Church of God News

Pope Benedictus XVI

COGwriter

The Pope wants people to study the Eastern Catholic churches this month:

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 3, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is praying this month for an increase in knowledge of and esteem for the Eastern Catholic Churches.

The Apostleship of Prayer announced the intentions chosen by the Pope for this month.

His general intention is “that the Eastern Catholic Churches and their venerable traditions may be known and esteemed as a spiritual treasure for the whole Church.”

The Eastern Catholic Churches are in full communion with Rome.  http://www.zenit.org/article-33766?l=english

Now, while the Pope was interpreted to be referring to those churches that are in “full communion with Rome,”  I would suggest that Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Protestants, those in the Church of God, and others consider what the original “traditions” of the eastern “catholic” churches really were.

Interestingly, the first time the term “catholic church” appears in ancient writings is in a letter to the Church of God in Smyrna, an eastern church (and yes, the term “Church of God” was much more commonly used referring to the original eastern churches than “catholic”).  Interestingly, the term “catholic” was not in a document related to the Church of Rome until many decades later.

Notice the following in a letter from Ignatius, in the early 2^nd century which states:

Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the church of God the Father and of the beloved Jesus Christ at Smyrna in Asia…

You must all follow the bishop, as Jesus Christ followed the Father, and follow the presbytery as you would the apostles…

Wherever the bishop appears, there let the congregation be; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the catholic church…(Ignatius. Letter to the Smyrnaeans, 0.0., 8.1, 8.2.  In Holmes, pp. 188-191)

Also notice that Ignatius is referring to listening to the bishop (or pastor) as one would listen to Jesus or the apostles.  The bishop he was referring to was Polycarp of Smyrna.  His letters never refer to any bishop in or near Rome.  There are no clear early records proving the existence of any Roman bishops that early.

The fact that it was to Smyrna that the term “catholic church” was first used is known and accepted by Roman Catholic scholars.  The Catholic Encyclopedia specifically states (bolding mine):

The combination “the Catholic Church” (he katholike ekklesia) is found for the first time in the letter of St. Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans, written about the year 110. The words run: “Wheresoever the bishop shall appear, there let the people be, even as where Jesus may be, there is the universal [katholike] Church.” However, in view of the context, some difference of opinion prevails as to the precise connotation of the italicized word…by the beginning of the fourth century it seems to have almost entirely supplanted the primitive and more general meaning…The reference (c. 155) to “the bishop of the catholic church in Smyrna” (Letter on the Martyrdom of St. Polycarp, xvi), a phrase which necessarily presupposes a more technical use of the word, is due, some critics think, to interpolation…(Thurston H. Catholic. Transcribed by Gordon A. Jenness. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume III. Published 1908. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Nihil Obstat, November 1, 1908. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York)

Although Ignatius did use the transliterated expression he katholike ekklesia (ή καθολκή ἐκκλησία) in his letter—he  used it when addressing the Church of God at Smyrna in Asia Minor (who we in the Living Church of God claim our descent through), not the Romans (to whom he also wrote a letter to, but did not use that expression), hence in a sense, those that trace themselves historically and doctrinally through the Church of God in Smyrna are the original “catholic church.”

The Martyrdom of Polycarp seems to have been the second place that expression translated as “catholic church” was written in any records that we still possess:

…the elect, of whom this most admirable Polycarp was one, having in our own times been an apostolic and prophetic teacher, and bishop of the Catholic Church which is in Smyrna. (The Smyrnaeans.  The Encyclical Epistle of the Church at Smyrna Concerning the Martyrdom of the Holy Polycarp, 16.2.  In Ante-Nicene Fathers by Roberts and Donaldson, Volume 4, 1885.  Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody (MA), printing 1999, p. 42)

Thus, it was Polycarp’s church, the Smyrnaean Church of God that truly was the original “catholic church.” Note: I have used lower case for the term “catholic church” in most discussions here because the term, according to most scholars, was used originally as more of as a description than a title.

Now as far as traditions, one of those traditions was to keep Passover on the 14th as the following letter from Polycrates of Ephesus made clear when he wrote to Bishop of Rome Victor near the end of the second century that he and others would not accept his authority over scripture:

We observe the exact day; neither adding, nor taking away. For in Asia also great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again on the day of the Lord’s coming, when he shall come with glory from heaven, and shall seek out all the saints. Among these are Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who fell asleep in Hierapolis; and his two aged virgin daughters, and another daughter, who lived in the Holy Spirit and now rests at Ephesus; and, moreover, John, who was both a witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord, and, being a priest, wore the sacerdotal plate. He fell asleep at Ephesus. And Polycarp in Smyrna, who was a bishop and martyr; and Thraseas, bishop and martyr from Eumenia, who fell asleep in Smyrna. Why need I mention the bishop and martyr Sagaris who fell asleep in Laodicea, or the blessed Papirius, or Melito, the Eunuch who lived altogether in the Holy Spirit, and who lies in Sardis, awaiting the episcopate from heaven, when he shall rise from the dead ? All these observed the fourteenth day of the passover according to the Gospel, deviating in no respect, but following the rule of faith. And I also, Polycrates, the least of you all, do according to the tradition of my relatives, some of whom I have closely followed. For seven of my relatives were bishops; and I am the eighth. And my relatives always observed the day when the people put away the leaven. I, therefore, brethren, who have lived sixty-five years in the Lord, and have met with the brethren throughout the world, and have gone through every Holy Scripture, am not affrighted by terrifying words. For those greater than I have said ‘ We ought to obey God rather than man’…I could mention the bishops who were present, whom I summoned at your desire; whose names, should I write them, would constitute a great multitude. And they, beholding my littleness, gave their consent to the letter, knowing that I did not bear my gray hairs in vain, but had always governed my life by the Lord Jesus (Eusebius. The History of the Church, Book V, Chapter XXIV, Verses 2-7 . Translated by A. Cushman McGiffert. Digireads.com Publishing, Stilwell (KS), 2005, p. 114).

Note that Polycrates:

1) Claimed to be a follower of the teachings passed on from the Apostle John
2) Claimed that he was being faithful to the teachings of the Gospel
3) Relied on the position that teachings from the Bible were above those of Roman-accepted tradition
4) Claimed that he was being faithful to the teachings and traditions passed down to him
5) Was then the spokesperson for many in Asia Minor
6) Claimed he and his predecessors observed the time of unleavened bread
7) Refused to accept the authority of Roman tradition over the Bible
8) Refused to accept the authority of the Bishop of Rome
9) Claimed that his life was to be governed by Jesus and not opinions of men

Additionally, the early eastern ‘catholic’ churches had a lot of other doctrines that differ than those now held by Rome and certain others who profess Christ:

Asia Minor was the primary headquarters of the faithful, and those 1st/2nd/and early 3rd century churches were not in “full communion” with any bishop of Rome.
Baptism was by immersion and did not include infants.
The complete Bible with the proper Old Testament and New Testament was relied on by the true Church in Asia Minor.
A Binitarian view, that acknowledged the Holy Spirit, was held by the apostolic and post-apostolic true Christian leaders.
Birthdays were not celebrated by early Christians.
Born-Again meant being born at the resurrection, not at the time of conversion.
Celibacy for Bishops/Presbyters/Elders was not a requirement.
Church Governance was hierarchical.
Christmas was not observed by any professing Christ prior to the third century, or ever by those holding to early teachings.
Circumcision, though not required, was long practiced by original Nazarene Christians.
Deification of Christians was taught by the early leaders of the Church.
Duties of Elders/Pastors were pastoral and theological, not predominantly sacramental–nor did they dress as many now do.
Easter per se was not observed by the apostolic church.
The Fall Holy Days were observed by true early Christians.
The Father was considered to be God by all early professing Christians.
Holy Spirit was not referred to as God or as a person by any early true Christians.
Hymns were mainly psalms, not praises to Christ.
Idols were taught against, including adoration of the cross.
Immortality of the soul or humans was not taught.
Jesus was considered to be God by the true Christians.
The Kingdom of God was preached.
Leavened Bread was removed from the homes of early Christians when the Jews did the same.
Lent was not observed by the primitive church.
Limbo was not taught by the original church.
Military Service was not allowed for true early Christians.
Millenarianism (a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth, often called the millennium) was taught by the early Christians.
Monasticism was unheard of in the early Christian church.
Passover was kept on the 14th of Nisan by apostolic and second century Christians in Asia Minor.
Pentecost was kept on the same day that the Jews observed it by all professing Christians.
Purgatory was not taught by the original apostolic church.
The Resurrection of the dead was taught by all early Christians
The Sabbath was observed on Saturday by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church.
Salvation was believed to be offered to the chosen now by the early Church, with others being called later, though not all that taught that (or other doctrines) practiced “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).
God’s Six Thousand Year Plan for humankind to rule itself was believed by early professors of Christ.
Sunday was not observed by the apostolic and original post-apostolic Christians.
The Ten Commandments were observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians–and in the order that the Living Church of God claims they are in.
Tradition had some impact on the second century Christians, but was never supposed to supercede the Bible.
The Trinity was not a word used to describe the Godhead by the apostolic or second century Christians, though a certain threeness was acknowledged.
Unclean Meats were eaten by the early allegorists, but not by true Christians.

So, I agree with Pope Benedict XVI that people should study into the beliefs and traditions of the “eastern catholic churches” that actually have ties to the apostles and actually taught the doctrines from the Bible.  Those are the practices and beliefs that we in the Living Church of God strive to continue hold to today.

Those interested in learning more about early Christianity of the original eastern churches as well as changes that many have adopted may wish to carefully study the following articles:

Early Church History: Who Were the Two Major Groups Professed Christ in the Second and Third Centuries? Did you know that many in the second and third centuries felt that there were two major, and separate, professing Christian groups in the second century, but that those in the majority churches tend to now blend the groups together and claim “saints” from both? “Saints” that condemn some of their current beliefs. Who are the two groups?
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity?
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the Living Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja viva do deus? Tambien Español: Cuál es fiel: ¿La iglesia católica romana o La Iglesia del Dios Viviente? Auch: Deutsch: Welches zuverlässig ist: Die Römisch-katholische Kirche oder die lebende Kirche von Gott?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Living Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 from 31 A.D. to present: information on all of the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3.
The Ephesus Church Era was predominant from 31 A.D. to circa 135 A.D. The Church of James, Peter, Paul, and John, etc.
The Smyrna Church Era was predominant circa 135 A.D. to circa 450 A.D. The Church led by Polycarp, Melito, Polycrates, etc.

Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Iran

COGwriter

Iran and one or more of the Anglo-Israelite nations and/or Israel may end up with direct conflict:

UK military steps up plans for Iran attack amid fresh nuclear fears

Guardian, UK – Nov 2, 2011

Britain’s armed forces are stepping up their contingency planning for potential military action against Iran amid mounting concern about Tehran’s nuclear enrichment programme, the Guardian has learned.

The Ministry of Defence believes the US may decide to fast-forward plans for targeted missile strikes at some key Iranian facilities. British officials say that if Washington presses ahead it will seek, and receive, UK military help for any mission, despite some deep reservations within the coalition government.

Iran warns US to avoid clash over nuclear programme

‎The Guardian – 3 November 2011
The Iranian foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, said his country was ‘prepared for the worst’. Iran has warned the the US not to set the two countries on a collision course over Tehran’s nuclear enrichment programme as diplomatic tensions reflected growing concern the Middle East might be on the verge of new conflict.The Iranian foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, spoke amid reports that the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, has been trying to rally support within his country for an attack.

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Israeli PM orders investigation into Iran leak

Kuwaiti paper says Binyamin Netanyahu believes the heads of the Mossad and Shin Bet may have leaked plans for attack…Israel’s prime minister has ordered an investigation into alleged leaks of plans to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, it has been reported.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/03/israeli-pm-investigation-iran-leak

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International: Iranian FM: We’re prepared for war‎ Ynetnews…Ali Akbar Salehi promises ‘brutal response’ to any attack on Islamic Republic, tells US to think twice before entering ‘collision course’ with Tehran

It seems likely that at some point in time, Iran will be involved in at least a regional conflict in the Middle East.  Perhaps also involving Syria.

Here are some points to consider:

1. Many believe that Iran’s nuclear ambitions will be addressed militarily, probably by Israel, but perhaps with British and/or American support.
2. Military actions often end up with some type of ‘peace deal.’
3. Iran’s leaders believe that various signs preparing the way for the Imam Mahdi have already taken place (e.g. see Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: World Order About to Collapse, Mahdi Behind it).
4. Iran is getting somewhat impatient and its current president may not have much time in office to provoke the conflict that he seems to believe will be necessary to cause the Imam Mahdi to arise (e.g. see Iran’s Ahmadinejad to Conquer Jerusalem?).
5. Since Iran is not the King of the South, it may be neutralized to some degree before the final King of the South rises up.
6. The one that Shi’ite and some Sunni Muslims refer to as the Imam Mahdi seems to be the similar to the final King of the South in Daniel 11, and the King of the South will eventually provoke the Europeans into a major war.
7. For a scriptural sequence, recall that the Bible teaches that about 3 1/2 years after a peace deal (Daniel 9:27), the nation of Israel starts on the road of being eliminated beginning in Daniel 11:31 (which is what Jesus warned about in Matthew 24:15), the USA is taken over in Daniel 11:39, and the final King of the North is provoked by the King of the South in Daniel 11:40 and then eliminates the King of the South and his supporters in Daniel 11:40-43.

And while Iran’s ‘King of the South’ plan will not work out as it intends, Iran’s actions are highly likely to provoke enough warfare that many in the Islamic world will look an Imam Mahdi type leader AND will be willing to accept a peace deal such as the one in Daniel 9:27.  There are some interesting Islamic prophetic views.  Notice the following which is attributed to Mohammed (there are several accepted spellings):

Rasaullah [Muhammed] said: “There will be four peace agreements between you and the Romans [Christians]. The fourth agreement will be mediated through a person who will be the progeny of Hadrat Haroon [Honorable Aaron — Moses’ brother] and will be upheld for seven years.

Thus, a deal between someone from Europe (Romans above) and Israel (descendant of Aaron) and an Islamic leader is expected.

An Islamic prophetic writer wrote the following:

…a life of peace as a result of a peace agreement between you and the Banil Asfaar (Romans) which they will break and attack you.

Hence, some within Islam seem to understand that a temporary, but false peace, will happen with it broken by an attack from the Europeans. (Thiel B. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, 2009, pp. 83-84).

Thus, certain Islamic plans parallel the Bible and will come to pass, though more precisely as the Bible, and not their traditions, teach.

Events are moving forward in the Middle East, Iran, and other parts of the world for the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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? What does Islam teach about the Imam Mahdi?
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? Is he the Imam Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
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?
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?
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 17 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 17 já começaram a acontecer.
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Brazilian Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel.  Edição em português do Brasil. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 17 já começaram a acontecer.

COGwriter

The following headlines were not unexpected:

We are living in the last days and at least some of the protesters seem to be fulfilling much of the above.

The sorrows and troubles are still in the beginning stages (Matthew 24:5-8) and will get much worse (Matthew 24:21-22). I believe that class warfare and other protests will help weaken the USA and other Anglo-nations and may also be a factor in them being vulnerable to real warfare: invasion by the Beast.

As Jesus said:

37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! (Mark 13:36-37)

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2011 or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What is the “beginning of sorrows”? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
Is Third Tithe Still Valid Today? Some in the COGs no longer teach payment of third tithe, is this biblically correct?
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.
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?
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 and Have People Taken as Slaves? 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.
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? If so, what does that really mean for the USA and its Anglo allies.
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?

COGwriter

Might the Euro collapse?  Some in Germany and elsewhere are concerned about the Greek crisis:

11/02/2011

‘The Euro Zone Could Face Ruin’

German economists are warning of disastrous potential consequences for Europe if Greek voters reject a referendum on the euro rescue package. The country would go bankrupt, they argue, and it would trigger a domino effect. At the same time, politicians would finally be required to develop a worst-case scenario. http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,795514,00.html

As government verges on collapse, Papandreou fires military chiefs

EUobserver – Nov 2, 2011 excerpt…

Meanwhile, in a development that has stoked fears of a potential military coup in the country, Papandreou on Tuesday also fired the entire high command of the armed forces along with some dozen other senior officers and replaced them with figures believed to be more supportive of the current political leadership.  http://euobserver.com/13/114140

The situation is Europe is growing more and more tense.

FWIW, in my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, about two years and a half years ago, I wrote:

Having the European power acquiring a lot more gold to back the Euro (even if the backing is only implied) or possibly other future European currency (that might potentially replace the Euro) may greatly increase European credibility, prosperity, and influence around the globe.

We will see what happens with the Euro.

The Bible, in Revelation 17, is clear that the Europeans will reorganize in the future:

12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. (Revelation 17:12-13)

Steps towards this happening are continuing as we in the Living Church of God have long taught–and there will be bumps in the road and problems (major civil unrest, or worse, may occur).

Of course, the Bible is clear that the final European Beast power will not actually be highly unified as it will basically be a combination of strong and weak, or as the Bible more literally states, iron and clay:

41 Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. 43 As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. (Daniel 2:41-43)

According to Bible prophecy, a European power, despite its fragility, is destined to temporarily be the most dominant force in the world, ultimately conquer the Anglo-descended nations (Daniel 11:39), and later come to its end (Daniel 11:45).

But before it is destroyed (Daniel 11:21-44), the final Beast power must come together and get to the place where it has major economic influence.  And as my 2012 book also points out, it may take civil unrest to be a factor in Europe coming together to fulfill a variety of biblical prophecies.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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”? Using the Tower of Babel and “Beast” images suggests it is not concerned about its role as being part of the future Babylon of Bible prophecy.
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?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) 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 Jerusalem and 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 and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? 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?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This link also has YouTube videos. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, world events have aligned with at least 17 predictions in the book and many more will 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 16-17 já começaram a acontecer.
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Brazilian Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel. Edição em português do Brasil. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 16-17 já começaram a acontecer.

Harold Egbert Camping

COGwriter

False prophet Harold Camping is working on other prediction while apologizing for one of his statements:

End of World predictor Harold Camping working on more predictions

San Jose Mercury News – Nov 1, 2011

…Harold Camping posted an audio recording on his Oakland radio ministry this week addressing why the world did not end Oct. 21.  He hinted at taking a few more cuts in the still unfolding future.

“Why didn’t Christ return on Oct. 21?” asks Camping, now 90 and recovering from a stroke. “It seems embarrassing for Family Radio but God was in charge of everything.”

The Alameda resident has erroneously preached the world would end in 1994, and May 21 and Oct. 21 this year, citing mathematical formulas taken from the Bible…  His…Family Radio website hinted at predictions to come.

“I have been checking my own notes more closely than ever and I find there is other language in the Bible that we still have to take a look at very carefully,” he says. The prognosticator also apologized for saying earlier this year that those who did not believe May 21 would be the Rapture could never be saved.  “I should not have said that.”  http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_19242859

I want to comment that Harold Camping’s mathematical formulas came more from his imagination than they did the Bible.  I repeatedly pointed out that they were in error and NOT based upon scripture but his own imaginations.  Furthermore, I also pointed out that Harold Camping needed to actually read and try to understand the sequence of events in Matthew 24, but he did not properly do so.

It would seem that former UCG minister and self-appointed prophet/apostle/one-of-the-two-witnesses Ronald Weinland of CGPFK is probably watching all of this and trying to decide what he will do when Jesus does not return on Ron Weinland’s May 27, 2012 date.

In a radio interview on December 15, 2007, notice what Ronald Weinland said:

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…

But he was wrong.  And by his own words, he is a false prophet.

Notice what Ronald Weinland taught in a sermon given March 29, 2008:

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).

Since Pentecost in 2008 was June 8th, by mid-June Ronald Weinland was to stop preaching according to his own words.

And by mid-July 2008 apologize and publicly admit his error.

Instead on April 19th, he pronounced curses on his critics and by April 26th, he changed one date. And by late June 2008, he changed his dates. And in August 2008, he declared his ideas about critics to be the “50th truth” he restored to the church.

Notice what Ronald Weinland’s websites later stated:

And so because of the 50th Truth and the understanding that God has given us of Christ’s return on Pentecost, May 27, 2012 we also came to understand the true date for the sealing of the 144,000 that was to precede Christ’s reign by 1335 days – which again is covered in the book of Daniel at the end of those verses that we were reading earlier. (Weinland R. 6/26/10 sermon)

1260 Days: The blowing of the first Trumpet will occur/occurred on the 14th of December, 2008. This is the beginning of the Great Tribulation and 3 1/2 years until the return of Jesus Christ on the day of Pentecost. The beginning of the fall of the USA and other Israelite countries begins from the start of the 1260 days. God will reveal this period of time for the first Four Trumpets of 6 to 12 months. God will reveal this information to His two end-time prophets (and two end-time witnesses) whose job begins on this same date. (Timelines Questions Answered. http://www.cog-pkg.org/faq/topics.aspx viewed 11/11/08)

Jesus is NOT going to return on May 27, 2012.   The Great Tribulation did not begin on December 14, 2008 as Ronald Weinland declared nor on the May 22, 1988 date that Harold Camping has been declaring this year and in prior years.

Now in his sermon March 12, 2011, Ronald Weinland stated the following:

So, if I’m not a prophet I’ll reason with you accordingly and be open with you about it…

So often for those who do not believe that I’m a prophet, the question is asked, “What will you do if these things do not come to pass?” And I’m going to answer that more fully in this particular sermon today…

So again, some cannot wait for me to say that I am not a prophet, or to say that I am a false prophet. Indeed, no one has long to wait do they? Isn’t that amazing? May 27, 2012 is not too far away and if Europe hasn’t risen by early 2012 and if China does not begin destroying the earth before that date, then the reality would be manifest much sooner, obviously. You don’t have to wait until 2012.

As far as the question they ask; what would I do? Well, first I’d repent before God and the Church. I’d acknowledge my sin and pray that God have mercy upon me for being so horribly  presumptuous.  Candidly (and some are going to really hate hearing this), I’d deeply repent of all those things that concern prophecies that I have given in the office of a prophet BUT I’d seek to hold fast to all that I believe with all my being to be true concerning the word of God. I would begin to go back through all 57 Truths (and I’d hope others would do exactly the same thing), IF… just to be open about it. I’d go back through all 57 Truths and eliminate those that are shown to be untrue, repenting as I did so; but I would hold fast to all that I believed to be true. (Weinland R. A Final Plea, With Judgment – Pt. 1. March 12, 2011)

Ronald Weinland should announce his retirement from the ministry no late than May 28, 2012 if he has any semblance to decency as he will again be proven wrong, just like Harold Camping.  But instead, he may decide to claim he misunderstood something, claim that “God” gave him and Ron’s church more time, or some other claim that differs from his prior ones.

Ron Weinland and Harold Camping really should pay attention to warnings from the Bible concerning false prophets:

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 18:22).

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. (2 Peter 2:1-3).

I do not consider that Harold Camping is a real Christian and he has repeatedly proven to be a false prophet. The world did not end in 1994, there was no “rapture of the Church” in May 2011, and no one should base their life on following the dates of Harold Camping or Ronald Weinland. They, and other false prophets, have caused the way of truth to be blasphemed. Sadly, people have spent a lot of money to promote something that will cause the way of truth will be blasphemed by some.

Similar to others that I have considered to be “false prophets”, it is not that Harold Camping or Ronald Weinland cannot accurately read scriptures out loud (Satan can do that Matthew 4:6), but like Satan, they often do not understand what the scriptures are supposed to mean in the light of other scriptures (Matthew 4). The fact that they, like other false preachers, frequently gets some correct points made does not mean that he is not a false prophet.

Now as far as the Mayan 2012 stuff, let me make this perfectly clear, when the world does NOT end on December 21, 2012, various scoffers will likely rise up and denounce all prophecy as bogus. People like Harold Camping will likely also be cited. False prophets have caused and again will cause the way of truth to be blasphemed. But Bible prophecy is sure and it will come to pass.

Remember that the Apostle Peter warned:

…scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:3-9)

So, despite false ones who rise up (Matthew 24:4) and scoffers, Jesus will return.  Biblical prophecy is certain, and certainly Harold Camping and Ronald Weinland have been wrong.  And Ronald Weinland’s May 27, 2012 will be proven wrong in little more than 6 1/2 months (though biblically, I believe that it is easy to prove wrong today–the great tribulation did NOT begin on December 14, 2008).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Harold Camping’s Teachings About the End of the World Do Not Agree with the Bible Harold Camping teaches that the rapture will be on May 21, 2011 and the world will end on October 21, 2011. What does the Bible show?
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?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected? What does the Bible really teach? Does the Church flee or is it taken up just prior to the great tribulation? Who really is left behind?
Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up and that the end will come in 2008 (first April 17th, then June 2008, now December 14, 2008). Why does the Bible show that Ron Weinland is a false prophet? He also has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the Church of God.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2011, 2012, or 2013? 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?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012? How might the next pope be involved in 2012?
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?

“Orthodox” 16th Century Representation of the “Apocalypse”

COGwriter

In the latest issue of its The Bible Advocate, CG7-Denver has the following statements:

The BA asked Church of God (Seventh Day) ministers their views on the tribulation period prophesied in Matthew 24:21 (see also Mark 13:19 and Luke 21:20-26), whether its fulfillment is in the past, in the present, or in the future. This is an issue on which the Church has no firm position. (The Great Tribulation.  The Bible Advocate, November-December 2011, p. 5)

The Bible shows that Great Tribulation will begin (Matthew 24:21) after a time that Jesus called “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:5-8).  And while the sorrows apparently have began, the Great Tribulation itself is still a future event.  The above article has a survey that indicates that perhaps half of the CG7 ministry believes this.

The late Herbert W. Armstrong felt that CG7 represented the Sardis era of the Church of God. He once was part of them:

I had been fellowshipping with, working with, the latter part of the Sardis era, as described in Christ’s own words in Revelation 3:1-5.  (Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong, 1973 ed., page 450).

He was specifically ordained as a minister and apostle by CG7 (a picture of that ministerial ordination license is shown in the article Who Was Herbert W. Armstrong? How is He Viewed Today?).  But he left them and was used to found the Philadelphia Church Era.  He had seen that CG7 had lost information, would not always teach the truth, and did not have the zeal he felt Jesus required of the most faithful portion of the true Church.

The Bible itself warned that the Sardis Church would lose much of what it had:

1″And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,

‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.  2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.  3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.  4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. (Revelation 3:1-4)

CG7-Denver keeps losing more and more of the truths it once had.  And while it can be argued that CG7’s position on the Great Tribuation has always been hard to pin down, I would simply like to state that A.N. Dugger (former, and major, CG7 leader of the 20th century) clearly believed that most of the events in the Book of Revelation were for the future and that the current CG7 teaches that many of those same events were for the past (this is documented in the article Church of God, Seventh Day: History and Teachings).

This latest published position of the Great Tribulation (including words that it has “no firm position”) is disappointing which again, to me at least, confirms that CG7-Denver is at best part of Sardis.  Many in Sardis will not watch as they should and will not see what they should be seeing.

Note: After posting this, someone who believes that the destruction of Jerusalem fulfilled the Great Tribulation wrote me.  He, like many of the CG7 ministry, believe that this fulfilled Jesus’ words.  This is in error.

Let’s look at what Jesus actually stated:

21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:21-22)

Now consider that there have been worse tribulations than the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.  Further consider that unless those days were shortened NO FLESH WOULD BE SAVED.  This is not referring to some limited action in Jerusalem.  And even if some wish to insist that it is, the reality is that the “elect” received a warning to flee Jerusalem 2-3 years prior to its destruction and many of them ended up in a town called Pella.

The great tribulation has NOT happened.  There have been events worse than the 70 A.D. destruction of Jerusalem by Roman armies, and there will be worse events in the future.  And this is a trial of tribulation that comes upon the whole world and only the Philadelphians (Revelation 3:7) are promised protection:

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.(Revelation 3:10).

The great tribulation is more than something involving Jerusalem, though Jerusalem will clearly be involved (Matthew 24:15; Daniel 11:31).  The great tribulation still remains for the future.

Some articles of related interest may include the following:

Church of God, Seventh Day: History and Teachings Nearly all COG’s I am aware of trace their history through this group. Whaid Rose is the president of the largest CG7 group (Denver). Do you know much about them?
The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and COG-7th Day.
Joyce’s Photos of Sardis Sardis is the fifth of the seven churches listed in the Book of Revelation.
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 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?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012? How might Barack Obama be involved in 2012?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This also has YouTube videos related to 2012. The book is for those truly interested in understanding how prophecies inter-relate and who want to see a real sequence of end time events.

Catrinas, such as the above, are among the most popular figures of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico (Tomascastelazo).

COGwriter

Today is observed by many as All Saints Day and/or the Day of the Dead.

Is this a biblical holiday?  How was it established?  What exactly is the state of the dead?

Rod McNair of the Living Church of God wrote:

In 610ad, Pope Boniface IV established the Feast of All Holy Martyrs, held annually on May 13. In 835, Pope Gregory IV transferred the celebration to November 1, a date he designated as “All Saints Day” in honor of martyrs for their faith. What activities are associated with that day? Even today, in some Catholic countries, a popular folk tradition holds that people’s departed loved ones return to their former homes once a year, during this day, also known as the “Day of the Dead.” Mabuhay magazine described a colorful tradition of the Philippines, where families “troop to cemeteries to light candles and offer flowers… to departed relatives… on All Saints Day (November 1)” (“Halloween High Jinks,” November 1997, p. 34).The November 2 festival known as “All Souls Day” was established based on “the [Roman Catholic] doctrine that the souls of the faithful which at death have not been cleansed from venial sins, or have not atoned for past transgressions, cannot attain the Beatific Vision, and that they may be helped to do so by prayer and by the sacrifice of the mass” (“All Souls Day,” Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th ed. vol. 1, p. 709). This presumes a process by which those who are alive can perform ceremonies to somehow improve the condition of the deceased.

In Mexico, “Dia de los Muertos,” or “Day of the Dead” is observed by adorning gravesites with candles, marigolds, and deceased family members’ favorite foods, as if to attempt to persuade the dead loved ones to return for a family reunion. Note this description of how some celebrants observe this festival: “Some wear wooden skull masks known as calacas. Many families build altars, called ofrendas, in their homes, using photos, candles, flowers, and food… Toys and food, including breads and candies, are created in the shape of symbols of death such as skulls and skeletons” (“Day of the Dead,” Encyclopaedia Britannica online).

All these “festivals of the dead” are based on the same general theme—to commune with, appease, serve and even worship the dead.   But are such practices based on the Bible? Should Christians observe them today? What does God say?

Where Are the Dead Now?

Many ancient religious traditions presume that the dead are somewhere other than in the grave. Many people assume that the departed dead are either in heaven, hell or some sort of intermediate conscious state. Yet the Bible clearly tells us where the dead are!

Notice what the Apostle Peter said in his sermon on the Day of Pentecost: “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.… For David did not ascend into the heavens…” (Acts 2:29, 34).

David did not go to heaven! The Apostle Peter, speaking centuries after David’s death, confirmed that David was still in his grave where he had been placed at death, and was still awaiting the resurrection! What a contrast Peter’s words are to the mistaken belief, so pervasive among professing Christians today, that the saints, right now, are looking down at us from heaven!

Jesus Christ plainly explained, “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven” (John 3:13). He indeed had come down from heaven, and did return to the throne of the Father in heaven (John 20:17). But, on His faithful testimony, no one else has done so!

What, then, are the dead doing? The answer is neither mysterious nor spooky. The dead are simply “sleeping” in their graves, unconscious, waiting to be called to resurrection. What will happen when Christians are resurrected? The Apostle Paul explains: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–18).

We can gain tremendous encouragement if we understand the truth about death, and resurrection, as taught in the Bible. We need not distress or confuse ourselves with the fearful superstitions fostered by the “festivals of death.”

Can We Communicate With the Dead?

If the dead are unconscious in the grave—not alert as disembodied spirits in heaven—can we communicate with them? On the “Day of the Dead” do deceased family members actually return to their living relatives, as some believe? What does the Bible say?

Solomon explained: “For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). When righteous King David cried out to be saved from danger, he reminded God, “For in death there is no remembrance of You; in the grave who will give You thanks?” (Psalm 6:5). Solomon and David both understood that human beings cease from consciousness at death.

The biblical account of King Saul’s séance sometimes confuses casual readers who wonder about spirits existing after death. At first glance, one might think that a medium had conjured up the spirit of Samuel, at King Saul’s request (1 Samuel 28:8–15). But did the medium really bring Samuel back? Scripture explains that Saul “perceived” it was Samuel (v. 14). The description was simply of “an old man… covered with a mantle”—apparently an unclean spirit appearing in a form much like Samuel’s. Scripture shows that lying spirits do go forth to deceive, as did this one seeking to deceive Saul (1 Kings 22:22–23).

Yes, the Bible clearly shows that we cannot communicate with the dead. The dead are not aware of treats or offerings brought to their graves. They neither hear nor benefit from prayers made to them, or on their behalf.

On the other hand, we do look forward to seeing our beloved friends and relatives in the resurrection! And it is certainly right to honor the memory of a deceased family member or friend at a funeral service, especially for the sake of the mourning relatives. We “honor the memory” of our deceased parents and grandparents not by leaving trinkets at their graves, or by hoping to welcome their spirits into our homes, but rather by following their edifying instruction and example, and by bringing honor to the good name they established while they lived.

Interestingly, some historians have suggested a link between ancient “Day of the Dead” practices and the destruction of Noah’s idolatrous and licentious generation. Noah’s Flood began in the “second month, the seventeenth day of the month” (Genesis 7:11). One year later, in the second month, on the twenty-seventh day, Noah exited the ark (Genesis 8:14–16). If we count the timing of Noah’s Flood according to the Jewish civil calendar, the seventeenth day of the second month would be somewhere from late October to early November.

As author Frederick Filby has observed, “Thus the old world perished and a year later a new era commenced in the same month. Both of these facts are indelibly enshrined in the memory of the human race. To many people right round the world November brings the Day of the Dead. In a number of ancient and primitive calendars November also brings a New Year at a time which has neither solstice nor equinox nor astronomical event to justify it” (The Flood Reconsidered, pp. 106–107)…

May God grant you the understanding and discernment to come out of the world, wholly follow Him, and reject the festivitals of death! (McNair R.  Festivals of Death.  Tomorrow’s World magazine.  Sep-Oct 2008)

The Catholic Origin of All Saints Day

Catholic scholars themselves admit that the day they call “All Saints Day” was not observed by early Christians, but was a later addition:

ALL SAINTS. As early as the fourth century, the Greeks kept on the first Sunday after Pentecost the feast of all martyrs and saints, and we still possess a sermon of St. Chrysostom de-livered on that day. In the West, the feast was introduced by Pope Boniface the Fourth after he had dedicated, as the Church of the Blessed Virgin and the Martyrs, the Pantheon, which had been made over to him by the Emperor Phocas. The feast of the dedication was kept on the thirteenth of May. About 731 Gregory III. consecrated a chapel in St. Peter’s Church in honour of all the saints, from which time All Saints’ Day has been kept in Rome, as now, on the first of November. From about the middle of the ninth century, the feast came into general observance throughout the West. (Addis W, Arnold T. Catholic Dictionary, 6th ed. The Catholic Publication Society Co, 1887. Nihil Obstat. EDUARDUS S. KEOGH, CONG. ORAT., Censor Deputatu Imprimatur. HENRICUS EDUARDUS, CARD. ARCHIEP. WESTMONAST. Die 18 Dec., 1883. Imprimatur. John Card. McCloskey, Archbishop of New York. Feb. 14, 1884. Copyright, Lawrence Kehoe, 1884/1887. p20).

ALL SOULS Day. A solemn commemoration of, and prayer for, all the souls in Purgatory, which the Church makes on the second of November. (Ibid, p. 20)

The Pantheon was originally a pagan shrine for multiple gods and was turned into a Catholic shrine for multiple “saints.”

Pantheon of Rome: A Symbol of Unity Among Confusion

How All Saints’ Day actually became a universal holiday shows another type of pagan connection:

All Saints’ Day…It was first celebrated on May 13, A.D. 610, as the Feast of All Holy Martyrs, when the Emperor Phocas gave the ancient Pantheon to Pope Boniface IV as a church (All Saints’ Day. World Book, vol 1. Chicago, 1966: 354).

The Romans built the Pantheon as a temple in honor of all their gods. The name means of all the gods…Agrippa first built the famous Pantheon in Rome in 27 B.C. (Pantheon. World Book, vol 15. Chicago, 1966: 111).

Druid…priests worshiped some gods similar to those of the Greeks and Romans, but under different names (Druid. World Book, vol 5. Chicago, 1966: 289).

Of course, some feel that although the Druids worshiped the pagan deities under different names that is wrong, yet they accept the change of the names of the “gods” in the Pantheon to the “Catholic saints” is perfectly acceptable.

Here is a bit more on how and why the Pantheon became acceptable to the Roman Catholics:

In 607 A.D. the Roman Emperor Phocus defeated the Barbarians who were in control of Rome. The Pantheon in Rome, a pagan edifice which had been wrested from the barbarians, was given to pope Boniface IV. Originally, Emperor Hadrian built the Pantheon — around 100 A.D. He dedicated it to the pagan goddess Cybele and to the other Roman deities. This temple became the central place in Rome where the pagans honored and commemorated their gods. With this splendid edifice now falling into the hands of professing Christians, the question was, What should be done with it?

The pagans had dedicated it to Cybele and all their gods. But the Roman bishop now CONSECRATED IT TO THE VIRGIN MARY AND ALL THE SAINTS of both sexes (see “The Mysteries of All Nations”, Grant, p. 120). Thus this pagan building became “holy.” No more did the pagan Romans use this edifice to pray for their dead. It was now the professing Christians who employed the Pantheon in praying for their dead.

This re-dedication of the pagan temple to Mary and others occurred in 610 A.D. Now converted into a Christian shrine, an annual festival was instituted to commemorate the event. The day chosen was May 13.

This May 13 commemoration of the dead saints was known by the name of “All Saints Day.” It continued to be held in May for over two centuries — until 834 A.D. In that year the NAME and the DATE WERE CHANGED.

Notice! “The time of celebration was altered to the FIRST OF NOVEMBER, and it was then called ALL HALLOW” — from where we get the name Hallowe’en, ALL HALLOW merely meaning ALL HOLY, and the “een” is a contraction of evening (“Folklore”, James Napier, p. 177).

Thus in 834 A.D. the Church in the Middle Ages began to celebrate Hallowe’en on the FIRST OF NOVEMBER for the first time. This was the very same day the Druids in Britain, the Norsemen in Scandinavia, and the pagan Germans among others were keeping their festival of ALL SOULS EVE, in commemoration of Saman, lord of death, and his demons (Marx, Gerhard O. The Origin of Halloween. Plain Truth Magazine, October 1967).

How Was November 1 Chosen for All Saints Day?

Now why was November 1, chosen? Notice the following:

“It was a Druidical belief that on the eve of this festival Saman, lord of death, called together the wicked spirits that within the past 12 months had been condemned to inhabit the bodies of animals” (“Enc. Brit.”, 11th ed., v. 12, pp. 857-8). Read what this November celebration was like! It was a pagan belief that on one night of the year the souls of the dead return to their original homes, there to be entertained with food. If food and shelter were not provided, these spirits, it was believed, would cast spells and cause havoc towards those failing to fulfill their requests. “It was the night for the universal walking about of all sorts of spirits, fairies, and ghosts, all of whom had liberty on that night” (“Highland Superstitions”, Alexander Macgregor, p. 44). Literal sacrifices were offered on this night to the spirits of the dead, when, so the belief went, they visited their earthly haunts and their friends.

There was a reason why November was chosen for that particular event. The Celts and other Northern people considered the beginning of November as their New Year. This was the time when the leaves were falling and a general seasonal decay was taking place everywhere. Thus it was a fitting time, so they reasoned, for the commemoration of the dead. Since the Northern nations at that time began their day in the evening, the eve leading up to November 1st was the beginning of the festival. According to the Roman calendar it was the evening October 31 — hence, Hallowe’en — the evening of All Hallows.

To exorcise these ghosts, that is, to free yourself from their supposed evil sway, you would have to set out food and provide shelter for them during the night. If they were satisfied with your offerings, it was believed they would leave you in peace. If not, they were believed to cast an evil spell on you. “In Wales it was firmly believed that on All Hallows Eve the spirit of a departed person was to be seen at midnight on every crossroad and every stile” (“Folklore and Folk-Stories of Wales”, Marie Trevelyan, p. 254).

In Cambodia people used to chant: “O all you our ancestors, who are departed, deign to come and eat what we have prepared for you, and to bless your posterity and to make it happy” (“Notice sur le Cambodge”, Paris 1875, E. Aymonièr, p. 59).

This sort of Hallowe’en festival was strenuously observed throughout the non-Christian world. Pagans would pray to their false gods to prevent “DEMONS” and “witches” from molesting them. Notice! “The Miatecs of Mexico believed that the souls of the dead came back in the twelfth month of the year, WHICH CORRESPONDED TO OUR NOVEMBER. On this day of All Souls the houses were decked out to welcome the spirits. Jars of food and drink were set on a table in the principal room, and the family went out with the torches to meet the ghosts and invite them to enter. Then, returning to the house they knelt around the table, and with their eyes bent on the ground, prayed the souls to accept the offerings” (“Adonis”, Frazer, p. 244).

This, then, is the way the heathen world celebrated their Hallowe’en, their “All Souls Day”. Although some aspects of the Hallowe’en festival varied with each country, the overall pattern and purpose remained the same…

When the German Frankish king Charlemagne invaded and conquered parts of Eastern Germany, he compelled the conquered German king, Wittekind, to be baptized and to accept Christianity. Having no choice and seeing his life was at stake, this heathen ruler who knew little or nothing about Christ — was forced into this “conversion.” And with him his entire people. This policy brought complex problems. These pagans, who were usually baptized EN MASSE, were still pagans at heart. Even though they became nominal Christians, they still yearned for many of their heathen practices, which they were expected to discard…

Wittekind’s Germans, now professing Christians, and other conquered pagans, had a profound influence on the ecclesiastical affairs of the church in the early 800’s A. D. These barbaric and uncultured people brought with them many outright pagan practices and celebrations, Hallowe’en merely being one of many. They were fervent in clinging to their past ceremonies and observed them openly — yet supposedly converted to Christianity. What was the church to do? Excommunicate them and thus reduce her membership? This she would not do. Was she to force them into discarding their heathen practices and adopt Italian or Roman ones? This, as she had learned in past times, was not possible.

There remained only one other way. Let the recently converted pagans keep certain of their heathen festivals, such as Hallowe’en or All Souls Day — but label it “Christian.” Of course the Germans were asked not to pray to their ancient pagan gods on this day. They must now use this day to commemorate the death of the saints. To make it easy for them, the Roman Church even CHANGED HER DATE of All Saints Day from May 13 to November 1st to satisfy the growing numbers of Germanic adherents. The Church understood the yearnings the Germans and others had for their old ways (Marx, Gerhard O. The Origin of Halloween. Plain Truth Magazine, October 1967).

Since the date was not original, and was even changed, All Saint’s Day obviously never was an original apostolic practice.

What About the Day of the Dead?

The Day of the Dead is of pagan origin.  The Burke Museum of Natural History notes:

“The Mexican Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival combines ancient Mesoamerican and Christian beliefs. The Aztecs believed that the souls of the dead traveled to Mictlan, where they found rest. Several Aztec festivals merged with the Christian All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days to become the Day of the Dead. El Día de los Muertos begins on October 31, All Hallows’ Eve. Families clean and decorate their relatives’ graves and eat picnic meals in the graveyard. They sing songs and reminisce about the deceased. Los Angelitos (“little angels”) return on this day. On November 1, All Saints’ Day, adult spirits return, drawn by the ofrendas (altars with offerings), which serve as thresholds between this world and the next.  http://www.burkemuseum.org/static/RR/DOFD/dofd2.htm

Here is another report about the Day of the Dead/Dia de Los Muertos:

“Dia de Los Muertos has its roots in Aztec tradition and is celebrated like a holiday in Mexico. NoMar is celebrating the event early, the actual holiday is November 1st and 2nd. According to legend, the spirits of the dead meet with the living as heaven’s gates open on October 31.” http://www.kwch.com/news/kwch-rew-what-is-the-day-of-the-dead-dia-de-los-muertos-20111028,0,988587.story

Some seem feel that combining pagan practices are fine, as the following also shows:

All Saints Day comes to Silicon Valley — Filipino style

The Filipino graveside tradition resembles the Mexican “El Dia de los Muertos,” or Day of the Dead, which also coincides with All Saints Day. While the Mexican tradition has migrated to America mainly in the form of home and community altars, one local cemetery last year resurrected the graveyard tradition as it has been celebrated in Mexico for centuries.

Last year, Calvary Catholic Cemetery in East San Jose and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley invited families to decorate the graves of loved ones with candy skulls, photographs, ribbons and favorite food items of the deceased.

More than 500 people attended last year’s inaugural event, according to Calvary spokeswoman Nicole Lecheler. This year’s celebration on Oct. 29 will include Aztec dancers, skull-decorating workshops, food booths and Day of the Dead altar displays by artists, students and local community groups. http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_19217399

Again, these are not biblical practices. And having Aztec skull dancers should be an obvious clue to any who does not believe that they should compromise the faith of the Bible with paganism.

The dead, of course, will be resurrected, and that is the day that the dead will be revived–and modified Aztec practices will not change that.

The Bible Lists God Holy Days and Warns About Pagan Practices

In Leviticus chapter 23, it lists:

“The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts” (vs.2).

All Saints’ Day or the Day of the Dead is not listed as one of them.  Neither are biblically enjoined feasts day for Christians (there is not any hint of either in the Bible; they may even be warned against in Deuteronomy 4:15-24). Actually the Bible warns against worshipping God the way the pagans, etc. did (Leviticus 18:3; Deuteronomy 12:31, Jeremiah 10:2-3).

And it specifically warns against creating images such as those used in the Day of the Dead:

15 Keep therefore your souls carefully. You saw not any similitude in the day that the Lord God spoke to you in Horeb from the midst of the fire:  16 Lest perhaps being deceived you might make you a graven similitude, or image of male or female (Deuteronomy 4:15-16, Douay OT).

Note: I intentionally used the Douay OT translation above as it is an official Catholic-accepted translation to point out that Catholics are violating their own Bible when they are involved with images.

The Bible repeatedly warns against the practices of witches (Exodus 22:18; Deuteronomy 18:10, Galatians 5:20) and dealing with ghosts/etc. (Deuteronomy 18:11, I Chronicles 10:13).

Christians who wish to remain faithful to the original apostolic faith will not observe All Saints Day nor the Day of the Dead.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is Halloween Holy Time for Christians? This article provides some historical and biblical insight on this question.  When did “All Saints Day” and the “Day of the Dead” begin?
Did Early Christians Believe that Humans Possessed Immortality? What does John 3:16, and other writings, tell us? Did a doctrine kept adopted from paganism?
What Did Early Christians Understand About the Resurrection? Is there more than one future resurrection? Did early Christians teach a physical resurrection? Did early Christians teach three resurrections?
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians? What is the Last Great Day–is it a dead of the dead? What do these days teach?
Are The Wicked Tormented Forever or Burned Up? How does one explain Revelation 14:11 in light of Malachi 4:3? What happens to the incorrigibly wicked?
Did the Early Church Teach Purgatory? Is there a place called purgatory? Does God have a plan to help those who did not become saints in this life?
What is Limbo? Is There Such a Place as Limbo? What Happens to Babies When They Die? When did Limbo start being taught? What is the truth about dead babies?
What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? What about the use of the cross, by the early Church?
Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Will God call everyone? Will everyone have an opportunity for salvation? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?