China’s pollution, potential for significant social unrest, and how it is discussed in biblical prophecy demonstrate that the 21st century will not belong to China.  But China will be a major player in a variety of events.  Even after the Great Tribulation starts, it is prophesied to play a role against the coming European Beast power.  But China will experience a variety of internal problems between now and then.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
The Dramatic Story of Chinese Sabbathkeepers This reformatted Good News article from 1955 discusses Sabbath-keeping in China in the 1800s.
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for China? Is it a “King of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What is the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Gerat Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?

Nicolas Sarkozy

COGwriter

France is starting to get fed up with terrorists:

France declares war against al-Qaida in response to aid-worker’s death

AP – July 27, 2010

PARIS (AP) — France has declared war on al-Qaida, and matched its fighting words with a first attack on a base camp of the terror network’s North African branch, after the terror network killed a French aid worker it took hostage in April.

The declaration and attack marked a shift in strategy for France, usually discrete about its behind-the-scenes battle against terrorism.

“We are at war with al-Qaida,” Prime Minister Francois Fillon said Tuesday, a day after President Nicolas Sarkozy announced the death of 78-year-old hostage Michel Germaneau.

The humanitarian worker had been abducted April 20 or 22 in Niger by al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, and was later taken to Mali, officials said.  http://dailycaller.com/2010/07/27/prime-minister-france-is-at-war-against-al-qaida/

France has already taken steps like moving to ban burqas (see LCG: France Burqa Ban Just Received Cabinet Approval).

A divide between Islam and the nominally-Christian Europe is going to become more and more real.  This declaration in France is simply another demonstration of that.

What many within Islam seem to have failed to consider is that the Europeans are much less tolerant of Islamic matters, and displays that suggest aggression, than the North Americans have been.

Al-Qaida probably hopes for the rise of the Imam Mahdi or some other Islamic leader to try to turn the world Islamic.  While the Europeans may speak with and even make deals with such an Islamic leader (cf. Daniel 11:27, 9:27; Psalm 83:5-8), when he pushes a little too hard (Daniel 11:40), it will be the end of Islam as a major force (cf. Daniel 11:40-43).

France is giving the Islamic world a hint of that now, though most will tend to dismiss this as mainly political anti-terrorist talk.  Those embracing Islam need to remember that the Crusaders came from Europe, and that Europeans are busy putting together the foundation of what many believe will be the re-emergence of the old “Holy Roman Empire”.  An empire with little tolerance for Islam.

Four 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?  What role might non-Arab Iran play?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? What is ahead for Europe?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?

Patriarch Kirill of Russia and Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev

COGwriter

The nation of Russia is more and more embracing the faith of the Orthodox:

Wednesday, July 28, 2010; 7:45 AM

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia officially celebrated a new holiday on Wednesday marking its conversion to Christianity in 988, the latest Kremlin boost to an Orthodox Church that has grown increasingly powerful since the fall of Communism.

Rights groups have criticized the new holiday, approved by President Dmitry Medvedev in June, as undermining Russia’s secular constitution and members of the country’s large Muslim minority have complained that it excludes them.

Marking the anniversary, Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, told state-run television: “Abandoning the historical significance of the baptism of Rus means discarding the supporting pillar of our entire civilization”.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/28/AR2010072801907.html

The past few decades have seen a shift from the Russian government opposing the Russian Orthodox to embracing and encouraging that faith.

Also, the past year has seen a major shift of the Russian Orthodox to be more supportive of the others within Eastern Orthodoxy as well as the Catholic Church of Rome.  Unity, sadly, will lead to massive religious and biblical compromise–this is something that the Russian Orthodox (and everyone else) should try to avoid.

This newly official holiday, however, will likely please both Constantinople and Rome, as well as provide political support for the government in Russia.

While the Russian Orthodox will not likely fully support the coming ecumenical Council that many Orthodox long for (and was prophesied by one of them centuries ago, see Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox?), it may support an ecumenical Council to some degree.  Yet, even if it does seem to fully support it, the Russians will be among the first in the “Orthodox world” to realize that unity with Rome and Europe is not in its interest.  And it will likely influence the Russian government (and vice versa) about that in not too many years.  Watch and see.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia? What will it do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics There are many problems that will happen if they unify, including make them part of end time Babylon.
Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern 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?

“I will break the pride of your power” (Leviticus 26:19)

COGwriter

The Congressional Budget Office confirmed that US debt is expected to increase and that this increases the risk of sudden economic collapse:

Federal Debt and the Risk of a Fiscal Crisis

Congressional Budget Office – July 27, 2010…

Over the past few years, U.S. government debt held by the public has grown rapidly…

Further increases in federal debt relative to the nation’s output (gross domestic product, or GDP) almost certainly lie ahead if current policies remain in place. The aging of the population and rising costs for health care will push federal spending, measured as a percentage of GDP, well above the levels experienced in recent decades. Unless policymakers restrain the growth of spending, increase revenues significantly as a share of GDP, or adopt some combination of those two approaches, growing budget deficits will cause debt to rise to unsupportable levels…

a growing level of federal debt would also increase the probability of a sudden fiscal crisis, during which investors would lose confidence in the government’s ability to manage its budget, and the government would thereby lose its ability to borrow at affordable rates.

It is possible that interest rates would rise gradually as investors’ confidence declined, giving legislators advance warning of the worsening situation and sufficient time to make policy choices that could avert a crisis. But as other countries’ experiences show, it is also possible that investors would lose confidence abruptly and interest rates on government debt would rise sharply. The exact point at which such a crisis might occur for the United States is unknown…

If the United States encountered a fiscal crisis, the abrupt rise in interest rates would reflect investors’ fears that the government would renege on the terms of its existing debt or that it would increase the supply of money to finance its activities or pay creditors and thereby boost inflation. Full report at: http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=11659

Notice that the Congressional Budget Office says that current policies mean that the debt will “rise to unsupportable levels”.  “Investors” are foreign creditors that would lose “confidence abruptly”.  And they are being politely optimistic.

Yet, since the Congressional Budget Office is a “mainstream” organization, hopefully those who have doubted reports that have been here that the US economy faces sudden collapse will wake-up and realize that this will happen.

Now although various ones associated with the Churches of God realize that the US dollar can fall, there is a definite difference in how they view timing of this.  The United Church of God, for example, believes that this will be a gradual process that can take decades (see UCG: Can the Dollar Fall?).  The Living Church of God, for another example, believes that it will not take that long and that while the trend for the dollar will be down (with some ups and downs), that it will collapse suddenly (see LCG: USA Economy Faces Potential for Sudden Collapse).  This is an area that the facts of economics and biblical prophecy supports the Living Church of God.

The US dollar has long been “the pride” of American power.  According to Bible prophecy it will be broken.  And there will be a sudden collapse.

Here are just a couple of scriptures about this risk:

26 O daughter of my people, Dress in sackcloth  And roll about in ashes! Make mourning as for an only son, most bitter lamentation;  For the plunderer will suddenly come upon us. (Jeremiah 6:26)

12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel:  “Because you despise this word, And trust in oppression and perversity, And rely on them,  13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you Like a breach ready to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant. (Isaiah 30:12-13)

The Bible is clear that disaster can come suddenly.  And that it will.  Does not the government of the USA trust in perversity?

But as the Apostle Paul wrote, Christians do not have to be unaware of this (1 Thessalonians 5:4).  He also said (as did Jesus in Luke 21:36) to watch (1 Thessalonians 5:7).

Readers of my book, 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, are aware that I believe that the Bible is clear that foreign creditors will rise up suddenly against the USA and it will be no more.

Do you really understand this and what to do about it?

To learn more, please check out the following articles:

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?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
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.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled by him?
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. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, many have already started to come to pass.  It is a spiritual and physical survival guide for what is coming to pass.
2012 y el surgimiento de la secta secreta Nuevo libro del Dr. Thiel en Español.
2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Edition) 2012 Buch von Dr. Thiel in deutscher Sprache.
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.

John Calvin, 16th Century Portrait

COGwriter

In the May-June 2010edition of its Bible Advocate magazine, CG7-Denver’s former president, Calvin Burrell had some information on Calvinism that I addressed (see CG7 Confused About Calvinism and Pentecost).

The July-August edition states the following, also from Calvin Burrell:

The Church of God (Seventh Day) does not promote the doctrine of eternal security. This teaching affirms that those who enjoy true forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life  through faith in Jesus Christ can never lose this favored status before God.

In its classical form, this doctrine equates with the last of the five points of Calvinism, a system emphasizing God’s choice (before the world began) of certain persons to be saved through Christ  (see p. 7 of the May-June BA). For Calvinists, the divine selection is confirmed by Christ’s limited atonement on the cross, by the Spirit’s irresistible call to the elect, and finally, by the perseverance of those elect saints in their faith to the end…

CoG7, however, has never embraced the model of predestination attributed to John Calvin. Rather than atonement being limited to the elect, we understand that Christ died for every man (1 Tim. 2:6; Heb. 2:9b; 1 John 2:2), that salvation is had by anyone who trusts Him and follows on via repentance to obedience. All gospel hearers are free to choose their response, as the “whosoever” verses of the New Testament suggest (Luke 12:8; John 4:14; Acts 10:43; 1 John 5:1; Rev. 22:17). We also understand that those who once freely chose Christ remain free to choose whether they will, or will not, continue to trust and obey Him, and that God honors their choice…

Each of the following texts states or strongly implies the possibility of persons dropping out somewhere along the way from initial saving faith to final redemption:

• Matthew 24:13; Luke 9:62: Final salvation involves endurance unto the end.
• John 15:2, 6: Some who are “in the Vine” will be removed, burned.
• 1 Corinthians 9:27: Even Paul might have become a castaway.
• 2 Corinthians 6:1: God’s grace may be received in vain.
• Galatians 5:1-4: Entanglement with legalism (the attempt to become or remain justified by the law) separates from Christ and grace.
• Colossians 1:22, 23: Final salvation comes to those who keep the faith by not being moved away from the gospel.
• James 5:19, 20; 1 John 5:16: Even a brother can wander from truth and sin unto death.
• 2 Peter 2:20-22; 3:17: Knowing Christ, then returning to the world, is worse than never knowing Him at all.

These warnings are unnecessary and would be misleading if a fall from grace were impossible.

The strongest New Testament alarms against departure from the faith are in the epistle to the Hebrews.

That writer’s main purpose is to plead with Jewish Christians not to turn back from following the Savior in whom they had come to trust — even Jesus. Note the ways that the writer urgently expresses this caution so these Christians might avoid the disaster of unbelief:

• Give . . . earnest heed . . . lest we drift away (2:1-3).
• Beware . . . an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God (3:7-19).
• Be diligent . . . lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience (4:11).
• Falling away and willful sin mean no sin sacrifice remains (6:4-6; 10:26).
• Don’t cast away your confidence or draw back to perdition (10:35-39).
• Look carefully . . . lest anyone fall short of the grace of God (12:15-17).

These warnings are addressed to those whose walk with the Lord Jesus has been deep enough to arouse bitter opposition from their foes (10:32, 34; 12:1-13). The writer of Hebrews assumes that His readers are genuine believers, that they are in danger of retreating from their faith in Christ and from the eternal salvation that such faith affirms. If the readers were not true believers or if there was no bona fide possibility of their departure from Christian faith, then the message of Hebrews makes little sense…

If salvation can be gained only by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, then it can be lost only by a denial of what we once believed: God’s grace in Christ. The true test of being God’s elect is not a onetime profession of faith but perseverance and patient continuance in that faith.

I am glad that CG7 has come out against several of the flawed points of Calvinism. The Bible is clear that salvation can be lost.  Once saved, always saved is not from the Bible.

Although it is not its official position, there are some in CG7 who understand the doctrine of apocatastasis and that God will call everyone to salvation, in this age, or the age to come.  Not that everyone will be saved, but everyone can be saved.  And that is the departure from Calvinism that I wish CG7 would officially embrace.

But it is good that CG7 realizes that salvation is something not to be taken for granted and that it can be lost.

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

John Calvin, Calvinism, TULIP, and What is Predestination? Who was John Calvin? Did he believe in sola Scriptura or did he hold to unbiblical doctines? TULIP analyzed.
Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Will God call everyone? Will everyone have an opportunity for salvation? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?
Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
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.

World Currencies

COGwriter

The Telegraph reported the following:

The Death of Paper Money

Telegraph, London – July 25, 2010 by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard…

Japan…had a private savings rate …cushioning the effects of the long slump.

The Anglo-Saxons have no such cushion.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/7909432/The-Death-of-Paper-Money.html

While I am convinced that the British pound and US dollar, amongst other Anglo-Saxon currencies, will die and be worthless, this will not happen to all paper currencies.

Paper currencies are simply too convenient for all to completely go away.  But Ambrose Evans-Pritchard is correct in his implication that the United Kingdom and the United States of America will likely go on even more of a money-printing experiment that will help destroy their currencies.  He is also correct that the Anglo-Saxon peoples do not have the type of savings that the Japanese historically have, and thus will not have the “cushion” that such savings provide to society.  Ambrose Evans-Pritchard also mentioned that grains like rye and gold tend to be used as backing when paper currencies themselves are considered practically worthless.

When the USA dollar, specifically, is perceived as worthless or almost worthless, people all around the world will doubt the value of all paper currencies.  However, Bible prophecy reveals that about the time that the USA and its Anglo-allies are invaded (Daniel 11:39), a leader known as the King of the North, will also invade Egypt and take its gold (Daniel 11:40-43).  One of the reasons to do this likely will be to partially restore the “gold standard” so that people will be able to trust that his currency (the Euro, a Euro replacement, or basket of currencies).

The idea of gold being amassed in the end time by a European leader is not only supported in the Bible in places like the books of Daniel and Revelation (cf. 18:9-16), it is also supported by both Roman and Eastern Orthodox Catholic prophecies.  Notice the following Orthodox prophecies:

Saint Andrew Fool-for-Christ (c. 4th century): This king will rule…Happiness will reign in the world as it did in the days of Noah. People will become very rich…The entire world will fear this king…he will pursue all persons of the Jewish religion out of Constantinople…and the people will rejoice like in the time of Noah until the deluge came God will reveal to this king all the gold wherever it happen to lay concealed from view…(Tzima Otto, H. The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Scriptural Prophecies. Verenika Press, Rock City (SC), 2000, pp. 113,114).

Emperor Leo the Philosopher (c. early 10th century): You will amass the gold of the nations…And you will be the leader of the surrounding powers…and those that are near will prostate themselves before your feet (Tzima Otto, pp. 76-77).

To Emperor Manuel II (d. 1425): …upon the command of the the good Emperor they will go and discover treasures of gold and silver and all this will be offered as a gift to the pious ones; later on more and more valuable treasures will be found and the Emperor will do with those treasures likewise (Tzima Otto, p. 102).

Recall also that Jesus warned that the coming again like the days of Noah would not be good (Matthew 24:37-39)–yet an Orthodox mystic had the opposite view.

Roman Catholics may wish to consider that those last three Orthodox predictions sound a lot like prophecies from two of their saints about Antichrist (Ephrem is also an Orthodox saint):

Saint Ephrem (died 375): Antichrist will use worldly goods as bait. He will entice many Christians with money and goods to apostatize…The devil will help him find all the hidden treasures of the world, even those at the bottom of the ocean. With those treasures he will attain greater success for the reign of Satan than at any other time in past centuries (Connor, pp.73.74).

Saint Mechtilda (died 1299): Antichrist will, through base and false strategem, and with presents of gold and gems, attain influence over the worldly princes. They will look up to him as their Lord and God (Culleton, The Reign of Antichrist, pp. 133-134).

So does the Great Monarch amass gold with God’s help like Orthodox prophecies suggest or does he amass gold with the help of Satan as at least one Catholic saint and certain biblical prophecies (Daniel 11:43; Revelation 18) indicate?

The answer should be obvious to all who wish to believe the God of the Bible.  The Bible is clear that those who amass gold at the end time will find it is not the answer (James 5:1-5; Revelation 18:9-17).

Catholics and Orthodox who compromise will likely be taken in by this lure of wealth. This is something that all (Catholics, Orthodox, and everyone else) need to ponder.

The idea of gold be accumulated to support a European-backed currency while the US dollar tanks is discussed on page 333 of my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect.  And this appears to be what will happen.

The death of the US dollar and Britain’s pound sterling is certain.  But as Ambrose Evans-Pritchard indicated, it will likely take some time before it is obvious to most.  Do you understand that?  Are you prepared spiritually for that?

For more information, please check out the following:

What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
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?
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?
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?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
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.
Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
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.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled by him?
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. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, many have already started to come to pass.  It is a spiritual and physical survival guide for what is coming to pass.
2012 y el surgimiento de la secta secreta Nuevo libro del Dr. Thiel en Español.
2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Edition) 2012 Buch von Dr. Thiel in deutscher Sprache.