Church of God News

John Calvin

COGwriter

Protestant “reformers” did not have a particularly positive impact on reforming persecution.

Here is an observation from a 19th century account:

” If matters of fact can establish any certainty,” says a Christian writer of half a century ago, ” then it is certain that the two principal pillars of the Reformation, Martin Luther and John Calvin, and their confederate reformers, were influenced by the self-same spirit of cruelty and injustice which had influenced the ecclesiastical tyrants of every age from Diotrephes and the Alexandrian priesthood down to the same Luther and Calvin.” (Bennett, Bennett RM.  The champions of the church: their crimes and persecutions. D.M. Bennett, 1878, p. 835)

These “pillars of the Reformation” did not act like the pillars of the New Testament Church.

Regarding the Calvinists, it has been reported:

Calvinism was established as the compulsory religion of the government in Holland, and a terrible war of persecution waged against all dissenters, Catholic and Protestant alike. (Bennett, p. 842)

“It is true,” says Mosheim, ” that many Anabaptists suffered death merely because they were judged to be incurable heretics, for in this century the error of limiting the administration of baptism to adult persons only, and the practice of re-baptizing such a* had received that sacrament in a state of infancy were looked upon as most flagitious and intolerable heresies.’

The other ” reformers ” also were not laggards in showing their irrepressible yearning for liberty of conscience. D Aubigne, himself a most partisan Protestant, admits that at Zurich fourteen men and seven women “were imprisoned ou an allowance of bread and water in the heretics’ tower.” The Protestants of Switzerland inclosed the poor Anabaptists in sacks and threw them into the Rhine, remarking in a playful manner ” That they were merely baptizing them by their own favorite mode of immersion ” (Meuzel).

The Calvinists emulated the zeal of the Lutherans, and were as tolerant as the adherents of the German monk. They called Lutherans sons of the devil, and drove them out of southern Germany, in a portion of which the Calvinists had gained the ascendency. ” More than a thousand Lutheran ministers,” says Olearius, i! were proscribed, with their wives and children, and reduced to beg the bread of charity.” In Switzerland, also, the laws enacted’ under the vigilant eye of Calvin were exceedingly tolerant—so much so, that through their beneficent operation several thousand people were imprisoned, exiled, or killed. (Bennett, pp. 846-847)

A man who dared to keep his hat on at the approach of Calvin was fined ; he that contradicted him was arraigned before the consistory and threatened with excommunication. (Bennett, p. 847)

One of the most influential Calvinists of the sixteenth century was Baron D’Adrets…Archbishop Spalding…says of him: ” His career was signalized by the celerity and success of his movements, but still more by the horrid sufferings…’He was, in regard to the Catholics, what Nero had been in regard to the early Christians.’ He sought out and invented the most novel punishments, which he took pleasure in seeing inflicted on those who fell into his hands. This monster, wishing to make his children as cruel as himself, forced them to bathe in the blood of the Catholics whom he had butchered; and these barbarities met with the approbation of the chief of the party.” (Bennett, p. 848)

” Many,” says Robinson, ” have pretended to apologize for Calvin, but what are his nostrums, which end in tyranny and murder, that the great voice of nature should be drowned in the din of a vain babbling about him ?’ Calvin’s heart never relented at the recollection of his many crimes—the burning of Servetus, the beheading of Ja«Les Gruet, the banishment of Castalio and Bolsec, and the thousands of other persecutions perpetrated in his theocracy…The persecuting spirit of Calvin was not confined to Geneva. It leaped like a blighting curse to Poland, to Scotland, to France. (Bennett, p. 849,850)

Thus, the “Refomers” were intolerant and murderous persecutors.

Those interested in learning more should consider studying the following articles:

Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the Living Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?
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? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?
Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, did Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority? Statements from him changing and/or discounting 18 books of the Bible are included. Do you really want to know the truth?
Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare? Here are current and historical perspectives on a matter which show the beliefs of the true church on military participation. Is war proper for Christians?
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.

Greek Riots, 2008

COGwriter

There have been protests in Europe related to the proposed austerity programs there:

Anti-austerity protests erupted across Europe on Wednesday — Greek doctors and railway employees walked out, Spanish workers shut down trains and buses, and one man even blocked the Irish parliament with a cement truck to decry the country’s enormous bank bailouts. Tens of thousands of demonstrators poured into Brussels, hoping to swell into a 100,000-strong march on European Union institutions later in the day…(Anti-austerity protests sweep across Europe.  USA Today, 29 September 2010. http://www.usatoday.com/money/world/2010-09-29-europe-austerity-protests_N.htm)

I warned about this specifically over three weeks ago (see 5 September 2010 post titled Civil War in Greece?) as I wrote, “Austerity measures in Europe will likely cause civil unrest”.

Additionally, in my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, I discussed the possibility of civil unrest and/or civil war breaking out in Europe.  Here are a couple of captions from the book about that:

Some believe that God will punish the nominal Catholics with civil unrest and war in Europe.  As there already has been civil unrest in Europe (and according to secular sources, more is expected), it is possible that the following (to some degree) also may come to pass:..

Monk Hilarion (15^th century): “The people of the peninsula of Europe will suffer by needless wars…”

Brother Louis Rocco (19th century): “All over Europe there will rage terrible civil wars…A Great Monarch will arise after a period of terrible wars and persecutions in Europe.”

Some believe this civil unrest will result in the rise of a militaristic leader who will quell that particular violence, establish a new religious order, and reign with a pope who will perform miracles…

One interesting 15^th century Catholic prophecy foretells a time when a “great prince” will rise up. “All Germany” will apparently convert to the ecumenical religion, and then massive conversions in “all countries” “will happen quickly…

The descriptions of the Great Monarch/Prince in many ways parallel the description of one the Bible refers to as the “prince” in Daniel 9:26–27, final “King of the North” in Daniel 11:27–45…

World events are aligning with prophecy.  There will be ups and downs in Europe until the final European beast power rises up.  The protests may turn violent and this may be a major trigger for the rise of the prophesied final King of the North.

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.
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.
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.

A slightly difficult uphill and narrow way in Tobago

COGwriter

Tonight at sunset is a time known as the Last Great Day. The seven day Feast of Tabernacles is immediately followed by the eighth day, which began last night at sunset.

Christians normally call this the ”Last Great Day” based on these statement from Jesus in John 7:37-38:

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

It is on that last day that those predestined in this age will be the praise to Christ’s glory to those on the earth in a way that has not happened before.

Jesus was clear that only a few will find this way in this age:

23 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, 24 Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able (Luke 13:23-24).

14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matthew 7:14).

So only some few will be called in this age. And there is an “age to come” (Matthew 12:32) where even infamous sinners will have an opportunity (cf. Matthew 10:15;11:22).

According to an old, but probably modified in the 4th century document, it seems that Polycarp observed the Feast of Tabernacles in the second century including the Last Great Day:

I will give the narration in order, thus coming down to the history of the blessed Polycarp…

So also he pursued the reading of the Scriptures from childhood to old age, himself reading in church; and he recommended it to others, saying that the reading of the law and the prophets was the forerunner of grace, preparing and making straight the ways of the Lord, that is the hearts, which are like tablets whereon certain harsh beliefs and conceptions that were written before perfect knowledge came, are through the inculcation of the Old Testament, and the correct interpretation following thereupon, first smoothed and levelled, that, when the Holy Spirit comes as a pen, the grace and joy of the voice of the Gospel and of the doctrine of the immortal and heavenly Christ may be inscribed on them. And he said that they could not otherwise receive the impression of the seal which is given by baptism and engrave and exhibit the form conveyed in it, unless the wax were first softened and filled the deep parts. So also he thought that the hearts of the hearers ought to be softened and yield to the impress of the Word. For he said that it unfolded and opened, like closed doors, the minds of recent comers; and accordingly the prophet was bidden by God, Cry out mightily and spare not, Raise thy voice as a trumpet. What must one say, when even He that was gentler than all men so appeals and cries out at the feast of Tabernacles? For it is written; And on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried saying, If any man thirsteth, let him come to Me and drink. (Pionius, Life of Polycarp (1889) from J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 3.2, pp.488-506.)

The Living Church of God states this about the eighth day of the feast:

…Old Testament meaning

…Adjacent to the Feast of Tabernacles, this eighth day is considered a separate Feast.
(Leviticus 23:36, 39)

…New Testament meaning

…Pictures the coming “Great White Throne Judgment” at which all of humanity not previously called will have the chance to hear the True Gospel and accept salvation. [The Holy Days]

Most of the small groups that observe the Feast of Tabernacles and the eight day that follows it are in basic agreement with the statements quoted from the Living Church of God.

Here is some of what the late Herbert W. Armstrong taught about the Last Great Day:

This eighth day, technically a separate feast, is called “the last day, that great day of the feast” (John 7:37).

What does this final holy day represent?

Notice what Jesus preached about on that day: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink . . . out of his belly [innermost being] shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive . . .)” (John 7:37-39).

This was Jesus’ sermon giving the meaning of the last great day!

Now turn to Revelation 20. After the Millennium, what happens? A resurrection! The dead stand before God. This couldn’t include true Christians today, as they will appear before the judgment seat when Christ returns. It couldn’t refer to those converted during the Millennium. They have already inherited the Kingdom during the Millennium, after living out a normal life-span. Those in this resurrection must be those who died in ignorance in past ages! They are not brought to life until after the Millennium (Revelation 20:5).

This is that judgment day mentioned in Matthew 10: 15. It is a time when Gentiles who died in ignorance will be given an opportunity to receive salvation. Ezekiel 16:53-55 makes this very plain. Even those in Israel who died in their sins will be given their first opportunity to understand the truth of God and His way (Ezekiel 37). The prophet wrote that God would pour out His Spirit on those resurrected (verse 14). This is precisely the salvation that Jesus mentioned in His sermon on that great day of the feast in the autumn of AD 30.

This eighth day, which immediately follows the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, pictures the completion of the plan of redemption. It is just prior to the new heaven and the new earth. All parents and children, young and old will be resurrected. Notice that the “book of life” typifying salvation is opened (Revelation 20:12). Revelation presents the final view of the “judgment day” as the present material heaven and earth are perishing and the faithful are receiving their eternal reward at the throne of Christ. The wicked those who disobey are seen perishing in the lake of fire! What a marvelous plan! All will have an equal opportunity (Armstrong HW. Pagan Holidays–or God’s Holy Days—Which?, booklet).

Isaiah prophesied how long the White Throne Judgment period would last. During this time Christ and the resurrected saints will rule. It is the time of the second resurrection. The earth will be as peaceful and productive as the Millennium itself. Children who died will live again for one hundred years, building character through the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Older people who had died without knowing God’s plan for them will also be resurrected to live for one hundred years. The close of the one-hundred-year White Throne Judgment is pictured by John in Revelation 20:11-12…100 years of testing…Isa. 65:20. (Bible Correspondence Course, Lesson 39. 1954, 1965 Edition).

A major reason that I became part of the old Worldwide Church of God and now the Living Church of God is that in addition to proving all things from the Bible, I truly believe that since “God is love” (1 John 4:16) that He has a plan of salvation that will ultimately result in everyone being called and nearly every one who ever lived being saved.

Two must read articles to demonstrate the truth of those doctrines are Hope of Salvation: How the COGs differ from most Protestants and Universal Salvation? There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis.

COGwriter

The Feast of Tabernacles is close to ending for 2010.

As many who are readers of this page at this time are not at the Feast of Tabernacles now, I thought a series on the sites we attended might be of interest. This is part three of the three-part series.

In 2000, my family went to Jamaica for the Feast of Tabernacles. This was the first year that the Living Church of God (with that name) had a feast site there. About 100 attended that year. Although we took a lot of pictures, I only found the following one:

In 2001, we went to Tugan, Australia for the feast. Probably around 300 attended that year. This may have been the favorite feast site for our older two sons (they hope the Feast in Australia will be in this area again). Below is the building services were at, and a park photo.

In 2002, we went to Barbados for the feast. 70-100 attended. A hurricane almost hit and added additional excitement to this feast site.

In 2003 and 2004, we went to Kauai, Hawaii for the feast. About 200-500 attended. We stayed in different places each time. There was teen bowling activity (1st photo) and Dr. Jeff Fall spoke (2nd photo).

In 2005, we went to Clearwater Beach, Florida. Around 800 attended. A hurricane threatened, but did not cause problems until the day after the feast ended. That resulted in a hotel we were to stay being closed and caused a variety of problems, but we got through them.

In 2006, we went to Antigua, Guatemala for the feast. We were the only non-Latin family to attend, so translations were provided for us. Also, since I do not speak Spanish, my two sermons (the only live sermons not in Spanish there) were translated for the attendees.

In 2007, we went to Crown Point, Tobago. Tobago is a small island and is part of the country known as Trinidad and Tobago. At family day, two of our sons joined with the local church brethren to play cricket. I gave two or three sermonettes there.

In 2008, we went to Evian, France and I gave one sermonette (in English of course). In Evian, most LCG members stayed in the same complex and normally had our meals together.

In 2009, we were in Lihue, Kauai (again) for the feast:

In 2010, we went to Panama City, Florida for the feast–which is where we should be today.

Three articles of possibly related interest may include:

Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? Did they? Did Jesus? Should you?

The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians?

LCG 2010 Feast of Tabernacles’ Information Here is information on many Feast of Tabernacles locations for this year.

Hildegard Allegedly Receiving a Vision

COGwriter

Pope Benedict XVI recently praised the Catholic saint Hildegard of Bingen:

The Pope spoke of the saint during his address at today’s general audience in Castel Gandolfo…

“As always happens in the life of true mystics, Hildegard, too, wanted to be subject to the authority of wise persons to discern the origin of her visions, fearing that they were the fruit of illusions and that they did not come from God,” the Pontiff noted.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux and later, Pope Eugene III, confirmed Hildegard’s mysticism, however, and the nun’s “spiritual prestige grew increasingly, so much so that her contemporaries attributed to her the title of ‘Teutonic prophetess,'” the Pope explained.  (Pope Lauds Hildegard’s Docility to Spirit, Church.  SEPT. 1, 2010. Zenit.org  http://www.zenit.org/article-30221?l=english)

Hildegard, who died in 1179, is a somewhat of odd one to praise as some of her visions seem to be opposed to Bible prophecy.

Here is one from her:

Antichrist will make the earth move, level mountains, dry up rivers, produce thunder and lightning and hail… (Culleton, The Reign of Antichrist, p. 129)

Yet, the Bible does not teach that Antichrist “make the earth move, level mountains, dry up rivers, produce thunder and lightenings and hail”.  The Bible teaches that God will have this done during the Day of the Lord (Revelation 16:12, 17-21).

Furthermore, she also taught:

Antichrist…His doctrine of faith will be taken from the Jewish religion and seemingly will not differ much from the fundamental beliefs of Christianity, for he will teach that there is one God who created the world, who rewards the obeyers of his commands and trespassers he chastises, who will raise all from the dead in due time. (Culleton, p. 127)

Yet, because the Bible shows that God will resurrect everyone else after the millennium (Revelation 20:5,13), this is certainly something that we would expect Jesus to teach.  This is not a doctrine or Antichrist.  Jesus, of course, practiced the “Jewish” religion, but the way that God, not certain rabbis, intended for it to be practiced.

Catholics need to understand that some prophets who have called themselves Catholic (such as Hildegard) are really warning against the returning Jesus Christ, and are referring to Him as Antichrist.  Please do not be taken in by that.

Furthermore, Hildegard also claimed the following in another vision:

And fly from those who linger in caves and are cloistered supporters of the Devil. Woe to them, woe to them who remain thus! They are the Devil’s very viscera, and the advance guard of the son of perdition.

Therefore, O you My beloved children, avoid them with all devotion and with all the strength of your souls and bodies. For the ancient serpent feeds and clothes them by his arts, and they worship him as God and trust in his false deceptions…Because they are afraid of My people, they do not openly resist these institutions of Mine, but in their hearts and their deeds they hold them as nothing. By devilish illusion, they pretend to have sanctity; but they are deceived by the Devil, for if he were to show himself to them openly they would understand him and flee him…But because the Devil knows he has only a short time for his error, he is not hastening to perfect infidelity in his members; you, you evil deceivers, who labor to subvert the Catholic faith. (Hildegard of Bingen. Scivias. Paulist Press, Mahwah (NJ), pp. 301-302)

As my book, 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect points out about the above:

It would appear that the mystic was demonically-influenced as she is actually warning against supporting the true Philadelphian pacifist Christians (something that may happen, as some might try to join them per Isaiah 56:8).  It is the Philadelphians who will be protected, yet she seems to be claiming that they are the “supporters of the Devil” (probably because they will oppose the final revised ecumenical church and because that church will have persecuted them).  Because she calls them “the advanced guard of the son of perdition,” she apparently refers to a group of people who will be protected in caves just before Christ returns.

Notice also that she specifically warns against religious people in caves who are miraculously fed.

Yet she must not have realized that the Bible indicates that those who receive God’s protection in the wilderness during the end time (Revelation 12:14–16), and are in caves (Jeremiah 48:28), are His people (Isaiah 16:1–4 in Sela/Petra), will be religious (Revelation 14:12), and will be miraculously fed (Isaiah 33:15-16). Hence, the above vision does indicate that even the demons have known about a place of protection where some people will be miraculously fed, for quite some time.

However, those associated with the King of the North will then turn their attention to the rest of her seed, the non-Philadelphian Christians (which will be a “secret sect,” but will try to remain hidden, most likely, to avoid this persecution).

Even a commentator’s note in the Rheims New Testament agrees that the Church goes to a wilderness location:

The Church shall flee as to a desert in Antichrist’s time, but not decay or be unknown, no not for
so short a time.

Early Catholic leaders such as Irenaeus, Hippolytus, and Cyril also believed this. Hence Hildegard is once again not even faithful to Catholic positions on prophetic matters.

Furthermore, notice:

Bishop St. Victorinus (2^nd century): But the woman fled into the wilderness, and there were given to her  two great eagle’s wings…to that…church…let them go to that place which they have ready, and let   them be supported there for three years and six months from the presence of the devil.

Thus, the idea of true Christians fleeing, being supported, and being away from the devil for 3 ½ years is consistent with both biblical and certain Catholic teachings.  No one should rely on Hildegard’s false admonition.  The Greek Orthodox tend to believe that the faithful will flee to caves in the desert/wilderness for 3 ½ years.

Yet, Hildegard is being praised as a “true mystic”.  Perhaps I should point out that she wondered if her visions were of demonic source at times.  I suspect that many were.

Hildegard professed positions that were apparently opposed to biblical and certain Catholic understandings of end time events.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Do Certain Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus? Will the final “Anti-Christ” be Jewish, insist on Saturday, be opposed to the trinity, and bring in the millennium? Certain Catholic writings indicate this, while others take a different view, but what does the Bible show?
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.

Martin Luther

COGwriter

The Los Angeles Times had the following headline:

Atheists, agnostics most knowledgeable about religion, survey says. (Landsberg M.  Los Angeles Times, 2010.09.27. http://mobile.latimes.com/wap/news/text.jsp?sid=294&nid=23170009&cid=16686&scid=-1&ith=1&title=Nation)

Essentially, what the survey says is that atheists and agnostics often have studied religion more than many who claim some type of religious faith, hence they know more than many who profess belief in God do.

Specifically, the survey from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found that a majority of Protestants did not know that Martin Luther was the driving force behind the Protestant Reformation and that 40% of Catholics did not understand their teaching on communion known as transubstantiation.

I have found that many in Southern California really do not understand the doctrines and history of the Catholic and Protestant faiths.

The reality is that much of what passes for Christianity does not have basis in the Bible, hence it is of little surprise that many have become somewhat agnostic towards religion.

Furthermore, while Catholic and Protestant scholars are fully aware that early Christians would not war, current Catholics and Protestants generally feel that military warfare is acceptable for modern Christians.

But Jesus taught a different way.

Those truly interested in real biblical Christianity should consider studying the following articles:

The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare? Here are current and historical perspectives on a matter which show the beliefs of the true church on military participation. Is war proper for Christians?
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the Living Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?
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.
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?
Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, did Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority? Statements from him changing and/or discounting 18 books of the Bible are included. Do you really want to know the truth?
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.

Patriarch Kirill

COGwriter

Something is clearly going on with the Russian Orthodox Church and its position towards the Vatican.

Near the time of his election to become Patriarch, then Metropolitan Kirill had made statements suggesting that he wanted to distance his church from the Church of Rome:

Likely Moscow patriarch stresses differences with Catholic belief

Moscow, Jan 23, 2009 / 07:03 am (CNA).- An Orthodox prelate considered to be the most likely successor of Patriarch of Moscow Alexy II has said that while Orthodox Christianity shares similarities with Catholicism, there are a “great number of differences” on which “there is no room for compromise.”

Metropolitan Kirill, Patriarchal Locum Tenens of Moscow, made the remarks in an interview recently published by Argumenty i Fakty (Arguments and Facts), SIR reports.

Discussing relations with other Christian confessions, Metropolitan Kirill said: “unfortunately, differences in religious doctrines and practices have increased between orthodoxy and other confessions.”

“With some Protestant communities, such as the Lutheran Church of Sweden and the Episcopal Church of the United States, we have come to a complete break, due to the official recognition of homosexual relations,” he continued.

While noting that the social positions of Orthodox Christianity and the Catholic Church are “more close,” the metropolitan said, “nevertheless, we have be accountable for a great number of differences in doctrine and practice between the Orthodox and the Catholic Churches and, in this regard, there is no room for compromise.” http://catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=14865

But this has changed.  And did no later than November of 2009:

Russian Orthodox and Catholic church may end 950-year rift

The Catholic and Russian Orthodox Church have held high-level talks to lay the groundwork for a historic meeting of their two leaders after centuries of frostiness. (Russian Orthodox and Vatican Closer to Ending Rift)

The Russian Patriarch also met with Bartholomew Patriarch of Constantinople in 2010 (announced in Orthodox Patriarchs of Constantinople and Russia to Meet).  And while such a meeting is standard, the reality is that these two further nourished a relationship that they had when younger.  Furthermore, Patriarch Bartholomew made it clear in his encyclical of February 2010 that he not only supports unity talks with Rome, he considers those opposed them as fanatics (see Bartholomew I Patriarch of Constantinople Opposes Those Who Warn Against Catholic Unity).

Also notice what happened in July 2010:

Metropolitan Hilarion, head of the department for external Church relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, has welcomed the appointment of Bishop Kurt Koch of Basel as the new president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. With the appointment, Bishop Koch has been raised to the dignity of an archbishop.

Calling Archbishop Koch “a zealous pastor and serious theologian committed to the tradition of the early Church and the idea of Christian unity,” Metropolitan Hilarion said in a message that “I hope that new prospects for cooperation have been opened for us for the benefit of the both Churches.”   http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=6861

Notice that the the Catholics and Russian Orthodox are now being portrayed as “Europe’s Brothers”:

High-ranking representatives of the Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches embraced on Monday in a moment reflecting a will for unity between the two Churches.

A photo of the embrace between Cardinal Peter Erdo and Metropolitan Filaret was printed with the title “Europe’s Brothers.”

…The Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches are already united in their common stance on many issues affecting Europe…  (Catholic, Russian Orthodox Churches Embrace: Cardinal and Metropolitan Show Will for Unity at Rimini Meeting.  Zenit, August 24, 2010)

Thus, the idea of unity is becoming more and more public.

The reality is that while the Russian Orthodox want better relations with the Vatican, at this time they do not seem inclined to accept Papal authority.  However, if they ever do, this will be dangerous for them AND the Church of Rome.

The other reality is that Pope Benedict absolutely does want to grow the Catholic Church in traditional Orthodox regions–but he has mainly taken the tactic of trying to foster better relations with the Russian Orthodox so that ultimately they will unify with Rome, and under Rome.  Getting the Orthodox to accept Papal authority has long been a goal of the Roman Pontiff.

Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics often seem to forget their own, as well as biblical, prophecies that show how this would be a disaster.

Cannot the Russian Patriarch see what is going on?

Whether he does or not, those who claim to be Russian Orthodox need to consider if compromise for the sake of unity is what his church needs.  In my view, Patriarch Kirill and his supporters need to spend more time on trying to learn the original faith of the Bible and less on getting involved in the ecumenical movement that is already starting to impact most of the Eastern Orthodox.

COGwriter

As many who are readers of this page at this time are not at the Feast of Tabernacles now, I thought a series on the sites we attended might be of interest. This is part two of three.

In 1990, our family went on the Mediterranean cruise for the Feast of Tabernacles. Over one thousand attended. This cruise began in Venice, Italy, went to Greece, and to several of the churches of Revelation 2 & 3.  This was the first time we had visited any of those Churches, and since my wife and I have visited them all.

Here are photos of Venice, the cruise ship, many there, and the isthmus of Corinth:

Additional photos at or related to that 1990 Feast are included in Joyce’s Photos of Corinth, Joyce’s Photos of Ephesus, Joyce’s Photos of Pergamos, and Joyce’s Photos of Smyrna.

In 1991, we went to Victoria, British Columbia (Canada). Over 1,000 (perhaps 2,000 or more) attended. Below is a picture of Victoria Harbor and the children’s choir at the Feast:

In 1992 was our first trip to the Caribbean and we went to the Bahamas. Over 500 attended. Below is the children’s choir, as well as the view from our hotel room of the tip of Paradise Island:

In 1993, we went to Eastbourne, England for the Feast of Tabernacles. Around 1500 attended that year. Below is a picture of Eastbourne, as well as a castle not too far from the city:

In 1994, we went to Eugene, Oregon for the Feast of Tabernacles. Over 1000 seemed to be in attendance. While there we visited 3-4 places of historical interest to the old Worldwide Church of God (some photos of two of those are included in the articles 6. The Philadelphia Church Era and The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians?)–what struck me was that no one other than us was ever at any of those places. This was our last year at a Worldwide Church of God feast site. The first picture is a welcome to Oregon, while the second is near Florence Oregon:

In 1995, we attended our first Feast of Tabernacles site outside the Worldwide Church of God. The Global Church of God site we attended was in Del Mar, California. Around 700 were in attendance. It is near San Diego. The first picture is in Del Mar, while the second is of San Diego:

In 1996, we attended the Feast of Tabernacles in Penang, Malaysia. About 70 attended. We were one of only 2 American families there. This was the first feast site I spoke at (I gave two sermonettes).

In 1997, we attended the feast in Hengelhoef, Belgium. Several hundred were in attendance.

In 1998, we attended the feast in Branson, Missouri. At this site, Dr. Meredith and I became better acquainted, which helped when the Global Church of God crisis erupted the next month. The second picture is from a place called “the Holy Land” and is a short drive away in Arkansas:

In 1999, we attended the feast in Anchorage, Alaska. This was the first time my wife or I ever attended the same feast site more than once. However, it was different than the previous time (1982) and there was a significant reduction in the sizes of the glaciers I remembered from the prior visit.

In the 1990s, there were over 100 feast sites pretty much every year, and thus we tended to have a lot of choices about where to attend. Though even now, the Living Church of God has over 40 sites. Perhaps I should add that leaders that Christians consider to be saints such as the Apostle Paul and Polycarp of Smyrna kept the Feast of Tabernacles.

Three articles of possibly related interest may include:

Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? Did they? Did Jesus? Should you?

The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians?

LCG 2010 Feast of Tabernacles’ Information Here is information on many Feast of Tabernacles locations for this year.

By COGWriter

A very popular link at the COGwriter website is to the Who Wants to be a Biblical Millionaire? quiz, developed by Michael Thiel.

It is an interesting game and Michael is always adding more questions to it. The game now has around 1,000 different questions. Think of it as an entertaining way to assist your doctrinal memory.

While I believe that this and other quizzes at the site help people better learn the Bible, the major reason I have quizzes, animations, photos, and even news, as opposed to only doctrinal articles, is to attempt to better follow the Apostle Paul’s example which was:

22 I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you (1 Corinthians 9:22-23).

Besides, the Bible teaches that there is a “time for every purpose under heaven” (Eccl 3:1). Hence, there are new items, games, and other materials than simply doctrinal and prophetic ones at the www.cogwriter.com website.

Michael’s Free Bible Quizzes and Public Domain Animations.

Self Grading Bible Quiz 15 questions and a report card when you finish.
The Good Samaritan A public domain claymation for younger people.
Paul in Damascus Not a quiz, but a Lego-animation.
John 21 Not a quiz, but (other than a Lego suggesting a long-haired Jesus) a biblical story for young people.
David vs. Goliath A higher level animation for older young people.
Solomon’s Temple This is a a 5 minute animated film that shows one artist’s understanding of the details about Solomon’s temple.
Bible Crossword Puzzle
Who Wants to be a Biblical Millionaire? A sophisticated quiz.
Pentecost Quiz This is a Pentecost quiz based upon the Old and New Testaments in the Bible.
The Antichrist Quiz Do you really know much about the Antichrist?
Michael’s Feasts and Fasts Quiz 15 questions, amusing wrong answer screens.
The Ten Commandments Quiz Developed by my son Michael.
Michael’s Day of Atonement Quiz Another free on-line Bible quiz by my son Michael.
Bible Hangman Michael’s most interactive Bible game to date. Another one of his free online Bible games.

Martin Luther

COGwriter

While nearly everyone is familiar with the Catholic persecutions during the Inquisition, many are unaware of the persecutions by the early Protestants.

As one raised Roman Catholic, I was aware of the fact that the Protestants were involved in persecuting Catholics, but did not realize until much later the extent of Protestant persecutions.

Here is a 19th century account of some of this:

Catholics have persecuted Protestants: Protestants have pursued Catholics: Lutherans have hunted Anabaptists; Episcopalians have burned Puritans ; Puritans have hanged Quakers; Calvinists have tortured Unitarians, and all have united in persecuting the heroic Infidels who have refused to believe in any of the multifarious and conflicting creeds. (Bennett RM.  The champions of the church: their crimes and persecutions. D.M. Bennett, 1878, p. 832)

Now I would like to point out that there is no evidence that there ever was any organized persecution by the Church of God.  Those truly in the COG were often persecuted and never the persecutors.

Regarding peasants opposed to him and the leaders that favored him, notice what Martin Luther advised:

Pure devilry is urging on the peasants…Therefore let all who are able, mow them down, slaughter and stab them, openly or in secret, and remember that there is nothing more poisonous, noxious and utterly devilish than a rebel. You must kill him as you would a mad dog…

The authorities must resolve to chastise and slay as long as they can raise a finger…It may be that those who are killed on the side of the authorities is really a martyr in God’s cause. A happier death no man could die. The present time is so strange that a prince can gain Heaven easier by spilling blood than by praying (Luther M. Against the Murderous and Rapacious Hordes of the Peasants, May 4, 1525-Erl, 24, 287, ff. As cited in O’Hare PF. The Facts About Luther, p. 232).

Notice what Martin Luther admitted:

I, Martin Luther, slew all the peasants in the rebellion, for I said that they should be slain; all their blood is upon my head. But I cast it on the Lord God, who commanded me to speak this way (Werke, Erl. Edition, lix, p. 284 ‘Table Talk’ as quoted in Stoddard JL. Rebuilding a Lost Faith, 1922, p.96).

It is reported that 100,000 perished at that time.

Also notice the following:

The persecution of the Anabaptists by the “Reformed ” Church is another dark stain upon the character of the Reformation…but no mere belief ever deserved torture. They had one redeeming trait, however—the rejection of Lutheranism and the authority of Luther. This was their chief crime, although their rejection of infant baptism, and their protest against any other form of baptism but by immersion, was an argument which weighed heavily against them with the Lutherans, and one to be suitably answered only by extermination.

Lutherans hated the Anabaptists and condemned them for believing that Jesus would return and reign on the earth for 1,000 years (Revelation 20) and for holding other biblical doctrines.  Notice the following:

Article IX: Of Baptism. Of Baptism they teach that it is necessary to salvation, and that through Baptism is offered the grace of God, and that children are to be baptized who, being offered to God through Baptism are received into God’s grace. They condemn the Anabaptists, who reject the baptism of children…

Article XII:…They condemn the Anabaptists, who deny that those once justified can lose the Holy Ghost…

Article XVI: Of Civil Affairs. Of Civil Affairs they teach that lawful civil ordinances are good works of God, and that it is right for Christians to bear civil office, to sit as judges, to judge matters by the Imperial and other existing laws, to award just punishments, to engage in just wars, to serve as soldiers, to make legal contracts, to hold property, to make oath when required by the magistrates, to marry a wife, to be given in marriage. They condemn the Anabaptists who forbid these civil offices to Christians.

Article XVII: Of Christ’s Return to Judgment. Also they teach that at the Consummation of the World Christ will appear for judgment and will raise up all the dead; He will give to the godly and elect eternal life and everlasting joys, but ungodly men and the devils He will condemn to be tormented without end. They condemn the Anabaptists, who think that there will be an end to the punishments of condemned men and devils. They condemn also others who are now spreading certain Jewish opinions, that before the resurrection of the dead the godly shall take possession of the kingdom of the world, the ungodly being everywhere suppressed. (The Confession of Faith: Which Was Submitted to His Imperial Majesty Charles V. At the Diet of Augsburg in the Year 1530. by Philip Melanchthon, 1497-1560. Translated by F. Bente and W. H. T. Dau. Published in: Triglot Concordia: The Symbolical Books of the Ev. Lutheran Church. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, pp. 37-95.)

Lutherans especially hated the position that Christians were not supposed to be soldiers in this age and have written various documents opposing that biblical position (for the biblical position, please see Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare?).  Also notice what happened afterward the condemnations of 1530:

But Luther did not stop here. On the seventh of August, 1536, a synod was convened at Hamburg to devise the best means of exterminating the Anabaptists…Not one voice among all the delegates was raised in favor of the Anabaptists. Even Melancthon voted to put all those to death who should remain, obstinate in their errors…The ministers of Ulm demanded that heresy should be extinguished by fire and sword. Those of Augsburg said: ‘ If we have not yet sent any Anabaptists to the gibbet, we have at least branded their cheeks with red iron!’ …

From this exceedingly tolerant council emanated the following exceedingly liberal decree…

“”Whoever rejects infant baptism…shall be punished with death,…As for the simple people, who have not preached or administered baptism, but who were seduced to permit themselves to frequent the assemblies of the heretics, if they do not wish to renounce Anabaptism, they shall be scourged, punished with perpetual exile, and even with death if they return three times to the place whence they have been expelled.” (Bennett, pp. 843-845)

Thus, intolerance and persecution came from the followers of Martin Luther.

Here is another observation from a 19th century account:

” If matters of fact can establish any certainty,” says a Christian writer of half a century ago, ” then it is certain that the two principal pillars of the Reformation, Martin Luther and John Calvin, and their confederate reformers, were influenced by the self-same spirit of cruelty and injustice which had influenced the ecclesiastical tyrants of every age from Diotrephes and the Alexandrian priesthood down to the same Luther and Calvin.” (Bennett, p. 835)

These “pillars of the Reformation” did not act like the pillars of the New Testament Church.

Those interested in learning more should consider studying the following articles:

Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the Living Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?
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? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?
Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, did Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority? Statements from him changing and/or discounting 18 books of the Bible are included. Do you really want to know the truth?
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?
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.