Church of God News

Chinese Renminbi Yuan

COGwriter

China is buying debt:

BEIJING: China has bought $three-billion more worth of US treasury debt and expanded the scope of imports from the US in what are seen as measures that will result in the yuan appreciating against the US dollar — a key demand of the Obama administration.

China’s holdings of treasury bonds rose $846.7 billion in July after two months of decline, the state-run China Daily has reported.

The news allayed concerns that Washington’s largest creditor China was moving away from investing in dollar assets, it said.

Coincidentally, the debt data came out at the same time as two congressional hearings were being held in the US on China’s exchange rate policy of pegging the value of Yuan far lower to dollar than its perceived strength.  (The Hindu Business Line, September 18, 2010. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/businessline/blnus/10181401.htm)

The purchase probably was not a coincidence as China takes steps to affect USA policy, especially if the USA is discussing the yuan.

While purchase of Japanese debt by the Chinese has alarmed the Japanese, the USA seems to relish these purchases (the Japanese are also still buying US debt).  The Japanese have essentially realized that when China buys Japanese debt, this strengthens the value of the Japanese yen and makes it easier for the Chinese companies that use its yuan to compete against Japan.  And when the Chinese buy US dollar debt, that also strengthens the value of the US dollar and allows Chinese companies to more effectively compete against US ones.

The Chinese have other reasons for buying USA debt, including wishing to be able to better influence US foreign policy as well.  And it has used that power on more than one occasion already.  But the USA still keeps selling debt to China.

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?
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?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? Where did the Japanese people come from? Have they had any witness?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan? Will God save the Japanese?
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?

Mohammad Hosni Mubarak

COGwriter

Late last night, ICG sent out the following from its Mark Armstrong:

As you are aware, the pope is making a series of visits in the British isles, as the UK Telegraph put it, attempting to bring the “heathen” Brits back into the fold…The BBC said the pope was there at the Queen’s invitation…

Other major news out of Europe this week has the member nations of the EU coming together under central leadership in Brussels to deal with the economic crisis…An article published by Spiegle begins with this quote, “The euro crisis scared European Union members enough that they have finally put aside national interests to push through Europe-wide financial reforms. In doing so they are handing more power over to Brussels.” There is further talk of a “quantum leap” that will “fundamentally change Europe.” The crisis has so spooked the member nations that open discussion of an “economic government” for the continent is not being met with the usual outcry about the loss of national sovereignty for the individual states…

Another big story this week is the one that has the famed Mohammed el Baradei…trying to topple the Mubarak government in Egypt. President Mubarak has had serious trouble for years with the radical Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. He’s outlawed their activities and arrested their leaders who’ve campaigned for an overthrow of Egypt’s government…

President Mubarak is said to be 82 years old now and in failing health. He honored the peace agreements Anwar Sadat made with Israel, which has not gone over well with the radical Islamist types. And, of course it cost Sadat his life…Egypt is the largest of all Arab nations, and if the Mubarak government should be brought down it will have reverberations throughout the Middle East and for that matter, the whole world.

Some feel that Gamal Mubarak will replace his father, but unless he is perceived to be a more devote promoter of Islam, this might not happen as others have indicated.

While I have covered these matters in the past, I wanted to expand on the Egyptian one.  But before I do, I would like to add that Mark Armstrong’s grandfather wrote the following:

And I can see now, the event that is going to trigger the formation of the reunification in Europe; the resurrection of the medieval Holy Roman Empire that we’ve been looking forward to that is prophesied to come…

But I believe that some event is going to happen suddenly just like out a blue sky that is going to shock the whole world and is going to cause the nations in Europe to realize they must unite! … Well now I think I can see what may be the very event that is going to trigger…that is the economic situation in the world…(Armstrong, Herbert W.  Sermon, July 7, 1984).

And right now, many in Europe seem to be leaning in the direction that Herbert W. Armstrong said that they would.

Now related to Egypt, it needs to be understood that the situation in Egypt is more volatile than many realize.  If there is some type of conflict with Iran and Israel, this may tip the balance of what will happen in Egypt.  This combined with the fact that the USA recently agreed to sell Saudi Arabia a massive $60 billion in arms  (see Israel reportedly OKs US-Saudi arms deal) suggests that the rise of the final King of the South may be very near.

Here is something that Mark Armstrong’s father wrote in a publication when Herbert W. Armstrong was its Editor-in-Chief:

The king of the South? EGYPT, of course. But not Egypt of today. Egypt of a few more years from now–Egypt as she continues to expand the U.A.R., bringing more and more of the North Africa Mohammedan nations into the same Afro-Arabian power block! (Armstrong, Garner Ted. “And when you see the Abomination…” Plain Truth, July 1963, p. 22).

Related to the King of the South, here is something that was published in a magazine while Herbert W. Armstrong was its Editor-in-Chief:

Bible prophecy reveals the coming emergence of an Arab-Moslem confederation in the Middle East. It is referred to in prophecy as the ‘king of the south’ (Daniel 11:40). This confederation will play a crucial role in end-time events (Stump, K. Plain Truth. December 1980, p.26).

Mahdi, the expected end time messiah who is to cleanse and restore the Islamic faith…to usher in a seven-year golden age just before the end of the world…The expectation of a coming Mahdi (in Arabic, “the divinely guided one”) is prevalent among virtually all Moslem sects, though they often differ in the specifics of the concept…But who is the “king of the south”?…in verse 40 we skip to “the time of the end”…Just as there is yet to be a final “king of the north”…there may very well emerge in the same manner a final “king of the south”–an overall leader of an Arab-Moslem confederation, possibly bearing the very title Mahdi…a prophetic psalm (Psalm 83) provides additional insight into the Mideast picture. Germany (Assyria in Bible prophecy) and perhaps the rest of Europe will be in league in the future with a union of Arab nations…(Stump K. The Arab World in Prophecy. Plain Truth, December 1979, pp. 11-12)

Events in the world, in general, and the Middle East in particular are heading in that direction. Egypt will play a role in the end times (Daniel 11:40-43).

Some articles for more related information 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? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
The Arab and Islamic 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 about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?
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? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?

Ancient Laodicea

COGwriter

Last night the United Church of God released a paper, titled Are some on the Council of Elders secretly planning to change United’s doctrines?, where it denies that its Council members have a secret plan to change doctrine.  The report also claims that UCG is not intending to change the Sabbath and the Holy Days (though it has already may some changes related to the Holy Days).  However, apparently in order to reduce exposure of the matter, UCG posted its denial in a format that cannot be copied.  So, in that respect the denial of the “secret plan” is somewhat secretive.

At COGwriter, I have never written that the UCG Council members have a “secret plan” to change doctrine.

Now, in its denial, UCG essentially states that its Council members cannot change doctrine.  Well that is the officially written policy, but the reality is not quite that way as editorial policy seems to have allowed many doctrines to be modified/changed and normally without the vote of the entire UCG eldership.  And since the Council could intervene in such matters, and normally has not, I have tended to consider that they have been complicit with the changes in UCG.

But instead of me claiming some secret plan based on rumor, I have documented UCG’s doctrinal changes and shifting of priorities.  But that was not alluded to in UCG’s denial paper.

In the article titled Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God I list the following:

1. Broadcast Media and Doing a Work
2. Handling Income Surpluses in 2001
3. Size: Elders, Churches, and Feast Sites
4. Gospel
5. Third Tithe
6. Church Eras
7. Laodicea
8. Philadelphia
9. Petra
10. Who Will Be Protected?
11. Iran: Possible King of the South
12. Herbert W. Armstrong–Elijah
13. Birthdays
14. Born Again
15. Disasters
16. Miracles
17. Voting
18. Jury Duty
19. 18 Truths
20. Last Great Day
21. Unleavened Bread
22. Holidays
23. Catholic or Moslem Europe?
24. Doctrinal Changes
25. Approaches to Prophecy: When is the End? Should it be a major concern?
26. Collapse of US Dollar
27. Governance
28. Mission/Why Are They There
29. Brief Financial Comparison of US Income

And my sources for the differences primarily come from official publications and leaders of the two groups.  And while not all the differences between those two groups are changes, many are changes from what the old WCG taught–which is where the top leadership of both groups came from.

Now, I should perhaps add that I have never felt that UCG intended to do away with the Sabbath or the Holy Days (which may be something that some rumored that UCG would do according to UCG’s denial of the “secret plan”).  I have felt that most of those in UCG were amongst those who would tend not to end up in a place of protection, but would still “who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17).  And I believe that the doctrinal and priority shifts that already happened within UCG suggests that this is so.

The fact that UCG seems to be trying to tell its membership that doctrinal changes, etc. have no basis in fact, but are only inaccurate assertions on the Internet is simply not the full story.  I have, for many years, documented from mainly official UCG sources, doctrinal and other changes at UCG.  The reality is that the “safeguards” that UCG has in place simply do allow for changes of certain types, and always has.

For documented proof, simply check out the article Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God.

So while there may not be a “secret plan” amongst UCG’s current Council to change certain doctrine, the truth is that UCG has changed some doctrine in that past and has not always followed its supposedly official processes to do so.  To deny this, UCG must deny the reality of its own history.

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?
Laodicean Warning for God’s People Is there really a place of safety? Do God’s people need to be warned? Warned for what?
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.

The Christian Day of Atonement is based on the English translation of the Jewish Holy day Yom Kippur. It began tonight at sunset.

In the original Hebrew, the Bible calls the day Yom Hakippurim (Hebrew for “Day of the Atonements”).

The day is commemorated with a 25-hour fast by Jews, but normally a 24 hour fast by Christians who observe it. While not observed by the mainstream of professing Christianity, the Christian groups (mostly those with origins in the old Worldwide Church of God) that do observe it usually refer to it as the Day of Atonement.

Because it is endorsed in the Bible, we in the Living Church of God observe the Day of Atonement.

While it is mentioned in the Hebrew scriptures (the Old Testament), the focus of today’s article will be the New Testament and post-New Testament.

The Day of Atonement in New Testament Times

Bible believing Christians recognize that Jesus Christ’s sacrifice is an atonement sacrifice to reconcile us to God. Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote:

18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

Christians that observe the Day of Atonement normally teach that on that day they are to be at one with God. And that fasting humbles them and makes them realize how dependent they are on God for all their needs. They also believe that they are dependent upon the sacrifice of Jesus for their salvation, but that Satan does play a role in encouraging people to sin.

The Living Church of God states this about the Day of Atonement (and more detail is in the article The Day of Atonement–Its Christian Significance):

…Old Testament meaning
…A day of fasting and repentance, known to the Jews as Yom Kippur (Leviticus 23:26-32)

…New Testament meaning
…Pictures the binding of Satan at the beginning of the Millennium and the world becoming at one with God.

The New Testament shows that the the Gentile Gospel writer Luke knew about the Day of Atonement, when he wrote:

…sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over (Acts 27:9).

What was Luke referring to according to Protestant commentators? Why the day of Atonement. Notice two such commenataries (note italics/bolding are from the sources cited):

Acts 27:9-11… Sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was already past, that is, the famous yearly fast of the Jews, the day of atonement, which was on the tenth day of the seventh month, a day to afflict the soul with fasting (from Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.).

Acts 27:8-9… The fast to which Luke refers is the Day of Atonement (from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1962 by Moody Press).

The fact that Luke used that term for a Christian audience (Acts 1:1) strongly indicates that the Day of Atonement was known, recognized, and observed by early Christians.

Post New Testament

This is further substantiated in a Jewish account (reported in the Talmud), as related by a Catholic scholar may also be helpful here. It is recorded that an early second century Christian named Jacob (100-120 AD) with a Jewish scholar discussed the Day of Atonement and the Christian Jacob explained how it helped show “Christ head of the angels” (Bagatti, Bellarmino. Translated by Eugene Hoade. The Church from the Circumcision. Nihil obstat: Marcus Adinolfi. Imprimi potest: Herminius Roncari. Imprimatur: +Albertus Gori, die 26 Junii 1970. Franciscan Printing Press, Jerusalem, p.97).

And of course, when God has an angel bind Satan (Revelation 20:1) this will be another related fulfillment for the Day of Atonement.

Furthermore, it is known that in the first and second century, Polycarp of Smyrna kept both the Spring Holy Days and the Fall Holy Days.

The keeping of these days, however, was condemned by John Chrysostum near the end of the fourth century. He specifically condemned observing the Day of the Fast that the Jews also kept (see Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days?):

The festivals of the pitiful and miserable Jews are soon to march upon us one after the other and in quick succession: the feast of Trumpets, the feast of Tabernacles, the fasts. There are many in our ranks who say they think as we do. Yet some of these are going to watch the festivals and others will join the Jews in keeping their feasts and observing their fasts.

This condemnation, though, is specific proof that some who professed Christ still observed the Day of Atonement into the fourth century.

Additionally, comments by Jerome and Epiphanius near that time concerning the Nazarene Christians would also seem to support that those who kept the Holy Days, such as Atonement, were located in several areas at that time (see Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes?).

Jesus and Paul observed this day, do you?

Those who have more interest, may wish to study the following articles:

The Day of Atonement–Its Christian Significance The Jews call it Yom Kippur, Christians “The Day of Atonement”. Does it have any relevance for Christians today?
Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? Did they? Did Jesus? Should you?
The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets? Are they related? Is so how? If not, where not?
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians? What is the Last Great Day? What do these days teach?
LCG 2009 Feast of Tabernacles’ Information Here is information on many Feast of Tabernacles locations for this year.
Holy Day Calendar This is a listing of the biblical holy days through 2012, with their Roman calendar dates. They are really hard to observe if you do not know when they occur 🙂

Pope Benedict XVI

COGwriter

Pope Benedict XVI arrived in the United Kingdom yesterday and was part of an inter-religious meeting today.

One of the items that he discussed was on religion and peace:

LONDON (CNS) — In a world where religious convictions are misunderstood or mocked, members of every religion have an obligation to live in peace with each other and work together to show that faith does not breed ignorance and hatred, Pope Benedict XVI said.

“The spiritual dimension of our lives is fundamental to our identity as human beings,” the pope said Sept. 17 during a meeting with representatives of Great Britain’s Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities. The gathering took place at St. Mary’s University College in Twickenham, a London suburb. (Wooden C. Pope, religious leaders say religion promotes peace, not ignorance.  Catholic News Service, 17 September 2010. http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1003764.htm)

And I agree with the pontiff on that statement.

The pontiff’s inter-religious meeting also seemed to have an ecumenical orientation as he stated:

Pope Benedict pledged the Catholic Church would “continue to work to build bridges of friendship to other religions, to heal past wrongs and to foster trust between individuals and communities.” (ibid)

Now, while ecumenism may be the main reason for the visit to the United Kingdom, I would like to focus on the pontiff’s position on war and peace.  Notice something that he said nearly four years ago:

My Predecessor considered this “ministerium pacis inter arma” “a new proclamation of the Gospel in the military world, of which the Christian soldiers and their communities cannot fail to be the first heralds” (Address, Third International Congress of Military Ordinariates, 11 March 1994; ORE, 23 March, n. 5, p. 6).

The Church is missionary by nature and her principal task is evangelization, which aims to proclaim and to witness to Christ and to promote his Gospel of peace and love in every environment and culture.

The Church is also called in the military world to be “salt”, “light” and “leaven”, to use the images to which Jesus himself refers, so that mindsets and structures may be ever more fully oriented to building peace, in other words, to that “order planned and willed by the love of God” (Message for World Day of Peace, 1 January 2006, n. 3; ORE, 21 December 2005, p. 6), in which people and peoples can develop to the full and see their own fundamental rights recognized (cf. ibid., n. 4).

The Church’s teaching on the subject of peace is an essential aspect of her social doctrine. Grafted onto very ancient roots, it continued to develop in the past century in a sort of “crescendo” which culminated in the Pastoral Constitution “Gaudium et Spes,” in the Encyclicals of Bl. John XXIII and of the Servants of God Paul VI and John Paul II, as well as in their Addresses to the United Nations Organization and their Messages for each World Day of Peace.

This insistent appeal for peace has influenced Western culture, fostering the ideal that the Armed Forces are “an exclusive service for the security and freedom of peoples” (Benedict XVI. Giving Priority to the Soldier’s Christian Formation. Vatican translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered in the Vatican on Oct. 26 to the participants in the 5th International Congress of Military Ordinariates. From http://www.zenit.org/english/ 11/13/06).

Essentially, while Pope Benedict publicly stated today that people of various religions should live in peace, he also has indicated that it is appropriate for Christians to be soldiers in the military.  And historically, his church has backed such military adventures such as the Crusades, Inquisition, and persecutions and other armed conflicts.

Because of this, it may be a surprise to some, but originally no Christian would fight in the military.  Even attending gladiatorial games was not considered to be a Christian thing to do.  Those who practice the faith of the original Christian church do not engage in carnal warfare.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja viva do deus? Tambien Español: Cuál es fiel: ¿La iglesia católica romana o La Iglesia del Dios Viviente? Auch: Deutsch: Welches zuverlässig ist: Die Römisch-katholische Kirche oder die lebende Kirche von Gott?

COGwriter

The latest issue (print date August 31, 2010) of The Journal just came out.

It mentioned that a small group in Tulsa had a public Bible lecture with author Joe Kovacs (who is not in a COG).  The Living Church of God, which The Journal did not cover this issue, has held many successful public Bible lectures this year in the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean.  One of the ways they differed from the Tulsa group is that LCG had actual ministers provide the lectures.  LCG has had 6000 people attend its public lectures (officially referred to as Tomorrow’s World Special Presentations) so far this year (3100 not previously affiliated with LCG).

The Journal has a long article from Steven Collins, who despite attending a Sunday church, claims he still keeps the Sabbath (those two points were reported here six weeks ago Steven Collins Attends on Sunday).

The Journal mentioned that CEM’s Ron Dart made some progress health-wise, but the progress is “very slow” (some of his health issues were covered in the articles PCG/CEM/CGI/COGSC/UCG/LCG News and CEM’s Ron Dart Injured).

The Journal had some comments about UCG’s Mario Seiglie and the departure of Leon Walker and many of the Spanish-speaking Latin American members from UCG (for more on that split and related issues, see UCG and Leon Walker Talk and UCG’s Dennis Luker vs. Leon Walker and UCG: Not “United” in Latin America).

The Journal had a letter as well as an advertisement from Ken Westby, who is a unitarian, which is not COG doctrine (see Was Unitarianism the Teaching of the Bible or Early Church?).  There was also an article from Dennis Diehl, a one-time WCG minister who no longer holds COG doctrines (though I do not think he is unitarian).

The Journal also had various letters to the editors, advertisements, assertions, comments, speculations, and interviews that basically provided personal opinions on various matters.

In its articles, in addition to news, The Journal will often print heresy.   The Journal also (pretty much every issue) publishes blatantly heretical paid advertisements.  While there are some “gray areas”, there is also black and white, and too often The Journal crosses the moral line as far as I am concerned.

While The Journal is available only by paid subscription (though some subscriptions are free to those who cannot afford it), you can view the pdf. of its front and back page is available at: www.thejournal.org/issues/issue141/jf083110.pdf

Thirteenth Century Depiction of the 2nd Horseman of the Apocalypse

COGwriter

The Book of Revelation tells of a time when various seals are opened and the four horseman ride.

Here is what it mentions about the red horseman of war:

3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.”  4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.  (Revelation 6:3-4)

When the book of Revelation was penned, this was two decades or so AFTER the destruction of Jerusalem.  This was a future event.  Looking further into the Book of Revelation, one finds the discussion of a 200,000,000 man army (Revelation 9:13-20).  There were not even 200,000,000 adult males on the earth when the Apostle John penned this book.  Obviously, these are prophecies for these end times.  And the ride of this red horseman is not just limited to the final battle, the one that is pre-staged at Armageddon (Revelation 16:16).

LCG’s Dr. D. Winnail wrote:

Jesus said at the end of the age the Second Horseman—riding a fiery red horse and waving a great sword—would “take peace from the earth, and… people should kill one another” (Revelation 6:3–4). The sobering reality of modern world news indicates that end time prophecies—of increasing violence and wars—are coming alive today!

Jesus taught:

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.  5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.  6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.  8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.  (Matthew 24:4-8)

For those who may not realize this, the “beginning of sorrows” comes BEFORE the start of the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21).

World events, in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and elsewhere, are moving forward to align with biblical prophecy.  Are we about to see wars involving Iran, Korea, and/or even South America?  What about civil unrest in Europe and North America?  The red horse of war is expected to “take peace from the earth”.  This means that there will be wars and civil unrest in many lands.  And not just places like Africa.  Civil unrest could even affect the USA.

The prophesied events will shortly come to pass as we shall see what tomorrow will bring.

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 happens before the Great Tribulation 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?
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse What is the Book of Revelation trying to tell us about them? Does the first one deceive many?
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?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?

COGwriter

The Christian Day of Atonement is based on the English translation of the Jewish Holy day Yom Kippur. It begins at sunset Friday, September 17, 2010.

We in the Living Church of God believe that one of the messages that the Day of Atonement teaches Christians (and others) is that Satan will be bound during the millennium (see also Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?).  This is based upon passages in both the Hebrew scriptures (the Old Testament) and the Greek scriptures (the New Testament) which the “Azazel goat” a representation of Satan:

10 But the goat, on which the lot fell for Azazel, shall be set alive before Jehovah, to make atonement for him, to send him away for Azazel into the wilderness. (Leviticus 16:10, ASV)

1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven… 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-2, NKJV)

In his commentary today, LCG’s Michael Heykoop:

Those who keep God’s Holy Days, listed in Leviticus 23, are reminded each year of the seven crucial steps in God’s master plan. This includes the removal of Satan! The Day of Atonement pictures a time in the not-too-distant future when Satan will be taken out of the equation. John saw this in a vision and recorded it for us in the book of Revelation:

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while” (Revelation 20:1-3).

Satan will be bound for a thousand years, and then released for a short while before being put away for good! We do not need to remain on the edge of our seat, wondering who will be victorious. There is no contest. God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), and His word makes it clear that the devil’s end has been decided; that Satan’s days are numbered!

If you would like to know more about the powerful implications of events pictured by the Day of Atonement, or would like to discover the path to truly understanding God’s plan for all mankind, then please do not delay in reading online or ordering our free booklet titled The Holy Days: God’s Master Plan.

Now Satan was murderer and a liar from the beginning according to Jesus:

44…the devil…He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. (John 8:44, NKJV)

Since the devil understands that his being bound and sent away is pictured by the Day of Atonement, he likely does not care for what it pictures.  Satan and his warring ways may get especially active this Atonement as the prophetic events are occurring and his days are numbered.

Satan, however, is not the only focus of the Day of Atonement.  The Day of Atonement also pictures the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and are reconciliation to God.  It was kept by Jesus and His earliest followers.  Should it not also be kept by you?

To learn more about it and the other Holy Days, please check out the following:

The Day of Atonement–Its Christian Significance The Jews call it Yom Kippur, Christians “The Day of Atonement”. Does it have any relevance for Christians today?
Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? Did they? Did Jesus? Should you?
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.
Hebrew Calendar This John Ogywn writing explains why we in the Living Church of God use the calendar that we do and answers such questions as “Did Jesus Observe the Postponements?”
Passover and the Early Church Did the early Christians observe Passover? What did Jesus and Paul teach? Why did Jesus die for our sins?
The Night to Be Observed What is the night to be much observed? When is it? Why do Jews keep Passover twice and emphasize the wrong date?
Should Christians Keep the Days of Unleavened Bread? Do they have any use or meaning now? What is leaven? This article supplies some biblical answers.
Pentecost: Is it more than Acts 2? Many “Christians” somewhat observe Pentecost. Do they know what it means? It is also called the Feast of Harvest, the Feast of Weeks, and the day of firstfruits. What about “speaking in tongues”?
The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets? Are they related? Is so how? If not, where not?
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians? What is the Last Great Day? What do these days teach?
LCG 2010 Feast of Tabernacles’ Information Here is information on many Feast of Tabernacles locations for this year.
Last Great Day study paper Was Jesus speaking about the 7th or 8th day of the Feast in John 7:37? UCG says the 7th, but what does the Bible teach? This extensive paper reviews UCG’s LGD study paper and includes comments as to where it erred.
Holy Day Calendar This is a listing of the biblical holy days through 2012, with their Roman calendar dates. They are really hard to observe if you do not know when they occur 🙂

Stephanie zu Guttenberg, fron (Tafkas, 2009)

COGwriter

Stephanie Gräfin von Bismarck Schönhausen zu Guttenberg made the news for blasting pop singers like Lady Gaga:

Stephanie zu Guttenberg, the wife of German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, on Tuesday attacked the sexed-up, porn-influenced style of pop stars such as Lady Gaga and Rihanna and their potentially harmful influence on children.

“When I see nine-year-old girls are already watching Top Model-style shows on television or excitedly discussing the new video clip from Lady Gaga – with black leather corset, suspenders and naked bottom cheeks – then I am really worried about the female role models these children are growing up with,”…wrote…the 33-year-old the great-great-granddaughter of Germany’s Chancellor Otto von Bismarck…

“Cultural experts call the look of the noughties ‘porno chic’ – and artists like Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna or Britney Spears actually do sometimes appear in their videos or performances as characters in such films,” she wrote. (The Local, 14 September 2010.  http://www.thelocal.de/society/20100914-29803.html)

And Stephanie Gräfin von Bismarck Schönhausen zu Guttenberg is totally correct.  Singers like Lady Gaga intentionally wear sexually provocative outfits and often promote an anti-biblical morality message (Matthew 5:27-28).  And Lady Gaga and others like her should not do that (cf. Luke 17:1-2).

But there is another reason that I am reporting this here.  And that is that the news item involves Stephanie zu Guttenberg.  To me, is that it is interesting that Stephanie zu Guttenberg has publicly been taking what can be described as moral stands. She has spoken out on other moral issues in the past, like the sex scandals involving Catholic priests (see Guttenberg Held a Meeting for Many International Defense Ministers).

I have suspected for some that that her husband may also take what many will consider to be moral stands as well.  Stephanie zu Guttenberg’s doing so may help pave the way for him to do so as well.  It will also get people in Germany and elsewhere to consider that the Guttenbergs have a highly “moral” family.  And even though Stephanie zu Guttenberg is a Lutheran, her comments on moral issues may strike a cord with Catholics, as they too should be in opposition to the type of immoral displays from popular stars like Lady Gaga.  And Karl zu Guttenberg, some type of Catholic, apparently agrees with his wife making such statements.

As time goes on, there is a chance that Karl zu Guttenberg may eventually help establish some type a new religious order that he will claim will be within the Catholic faith.  If he does, I believe that there is a high probability that he may fulfill the prophetic role of the final King of the North of Daniel 11 and the Beast power of Revelation 13.  Eastern Orthodox (Tzima Otto, H.  The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Scriptural Prophecies. Verenika Press, Rock City (SC), 2000, pp. 17,33,42,48,53) and Catholic (Culleton, R. Gerald.  The Prophets and Our Times. Nihil Obstat: L. Arvin.  Imprimatur: Philip G. Scher, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno, November 15, 1941.  Reprint 1974, TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 195) prophecies about the “Great Monarch” support the idea that one who maintains a certain Catholic form of morality will lead Europe.  Here is one that the Great Monarch:

“was born in this orderly life in order to preserve [safeguard] piety” (Tzima Otto, p. 48).

Taking stands against immorality would be consistent with attempting to “preserve piety”.  The “Great Monarch” is also supposed to rise up during the time there are “very impious priests” (Tzima Otto, p. 53)–which would be consistent with the whole sex scandal issue among the Catholic priesthood (see also Might Vatican Sex Scandals Fulfill Catholic Prophecy?).

It should be added that other Eastern Orthodox and Catholic prophecies suggest that the “Great Monarch” may become the Beast/King of the North.

Stephanie zu Guttenberg’s statements do not mean that her husband will fill that role (he may not).  But if Karl zu Guttenberg does, her comments are consistent with those that would be expected to support such a leader.

Some articles of related interest may include:

Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
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.
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.

Ancient Laodicea

COGwriter

The leadership of the United Church of God (UCG) had a meeting with one of its recently estranged Latin American ministers yesterday:

Council Chairman and President Meet with Eduardo Hernandez – September 14, 2010

Submitted by admin on September 14, 2010 – 3:18pm

In a further effort towards reconciliation with the Latin American ministry, a meeting was held at the home office on Tuesday, September 14, 2010, with Eduardo Hernandez. Mr. Hernandez has served as pastor of the Colombian and Ecuadorian churches for 30 years and as pastor in Venezuela since the inception of United.

Also present at the meeting were Dennis Luker, president of UCGIA; Melvin Rhodes, chairman of the Council of Elders; Aaron Dean, treasurer and Council member; and Ralph Levy and Alec Surratt, both of whom speak Spanish and have been involved in the Spanish work for years.

The meeting was very cordial. Everyone present expressed their opinion as to how we can best move forward to bring about a full reconciliation. It is hoped to hold further meetings after the Feast of Tabernacles. Your continued prayers are deeply appreciated.

Melvin Rhodes, chairman
Dennis Luker, president

Eduardo Hernandez is the brother of Mario Hernandez who heads up the Spanish-speaking ministry of the Living Church of God (LCG).  It may be of interest to note that Eduardo Hernandez left UCG one other time (for LCG) then returned, but that was not alluded to above.

Anyway, apparently UCG and the Latin Americans that broke away from it are not expecting to be together until possibly after the upcoming Feast of Tabernacles (if at all).  The Holy Day offerings that UCG will not be collecting, but that the break away group will be, may help finance the Latin American group.

Anyway, UCG has lost many groups during its history and may or may not make some type of affiliation deal with the estranged Latin Americans.

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?
Mexico, Central America, South America, and Brazil in Prophecy [Español: México, America Central, Suramérica, y el Brasil en profecíal] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What rule might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
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.