Church of God News

The 220 kg Gold brick displayed in Taiwan

COGwriter

The price of gold was about USD$1370 per ounce when I checked it a little earlier today (to see a more up-to-date price, please click Financial Information).  The reason that I mentioned it, is because some believe it may go much higher:

How high will gold go? There are some scary visions out there

CTV, Ontario – Nov 12, 2010…

“The [U.S.] dollar hasn’t taken a really big hit yet. That’s the thing to watch for,” says John Williams, the economist behind Shadow Government Statistics, a newsletter that analyzes official U.S. financial data to see where government is fudging figures.

What could ultimately take down the dollar?

Mr. Williams worries that the weak U.S. economy will cause the country’s deficit to expand, and ultimately investors will become so worried about the solvency of the United States that they will refuse to buy U.S. Treasury securities, just as they’re balking about bonds from Greece and Ireland…

“If the dollar is worth nothing, [gold] could be $100-million an ounce in terms of the U.S. dollar,” Mr. Williams says, laying out the most apocalyptic scenario. “I mean, you divide by zero, you get very big numbers.”

That view may be extreme, but other analysts at least agree gold’s bull run still has legs. Recently, Shayne McGuire, a manager with a Texas’ teachers pension fund, one of the few big money managers in the U.S. to invest heavily in gold, wrote a book predicting the metal could hit $10,000 an ounce.

But many analysts are skeptical that the dollar is about to implode and gold reach nosebleed levels as a second instalment of the financial crisis. http://www.ctv.ca/generic/generated/static/business/article1797651.html

Gold Mocks World Spooked By Fed’s $600 Billion

Bloomberg – Nov 14, 2010

If Group of 20 officials want evidence they achieved little in Seoul, it’s the price of gold.

Gold mocked hopes for a solution to global imbalances in recent months, on its way to new highs. With the $1,400 per ounce mark under its belt, gold was shooting for the next milestone: $1,500. Now, commodities, which fell the most in 18 months on Friday, are dissing the G-20 in a different way.

Gold slid to $1,365.50, just days after hitting a record $1,424.30 on Nov. 9. Why? Fears of overheating in China. Hot money is already wreaking havoc with Asian asset prices. The Federal Reserve’s move to pump a further $600 billion into markets means China may raise rates, a specter that spooks investors. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-14/gold-mocks-world-spooked-by-600-billion-fed-commentary-by-william-pesek.html

$100 million is simply a number that suggests that the US dollar will be worthless.  If gold actually ever hits $100 million, it will likely hit $100 billion, as at that point almost nobody will want US dollars for anything other than burning for heat.

The Bible indicates that gold will have value into the Great Tribulation (Daniel 11:43; Revelation 18), but that the US dollar will not (Habakkuk 2; Daniel 11:39).

Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic prophecies discuss gold in the end times.

Notice the following Orthodox prophecies:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The financial world is starting to understand some of this–but few really know how bad it will get.  The US dollar will ultimately be worthless and the USA ultimately taken over because of its sins and debt.

For additional information, check out the following articles:

The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What do economists and the Bible teach about gold? Gold and silver may drop in value. Inflation/deflation? What do Christians need to know about gold?
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.
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?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? This article has eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. It includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? This is the longest and most complete article at the COGwriter website on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
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? What will happen to the Jews in 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?
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 Libro del Dr. Thiel en Español.
2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Edition) 2012 Buch von Dr. Thiel in deutscher Sprache.

COGwriter

Living University (LU) is affiliated with the Living Church of God. LU offers online classes for people who wish to learn more about the Bible and real Christianity.

Registration for its January 2011 session begins today.  Here is some of what LCG announced about it:

Living University

Registration for next semester’s classes will begin this coming Monday, November 15 and continue through mid-January. Second semester classes will begin on Wednesday January 12, 2011. For second semester, we plan to offer the following fourteen courses: Biblically Based Literary Research, Acts and the Writings of Paul, Introduction to Biblical Communication, Old Testament Survey II, Christian Camp Leadership, Christian Leadership, Introduction to Biblical Doctrines, Epistles of Paul II, General Epistles and Revelation, History of Christianity II, Introduction to Biblical Theology, Historical Geography of the Bible Lands, Archaeology and the New Testament, and Ancient Egypt and the Biblical World. We plan to give you additional details about these courses in the weeks ahead. A listing of “Spring Semester” courses (Spring in the northern hemisphere), can also be viewed on the Living University website under the link “2011 Spring Schedule.” To make application to Living University, to register for courses, and to find out more, please visit the www.livinguniv.com website. For additional information, please contact Dr. Scott Winnail at swinnail@livinguniv.com or 704-708-2292.

THL 112: Biblically Based Literary Research. This course, the second in a series of two, introduces research techniques, documentation styles, and argumentative strategies used in theological writing. Emphasis is placed on analyzing data and incorporating research findings into documented argumentative essays and research projects. Upon completion, students should be able to summarize, paraphrase, interpret, and synthesize information from primary and secondary sources using standard research format and style.

THL 136: Acts and the Writings of Paul. This class focuses on the book of Acts and deals with Paul’s life, times, and writings. It includes the background, purpose, message, and themes of Paul’s letters; his personal life and character; his companions; and the chronology of the Apostle’s life. Emphasis is placed on the spiritual importance of Paul’s writings and the issues that Paul dealt with in the early New Testament Church. This exciting course is also needed to take the Epistles of Paul courses.

THL 150: Introduction to Biblical Communication. This course provides a foundation for speaking to religious audiences. Emphasis is on dealing with challenges in effective oral communication through study and experience in analysis, synthesis and presentation of subject matter in biblical communication. Upon completion, students should be able to make clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals and groups, clarify information as needed, and facilitate an open exchange of ideas.

There are many other classes than the ones listed above.  You can also check out LU by visiting its website: Living University

Dr. Douglas Winnail

COGwriter

In his update for yesterday, LCG’s Dr. D. Winnail wrote the following:

Pay Attention to Prophecy! Jesus told His disciples to stay alert and watch for the fulfillment of specific prophecies that will mark the approaching end of this age (Matthew 24). He also warned in the parable of the foolish virgins that many will be caught napping and unprepared by the surge of events that will precede the return of Jesus Christ to this earth (Matthew 25:1-13).   It is truly amazing how God has given His Church a “more sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19, KJV) in order to be able to warn this world about the true prophetic significance of both current and impending world events—which is part of the mission of the Church of God (Ezekiel 3 and 33). Yet, it is also instructive to see how misguided teachers have ridiculed the Church’s understanding of prophecy and accused members of suffering from “prediction addiction” for being concerned about Bible prophecy. As we see world events building to a prophetic crescendo, let’s make sure that we are also building a closer relationship with God and that we are learning to really live by every word of God (Matthew 4:4) so that we are ready when Jesus Christ returns.

Here at COGwriter, we do pay attention to prophecy. In the past two weeks there have been many articles documenting such prophetic matters of interest such as.  Here are ten such items from the past two weeks (items listed in reverse chronological posting order):

1. Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg keeps making the news The German Defense Minister is growing in popularity and even called for Germany to use its military might to defend its economic interests.  Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North?
2. France Proclaims a ‘New World’ Financial Order In any new world order, the USA is no longer on top.
3. EU President Declares End of Nation State, Britain Skeptical The Europeans were told that the idea that they can exist apart from the EU is a lie.
4. Commission Report Recommends Deep Cuts in Military Spending in 2012 The USA is going to cut its military deeply, which makes it easier for it to be taken over.
5. Chinese Downgrade US Government Credit Rating! In a prelude to the final fulfillment of Habakkuk 2, the Chinese downgraded the credit-worthiness of the US government and the German Foreign Minister said that the USA has lived on debt too long and needs to change.
6. QE2: LCG, France, China and the End of the Dollar Quantitative easing was announced and more and more in the international community recognize that this is another step towards the elimination of the USA dollar as the world’s reserve currency.
7. Germany Wants Middle East Peace Deal The Europeans declare that they want to be part of a Middle East peace deal, and that is prophesied in Daniel 9:26-27.
8. CERN Moving Ahead of Schedule, Now to Smash Lead The world’s leading physics’ project is not an American one–it is a European one that is having success.  Its success may allow the Europeans to fulfill Revelation 13:3-4 and other end time prophecies.
9. Vatican wants peace deal involving Jerusalem The Vatican wants a peace deal that will likely allow it to fulfill both Catholic and biblical prophecies concerning Jerusalem.
10. UK & France Make Historical Defense Deal, But Brussels Will Call the Shots The UK thinks that making a defense deal with France that Brussels can interfere with will protect it–that is a major mistake.  Bible and Catholic prophecy show that the UK will be taken over and divided (Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided?).

Much has been happening, yet most people, simply do not realize that the world is changing and events are lining up with the prophecies of the Bible.

Another item that may be of related interest may include:

Why Prophecy? Because the World Will Not End Next Week Some question or downplay the role of prophecy. This article gives some of the biblical reasons what it is important and explains why the world cannot end for at least 3 1/2 years from now.

VS.

COGwriter

In late 2006, Ronald Weinland published his 2008 book that contained the following:

The most notable deaths early on, which are yet to come to pass, will be the two remaining television presenters in the Living Church of God.

The sound of this thunder will be intensified by the early deaths of the leaders of the Philadelphia Church of God, the Restored Church of God and the Church of the Great God. Then, those in the largest scattered group, who think they have escaped, will be lifted up to believe that God is with them because they are so filled with pride. But, when that happens, the deaths of many in the United Church of God will begin (Weinland R.  2008 – God’s Final Witness, Copyright © 2006 by the-end.com, inc., Cincinnati. Published October, 2006, p. 107-108)

And none of that has happened.

When various of his prophecies started to prove false in 2008, and people like me continued to point that out, he declared various curses on his critics, the first public curse being on April 19, 2008 (Ronald Weinland Again Calls for Death).  Here is some of what he said then:

And my first exercise in use of power, that God has granted me in Revelation 11, is to you, you mockers…Truly.

It begins with you, first and foremost.

You will be the first to experience…You don’t have to wait long.

For those who mock, again, from this day forward, by what you say against God’s people, by what you say against God’s truth, by what you say against God’s truths, by what you say against God’s prophets, you will suffer from sickness that will eat you from the inside out. And you will die.

Ronald Weinland has made various statements and curses against his critics since, and to the best of my knowledge, none of those who report on him have died or had some horrible event consistent with the curses of this self-proclaimed ‘prophet’, ‘apostle’, and ‘witness’.

Yet despite the fact that his critics have not been smitten, many of his followers still believed him.

It was so absurd, that on June 11, 2008, one of his supporters claimed that I was not posting as much about Ronald Weinland because I allegedly was ill from the result of the curse (see Desperation of a Weinland Follower).  He wanted me to come clean publicly and admit that I was afflicted by the curse.  But instead, my health, was and still, is excellent.  Hence, that curse did not affect me.

At his False Prophet Ronald Weinland website today, Mike reported the following about Ronald Weinland’s sermon yesterday:

False Prophet Ronald Weinland spoke from a hotel next to the Providence RI airport.  He got a rental car despite the fact that it was within walking distance.  God’s most formidable prophet must still be recovering from his appendectomy.  Ron announced the death of Steve Blair of Pflugerville, Texas on Monday.  Steve was only 52 but had a history of heart problems.  Steve was also one of Weinland’s elders, making the third of them to die this year.

Now considering that this seems disproportionate to the number of elders that CGPFK has, perhaps Ronald Weinland should consider that he and his church are possibly cursed.

The plain truth is that Ronald Weinland has repeatedly proven to be a false prophet.  Nor can his words be trusted.  For those unfamiliar with him, perhaps a couple of his 2007 and 2008 statements should be quoted here:

A little after April…a dollar bill won’t be worth anything…We’re going to be brought down the tubes, very quickly, starting in April…What happens when a nuclear weapon goes off in New York and Chicago?…If we come to the point in time where what I’ve said doesn’t come to pass, the reality is that I’m just a false prophet.  That’s the bottom line…

The reality is if it doesn’t happen, then you’re just false…I’ll acknowledge my error, my wrong, if I’m wrong…

The primary things…for the world…actually begin after April 2008…The abomination of desolation has already happened…By January 2009, we (the United States) will be down the tubes…(Ronald Weinland Interview on The Edge Radio on December 15, 2007)

If by Pentecost I’m just going to make this real clear to everyone. If by Pentecost it is not powerfully and abundantly clear that there has been a great deal of destruction that will clearly encompass a third of all plant life in the US and at least the clear results of this mingled with blood the death of very much animal life and the beginning of large numbers of human life then I will stop preaching. Just so all the critics and everyone out there will understand. I am true to my word in these things. OK? And for all the critics if by the end of July and for most likely around Pentecost if nothing has clearly caused great destruction and death I will make it very clear that I was a false prophet. I will do exactly what I said I would do on all of those interviews that I have held; to do less, aah well, would be quite insane. (Weinland R. Three More Weeks–quote from near the 1 hour 28 minute point from the CGPFK website version. Sermon given March 29, 2008).

We are we are not we are at our end as far as our country is concerned. I’ve made many comments on different interviews here that we may be able to scrounge together having elections in November but there will not be a new president take office in January…(Ronald Weinland Interview on The Mike McConnell Show Radio on April 7, 2008)

Yet, instead of keeping his word, Ronald Weinland changed his dates and began to allegorize away what Bible prophecy teaches.

The Bible is clear that one that does not speak for God makes prophecies that do not come to pass:

21 “And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’– 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him (Deuteronomy 18:21-22).

Ronald Weinland has often spoken presumptuously.  Could having appendicitis hint that perhaps it is Ronald Weinland who suffered from what he cursed others with?  That is for them to “suffer from sickness that will eat you from the inside out”?

As I have been writing for years, Ronald Weinland is a false prophet and is NOT one of God’s two witnesses.

Sadly, despite his track record as a false prophet, Ronald Weinland still has followers. Hopefully ones that will repent sooner than later.

I feel sorry for Ronald Weinland and those who follow him. Hopefully now more of them will wake up.

Some articles of related interest may include:

Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up and that the Great Tribulation began in 2008. Is he a false prophet? He has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the COG.
Who Are The Two Witnesses? What is their job? What does the Bible reveal? What has the Church of God taught on this subject? Might even Roman Catholic prophecies give some clues here?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–and Ronald Weinland is one of them–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.

Young Grasshopper

COGwriter

Australia’s locust problem may be getting worse:

An ancient enemy looms in legions of biblical scale

Sydney Morning Herald – Nov 14, 2010…

”We believe there will be another breeding event in a month or so,” says Mr Walker. ”And they’ll breed again in autumn. What we’re concerned with at the moment is the imminent swarming of this generation, the impact of which is being seriously underestimated in the cities.”

The plague locust is a species of grasshopper that normally occurs in very low numbers throughout Australia. According to the DPI’s head entomologist, Mali Malipatil, they usually live a solitary existence. But once numbers multiply, ”they undergo a behavioural change and start to band together”. Once they hatch, the hoppers move through five phases (or instars) of development. In the third and fourth stage they band on the ground, and move like an army, eating vegetation in their path…

Another hard reality is that many areas of the state can’t be treated. Shane Southon, a ranger at the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, says ”we’re trying to get as much done as we can before they begin to swarm, but there are plenty of gullies you just can’t get into. You have to wonder how much good you’re doing. You have to do something to slow them, but that’s all you’re doing.” http://www.smh.com.au/victoria/an-ancient-enemy-looms-in-legions-of-biblical-scale-20101113-17rwx.html

Locusts invade Melbourne

“Melbourne commuters marvelled on Friday at locusts landing on the streets of Australia’s second-biggest city.  The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) warned pilots that swarms made flying hazardous.”  IOL – Nov 12, 2010 http://www.iol.co.za/news/science/locusts-invade-melbourne-1.746627.

The problem may be worsening in Australia.  Locusts destroy vegetation, and hence can cause food shortages that drive up the cost of food.

Pestilences (like locusts) and famines are, according to Jesus, expected:

6 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 24:6-8)

We may be very near that time.  But the end (meaning the Great Tribulation) is not yet.  LCG mentioned in its update yesterday that food prices are rising:

Global Food Prices Continue to Rise. In September, the United Nations called a special meeting to address the global rise in food prices. In July and August alone, worldwide food prices rose 5%. Droughts in Russia’s wheat growing region prompted a continuation of its ban on the export of wheat outside Russia. Simultaneously, lower corn yields in the U.S. led to a record-high trading price for corn for the year. Spikes in the prices of wheat, sugar, and oilseed have also been witnessed (Associated Press, September 3, 2010). Producers are now starting to pass on more costs to consumers—costs they were previously absorbing. Growing populations in India and China are also putting an additional strain on global food supplies, as these nations cannot support their own people (Empowerednews.net, November 4, 2010). Recently, the UN noted that 1 billion people worldwide are currently undernourished. God also prophesied that at the end of the age, famines, pestilence, drought, war, and other economic factors would lead to extremely expensive food prices, especially for grains and oil (Matthew 24:6-7; Revelation 6:5-6). Rising food prices and the potential for shortages, although challenging to deal with, are most certainly a significant “sign of the times.”

The Great Tribulation is coming, but not for a few years.  But many difficulties, including famines and pestilences (Matthew 24:7) are expected BEFORE the Great Tribulation begins (Matthew 24:21).  Australia, despite is relatively booming economy, will be affected by the difficulties ahead–and may just start to be.

Some articles of related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What happens in the “beginning of sorrows”? What is the Day of the Lord?

COGwriter

India is the second most populous nation on earth and the Living Church of God (LCG) continues to try to reach interested people in it.

Some of India’s early genealogy is mentioned in the Bible:

6 The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. 7 The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabtechah; and the sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan. 8 Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth (Genesis 10:6-8).

Richard Ames of the Living Church of God has observed:

The Hebrew word for Ethiopia is Cush, the eastern branch of which is identified with India. The Hebrew word for Libya is Put (Put was the third son of Ham, according to Genesis 10:6), whose eastern branch, like Cush, is also identified with India (Ames R. The Middle East in Prophecy. LCG Booklet).

Perhaps it should be mentioned here that Indian peoples are not limited to the current nation of India alone. In addition to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are predominantly composed of Indian peoples. I have met an Indian minister of the Living Church of God in Malaysia, where most of our members in that country are also Indian. Having traveled to many lands, I have come across significant Indian populations in South Africa, Fiji, and parts of the Caribbean. It is also believed that many of the peoples of Bhutan, Nepal, and Myan Mar (Burma) have ancestry at least partially related to the Indian peoples.

People in all of those lands either have been to LCG’s official and/or the COGwriter websites and/or receive LCG’s free magazine, Tomorrow’s World.

In addition to congregations in Myanmar, South Africa, the Caribbean, and Sri Lanka, the Living Church of God also has had members in India.

There is also often a Feast of Tabernacles site in India put on by the Living Church of God.

The Living Church of God keeps trying to reach more in India. Notice the following from LCG’s latest update:

Messrs. Bruce Tyler and Rajan Moses just completed a successful visit to a remote part of India where they conducted several Tomorrow’s World Special Presentations, Sabbath Services and Bible Studies. Thirty adults were in attendance at each of the three meetings and all expressed their desire to be baptized. This area of India is restricted to travellers and foreigners and special permits are required because of the many insurgent groups who are agitating for independence from India. Even after arriving, travel was not permitted beyond the city limits. A heavy military presence was evident everywhere. Those interested in the Truth had come to learn about us from a former Church member who had never forgotten what he had been taught about God’s coming government. This had stayed with him in spite of the demise of our former association. Messrs. Tyler and Moses were encouraged by the zeal of those present and hope to return again in the near future to baptize the people after some further study, prayer and fasting that they requested they do first. Please pray that God will continue to encourage and strengthen these people whom He is calling. (Tyler B. Visit to North East India. Living Church of God World Ahead Weekly Update, November 11, 2010).

Of course, this is only the smallest minority of those in India–but LCG keeps trying to fulfill Matthew 28:19-20.

LCG has reached thousands of people around the world with its Tomorrow’s World Special Presentations.  These public lectures essentially reach people who have heard of LCG through various media, such as our magazine and telecast.  This has proven to be an effective way to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations”  (Matthew 28:19).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
India, Its Biblical Past and Future: Any Witness? The Bible discusses the origins of those of Indian heritage and discusses some of the witness to them (including those in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka).
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
Getting the Gospel Out is More than a Local Job Discusses Biblical rationale for doing an international, and not just a local, work.
How Much Did You Cost? Some have complained that the total costs spent to proclaim the gospel as a witness is too high since it does not (in their opinion) result in enough conversions. Is that how God sees it?
The Temple and the Work This article discusses the two temples of the Old Testament and gives insight as to their possible relevance to the situation which has impacted the Church during this past decade or so.
Parable of the Mustard Seed Jesus told many parables. Why? What might this one mean?
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg

COGwriter

Karl Guttenberg keeps making the news.  And so I thought I would share some quotes from a few articles I saw about him:

Germany’s Geopolitical Opening

EurActiv – Nov 12, 2010…

”German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said on Tuesday that Germans as a nation ‘must really do something to articulate the relationship between regional security and economic interests without coming to deadlock’. Guttenberg cited China’s decision to limit rare earth element exports as an example of how competition for resources with the emerging powers could negatively affect Germany’s economic well-being.

In other words, Guttenberg made a direct link between Berlin’s economic and security policies. In any other country such a link is obvious and often reiterated by policymakers, but when German President Horst Koehler expressed similar sentiments in May, he was forced to resign a week later due to criticism that he was overstepping his constitutional bounds (the presidency in Germany is a ceremonial position and one of Europe’s constitutionally weakest head-of-state institutions).  http://www.euractiv.com/en/foreign-affairs/germanys-geopolitical-opening-analysis-499686

Minister Guttenberg Says Economy Is Part of National Security

Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg says that Germany should be prepared to use its military to defend the country’s economic interests. Similar comments cost German President Horst Köhler his job earlier this year. And once again, the opposition in Berlin is up in arms.

Spiegel – Nov 10, 2010…

Speaking at a security conference in Berlin on Tuesday, Guttenberg said that Germany should be prepared to use its military to secure trade routes, for example against piracy. “We in our country must really do something to articulate the relationship between regional security and economic interests without coming to deadlock,” Guttenberg said. http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,728293,00.html

The two lives of Angela Merkel

Reuters – Nov 12, 2010   by Andreas Rinke and Stephen Brown

German conservative party headquarters is rocking. To the heavy thud of AC/DC, hundreds of young party members throng the foyer of Konrad Adenauer House in Berlin waving posters and talking over the music.Music over, they listen with rapt attention and regular applause to Germany’s most popular politician — approval rating a record 74 percent — speak about passion and leadership. With Germany taking on a more assured and outspoken role in Europe, its economy moving into what the economy minister has called an “XL recovery”, and no national elections to worry about for three years, there’s every reason for Angela Merkel’s government to bask in the glow of success.

Unfortunately for the German chancellor, neither she nor her Christian Democratic Party (CDU) is the object of the chants and adulation at this rally of young conservatives on a Saturday afternoon in October. Instead, the calls — “KT! KT! KT!” — refer to Merkel’s debonair 38-year-old defense minister from the CDU’s smaller, more conservative Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU). “KT” is Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg — or to give him his full dues, Karl Theodor Maria Nikolaus Johann Jacob Philipp Franz Joseph Sylvester, Baron von und zu Guttenberg. Pictures of Guttenberg and his wife Stephanie, the great-great-granddaughter of the “Iron Chancellor” Otto von Bismarck — architect of German unification in the 19th century — frequently decorate the covers of newspapers and magazines.

It may surprise many, especially those outside Germany, that the young noble is even considered a serious rival to the woman widely known as the new Iron Chancellor. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6AB24W20101112

OPINION

The two lives of Angela Merkel

…
In an ARD-Deutschland Trend poll in November, Merkel now ranks seventh with 41 percent against Guttenberg’s 75 percent. “The Fabulous Guttenbergs”, read the cover of Der Spiegel magazine recently. Stern magazine called Guttenberg Germany’s “Chancellor in Reserve”. http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2010111387331

A now highly popular politician, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg may yet have a fall or two in popularity.  But he also seems to be a rising star in Germany.  If his stardom rises throughout Europe, he certainly has the potential to be a major influential leader there.

As regular readers of this page are aware, I have had my eye on Karl Guttenberg since late 2009.  And he may be one to watch to rise up as the final “King of the North”.

If Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is part of a major Middle East peace deal, if he establishes armies (or a great army), and if he establishes something like a new religious order within his version of the “Catholic” faith, he likely will get more people’s attention–and even more of mine.

On the other hand, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg could simply be a rising politician, like many others.  And all his intentions could be fine.  We will see.  But Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg does seem, to me at least, to be taking the types of steps that one who could possibly be the final King of the North would actually take.  And his ability to gain popularity seems consistent with scripture.

Some items for further related study may include:

Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Could He Become “the Beast”? What makes the German Defense Minister a candidate?
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?

Ancient Laodicea

COGwriter

UCG’s President Luker sent out his 11/4/10 letter to non-UCG members as one was received last night.  This is the letter that I reported about on 11/5/10 (see Dennis Luker: Spirit of Rebellion Brewing in the United Church of God).

The letter, amongst other things, stated:

Sadly, I must state that there is a spirit of rebellion that has been brewing in the United Church of God for some time—but which is now rising to the surface. Some ministers and members have taken it upon themselves to hold meetings to undermine the authority in the governing structure of United, that all of them once endorsed. They are disseminating false information designed to discredit those in authority, and favor others that they desire to have as leaders instead.

And while the above may be helpful for “damage control” amongst UCG members, it was a surprise to me that UCG mailed this to people that are not attending or officially part of UCG.

UCG may see wisdom in that, but it did seem an unusual form of damage control to involve non-UCG members in an internal dispute that UCG inquirers and prospective members may get turned off by–  especially as they probably have not been directly affected by UCG’s issues (unless they live in Latin America, but since the letter received was in English, Latin America, which was not directly mentioned, did not seem to be the issue).

Speaking of getting turned off, RCG’s self-appointed “apostle” David Pack wrote what I consider to be a nonsensical article yesterday in order to supposedly attract UCG members his way (I reported about it last night at my GCG News page).

I would simply caution any UCG members who look at RCG to check with their Bibles and look at the real “fruits” of RCG as to me the organization seems to mainly exist to soothe and stroke the ego of its leader.  I consider the organization to be at best, Pharisaical.  I have also written a couple of articles that explain why.  As well as others that those in the COGs may find of value.

These are trying times for those in UCG, and I would suggest that they study and pray about what has been going on.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Why Not the Restored Church of God? This group, led by David Pack, claims to be the most faithful. The information in this article suggests otherwise.
Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees? Discusses similarities of the Sadducees and Pharisees to various COGs in this end-time.
Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it?
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

Nicolas Sarkozy

COGwriter

France’s President Sarkozy made a couple of interesting statements today:

Sarkozy Takes Over G-20 Aiming to `Update’ Monetary System

Bloomberg – Nov 12, 2010

Nicolas Sarkozy claimed his first victory as leader of the Group of 20 nations less than an hour after taking the reins from his South Korean counterpart, Lee Myung Bak. Source: Yonhap News via Bloomberg…

“It’s already a success that the G-20 agrees that the international monetary system is a problem,” Sarkozy said. “That wasn’t always the case.”…

Sarkozy’s questioning of the dollar’s dominant role is part of a French tradition dating back to the 1960s…

Sarkozy raised the issue of reducing the dollar’s role as a reserve currency at a G-20 meeting in Washington in 2008. “The euro doesn’t exist? The yuan doesn’t exist?” he asked. “At Bretton Woods, the U.S. was victorious, the only superpower, while Europe was in ruins. We are now in a new world.” http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-12/sarkozy-takes-over-g-20-leadership-with-pledge-to-update-monetary-system.html

People around the world need to realize that a new world order is developing.  And those people who live in the US, UK, and other Anglo-descended lands need to realize that while they were on top of the current international monetary system, they will not be in this new one which is developing.

Europe and the Gentile nations are rising up.  The Anglo-nations are overall in decline.

The “new world” will go further than N. Sarkozy has publicly proposed.  Ultimately it will end up with European dominance and control combined with the elimination of the United States, the United Kingdom, and their Anglo-descended allies.

Many in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand may believe that because their economies seem to be in better shape than those of the USA and UK that they will  fair well, but this is not biblically prophesied to be the case.

The changes taking place in the international financial order are real.  There are happening now.  It will not be too much longer until there is a “new world financial order” that will dominate the world until Jesus returns.

And Jesus will return, and He will establish the real, and final, new world order.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
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”?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?
Is Tony Blair Apocalyptic? The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom converted to Catholicism shortly after leaving his office and has been active in European affairs. What role might he play?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
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?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2018 or 2019?
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?

Mount Apo in Mindanao, Philippines

COGwriter

While the Western world seems to be becoming less tolerant of the religious rights of Sabbath-keepers, the Philippines moved to make a great decision for Sabbath-keeping youth:

Philippines Education Department specifies right to Sabbath observance

ANN – Nov 8, 2010

The Philippines Department of Education recently solidified its support of freedom of religious expression for students wishing to be exempt from Saturday school classes and activities.

A department order released last month is already allowing Seventh-day Adventist students to successfully petition teachers for exemption from Saturday classes and exams. The order is a follow-up to a January memo granting exemption for Adventist members working as Education Department personnel from attending professional development and exams held on Saturdays.

http://news.adventist.org/2010/11/philippines-educatio.html

This is fantastic news.  I am unaware of any other Asian country doing this in recent times (though there have long been Sabbath-keepers in Asia, see the articles below).

As it turns out the Living Church of God lists that it has 33 congregations in the Philippines.

As a parent, school issues associated with the biblical holy days and school have long been issues.  And while Sabbath attendance is not part of the normal education for most schools in the USA, even I personally had to deal with it (and my professor essentially screamed at me that I would not miss two Sabbaths back in the 1990s–but I did anyway).

John’s and His Followers’ Practices in Asia Minor–They Kept the Sabbath

The 17th century historian William Cave reported that the early Christians, both Jews and those in Asia Minor (the other end of Asia, far from the Philippines), kept the Sabbath. Notice his report:

…the Sabbath or Saturday (for so the word sabbatum is constantly used in the writings of the fathers, when speaking of it as it relates to Christians) was held by them in great veneration, and especially in the Eastern parts honoured with all the public solemnities of religion. For which we are to know, that the gospel in those parts mainly prevailing amongst the Jews, they being generally the first converts to the Christian faith, they still retained a mighty reverence for the Mosaic institutions, and especially for the sabbath, as that which had been appointed by God himself, (as the memorial of his rest from the week of creation,) settled by their great master Moses, and celebrated by their ancestors for so many ages, as the solemn day of their public worship, and were therefore very loth that it should be wholly antiquated and laid aside. For this reason it seemed good to the prudence of those times, (as in others of the Jewish rites, so in this,) to indulge the humour of that people, and to keep the sabbath as a day for religious offices. Hence they usually had most parts of the divine service performed upon that day; they met together for public prayers, for reading the scriptures, celebration of the sacraments, and such like duties. This is plain, not only from some passages in Ignatius and Clemens’s Constitutions, but from writers of more unquestionable credit and authority. Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, tells us, that they assembled on Saturdays, not that they were infected with Judaism, but only to worship Jesus Christ, the Lord of the sabbath (Cave William, D.D. Primitive Christianity: or the Religion of the Ancient Christians in the First Ages of the Gospel. 1840 edition revised by H. Cary. Oxford, London, pp. 84-85).

While I disagree that Jewish converts were allowed to keep the Sabbath to “humour” them as Dr. Cave wrote (since nearly all the original Christians were Jews, all the original Christians did keep the Sabbath–Sunday was a later development), he at least does realize that early Jewish converts and those in Asia Minor (“Eastern parts”) kept the Saturday Sabbath.

Of course, the New Testament shows that Paul kept the Sabbath in Asia Minor:

Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down … So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath (Acts 13:13-14, 42).

Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed (Acts 14:1).

It should be pointed out that Antioch in Pisidia is in the middle of Asia Minor and that Iconium is also in Asia Minor. Hence Gentiles were keeping the Sabbath in Asia Minor from an early time.

The Apostle John ended up being the leader of the Church in Asia Minor, specifically, Ephesus. John, and a claimed follower of his named Polycarp, kept the Saturday Sabbath. There is no direct, nor indirect, historical evidence that John and other true Christians ever observed Sunday.

According to an old, but probably modified in the 4th century document, Polycarp kept the Sabbath:

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

And on the sabbath, when prayer had been made long time on bended knee, he, as was his custom, got up to read; and every eye was fixed upon him…

And on the following sabbath he said; ‘Hear ye my exhortation, beloved children of God. I adjured you when the bishops were present, and now again I exhort you all to walk decorously and worthily in the way of the Lord, knowing that, when I was in the ministry of the presbyters, I applied so great diligence according to my power, and shall do this the more now when the greatest peril awaits me if I am negligent. For after the fear of the judgment, it were shameful to abate and relax anything having regard to men, and not rather to build up higher the zeal which has reached thus far. It pertaineth to you therefore to hold back from all unruliness, both men and women; and let no one imagine that I exact punishment from offenders not from conscientiousness but from human pride. For it has happened that some of those who were put into offices, when they ought all the more, as one might say, to strain every nerve in the race, just then relax their efforts, forgetting that, the greater honour a man appeareth to receive, the greater the loyalty which he ought to pay towards the Master, and to remember the words of the Lord how He himself said, On whom I conferred the more, from him let them demand the more abundantly in return; and the parable of those who had the talents committed to them, and the blessing pronounced upon the servant that watches, and the reproof of those who refused to come to the marriage feast, and the condemnation of him whose garment was not befitting the marriage festivity, and the entering in of the wise virgins, the saying Watch ye, and again Be ye ready, Let not your hearts be weighed down, the new commandment concerning love one towards another, His advent suddenly manifest as of rapid lightning, the great judgment by fire, the eternal life, His immortal kingdom. And all things whatsoever being taught of God ye know, when ye search the inspired Scriptures, engrave with the pen of the Holy Spirit on your hearts, that the commandments may abide in you indelible.’

Thus speaking in this way from time to time, and being persistent in his teaching, he edified and saved both himself and his hearers. (Pionius, Life of Polycarp (1889) from J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 3.2, pp.488-506)

Thus, Polycarp regularly kept the Sabbath and preached on it.

And those who follow the practices of Jesus and the Apostles John and Paul and their early faithful followers still do today.  And it was nice that an agency in the Philippines has decided to make that a little easier for students there.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What’s ahead for the Philippines?  What does the Bible prophesy about islands?
The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church?
The Dramatic Story of Chinese Sabbathkeepers This reformatted Good News article from 1955 discusses Sabbath-keeping in China in the 1800s.
Is God Unreasonable? Some have suggested that if God requires Sabbath-keeping He is unreasonable. Is that true?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by the Tkach WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
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.