Church of God News

Obese Male

COGwriter

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced that no US state met its obesity target and that obesity in the USA continues to increase.  Here is part of that latest CDC report titled Vital Signs: State-Specific Obesity Prevalence Among Adults — United States, 2009:

Background: Obesity is a costly condition that can reduce quality of life and increases the risk for many serious chronic diseases and premature death. The U.S. Surgeon General issued the Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity in 2001, and in 2007, no state had met the Healthy People 2010 objective to reduce obesity prevalence among adults to 15%.

Methods: CDC used 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey data to update estimates of national and state-specific obesity prevalence. Obesity was calculated based on self-reported weight and height and defined as body mass index (weight [kg] / height [m]2) ≥30.

Results: Overall self-reported obesity prevalence in the United States was 26.7%. Non-Hispanic blacks (36.8%), Hispanics (30.7%), those who did not graduate from high school (32.9%), and persons aged 50–59 years (31.1%) and 60–69 years (30.9%) were disproportionally affected. By state, obesity prevalence ranged from 18.6% in Colorado to 34.4% in Mississippi; only Colorado and the District of Columbia (19.7%) had prevalences of <20%; nine states had prevalences of ≥30%.

Conclusions: In 2009, no state met the Healthy People 2010 obesity target of 15%, and the self-reported overall prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults had increased 1.1 percentage points from 2007…

Alternate text: … A total of 33 states had obesity prevalences >25% in 2009, and nine of those states had prevalences ≥30%. In contrast, 28 states had prevalences <20% in 2000, and no state had a prevalence of ≥30%.  (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm59e0803a1.htm?s_cid=mm59e0803a1_w)

The obesity rate was highest in states like Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Oklahoma, etc.  States like California were in the 20-25% range.

The Bible warns about obesity, getting fat, and excessive eating.

Notice some of what Moses and Jeremiah wrote:

15 You grew fat, you grew thick,
You are obese!
Then he forsook God who made him,
And scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
16 They provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods;
With abominations they provoked Him to anger. (Deuteronomy 32:15-16)

11 “Because you were glad, because you rejoiced,
You destroyers of My heritage,
Because you have grown fat like a heifer threshing grain,
And you bellow like bulls,
12 Your mother shall be deeply ashamed;
She who bore you shall be ashamed.
Behold, the least of the nations shall be a wilderness,
A dry land and a desert. (Jeremiah 50:11-12)

God inspired the prophet Isaiah to write:

2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good (Isaiah 55:2).

But Americans do not often eat what is good.  And they eat a lot of white bread, which is really not real bread as it has had the wheat germ and other natural components removed.  This makes an inferior product which then is sprayed with synthetic B vitamins and other “nutrients” to “fortify” it.  If you notice “B vitamins” added to “fortify” refined grain products or in so-called “natural” vitamin supplements (like thiamin mononitrate, thiamin HCL, folic acid, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cyanocobalamin), realize that these are basically petroleum derivatives and are not the same form of vitamins that are actually found in real, natural, food.

But most Americans consume the synthetics and refined grains.

The other problem is that Americans eat too much.  The Bible warns against this:

18 “If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and who, when they have chastened him, will not heed them, 19 then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city, to the gate of his city. 20 And they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ 21 Then all the men of his city shall stone him to death with stones; so you shall put away the evil from among you, and all Israel shall hear and fear. (Deuteronomy 21:18-21)

20 Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;  21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty (Proverbs 23:20-21)

Yet most Americans, including those I speak with in Southern California, simply do not believe they eat too much.  And this includes many overweight ones.

But notice that the Bible warns against eating bad foods and eating too much.  And also notice that at least two curses are associated with this.  Curses of destruction and poverty.

Poverty and destruction will come to the peoples of the United States.  And, likely, famine as well (Matthew 24:7-8) before the start of the Great Tribulation–a time of trouble for the USA and its Anglo-allies.

Notice something else Isaiah and Jeremiah were inspired to write:

6 Therefore the Lord, the Lord of hosts,
Will send leanness among his fat ones;
And under his glory
He will kindle a burning
Like the burning of a fire.  (Isaiah 10:16)

28 They have grown fat, they are sleek;
Yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked;
They do not plead the cause,
The cause of the fatherless;
Yet they prosper,
And the right of the needy they do not defend.
29 Shall I not punish them for these things?’ says the Lord.
‘Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?’ (Jeremiah 5:28-29)

Famine and food shortages are coming.  As is the end of the USA and its Anglo-descended allies.  National repentance, which does not seem likely at this stage, is the only hope.  But individuals themselves can turn to God.  And although obesity is a multi-factorial problem, all who are overweight, even the irreligious, can eat less and make better food choices.

Some prophetic 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.
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? 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.
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?  Where is the nation of Israel in all of this?
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?

Wheat

COGwriter

As I have written earlier this year, the production of wheat has been affected by hot and dry weather in several parts of the world (see Drought: Less Wheat in Russia, Europe, Australia, China, and Argentina).

Now, BBC reports that wheat prices have risen by 50% since late June 2010 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-10851170).

Jesus foretold of a time prior to the start of the Great Tribulation, called the “beginning of sorrows”, where famines would be a factor (Matthew 24:7-8).  Might we be getting close to this now?

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What is the “beginning of sorrows”?  When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
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? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2018 or 2019?

“Sunday Church”, Naxos Greece

COGwriter

Author and former WCG/UCG member Steven Collins now attends a church on Sunday according to a post he made yesterday:

I am a member of Church at the Gate, an independent Evangelical Church in Sioux Falls, SD…I attend church on Sunday to hear excellent sermons by the pastor, Steve Hickey…

It should be noted that Steve Collins still believes in the seventh-day Sabbath.  But apparently believes he is getting sermons that he wants from a Sunday church.

He has his own ideas.  I wish he would spend more time understanding what the Bible and real COG leaders teach.

Those interested in biblical and historical documentation that the Sabbath refuters are in error, should check out the following articles:

Sunday and Christianity Was Sunday observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians? Who clearly endorsed Sunday?
Another Look at the Didache, Ignatius, and the Sabbath Did Ignatius write against the Sabbath and for Sunday? What about the Didache? What does the actual Greek reveal?
Is Revelation 1:10 talking about Sunday or the Day of the Lord? Most Protestant scholars say Sunday is the Lord’s Day, but is that what the Bible teaches?
The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church?
Polycarp of Smyrna: The Heretic Fighter Polycarp was the successor of the Apostle John and a major leader in Asia Minor. Do you know much about what he taught?
Justin Martyr: Saint, Heretic, or Apostate? Justin is considered one of the first Christian theologians and scholars. But did he support a Gnostic version of Christianity? Do you know what he taught about souls going to heaven upon death? This article shows from his own writings, what Justin really taught.
The Dramatic Story of Chinese Sabbathkeepers This reformatted Good News article from 1955 discusses Sabbath-keeping in China in the 1800s.
Is God Unreasonable? Some have suggested that if God requires Sabbath-keeping He is unreasonable. Is that true?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by the Tkach WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.

VS.

COGwriter

For most of this year, the self-appointed prophet and self-declared one of the two witnesses, Ronald Weinland of Church of God Preparing for the Kingdom (CGPFK) has been mainly avoiding prophesying.

He has had no significant public appearances, and mainly travels and speaks at small congregations of his church. But notice some of what the Bible teaches about about the two witnesses:

3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. (Revelation 11:3-6)

Ronald Weinland prophesied a lot prior to December 2008–but not with God’s power.  And as regular readers of this page are aware, he made many false prophesies about 2008.  Now according to his revised date, the final 1260 days began on December 14, 2008.

But he rarely prophesies any more.  And the one he claims is the other of the two witnesses (his wife Laura) seems to do even less (at least publicly).

So, the CGPFK “witnesses” are apparently not prophesying for 1260 days.  Also, they do not wear sackcloth (Ron Weinland spiritualized that away).  Also, no fire has struck their enemies.  They have not stopped it raining in any particular place.  They have turned the waters into blood.  And they have not struck the earth with plagues.

Ronald Weinland is an unwitness.  He and his wife have failed to accomplish what God established in the Bible as the criteria for the two witnesses.

Now in his July 17, 2010 sermon Ron Weinland stated:

“Sanctify them through Your truth: Your word is truth.” ‘Your word’, God’s word…

So, publicly he admits that God’s word is truth, but he has not accomplished what that same word, the Bible, says about the two witnesses.

In that same sermon, Ron Weinland also stated:

There are thing’s He’s done to give you encouragement, where we see a pattern of things that happened with Mr. Armstrong and things that are happening with me, of things God did and truths He gave and truths that are given here and God gives us encouragement through that process.

Ronald Weinland has not been giving his followers all the truth.  He can quote scripture, but so can the devil (Matthew 4).

The truth is that Ronald Weinland has proven to be a false prophet.  He is still claiming that the Great Tribulation began on December 14, 2008 (after insisting for over a year that it would be April 17, 2008–and then insisting for weeks after that date, that it did start, but one had to be spiritual to see it).  But the Great Tribulation has not began–the signs that Jesus, Daniel, etc. stated would be part of the 1260 days, etc. has not happened.  For one small example, notice one thing that should have began on December 14, 2008 if the final three and one half years (1260 days, called the time, times, and half a time below) should have happened:

He shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
Shall persecute the saints of the Most High,
And shall intend to change times and law.
Then the saints shall be given into his hand
For a time and times and half a time.  (Daniel 7:25)

The “He” above is the final Beast, also called in Daniel the King of the North.  Neither the saints, nor the followers of Ronald Weinland, have been given into the hands of the final Beast power since December 14, 2008.

Ronald Weinland has proven that he is not God’s true witness.  Hopefully, his followers will wake up and realize this. The facts of world events and the Bible show that he is a false prophet and not God’s witness.  Ronald Weinland is an unwitness.

Some articles of related interest may include the following:

Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up and that the end will come in 2008 (first April 17th, then June 2008, now December 14, 2008). Why does the Bible show that Ron Weinland is a false prophet? He also has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the Church of God.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
Who Are The Two Witnesses? What is their job? What does the Bible reveal? What has the Church of God taught on this subject? Might even Roman Catholic prophecies give some clues here?
Harold Camping’s Teachings About the End of the World Do Not Agree with the Bible Harold Camping teaches that the rapture will be on May 21, 2011 and the world will end on October 21, 2011. Like Ronald Weinland, he allegorizes too many scriptures.  What does the Bible show?
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.  Unlike the false statements in Ronald Weinland’s books, events aligning with this one are actually coming to pass.

COGwriter

More and more are figuring out that the USA is going to link to Europe’s Galileo for GPS purposes.

“The United States and the European Union (EU) now have an agreement in place that unifies both with bilateral cooperation between the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) and the European planned Galileo spaced-based navigation system.” (U.S. + E.U… Positioning Partners (SATCOM). August 1, 2010. http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=1014062728)

WASHINGTON D.C. (BNO NEWS) – The United States and the European Union (EU) announced on Friday a bilateral cooperation between the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) and the European planned Galileo spaced-based navigation system. (U.S. and the EU to collaborate on usage of Global Navigation Satellite Systems. July 31, 2010. http://wireupdate.com/local/u-s-and-the-eu-to-collaborate-on-usage-of-global-navigation-satellite-systems/)

This was expected.

Page 85 of my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect states the following:

In 2013, the Europeans are planning on having their own global positioning system (GPS), called Galileo, available for military applications.  This will allow the Europeans to track the world and attack others without relying on the U.S.A.’s GPS.  This will be the first time in the 21^st century that Europeans will be able to have that type of independent military capability.

Furthermore, according to a 2009 report from the U.S. government, the U.S. Air Force may have to start relying on the European Galileo system (at least to a degree) beginning in 2013, as the U.S. GPS capabilities are expected to deteriorate by then (other problems are also appearing in the newer U.S. satellites). Because the Europeans will be able to control Galileo, they will also likely be capable of derailing certain sophisticated U.S. military applications.  This will give the Europeans a unique defensive (as well as offensive) capability that no others on the planet will have.

When I wrote that, the U.S. Air Force denied that there was such a problem:

The U.S. Air Force said that a report released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), which claimed that the U.S. military GPS system is experiencing serious degradation, is not accurate, according to a May 25 statement by Air Force Col. Dave Buckman.

“The issue is under control,” said Buckman in an online press conference. (Air Force Official Disputes GAO Report on Projected GPS Failure. Satellite Today, May 26, 2009. http://www.viasatellite.com/military/headlines/Air-Force-Official-Disputes-GAO-Report-on-Projected-GPS-Failure_31100.html).

COGwriter

Russia and India continue to hold joint military exercises.  “The upcoming Indra-2010 military drill in October is seen as further proof both countries maintain strong relations”  (India And Russia: Joint Military Drills. New Tang Dynasty Television – July 30, 2010.  http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_asia/2010-07-30/517742269750.html).

This kind of news is normally overlooked by American television sources.

These joint military exercises ultimately will result in an end-time Asian confederation that will likely field the 200,000,000 man army that is warned about in the Book of Revelation.  Having joint military exercises helps communications between the Russians (who will tend to supply advanced military arms and some troops) and India (which will tend to supply more troops and less of the arms) for such an army.  Countries like Japan, Korea, and others in Asia are also expected to be involved.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

India, Its Biblical Past and Future: Any Witness? The Bible discusses the origins of those of Indian heritage and discusses some of the witness to them (including those in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka).
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?
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?
Korea in Prophecy, Any Witness? Does God have a plan for the Koreans? Is Korea mentioned in any prophecies? Will Koreans be among the first in the Kingdom of God? 한국의 언어로 : 한국 예언, 모든 증인에?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan? Will God save the Japanese?

Dr. Meredith and I in his office (January 2008)

COGwriter

Yesterday’s official LCG announcements began with a prayer request from its presiding evangelist, Dr. Roderick C. Meredith:

Your Prayers are NEEDED!

Dear Fellow Ministers and Brethren,

Our Father in heaven has given us a great deal more growth in the last year or two! We have given you the statistics on this—including a ten percent increase in our average Church attendance here in the United States! We are very grateful for this and thank God for it! Nevertheless, this brings up an obvious need for more co-workers, more members and more ministers to serve the increasing number of brethren and the greater needs of God’s Work overall. Jesus Christ Himself was “moved with compassion” when He saw multitudes all around Him who were confused and lacking true Christian leadership. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).

So our living Head, Jesus Christ, has directly instructed His followers to pray about these very things. Each of us should deeply realize that, now, we really are near the end of an age. We must be absolutely committed to preaching the “Ezekiel Warning” to our peoples, to preach the Good News of Christ’s coming World Government and in preparing a “people for God!”

Therefore, I ask all of you faithful members of God’s Church to join with us here in Charlotte and literally “cry out” to God to provide more co-workers, more members and more ministers to serve the many newer members who are even now beginning to come with us from every direction! God Himself is granting us this growth—and God Himself wants every one of us to be concerned, to be involved and to be active members of the “team” Jesus Christ is using to finish the Work.

So please pray fervently about all these needs! Encourage each other to get involved and specifically pray for the other members and co-workers you may know personally. Ask God—over and over—to open new “doors” for us to reach out to this world while we have the opportunity. And beseech God to bring with us more ministers to serve these people. Most of our new ministry will come up through the ranks from our own membership in the Living Church of God. We are grateful that quite a number of men are already doing this. We encourage all who may be qualified to dedicate themselves to “growing” in every way through the Advanced Leadership Program, the Spokesman Club and other avenues of Christian training—certainly including taking courses from the Living University as God makes possible.

Also, quite a number of “new” ministers may come with us in years to come as various “splits” begin to occur in the other Church of God fellowships. This, in fact, has already happened! Many of you are well acquainted with the fact that our Regional Director for Britain, Europe and parts of Africa, Mr. Rod King, literally jumped “through the hoops” by being—first of all—a minister in Worldwide, later in United, later in David Hulme’s church and—feeling none of them were really “doing the Work”—finally came with us about eight years ago. We did not make him “wait for years” in order to get involved. Within a very few months he was preaching and serving God’s people in Australia. Later, he and his wife were willing to move to Great Britain to head the Work there—as I needed to bring Dr. Douglas Winnail back here to Charlotte to become Director of Church Administration worldwide. A number of other ministers have come to us from other groups—and still more are on the way. So we need to pray fervently that God will bring with us those whom He chooses—without in any way trying to “pressure” other ministers to come with us. Yet, if God guides them to come wholeheartedly—and they sincerely desire to be “part of the Work”—we should try to welcome them warmly and give them every help and encouragement in this transition to a new ministry in the Living Church of God.

All of us need to pray for one another and pray for these new brethren and ministers who may come, and to “reach out” through our loving concern and prayers to help them in every way. As we grow together as a “family” in Christ’s service, He will bless us, empower us and enlarge us a great deal in years to come. So let’s put our hearts in our prayers and do all we can to reach out to these people and to God to make all of this growth possible.

More than ever, God’s Spirit is moving things ahead in the Living Church of God. But we must become filled with zeal and a genuine passion for God as we ask for His extra help, His love and His faith that we may “be strong and carry out great exploits” as Christ leads the way (Daniel 11:32).

LCG has had a fairly strong year or two, despite the world (and the USA’s) economic problems.  Both income and attendance have been up, as have responses to its telecast.

An article of possibly related interest may be: There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God?