Church of God News

Julia Gillard

COGwriter

It is not looking too good at this time for the founder of WikiLeaks:

AS THE net closes around WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the notorious whistleblower has accused Prime Minister Julia Gillard of betraying him as an Australian citizen in her eagerness to help the United States attack him and his organisation…

‘I am an Australian citizen and I miss my country a great deal,” Mr Assange wrote in a live question-and-answer session on the website of UK newspaper The Guardian.  ”However … the Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and the Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, have made it clear that not only is my return impossible but they are actively working to assist the United States government in its attacks on myself and our people.”  http://www.theage.com.au/national/pm-has-betrayed-me-assange-20101204-18ks8.html

The WikiLeaks matter is a major embarrassment to the USA, and since Australia is an ally of the USA, it is only logical that Australia would consider that the USA has legal interest in Julian Assange.

WikiLeaks, as I reported earlier (see Wikileaks provides insight in behind the scenes views of world politics), will hurt the USA.  Here is what LCG just reported about this matter:

Breaking the Pride of U.S. Power. The surprise publication by the website WikiLeaks of more than 250,000 confidential U.S. State Department documents revealing U.S. intentions and perspectives has shaken global diplomatic relations and could endanger the lives of U.S. diplomats around the world. A major German news magazine reported, “Never before in history has a superpower lost control of such vast amounts of such sensitive information—data that can help paint a picture of the foundation upon which US foreign policy is built. Never before has the trust America’s partners have in the country been as badly shaken” (Der Spiegel, November 28, 2010). These documents are not only an embarrassment to the United States and her allies, but they will further undermine trust in the U.S. and its diplomatic credibility on the world scene (Der Spiegel, November 29, 2010). While many wonder how and why is this happening, Bible prophecies reveal the answer. Long ago, God warned His chosen people, “if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, and if you despise My statutes… I will break the pride of your power” (Leviticus 26:14-15, 19). The United States, as a descendant of the ancient Israelite nation, is beginning to reap what it has sown. When a nation that has been blessed by God, bans prayer in public schools, prohibits the display of the Ten Commandments in government buildings and sanctions same sex marriages—in defiance of the laws of God—the Bible indicates there will be serious consequences (see Deuteronomy 28:15-48)!

Although the Obama Administration has downplayed the importance of WikiLeaks, this has been an important blow against USA power, prestige, and intelligence gathering.  It flat out will result in at least some leaders NOT providing the USA certain comments and information.

This matter has infuriated certain countries considered to be USA allies.  Notice, for example, the following headline regarding WikiLeaks and Germany:

Germans Want US Ambassador Dismissed Over WikiLeaks

The USA and Germany will attempt to publicly patch up differences, but Bible prophecy shows that Germany will switch from being a friend to an enemy.

On the other hand, Bible prophecy suggests that Australia will remain an American ally until it is too late for Australia, as it will share much of the same fate of destruction, conquering, and division that is prophesied to happen to the USA.

Several 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?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies about Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? This is a lengthy article with many prophecies that Barack Obama may end up fulfilling.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled by him?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?

Kurt Koch

COGwriter

There is to be a meeting of major world religious leaders in Rome tomorrow:

Geneva – The general secretary of the World Council of Churches, the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, says he hopes his upcoming audience in Rome with Pope Benedict XVI will advance Christian unity.

“It is important that we speak honestly in this meeting about the challenges we have,” Tveit said of the 4 December meeting at the Vatican…

The WCC groups 349 churches, principally Anglican, Orthodox and Protestant. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member but has members on some WCC committees.

These include the WCC’s Faith and Order Commission, which seeks to advance the unity of the Church. Benedict, then German theology professor Joseph Ratzinger, was a member of that commission in the early 1970s.

Tveit’s visit takes place shortly after the Vatican’s chief unity official, Cardinal Kurt Koch, was reported as saying there is a crisis of ecumenism because of two “profoundly different mentalities” that shape the way Catholics and Protestants describe the nature of the Church.

“The churches and ecclesial communities born of the [Reformation] have renounced the original objective of ecumenism as visible unity and have substituted it with the concept of mutual recognition as churches,” the London-based Catholic weekly, The Tablet, reported Koch as saying…

The Vatican official said Protestants see the goal of ecumenism as the “reconciled diversity” of many churches rather than the reconstitution of visible unity, while accepting diversity, in one Church as Catholics teach.

Benedict, before becoming Pope, was the Prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In that role he reaped criticism for a 2000 statement, Dominus Iesus, which said Protestant denominations are not “churches in the proper sense”. http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2010-12/world-churches-leader-meet-pope-rome

It appears that the basic WCC “Protestant” position is that since they are willing to consider that the Catholics share a type of faith with them, that the Church of Rome should accept that there churches are valid.

It appears that the Vatican’s basic position is that they are willing to talk about certain areas of mutual interest, and perhaps modify some positions, but that the Church of Rome expects the Protestants must come under papal authority in order to be considered as valid churches.

Cardinal Kurt Koch’s statements may betray some of the frustration that he and Pope Benedict XVI have apparently been having regarding the Protestant groups.

So, while humanly speaking, this seems to be an impasse, there are a few points that I would like to bring out.

First of all, while there has been a decline of active Catholic and Protestant members in Europe, it seems more likely that the Protestants are becoming more quickly relegated on the political sidelines of Europe than the Vatican.  This gives Protestant leaders more reasons to compromise than Rome has.

Secondly, ignoring the UK and certain parts of Northern Europe, Europe still shows much more Roman Catholic, than Protestant, influence in its cathedrals and other religious buildings.

Thirdly, even though it has problems with its earliest “succession lists”, there is no doubt that the Church of Rome has had a list of bishops since the middle of the second century.  This historical fact, despite the fact that even the Church of Rome admits several of them were corrupt, will be a factor in favor of the Vatican position for many.

Fourthly, the Church of Rome has more of history of outward “signs and wonders”, such as Fatima (Portugal) and Lourdes (France) to cite only two such examples, than do the Protestant faiths.  I have repeatedly spoken with people who believe that  Catholic-approved apparitions, “incorruptibles”, stigmatics, etc. are simply so obvious that this should be accepted as proof of Rome’s supremacy.

And why is that last item important?

Because the fourth, and perhaps most important reason, is that the Bible is clear that signs and lying wonders will be instrumental in bringing about a false ecumenical unity (2 Thessalonians 2:9-11).  A unity that will be disastrous, not only for Protestants who will go along with it, but for Catholics that do as well.

And I should add that this in not just my opinion.  In addition to various scriptures which warn of ecumenical plans, economic pressures, and persecutions (Daniel 11:36-38; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Matthew 24:; Revelation 13; Revelation 17-18), even certain Catholic clergy are aware some of the dangers posed by the ecumenical movement.  Notice, for one example, the following:

Priest Paul Kramer (21st century): The problem there is that ecumenism is the greatest threat to the Church. Ecumenism was created by the greatest, most mortal enemies of the Church for the purpose of destroying the Church. Ecumenism is the greatest obstacle to unity, and yet we are told that we must promote ecumenism for the sake of unity…

So what unity will ecumenism bring? It will not bring unity in Christ, but what Pope Saint Pius X warned about in his 1910 encyclical Notre Charge Apostolique when he warned about the coming one-world religion. This is the great danger to the Faith and the life of the Christian that Cardinal Ratzinger was speaking about. This is the Great Apostasy that Bishop Cosme do Amaral was speaking about, referring to the loss of Faith. (Kramer P.  What are the missing contents of the third secret? Fatima Crusader, 95, Summer 2010, pp. 39,42-43)

The current ecumenical movement is probably the greatest single threat to the world as it is prophesied to succeed (Revelation 13:3-4), but eventually its two top leaders (and no, I do not believe the current pontiff is one of them) will be destroyed by Christ (Revelation 19:19-20).

Also notice the following related to the two-horned beast in Revelation 13 as well as the “lying wonders”:

Priest E. Sylvester Berry (published 1920):  The two horns denote a twofold authority – spiritual and temporal.  As indicated by the resemblance to a lamb, the prophet will probably set himself up in Rome as a sort of anti-pope…Antichrist will establish himself in Jerusalem…with his ‘lying wonders’… (Berry ES.  The Apocalypse of St. John, 1920.  Quoted in Culleton RG.  The Reign of Antichrist.  Reprint 1974, TAN Books, Rockford (IL), pp. 199-200).

The idea that lying wonders involving an antipope is clearly in the Catholic literature.  And as that is consistent with sacred scripture, it appears that it is highly possible that an ecumenical compromising antipope who performs great signs (Revelation 13:11-14) and is involved with lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9) will be the clinching factor for the coming ecumenical unity that the Bible, Church of God writers, and Church of Rome writers have long warned about.

Speaking of Church of God writers, here are some quotes from my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect about an antipope/antichrist:

The final Antichrist would also appear to be the one warned about as the antipope in various Catholic and Orthodox writings.  Also, notice the following:

Priest Herman Kramer (20^th century): “This false prophet possibly…usurps the papal supremacy…His assumed spiritual authority and supremacy over the Church would make him resemble the Bishop of Rome…He would be Pontifex Maximus, a title of pagan emperors, having spiritual and temporal authority.  Assuming authority without having it makes him the False Prophet…Though he poses as a lamb, his doctrines betray him…His principles and dogmas to be accepted…it will comprise emperor-worship…with the persecution of true believers.”

Priest A. Maas (20^th century): “Nearly all commentators find Antichrist mentioned in the Apocalypse… many scholars identify Antichrist with the beast which had “two horns, like a lamb” and spoke “as a dragon”… the Abbot really believes that Antichrist will overthrow the Pope and usurp his See…”

Helen Tzima Otto (2000): “The anti-pope – Episcopal of the Beast, alias the false prophet…”

Furthermore, notice that the commentators of the Rheims New Testament seem to agree with my assessment:

Antichrist, if he ever were of or in the Church, shall be an Apostate and a renegade out of the Church, and he shall usurp upon it by tyranny, and by challenging worship, religion, and government thereof, so that himself shall be adored in all the Churches of the world which he list to leave standing for his honor. And this is to sit in the temple or against the Temple of God, as some interpret.  If any Pope did ever this, or shall do, then let the Adversaries call him Antichrist.

Thus, from biblical and other perspectives, it appears that the false prophet/final Antichrist may be a future demon-influenced “pope.”

The final Antichrist is likely to be one who changes, though he does not clearly seem to be changing, the “Catholic” religion.  It seems that this is the individual who has been warned against in both biblical and private Catholic prophecies.

Pope Benedict XVI is Not the Antichrist.

There is one point that should be made clear at this stage.  When this book is referring to the future that occurs starting with the fulfillment of the deal that begins the seven years of Daniel 9:27 and the future “Catholic” religion, it is not saying that all who are now Catholics are currently supportive of the final religion of the final Beast.

To the contrary, I believe that most Catholics, if they truly understood it, would oppose it, as well as other changes they have adopted to alter the original faith. Actually, that was my original motivation for this book.  After a visit to Vatican City a few years back, I prayed about how I could help warn Catholics (then I later added everyone else) about those “things which must shortly take place” (Revelation 1:1).

I also want to make it clear that I do not believe that Pope Benedict XVI is the final prophesied Antichrist any more than Martin Luther was.

As far as Kurt Koch goes, I will simply state that I have believed for sometime that he might become or support the final Antichrist, antipope (see Kurt Koch Made a Cardinal: Might He Become the Antichrist?).  Or if not, if he lives long enough, he will need to oppose him.  But as a general rule, ecumenical leaders tend to support, not oppose, other ecumenical leaders.

So while dialogue, and perhaps some agreements, will come out of tomorrow’s meeting in Rome, ultimately I am convinced that signs and lying wonders, combined with history (and economic, political, and social pressure/persecution) will result in a dangerous form of ecumenism.

More details can be found in the following:

Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
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 2012 libro del Dr. Thiel en Español.
2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Edition) 2012 Buch von Dr. Thiel in deutscher Sprache.
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel em Português. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 14 já começaram a acontecer.

Horizon Oil Spill

COGwriter

The Washington Post reported:

Thursday, December 2, 2010

The Obama administration announced Wednesday that it will not allow offshore oil drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico or off the Atlantic Coast through 2017, reversing two key policy changes the president embraced in late March.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/01/AR2010120107185.html

This was something that I expected as I wrote the following in a post on May 17, 2010 titled Gulf Oil Spill Will Severely Hurt the USA:

The Obama administration was always a bit skittish about more offshore oil drilling, and if they allow any additional amounts in the future, it will probably be on an exceptionally limited scale. This spill simply gives drilling critics too much ammunition to object.  Historically, the political leadership in Washington, D.C. has tended to favor minimizing what is perceived to be the short-term negatives instead of maximizing long-term positives (and this is NOT limited to the current Obama administration).

The USA imports tremendous amounts of oil.  If it produced it internally, the deficits could be began to be addressed and many Americans could end up with better paying jobs.

Now, the odds of more offshore oil drilling opening up is getting more and more stacked against the drilling.  Although I consider myself to be an environmentalist, I have long recognized the hypocrisy of those who drive vehicles fueled by/with oil who opposed drilling off the coast here in California.  Many seem to feel that it if okay to drill off the coast of other lands, as long as it is not theirs.

The fact that the Obama Administration has gone even further is not a surprise.  We have oil here in Southern California that other politicians (and not the Obama Administration) have also decided to not allow to be drilled.  These positions are not helpful to rebuild the economy of the USA, which currently needs help, not hypocritical restrictions (they are hypocritical because people, including politicians, still seem to think that traveling in vehicles somehow powered by oil is fine–apparently if other nations may have less stringent environmental standards).

Here is some of what I wrote in a post for the Examiner dated May 28, 2010 titled Oil spill is a step in the end of the USA. President Obama are you listening?:

As bad as the environmental disaster is, it will pale in comparison to what will happen to the USA in a few years according to biblical prophecy.

The fact that President Obama has suspended certain oil drilling in Alaska, and California Governor Schwarzenegger has dropped his plans to support more drilling of the California Coast (which used to be a major industry near where I live) means that the economic impact of this oil spill will basically insure that less oil drilling will be done in the USA.  Here are some of the ramifications of that:

• The USA will not become energy independent.
• The USA will not be able to significantly eliminate its trade deficits.
• The USA will have less tax revenues.
• Some States of the USA will have more financial problems.
• Southern California will have more financial problems.
• The USA will not be able to pay off its national debt.
• The USA will likely increase its debt.
• The USA will more quickly get to the prophesied “appointed time” of “the end” where its creditors will rise up against it and the USA will be no more.

Regarding that last item, notice the following prophecy, which was written thousands of years ago, and which is specifically for the end time:

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry…
6 “Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases
What is not his–how long? And to him who loads himself with many pledges’? 7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. 8 Because you have plundered many nations, All the remnant of the people shall plunder you (Habakkuk 2:3,6-8).

The above will be fulfilled, and the USA is already the most indebted nation of all time.  And it appears that it will get even worse.

Now, that is not to say that this one disaster marks the end of America.

But this disaster on top of everything that has been going on the past several years (and thus,this is being NOT limited to the Obama Administration, though it has greatly accelerated the process) means that the USA is headed closer to its destruction.  This destruction is prophesied to happen after its creditors rise up against it. Thus, the economic impact of the BP Horizon Gulf oil spill is likely to be greater than almost everyone is publicly admitting.

And by doing what it just announced, it appears that some within the Obama Administration simply do not understand the economic impacts of their decisions.  Now, I truly believe that BP and its partners were ill prepared and that oil companies need to be better prepared for disasters, but this move to stop drilling for so long simply is another nail to build a coffin for the USA and its economy.

Prophecy is moving forward.  And the USA is in decline.

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?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests?  This is the longest and most complete article on this page on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
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, at least eleven have already started to come to pass.
2012 y el surgimiento de la secta secreta Nuevo libro del Dr. Thiel en Español.
2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Edition) 2012 Buch von Dr. Thiel in deutscher Sprache.
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel em Português. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 14 já começaram a acontecer.

Foundation of Philadelphia Remains

COGwriter

At his website, UCG’s John Carmack listed COG options for those currently in UCG a few days ago, and last night IAOM announced that it is expanding its mission in an effort to attract UCG ministers.

Today, I would like to mention some options available to those in UCG.

Number one, and this really is not an option but more of a spiritual imperative, is that those in UCG should pray, study, and perhaps fast about the situation there.

If after doing so, UCG members really believe that the Jesus Christ is pleased with UCG and would not condemn it as part of Laodicea, then they should support it and remain there.

However, let us look at what Jesus said to Laodicea:

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:  15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.  16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.  17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked —   18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.  19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.  20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”‘” (Revelation 3:14-22, NKJV)

Notice that Laodicea was condemned for being “lukewarm”.

It may be of interest to note that UCG member John Carmack wrote the following about UCG this week:

Most of the ways that UCG differs from other groups is that it is less strict.  In all honesty, UCG is less concerned about the physical…

UCG is obviously different in how it governs itself.  Most COG groups have a “one-man” rule…However, what’s more disconcerting is that it seems that some within UCG don’t want to follow the pattern originally set down for governance…

One area of concern, though, is that “born again” is more open to interpretation.  In spite of the view that the doctrine is clarified by the study paper on it, it actually looks more like mud.

Of course, while the spiritual is most important and some (like RCG) go overboard on the physical, Jesus indicated that the physical should not be neglected (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42).  UCG fits the definition of being lukewarm, and yes has problems with “born-again”, governance, and other doctrines.

Furthermore, even though officially UCG has been touting its results on superstation WGN and its GN card-holder program a lot in the past week or so to apparently hint that it is succeeding in getting the gospel out, the reality is that it spends about as much on its governance and administration as it does on that priority.  Furthermore, I would like to quote from the last three official posts at “UCG Real Time” and make some comments:

Brethren in the U.S. are still welcome to request a supply of bi-fold brochures and displays for distribution. (December 1, 2010)

Beyond Today on WGN America: Another Record-high Response…A total of 1,145 responses were tabulated from the WGN America airing of our program. (November 30, 2010)

“Card Pack” Advertising Results in 309,000 Good News Subscriptions Since 2000 (November 22, 2010)

Presumably UCG made those posts to give the impression that the organization is being effective in public proclamation of the gospel and that members can participate in that work.  And while its members can participate, they may wish to consider the other facts.

1. UCG production of its Good News magazine dropped from over 500,000 copies per edition to 350,000 as of its November-December 2010 edition.
2. UCG’s production of its Good News magazine has dropped since going on WGN by 12,000 copies (it produced 362,000 copies for its July-August 2010 edition).
3. Despite being in existence since 1995 and having nearly twice the income and membership of LCG, UCG’s “record results” for its Beyond Tomorrow program on WGN are worse than the results of probably every episode of Tomorrow’s World that LCG has had on WGN this century.  LCG is averaging 3-4 times UCG’s latest record every week. Can UCG’s fruits be considered anything beyond lukewarm?

The reality is that public proclamation of the gospel has never been a high financial priority for UCG.  Those interested in more facts on this can check out UCG 2010 Financial Statements Show Income Drop as well the article that tracks spending more years Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God.

Again, I ask, can UCG’s fruits be considered anything beyond lukewarm?

Now, one group of former UCG supporters has somewhat rallied around a group called International Ambassador Outreach Mission (IAOM).  Last night, it announced that it was expanding:

Press Release 12/1/10: Expansion of International Ambassador Outreach Mission

——————————————————————————–

International Ambassador Outreach (IAO) was formed in 2010 to help support the financial needs of congregations and care for members of the Church of God in areas outside of the United States of America. Special emphasis has been placed to date on the Latin America ministry and membership that has been disenfranchised during the current crisis in the Church of God.

International Ambassador Outreach is dedicated to the preservation of unity within the body of Christ, and sincerely supports any Godly solution that would heal and preserve the unity of the body within the Church of God.

However, as the crisis in the Church of God has continued to escalate, ministers and members in the United States have now become affected as salaried ministers have been terminated or have resigned due to conscience. Should this trend continue, more full-time ministers of good reputation will be terminated or resign, thus impacting and further fracturing unity within the body of Christ.

Because of the aforementioned situation, International Ambassador Outreach is hereby expanding the scope of its mission beyond areas solely outside of the United States, and will now include the support of Church of God ministers and members in transition in the United States of America within its purview. Ministers of good reputation and their families will need financial support to meet basic life needs while working through an unexpected time of transition – and International Ambassador Outreach will seek to assist those needs.

So, IAOM will help former UCG ministers financially, kind of like what UCG originally did with former WCG ministers.  This seems to have been a top priority for the original UCG and current IAOM.

It should be noted that nothing was mentioned in the IAOM Press Release about proclaiming the gospel, nor did UCG devote any of its first year budget to proclaiming the gospel.

Does anyone believe that Jesus will be pleased with former UCG members going into another group that thus far has not shown that it places its top priority on proclaiming the gospel?  Some who were once part of UCG seem to think so, but I would refer all back to Jesus’ warnings to Laodicea as thus far the similarities in IAOM’s priorities to those associated with the formation of UCG appear to be there.

Now a couple of days ago, John Carmack listed various COGs and properly warned against some of them.  When it came to LCG, here is much of what posted:

Living Church of God…

COGWriter Dr Robert Thiel has already written an article titled “Some of the Differences between the Living Church of God and the United Church of God”…  While a small few of their stated beliefs are based more upon tradition than the Bible, the honest fact is that you could do far worse in the COG universe.

Now I would like to comment that I do not believe that despite its not being perfect from a human perspective, one could do better than to support LCG at this time.  Despite the fact that not all who attend with it are Philadelphian, LCG is the only organization that seems to meet the criteria that Jesus set for the Philadelphia portion of His Church.

Notice what Jesus said to the Church at Philadelphia:

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,

‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:  8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.  9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.  10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.  11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.  12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”‘ (Revelation 3:7-13)

Notice that Philadelphia was praised for its work, while Laodicea was condemned for having a less hot work.  Notice that Philadelphia is praised for holding fast the truths that it had.

Only the Living Church of God meets the two criteria that Jesus set for the Philadelphia portion of His Church.  The late Herbert W. Armstrong, in a sermon on the Philadelphia Church Era, specified that Philadelphia had the proper priority on proclaiming the gospel to the world as a witness and had at least 18 vital truths restored to it.

LCG holds fast to the truths that were restored to the Philadelphia era of the Church of God–all of them.  And that simply is not something that UCG has done–and that is an undisputed fact.  Furthemore, only LCG has kept up with the same proportionate results in television and other areas of public proclamation that the group that the late Herbert W. Armstrong once led under Jesus Christ did.

Yes, there are other COGs (and there are articles on how about two dozen of them differ from the Philadelphia standard at the COGwriter home page), but only the Living Church of God meets the two standards for Philadelphia that Jesus set and that were confirmed in more detail by the late Herbert W. Armstrong.

If you are in UCG, confused about UCG, or have nothing to do with UCG but wish to support the most faithful church on earth today, please pray, study, fast, and compare what LCG is doing with your own Bible.  Are you, or the group you may be associated with, cold or lukewarm?

The following articles may assist you in doing this:

18 Truths Restored to the Churches of God Herbert W. Armstrong wrote that he felt he had restored at least 18 lost truths to the Church, here is Herbert W. Armstrong’s list given 12/17/83. This articles also has links to show that these truths were believed by professors of Christ in earlier times, hence they were not some invention of Herbert Armstrong.
Do You Believe God Used Herbert W. Armstrong to Raise Up the Philadelphia Era of the Church of God? Nearly everyone while in WCG used to believe this, most do not seem to anymore.
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?
Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees? Discusses similarities of the Sadducees and Pharisees to various COGs in this end-time.
Laodicean Warning for God’s People Is there really a place of safety? Do God’s people need to be warned? Warned for what?
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now basically the Living Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

NASA photograph of stars

COGwriter

Astronomers now estimate that there are about 300,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars in the universe:

Using the Keck telescope in Hawaii, van Dokkum and a colleague gazed into eight other distant, but elliptical, galaxies and looked at their hard-to-differentiate light signatures. The scientists calculated that elliptical galaxies have more of those dwarf stars. A lot more.

“We’re seeing 10 or 20 times more stars than we expected,” van Dokkum said. By his calculations, that triples the number of estimated stars from 100 sextillion to 300 sextillion.

Full text at: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/12/01/scientists-sextillion-stars/

Of course, humans do not really know how many stars are in the universe.  God even once told Abraham to try to count them, knowing full well that he could not (Genesis 15:5).

God, on the other hand, not only knows how many stars there are, He knows them all by name:

4 He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. (Psalms 147:4, NKJV)

With all of those stars, humans can sometimes feel very insignificant in the universe.  And this is not a modern phenomena as the Psalmist once wrote:

3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
4 What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet  (Psalms 8:3-6, NKJV).

The Book of Hebrews, after quoting much of the above, added the following:

8…But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.  (Hebrews 2:8-9)

And yes, while it has not yet happened, God’s plan includes putting the entire universe (including the estimated 300 sextillion stars) under the control of the resurrected humans who Jesus will save.

The universe is truly awesome (and probably not limited to 300 sextillion stars, plus their associated planets).  Notice something else that the Bible teaches:

33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end. (Luke 1:33)

This seems to mean that either the physical dimensions of Christ’s kingdom will always be increasing (hence perhaps more and more stars and galaxies) and/or their will a continual increase in the number of beings in Christ’s kingdom.

While humans now are fairly insignificant in certain physical ways, God has a plan to involve humanity in ruling the universe.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Where Did God Come From? Any ideas? And how has God been able to exist? Who is God?
How is God Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient? Here is a biblical article by Wallace Smith which answers what many really wonder about it.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
The Bible: Fact or Fiction? This is a booklet written by Douglas Winnail that answers if the Bible is just a collection of myths and legends or the inspired word of God.
Read the Bible Christians should read and study the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading.
What is the Appropriate Form of Biblical Interpretation? Should the Bible be literally understood? What do the writings of the Bible, Origen, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Augustine show?
Bible and Historical Resources on the Internet Electronic bibles, Two Babylons, early Christian literature, photos, and even links to old Herbert W. Armstrong materials.

World Currencies

COGwriter

The USA, which is racing towards bankruptcy and destruction itself, apparently believes it should help support the bail-out of the Euro:

US Ready to Back Bigger EU Stability Fund

Reuters – Dec 1, 2010

The United States would be ready to support the extension of the European Financial Stability Facility via an extra commitment of money from the International Monetary Fund, a U.S. official told Reuters on Wednesday.

“There are a lot of people talking about that. I think the European Commission has talked about that,” said the U.S. official, commenting on enlarging the 750 billion euro ($980 billion) EU/IMF European stability fund. “It is up to the Europeans. We will certainly support using the IMF in these circumstances.”…

The IMF, whose biggest single shareholder is the United States, has committed 250 billion euros to the EFSF. http://www.cnbc.com/id/40454469

The USA apparently believes it still has enough “good faith and credit” on the world’s international scene to do this.  And perhaps it does, for a while longer.

In the short run, supporting the Euro will make exports to Europe from the USA more advantageous and perhaps create some jobs in the USA.

But if this increases US debt, which it may, this will not end up being good for the USA.  Notice the following:

Obama commission says US debt is greatest threat to security,

urges sweeping spending cuts and tax reform

America’s growing budget deficit is the greatest threat to the country’s prosperity and security, President Obama’s Debt Commission warned, as it recommended sweeping cuts in government spending and an overhaul of the tax system.

Telegraph, London – Dec 1, 2010  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/8173986/Obama-commission-says-US-debt-is-greatest-threat-to-security-urges-sweeping-spending-cuts-and-tax-reform.html

The USA keeps playing various dangerous games with the Europeans and ultimately will be taken over by them.

Some prophetic 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?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests?  This is the longest and most complete article on this page on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin?  Where is the nation of Israel in all of this?
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?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?

Muammar al-Gaddafi

COGwriter

Although Libya’s Muammar al-Gaddafi, the Chairman of the African Union, complained that Africa should perhaps forge closer ties to those outside of Europe (like those in Brazil, China, and India), the European Union apparently decided that providing direct financial support to Africa would help overcome that:

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi chaired the summit, slamming international organizations…http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Gadhafi-Lashes-Out-at-Organizations-at-AU-Summit-111055804.html

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia chaired the closing session of the 3rd African Union-European Union Summit on Tuesday, as Heads of State and Governments adopted the Tripoli Declaration and Action Plan of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy. The European Union committed 50 billion Euros for Africa’s development, over the next three years.

The Plan of Action, covering the period 2011-2013, focuses on partnerships in eight areas: peace and security; democratic governance and human rights; regional integration, trade and infrastructure; the Millennium Development Goals; energy; climate change and environment; migration, mobility and employment; and science, ICT and space.

The Tripoli Declaration reaffirms the commitment of the Heads of State and Governments towards strengthening the strategic partnership between the two continents.

The two-day Summit, held November 29-30, brought together Heads of State and Governments of Africa and the European Union from 80 countries, representing more than 1.5 billion people.  http://allafrica.com/stories/201012010616.html

Now, the reality is that China, India, and Brazil have made some in-roads into Africa.  But the other reality is that Bible prophecy indicates that a power from Europe will be the major economic power in the world shortly before Jesus returns.

The Bible indicates that those in parts of North Africa and the Middle East, however, will be overpowered by one called the final King of the North (Daniel 11:40), and that Libya will apparently be aligned with the King of the South who loses (Daniel 11:40-43).

But, for a while, the rest of Africa is likely to receive some temporary financial benefit from the deals with the Europeans (at least the African leaders and merchants, cf. Revelation 18:15-17), though how much the common people will actually “benefit” is not super clear from scripture.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
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?
The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans?