Church of God News

“Elijah in the wilderness”

COGwriter

It has been two weeks since Ronald Weinland, self-appointed one of the two witnesses (he appointed his wife as the other) was again proven wrong about prophecy (Jesus was supposed to have actually returned on May 26/27, 2012 according to the Weinlands and the Great Tribulation was supposed to have been over by then).  Its also been over a year since the proclamation that Jesus would return on May 21, 2011 “the Bible guarantees it” proclamations by followers of Harold Camping were also proven wrong.

In the world of those who claim association with the Church of God, another who will be proven wrong about 2012 is a blogger named James Malm.  Like Ronald Weinland and Harold Camping, James Malm keeps repeatedly teaching something that is wrong.

On May 20, 2012 he posted:

I still say that there is at least a 70% chance that the tribulation will begin late this year.

On May 3, 2012 he posted:

There is a high probability that the final false prophet will be set up in Rome around Sep 16 and go to the Holy Place around 75 days later, triggering the tribulation of God’s correction upon his people, Mat 24:15-21.

Last summer he declared:

There is a very high likelihood that the tribulation will begin late next year; with the abomination being set up on or near September 16th 2012 with the tribulation beginning on 30 Nov ~ 1 Dec time frame.

Now, unlike Weinland and Camping, at least James Malm learned enough to not make his false statements absolute.  Furthermore, in February 23, 2012 James Malm posted the following:

I wanted to link the above with some comments on the new moon because tonight is the New Moon; and because as the things I have been warning of come to pass, more and more people will give me some credit for accuracy in what I teach…

Right now I know that there are hundreds of people [over a thousand]  including elders who are thinking:  I agree with a lot he says on doctrine and the problems, but I have a problem with his prophecy.   His positions are completely new and are the exact opposite of what we have believed.   They are waiting to see the fruits of my effort, whether it is of God or not.  That is  a good and proper thing and I commend them!..

If this war concludes with the defeat of Radical Islam, the chances that the tribulation will begin at the end of this year will be about 70%.   If this pope dies the chances will increase to 80%.  If a new Pope begins to do miracles,  assists to set up a New Europe and is scheduled to visit Jerusalem: The chances that the tribulation will begin within 75 days of his selection as pope and setting up in Rome; and during the period of his visit to Jerusalem will be 100%.

The signs are in the scriptures.

Yet, James Malm’s work is not of God and I believe the facts demonstrate his lack of prophetic and often doctrinal false insight (also, some of what he has claimed to be new prophetic positions are not completely new nor unique to him).  Of course, based upon the scriptures, there is a 100% certainty that the Great Tribulation will not begin in 2012 and that James Malm is wrong.

Why?

Enough of the scriptural signs are simply not there yet.  And that is the same mistake that both Ronald Weinland and Harold Camping made.  And while Ronald Weinland ended up admitting that there had not been enough time for many biblically-required steps to take place for the Great Tribulation/Day of the Lord to end (notice, for example, a statement about Europe in the post Ron Weinland Falsely Claims ‘Work of the Two Witnesses is Over’), James Malm still has not realized that about steps needed before the Great Tribulation can begin.

The Europeans are not now ready for their King of the North role yet and it is not possible that they will be any time this year either.  Matthew 24:14 has still not been fulfilled completely (related to gospel proclamation) and the end cannot come until it has been.  I have told James Malm this type of thing in the past, but he keeps ignoring these and other requirements.

We have also not seen the type of wars, famines, and pestilences that Jesus described in Matthew 24:4-8 yet.  Nor have we seen a deal related to the one in Daniel 9:27.

As far as James Malm’s alleged prophetic accuracy that he has sometimes improperly brought up in the past, I have denounced several of his false predictions in the past, and so far I have been correct every time I have denounced him for claiming some date (for details, please see Error-Ridden James Malm Not Doing an Elijah Work).  And apparently later this year I will be proven correct that his 70% estimate was too high as the Great Tribulation will not begin in 2012.  Perhaps I should add that even if the pope died this year, his 80% estimate will also be wrong.  Of course, James Malm will claim he was only 70-80% wrong, but the reality is that since there is no possibility that the Great Tribulation will begin in 2012, I stand by the fact that he is 100% wrong.

His speculation, whether or not he assigns a percentage to it (and high likelihood seems like he is teaching he believed that the Great Tribulation would most likely begin in 2012), is still going to be proven wrong not too many months from now. There is NO LIKELIHOOD THAT THE GREAT TRIBULATION WILL START IN 2012. Nor will the abomination be set up in September of 2012.

As I have written before, James Malm has also adopted certain positions discounting the future fulfillment of Daniel 11 that I believe will confuse and mislead his followers (for details, see Daniel 11: James Malm vs. Bob Thiel).

Now in a post titled AMOS of 4/30/12, James Malm wrote:

When the new European Babylon is used by God as his rod of correction, Syria will join in the fray and will take Gilead [Golan and surrounding area] and will thresh it like wheat; bringing much destruction on Judah who now occupies that land.

No,  Dr Bob,  Damascus will NOT be destroyed in this present war,  that will come later at the end of the tribulation.

This coming imminent conflict will change the Syrian regime and bring a peace deal, however the Israeli Extremists will sabotage that deal, bringing the wrath of God and the entire non Judeo Anglo Saxon world against them.  We will be defeated and brought under bondage for 1,260 days.

I, COGwriter, am the apparent “Dr Bob” he is referring to, so perhaps I should comment on that.  While I have not said that Damascus must be destroyed in the present conflict which may escalate into a war, at this time I do not believe that the Bible teaches that Damascus’ destruction comes at the end of the Great Tribulation per Isaiah 17:1-3.  Now, it is likely, as I have been writing for some time, that the current conflict may end up in a peace deal to fulfill Daniel 9:27 and that the Anglo-nations, 3 1/2 years later will be defeated.  James Malm is in error for believing and teaching that Judea and the Anglo-powers can be “brought under bondage” until 3 1/2 years after the peace deal (cf. Daniel 9:27 and Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15-21).

On May 22, 2012, James Malm posted:

Satan is a masterful liar; and the only way to escape the shifting sands of a master deceiver like Michael Synder  [who is a very successful professional spin doctor], is to stand on the whole word of God:  This is why I am working through the  firm unshakable foundation of the Apostles, prophets and Jesus Christ.

Being grounded on the Word, so that we can discern any departure from the Word, is the ONLY way to overcome this deception.

He needs a mirror.  He is relying on his false opinions, not the Word, Apostles, or Jesus Christ.  He is deceiving himself and others on various church and prophetic matters.

He and his followers really should search the scriptures, because if they truly understand them, they will realize that James Malm misunderstands much about Daniel 9:27, Daniel 11, Matthew 24, and other aspects of end time prophecy. It is not that he cannot get anything right (even the proven false prophet Ronald Weinland can get certain understandings correct), but overall James Malm simply misunderstands Bible prophecy and those that believe him will be disappointed if they really believe that the Great Tribulation can or will happen in 2012.

Ronald Weinland  has falsely claimed to be the end time “Elijah,” and though James Malm has barely stopped short of that, he has hinted indicated in the past he was doing an Elijah work (see Error-Ridden James Malm Not Doing an Elijah Work).  James Malm is not God’s “Elijah in the wilderness.”

People need to search the scriptures (cf. Acts 17:11), for if they do, they will realize that there is no possibility that the Great Tribulation can begin in 2012.  James Malm needs to better understand Matthew 24, Daniel 11, and other biblical prophecies as he, like Harold Camping and Ronald Weinland, is wrong and will be further shown to be wrong.

Some articles of related interest, which contain many scriptures to search to verify what I am saying, include the following:

Error-Ridden James Malm Not Doing an Elijah Work James Malm is an ‘independent’ who misunderstands and improperly maligns.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch 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?
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?
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.
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.
Harold Camping’s Teachings About the End of the World Do Not Agree with the Bible Harold Camping taught that the rapture will be on May 21, 2011 and the world would end on October 21, 2011. What does the Bible show?
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, that the Great Tribulation began on December 14, 2008, and that Jesus would return on May 27, 2012. Why does the Bible show that Ron Weinland is a false prophet? He has other views which show he is not part of the Church of God?
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 2012, 2013, or 2014? 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?

COGwriter

The current edition of CG7-Denver’s Bible Advocate has the following article:

Porn Problems . . .
• Spiritual problem: Porn is like
a cancer to the soul.
• Marriage problem: Porn
erodes true intimacy and
threatens the marriage bond.
• Human problem: Porn debases
people by viewing them as
objects of self-gratification.
• Teenage problem: Porn entraps
youth and young adults
in moral bondage that’s very
difficult to break.
• Artistic problem: Porn turns
natural beauty and wonder
into ashes of lechery and cesspools
of repugnance.
• Kid problem: Porn abuses children
and adolescents, stealing
their innocence and inflicting
irreversible damage.
• Social problem: Considered
from any perspective — criminal,
financial, or personal —porn costs the culture much.
Want to overcome obscenity?
If you can’t get free, get help.

LCG: Pornography, Who’s Tempting Whom? This is some information about the prevalence and dangers of pornography from the Living Church of God.
LCG: Be Careful About You See The internet is often abused.  70 percent of American men aged 18–24 visit pornography Web sites. Twenty-five percent of all search engine requests are pornography related. This is an epidemic societal scourge!
CG7 on Pornography This is an article excerpt from something earlier from the Church of God, 7th Day-Denver about pornography.
LCG: Homosexuals Gaining Ground “Same-sex marriage” is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?
God’s Plan for Happy Marriage This is an LCG booklet by Dr. R. Meredith.
God Created Marriage Some falsely claim that God did not create marriage and that fornication is fine.  What does the Bible really teach?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012 or 2013? 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?
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?
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?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012 or 2013? 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?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?

COGwriter By Michael

To help stabilize the European currency and the 17 nation eurozone as a whole, Spain will have the option to accept up to €100 billion (about $125 billion). Although Greece had a larger bailout, Spain will likely be the largest nation in the eurozone to receive a bailout.

Europe bailout of Spain could cost $125 billion
AP; June 9, 2012

…that plan allows Spain to avoid making the onerous commitments that Greece, Ireland and Portugal were forced to when they sought their rescues. Instead, the eurogroup statement said that it expected Spain’s banking sector to implement reforms and that Spain would be held to its previous commitments to reform its labor market and manage its deficit.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jYABuGdfdEnd-f70XLbs2E5JYp1Q?docId=a801b7d884044a5cb371eefd7a1601b6

By reading more into the 3 hour video conference that discussed Spain’s bailout, it brings up an interesting change. It appears that the eurozone is going to try to help but be less politically “controlling.” There’s still “strings attached.” However, because of the negative outlooks on Germany taking charge, this bailout may officially have less conditions for Spain.

We will have to wait and see to understand the exact conditions that will be placed on Spain.

Taking financial control, slowly and monetarily, is a peaceful move.

This is how a nation (lender) gains control (servants):

Handwriting on the Wall (Crespo)

COGwriter

In the mail, I recently received an unsolicited infomercial booklet written by Dr. Martin Weiss titled American Apocalypse.  Here is some of what it said (bolding mine):

What is the the historic, life-changing, world-changing event that is also about to vaporize massive amounts of wealth and potentially threaten our liberties right here in the United States of America?

It’s the singular moment in time when the last investor willing to loan money to the government calls it quits.

It’s when the government can no longer borrow and simply runs out of money…I’m talking about a sudden, rejection of U.S. debt by the world’s investors…

Hunger and homelessness explode…riots…crime skyrockets…cities burn…

I’m under no delusion here.  I know that the vast majority of Americans will fail to heed this warning and fail to get ready for this crisis. (Weiss MD.  American Apocalypse.  Weiss Research, October 2011, pp. 30, 36, 42)

In the mail, I also recently received an unsolicited infomercial booklet written by Michael Lombardi titled Critical Warning Number Six.  Here is some of what it said:

Today, 70% of world central banks have adopted the U.S. dollar as their official reserve currency.  As the value of the greenback erodes under a mountain of debt and coming rapid inflation, courtesy of too many dollars in the financial system (thank you, Federal Reserve), foreigners will be dumping dollars and moving away from a system where the greenback is the official reserve currency. (Lombardi M.  Critical Warning Number Six.  Lombardi’s Crisis Profit Alert, 2012, p. 11)

While neither Dr. Weiss nor Michael Lombardi referred to the biblical Book of Habakkuk in their booklets, notice what some scriptures in it state (bolding mine):

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, Because of men’s blood And the violence of the land and the city, And of all who dwell in it.  (Habakkuk 2:6-8)

While I do not know when Dr. Weiss or Michael Lombardi originally wrote what is quoted here (their booklets have an October 2011 and 2012 date, respectively), I remember when the applicability of Habakkuk 2 to the USA occurred to me.  It was in Guatemala in August of 2006.  And since that time I started writing about it at COGwriter: originally in my article Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel , then with numerous posts in 2007 (such as Ron Weinland’s 2008 Predictions Are Wrong, China Has Major US Dollar Reserves That It Can Cash In, USA: Weather and Financial Problems, and IMF Warns of Possible Dollar Collapse) and later, and of course, this was covered extensively in my 2009 book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect.

Since some have wondered what the Living Church of God has taught on Habakkuk 2, perhaps this would be a good place to quote various ones from LCG related to this portion of scripture:

Dire times are ahead and our government will not be able to bail out the market forever. Foreign governments will also become increasingly unable…and unwilling… to help.

And why are these financial calamities happening? Because of systems founded on excessive gain, oppression and extortion (Habakkuk 2:6), and because of our unwillingness to obey God’s commandments, to keep His Sabbath and Holy Days, and to truly walk according to His Law (Deuteronomy 28:43-45). Sadly, the days are coming when, “Suddenly, your debtors will rise up in anger. They will turn on you and take all you have, while you stand trembling and helpless” (Habakkuk 2:7, NLT).

Let us earnestly seek God and fervently pray for our nation.  (Ciesielka W.  Category 5 hits Wall Street. LCG Commentary c. 2008)

The U.S. and the British-descended peoples have enjoyed living off the resources of the world, but the prophet Habakkuk warns: “… Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. Because you have plundered many nations, all the remnant of the people shall plunder you” (Habakkuk 2:7–8).In a prophetic book that catalogues the sins of the Israelite people (Hosea 4:1), the prophet Hosea delivers this solemn warning: “I have written for him [Israel] the great things of My law, but they were considered a strange thing… Israel has forgotten his Maker… I will send fire upon his cities, and it shall devour his palaces… Thus it shall be done to you, O Bethel, because of your great wickedness. In a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off” (Hosea 8:12–14; 10:15, KJV).

Bible prophecies clearly predict that God’s chosen people will experience sudden calamities that will effectively break the pride of their power and put them at the mercy of foreign nations, because they have forgotten their God and rejected His laws. America’s burgeoning foreign debt, the Western world’s precarious dependence on foreign oil that could be cut off at any moment, and the banking sector’s fears that the world’s economy is facing “total meltdown,” appear to be setting the stage for these ancient prophecies to come alive at any moment. If we have eyes to see and ears to hear, we need to be alert to these prophetic warnings! (Winnail D.  Tomorrow’s World.  Sudden Calamities Ahead! Sep-Oct 2008)

God’s Church has long understood that Scripture reveals the prophesied decline of the U.S. and British-speaking nations…The days are coming when, “Suddenly, your debtors will rise up in anger. They will turn on you and take all you have, while you stand trembling and helpless” (Habakkuk 2:7, NLT). (Ciesielka W.  A New World Order Is Coming.  Tomorrow’s World.  Jan-Feb 2009)

Scripture warns that America and the British-descended nations (modern Jacob) will be consumed by our creditors, that this will lead to economic and literal slavery, and that this tragic collapse will happen suddenly and when many do not expect it (Isaiah 1:7, Habakkuk 2:7, I Thessalonians 5:3). (Ciesielka W. From recession, to depression, to slavery.  LCG Commentary c. 2009)

Other Hebrew prophets also warned repeatedly that the future demise of God’s chosen Israelite peoples would come “suddenly” and unexpectedly (Isaiah 9:14–15; 29:5; 30:13; Jeremiah 6:26; 15:8). Modern financial analysts realize this could happen if the nations lending to America decide to dump the dollar and call their loans. The prophet Habakkuk’s warning to the ancient Babylonians, “Will not your creditors rise up suddenly?” (Habakkuk 2:7)—may also ring true for debt-plagued nations like America and its Israelite cousins. Prophetic scripture contains a sobering message: debt and disobedience lead to the demise of nations!

Jeremiah 17:1-4 explains that national punishment is the eventual result of national sins and false religion.　 Ultimately, this punishment will lead to our wealth, and even our people being given “as plunder” to foreign nations (vv. 3-4). Furthermore, this tragic collapse will happen suddenly and when many do not expect it (Isaiah 1:7, Habakkuk 2:7, I Thessalonians 5:3).　(Winnail D.  Tomorrow’s World.  Debt, Disobedience and Demise of Nations. Mar-Apr 2010)

America has mostly ignored the recent collapses of economies such as Zimbabwe, Iceland and now Greece, but economic laws are constant…and unforgiving…and these countries hold clues relevant to America’s future. Currently, Greece is being forced to accept very “austere” measures as a condition for its economic bailout. Interestingly, it is Germany who is at the forefront of making these demands (Reuters, “New Austerity a precondition for Greek aid: Germany,” April 25, 2010). Indeed “the borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7).

Millennia ago, God warned of the consequences of debt and greed: “Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. Because you have plundered many nations, all the remnant of the people shall plunder you…” (Habakkuk 2:6-8). (Ciesielka W.  Economic collapse! America’s debt crisis. LCG Commentary c. 2010)

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’? Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty (Habakkuk 2:6-7).

Indeed, all debtors are at the mercy of their creditors! Why doesn’t America understand this?

And though Habakkuk’s comments were directed against ancient Babylon (and may have something yet to say to the future Babylon forming before our eyes in Europe), there are other Biblical prophecies that are directed at the United States! (Smith W.  Will the mighty U.S. dollar fall? LCG Commentary, c. 2010)

This punishment will come suddenly, when many do not expect it (Isaiah 1:7; Habakkuk 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:3). (Ciesielka W.  Modern Warnings from an Ancient Prophet.  Tomorrow’s World.  Jan-Feb 2011)

Notice also:

Handwriting on the Wall! On July 4, the United States, currently the most powerful nation in the world, celebrated 234 years of independence. The following day, on Monday, July 5, British-born Harvard professor and economic historian Niall Ferguson opened the 2010 Aspen Ideas Festival with a stark warning that the American “empire” could suddenly collapse—possibly within the next two years—due to the country’s rising debt! (Winnail W. LCG World Ahead Weekly Update, July 8, 2010)1

Thousands of years ago, the Prophet Daniel was asked to interpret some handwriting that was written on a wall by only a hand that the king of the area personally witnessed (which is why he ultimately called Daniel to see it). The moral trend in that kingdom was not good according to Daniel (Daniel 5:22-23). After stating that, here is the interpretation that the prophet Daniel gave of that handwriting on the wall:

24 Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written.

25 “And this is the inscription that was written:

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

26 This is the interpretation of each word. Mene: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; 27 Tekel: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; 28 Peres: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” (Daniel 5:24-28)

That kingdom was taken over that very night (Daniel 5:30-31).

So, let us look at the words from the wall and apply them to the United States.

1. Mene: Your days as being on the top of the world order are numbered.
2. Mene: Despite signs of your decline, instead of repenting, you seem to be taking steps to speed it up–you are soon to be finished.
3. Tekel: Your morality and “conscience” have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting.
4. Peres/Upharsin: Your nation will be divided by the final Beast, the King of the North (Daniel 11:39), and he will make your people slaves as your nation will be finished.

As I have written many times, I doubt that the USA will have national repentance, so it is on the way to destruction. A lot of what has come out of the White House, Congress, and presidential candidates have not been real solutions to the problems that the USA is facing. But that does not preclude individual repentance.

Turning to God is the only answer. And this is something you can do –whether you are American or not. Even a report from the Congressional Budget Office warned that the USA is risking a “sudden fiscal crisis” that could have devastating consequences (see CBO Warns of ‘Sudden’ Debt Crisis), and according to the Bible, the consequences will be even worse than the CBO imagined.

Nations rise and fall.

Secular sources are more and more starting to realize that the end of USA dollar domination is going to occur.  This will have major ramifications for the USA, as well as its Anglo-allies.

Can you see the handwriting on the wall?

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch 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?
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.
Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012, 2013, or 2014? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Gerat Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
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? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
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 23 predictions in the book and many more will to come to pass.  Those who purchase the book at the www.thesecretsect.com website receive a lengthy bonus report documenting world events that aligned with the book.
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect (English Kindle edition).  This is the 2nd edition of the book, released in January 2012, and includes a summary of many of the predictions that world events have aligned with since the book originally came out in September 2009.
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 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Kindle Edition)
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 23 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 23 já começaram a acontecer.

David Cameron

COGwriter By Michael

Britain wants to be separated from European influence. They may reason it because of economic differences, fear of centralized European dominance, or all of these reasons. Also, many of Britain’s decisions may get them forced out of the eurozone.

The Telegraph had a couple of items regarding Britain separating from the eurozone.

As the eurozone breaks apart, Britain must go its separate way
8:11PM BST 08 Jun 2012

What we can do is insist that this is a parting of the ways. The most likely eventual result is some sort of euro in a much smaller, fiscally united zone, centred on Germany, with France agonising about whether it can fit inside. Beyond it will be a wider ring, including ourselves, of non-euro countries no longer agonising at all.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/9319548/As-the-eurozone-breaks-apart-Britain-must-go-its-separate-way.html

The article goes on and discusses many possible outcomes of the fiscal issues in Europe. The most probable solution remains that Germany will be the center of a reorganized set of euro countries.

Cameron: I’ll protect Britain from European superstate

David Cameron promises to ‘protect’ Britain from German plans for a eurozone superstate with common banking and political systems.

The Prime Minister dismissed as “nonsense” a suggestion from Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, that the European Union should eventually have a single national identity and described as “nonsense” the idea of loyalty to a common European flag….

But Mr Cameron and his Chancellor accepted that the only way to resolve the eurozone crisis was deeper integration between the 17 countries using the single currency, including a new “banking union”.  

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/9318021/Cameron-Ill-protect-Britain-from-European-superstate.html

This week, Cameron emphasized how Britain will be separated from a eurozone superstate. However, Cameron confirmed that the solution is deeper financial integration. Inevitably, deeper monetary integration leads to more regulations from a central authority, and that leads to more of a centralized political system.

We know much of Europe will become closer together and have to reorganize into ten powers:

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)

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
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?  What happens to the highly indebted nations?

COGwriter

It is time to announce my just released video on my newest book, Fatima Shock!

Here is the URL:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW7u8mYwum4

For those unfamiliar with Fatima, Fatima was the name of Muhammad’s favorite daughter.  According to Islam, Fatima and Mary are among the only four “perfect women.”  A small town in Portugal was renamed Fatima after a Muslim princess named Fatima converted to Roman Catholicism.  In 1917, three children claimed to have a series of monthly visits from an apparition who finally identified herself with the rosary. The apparition is known as “Our Lady of Fatima” or “the Virgin of Fatima” (she never referred to herself as Mary).  Hollywood did a movie about this decades ago called The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima (which I have seen).  Some Muslims claim that it was  Muhammad’s daughter that appeared in Fatima.

Fatima Shock! explains why what was seen in Fatima is not what most people think.  If Catholics realized what was really seen, they would not believe that it could possibly have been Jesus’ mother Mary.

Fatima Shock! explains how certain messages from the “Lady of Fatima” contradict scripture as well as COG and Roman Catholic saints.

The REAL Miracle of “Our Lady of Fatima” is that any Catholics still believe in it (but multiple millions do), and none would if they truly understood the facts–facts that are not in other “Fatima” books and where also not in the The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima movie.  And those facts are documented in Fatima Shock!   Believing in “Our Lady of Fatima” is dangerous and teaches a false message about Mary and God’s plan of salvation.

Despite the truth, the reality is that because of Fatima and other apparitions, many do not have sufficient love of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10), and many will be inclined to accept signs and lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Matthew 24:24).

Tens of millions of people visit the sites of “Marian” apparitions each year. And the Fatima sanctuary is one of the biggest tourist draws for the entire nation of Portugal.  Catholic prophecy, consistent with biblical prophecy (Isaiah 47), teaches that Marian apparitions will become public in the future and will help turn the world to follow the final ecumenical religion, that will likely call itself “Catholic,” that Satan will support.

I wrote Fatima Shock! to warn people that apparitions that most people will think are Mary will likely be part of the signs and lying wonders that the Bible warns will deceive the world.  Notice what Dr. Roderick C. Meredith of the Living Church of God warned about in his latest semi-annual letter:

All kinds of “miracles,” visions of the Virgin Mary and other strange sights and events will begin to take place—startling many…(Meredith RC.  Semi-annual TW subscriber letter, May 18, 2012)

Although most non-Catholics do not think that Fatima can affect them, if they live long enough this century, they will find that this is not the case. Fatima is a much bigger deal than people realize and seems to tie into a variety of prophecies throughout the Bible (e.g. Isaiah 47, Matthew 24, 2 Thessalonians 2, Revelation 17).  How apparitions are likely to affect the world at the end seems to be a missing dimension in understanding prophecy by most who profess Christ.  Although Dr. Meredith has warned about the sorcery of  “Lady of the Kingdoms” in Isaiah 47 affecting end times in at least one booklet, relatively few in the Church of God truly understand how important it is to better know the truth about that “Lady.”  The dangers, and even more details, are covered in my book Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions.

The truth about Fatima, the messages of Fatima, the “secrets” of Fatima, the Vatican’s views of Fatima, and how Fatima is expected to impact the future are all covered in detail in Fatima Shock!

Fatima Shock! also, and mainly from Catholic writings, exposes where the “rosary” came from, where many “dogmas of Mary” came from, and explains how Satan has used apparitions in the past to interfere with the Church of God and to promote non-biblical “Christianity.” Fatima Shock! also explains what appears to be Satan’s plans for apparitions in the future based upon biblical and other prophecies.

Do you really know the truth about apparitions and Satan’s plan for them?

While you may think that future apparitions could not possibly deceive you, are you sure that they will not be able to deceive all your friends and loved ones?

Fatima Shock! provides concerned Christians enough Catholic-documented facts needed to effectively counter every false Marian argument.  The Apostle Peter’s admonished Christians, “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks” (1 Peter 3:15).

Fatima Shock! is available at www.fatimashock.com; Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Fatima-Shock-Truth-Future-Apparitions/dp/0984087176/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1336687621&sr=8-3); AmazonKindle (http://www.amazon.com/Fatima-Shock-ebook/dp/B0081APXBC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336687621&sr=8-1); Barnes & Noble Nook (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fatima-shock-bob-thiel/1110624059?ean=2940014385640)

If you want a deeper understanding of these matters than can be covered in news posts or youtube videos, you should read Fatima Shock!   If you are not shocked by what you will learn from reading Fatima Shock!  I would be surprised.

COGwriter

While many Protestants and Baptists act like the ten commandments were done away or somehow nailed to the cross, this is a relatively recent understanding and most certainly was not the understanding of real Christians in the second century (the time immediately after the death of the original apostles).

Polycarp was the bishop of Smyrna, and was a disciple of the Apostle John, the last of the original apostles as well as the last of the writers of the New Testament to die.

What did he and other second century Christian leaders teach about the ten commandments?

Polycarp, around 120 A.D., wrote:

But He who raised Him up from the dead will raise up us also, if we do His will, and walk in His commandments, and love what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness, covetousness, love of money, evil speaking, falsewitness; “not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing,” or blow for blow, or cursing for cursing (Polycarp. Letter to the Philippians, Chapter II. from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1as edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885).

“But the love of money is the root of all evils.” Knowing, therefore, that “as we brought nothing into the world, so we can carry nothing out,” let us arm ourselves with the armour of righteousness; and let us teach, first of all, ourselves to walk in the commandments of the Lord. Next, [teach] your wives [to walk] in the faith given to them, and in love and purity tenderly loving their own husbands in all truth, and loving all [others] equally in all chastity; and to train up their children in the knowledge and fear of God. Teach the widows to be discreet as respects the faith of the Lord, praying continually for all, being far from all slandering, evil-speaking, false-witnessing, love of money, and every kind of evil (Polycarp. Letter to the Philippians, Chapter IV. from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1as edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885).

Knowing, then, that “God is not mocked,” we ought to walk worthy of His commandment and glory …For it is well that they should be cut off from the lusts that are in the world, since “every lust warreth against the spirit; ” and “neither fornicators, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, shall inherit the kingdom of God,” nor those who do things inconsistent and unbecoming (Polycarp. Letter to the Philippians, Chapter V. from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1as edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885).

I exhort you, therefore, that ye abstain from covetousness, and that ye be chaste and truthful. “Abstain from every form of evil.” For if a man cannot govern himself in such matters, how shall he enjoin them on others ? If a man does not keep himself from covetousness, he shall be defiled by idolatry, and shall be judged as one of the heathen. But who of us are ignorant of the judgment of the Lord ? (Polycarp. Letter to the Philippians, Chapter XI. from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1as edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885).

In the above, Polycarp referred to at least six commandments (numbers 1,3,5,7,9,10). And probably nine (2,6,8), since stealing (and he wrote against the “love of money” which leads to stealing) and murder (plus Polycarp said not to repay “blow for blow”) do not reflect love and idolatry is a form of “false-witnessing”.

Furthermore, since in Polycarp’s area, when reporting his martyrdom, the Smyrnaeans referred to Friday as the “day of preparation” and mentioned “the great Sabbath”, it is obvious that the fourth commandment about the Sabbath was also kept.

Melito of Sardis, around 170 A.D., endorsed the commandments as well and specifically referred to breaking the first two as sin:

If, therefore, a man forsake the light, and say that there is another God, it is plain from what he himself says that it is some created thing which he calls God. For, if a man call fire God, it is not God, because it is fire; and, if a man call water God, it is not God, because it is water; and, if he so call this earth on which we tread, or these heavens which are seen by us, or the sun, or the moon, or some one of these stars which run their course without ceasing by Divine command, and do not speed along by their own will, neither are these gods; and, if a man call gold and silver gods, are not these objects things which we use as we please? and, if he so call those pieces of wood which we burn, or those stones which we break, how can these things be gods? For, 1o! they are for the use of man. How can `they’ escape the commission of great sin, who in their speech change the great God into those things which, so long as they continue, continue by Divine command? (A Discourse Which Was in the Presence of Antoninus Caesar).

In his Discourse Which Was in the Presence of Antoninus Caesar, Melito also objected to violating the second, seventh, and tenth commandments, specifically idolatry, adultery, and lusting for another’s wife.

Melito was claimed to be one who observed the annual Sabbaths (like the first day of unleavened bread), hence would have kept the fourth commandment. In verse 49 of his Homily on the Passover, he refers to parental honor and dishonor (suggestive of endorsing the fifth commandment). In fragment V he complains about the wickedness of murder (commandment 6) and “false witness” (commandment 9).

While that is only eight of the ten commandments, I would suggest that Melito did not approve of taking God’s name in vain (third commandment) nor stealing (eighth commandment)–and he may have specifically wrote against those as well, because in many of his writings we only have fragments that remain today.

Even the Roman supporting Irenaeus around 180 wrote that Christ taught and did not do away with the Ten Commandments, but he taught that that is what the heretic Marcion taught:

1. And that the Lord did not abrogate the natural [precepts] of the law, by which man is justified, which also those who were justified by faith, and who pleased God, did observe previous to the giving of the law, but that He extended and fulfilled them, is shown from His words. “For,” He remarks, “it has been said to them of old time, Do not commit adultery. But I say unto you, That every one who hath looked upon a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” And again: “It has been said, Thou shalt not kill. But I say unto you, Every one who is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be in danger of the judgment.” And, “It hath been said, Thou shalt not forswear thyself. But I say unto you, Swear not at all; but let your conversation be, Yea, yea, and Nay, nay.” And other statements of a like nature. For all these do not contain or imply an opposition to and an overturning of the [precepts] of the past, as Marcion’s followers do strenuously maintain; but [they exhibit] a fulfilling and an extension of them (Book IV, Chapter 13, Verse 1).

Preparing man for this life, the Lord Himself did speak in His own person to all alike the words of the Decalogue; and therefore, in like manner, do they remain permanently with us, receiving by means of His advent in the flesh, extension and increase, but not abrogation (Irenaeus. Adversus haereses, Book IV, Chapter 16, Verse 4. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

The term Decalogue refers to the ten commandments. Notice that Irenaeus states that they are to be permanently retained.

Irenaeus, even though he wrote heretical and contradictory things, also wrote the following:

Now, that we may not suffer ought of this kind, we must needs hold the rule of the faith without deviation, and do the commandments of God, believing in God and fearing Him as Lord and loving Him as Father. (Irenaeus, St., Bishop of Lyon. Translated from the Armenian by Armitage Robinson. The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching, Chapter 3. Wells, Somerset, Oct. 1879. As published in SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN CO, 1920)

Theophilus was a leader of the church in Antioch in the latter part of the second century. The Orthodox Church considers him to have been a successor to the Apostle Peter.

Theophilus, around 180 A.D., wrote:

And on the sixth day God finished His works which He made, and rested on the seventh day from all His works which He made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because in it He rested from all His works which God began to create…Moreover, [they spoke] concerning the seventh day, which all men acknowledge; but the most know not that what among the Hebrews is called the “Sabbath,” is translated into Greek the “Seventh” (ebdomas), a name which is adopted by every nation, although they know not the reason of the appellation…God having thus completed the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and all that are in them, on the sixth day, rested on the seventh day from all His works which He made (Theophilus of Antioch. To Autolycus, Book 2, Chapters XI, XII, XIX. Translated by Marcus Dods, A.M. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 2. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

Now we also confess that God exists, but that He is one, the creator, and maker, and fashioner of this universe; and we know that all things are arranged by His providence, but by Him alone. And we have learned a holy law; but we have as lawgiver Him who is really God, who teaches us to act righteously, and to be pious, and to do good. And concerning piety He says, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I am the LORD thy God.” And of doing good He said: “Honour thy father and thy mother; that it may be well with thee, and that thy days may be long in the land which I the LORD God give thee.” Again, concerning righteousness: “Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, nor his land, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his beast of burden, nor any of his cattle, nor anything that is thy neighbour’s…Of this divine law, then, Moses, who also was God’s servant, was made the minister both to all the world, and chiefly to the Hebrews…Of this great and wonderful law, which tends to all righteousness, the ten heads are such as we have already rehearsed (Theophilus of Antioch. To Autolycus, Book III, Chapter IX. Translated by Marcus Dods, A.M. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 2. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

Thus, it is clear that Polycarp and others endorsed all ten of the commandments in the second century.

In the early third century, Clement of Alexandria listed most of the ten commandments (note, he left out two commandments– 3. cursing and 9. false witness):

The first commandment of the Decalogue shows that there is one only Sovereign God…

The second word intimated that men ought not to take and confer the august power of God (which is the name, for this alone were many even yet capable of learning), and transfer His title to things created and vain, which human artificers have made…

And the fourth word is that which intimitates that the world was created by God, and that He gave us the seventh day as a rest, on account of the trouble that there is in life. For God is incapable of weariness, and suffering, and want. But we who bear flesh need rest. The seventh day, therefore, is proclaimed a rest…

Now the fifth in order is the command on the honour of father and mother…

Then follows the command about murder…

This is followed by the command respecting adultery…

And after this is the command respecting theft…

And the tenth is the command respecting all lusts (Clement of Alexandria. Stromata, Book VI, Chapter 16).

It should be noted that Clement did not mention coveting your neighbor’s wife within the tenth or did he give any indication that that could be a separate commandment from other lusts. Hence Clement endorsed the same order of the ten commandments that the Church of God still endorses–this is different from the order of the Roman Church which came up with its order in the fifth century (more information on that is in the article Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Church of God?) as well as a different order that the Lutherans accept (see The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert Armstrong).

In the third century, even the Roman theologian Hippolytus understood, not only that the commandments needed to be kept, but that baptism alone was not enough as he wrote:

Ye obtained my baptism, but ye observed not my commandments…For not every, one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall be saved, but he that doeth my will. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment (Hippolytus. On the End of the World, Chapter XLVIII. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 5. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1886. Online Edition Copyright © 2005 by K. Knight).

The so-called Apostolic Constituitions, written in Syria around 250 A.D. states:

XXXVI. Have before thine eyes the fear of God, and always remember the ten commandments of God,–to love the one and only Lord God with all thy strength; to give no heed to idols, or any other beings, as being lifeless gods, or irrational beings or daemons. Consider the manifold workmanship of God, which received its beginning through Christ. Thou shalt observe the Sabbath, on account of Him who ceased from His work of creation, but ceased not from His work of providence: it is a rest for meditation of the law, not for idleness of the hands (Apostolic Constitutions – Didascalia Apostolorum Book II, Section IV).

Certainly leaders who professed Christ taught the observance of the ten commandments during and after the time of Jesus and Paul.

Related articles of interest may be:

Were the Ten Commandments in Effect Before Mount Sinai? Some have said not. This article provides biblical quotes to answer this important question.
Job and the Ten Commandments Was Job written prior to Mount Sinai? Did Job know about the ten commandments? This article provides biblical answers to those questions.
Were the Ten Commandments Nailed to the Cross? Some have said so. This article provides some biblical quotes to answer this important question.
Were the Pharisees Condemned for Keeping the Law? Many believe that, but what does your Bible say? If they were not condemned for that, what were they condemned for?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?

Perhaps it should be added that it was only the disciples of Simon Magus (warned against in Acts 8) and those that tended to follow the heretic Marcion in the second century that did not teach adherence to the ten commandments.

Certain Protestants, certain Baptists, and others who believe that Christians felt that the ten commandments were somehow done away, simply are proven wrong by the fact that faithful Christians as well as most others who professed Christ in the second century did not teach that. Instead, nearly all understood from the Bible and the teachings and the the practices of the apostles that the ten commandments were to be kept by Christians.

I would issue a challenge to all who profess Christ who believe that the ten commandments were done away by the cross, the writings of the Apostle Paul, or something else in the New Testament to ask themselves why that those who truly understood first and second century Greek did not come to the same conclusion?

Since the Church of Jesus was always to endure, how could it have gone for centuries teaching that Christians were supposed to keep the ten commandments to the teaching that seemed not to appear in many quarters until the seventeenth century or later that the ten commandments were done away?

This is totally illogical and should serve as a wake-up call to those who are misinterpreting scripture as well as ignoring the facts of history.

Some articles related to church history include the following:

What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church.
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Should Christians be Nazarenes today? What were the practices of the Nazarenes.
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?
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
Apostolic Succession What really happened? Did structure and beliefs change? Are many of the widely-held current understandings of this even possible? Did you know that Catholic scholars really do not believe that several of the claimed “apostolic sees” of the Orthodox have apostolic succession–despite the fact that the current pontiff himself seems to wish to ignore this view? Is there actually a true church that has ties to any of the apostles that is not part of the Catholic or Orthodox churches? Read this article if you truly are interested in the truth on this matter!
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the 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.
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Churches of God Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?

Artist Depiction of 666

COGwriter

Growing in Grace International (GGI) falsely calls itself “God’s government on earth” and is soon to be proven wrong about its misunderstanding of prophecy.  The following is from its websites:

Ministerio Creciendo en Gracia [Growing in Grace Ministry] is God’s Government on Earth established by God Himself in His Second Coming, Jose Luis De Jesus (The Man Christ Jesus). Established in 1986, His government now expands into 30 nations with 455 centers, 250 TV programs, 180 radio programs and a satellite channel transmitted by more than 550 cable companies in 16 countries. It is written that ‘All Eyes Shall See’ and thus, His signal can be seen globally 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through His channel Telegracia…

1. SIN DOES NOT EXIST…2. THE DEVIL DOES NOT EXIST…3. 666 IS A NUMBER OF WISDOM AND PROSPERITY…4. RENDER TO CAESAR THE THINGS’ THAT ARE CAESAR’S AND TO GOD THE THINGS THAT ARE GOD’S… 5. THE MAN CHRIST JESUS IS GOD ON EARTH: The Man Christ Jesus, Dr. Jose Luis De Jesus, is edifying the lives of the believers of Creciendo en Gracia (Growing in Grace) manifesting in each and every one of us peace, joy, love, patience, kindness and good procedure. He is the only one who presents a believer WITHOUT SIN…

…{22} Days or Less Until The Transformation of the Man Christ Jesus

Now, yes, I know much of the above is blasphemy from that group, but hopefully soon those associated with it will realize that what it stands for is wrong soon and their false leader and others who follow him WILL NOT be made immortal. But since they are getting some of their message out, I though I would again denounce them for some of their errors.

Here is a news item about that false prophecy:

The group, which they say has branches in five Canadian cities and members in more than 130 countries, believes that on June 30 (or July 1 across the international dateline), their Texas-based leader and his followers will be transformed, said Alex Poessy, the group’s bishop in Canada…

“That day, the body of Jose de Luis de Jesus, who is a human like you and me, his flesh is going to be immortal…. He’s going to be living forever. And that will happen to him, but also his followers.”

But Mr. de Jesus also predicts that the “transformation” will endow him, and his loyal followers, with superpowers, such as the ability to fly and walk through walls, said Axel Cooley, the bishop’s daughter...“The world’s not going to end. What is going to end is the system…. All the governments and the currencies will fall. The new government of the 666 will take over,” she said.  (‘The time is finished’: Religious sect erects billboards in Toronto ahead of the ‘transformation.’ National Post, Ontario – May 1, 2012. http://life.nationalpost.com/2012/05/01/the-time-is-finished-religious-sect-erects-billboards-in-toronto-ahead-of-the-transformation/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NP_Top_Stories+(National+Post+-+Top+Stories)&utm_content=Googl)

The above group, despite the similar name, it should not to be confused with the former Tkach-WCG that became Grace Communion International (GCI).  For more details about some of why they are wrong, please see the news post .

There is another that I also wish to mention.  For over six years, I have denounced CGPFKG’s Ronald Weinland.  And last month he was proven wrong again when Jesus did not return on May 27, 2012 as he claimed Jesus would.  Well, a little earlier this year, I was contacted by someone I read a couple of months later (according to the Banned by HWA! website) was apparently a former follower of Ron Weinland who had left prior to the May 27, 2012 non-return.

Normally,  I do not report on most of the false prophets, self-proclaimed one of the two witnesses, etc. that email me, so I did not report on him before.  But since I was writing about GGI, I thought I may as well add another false prophet to my list of those I have successfully denounced in advance.  I do not know his real identity (it is not even part of his “Media Fact Sheet” that he put out that I read)–he claims to be ‘Zerubbabel.’

Here is some of what his website claims.:

• 1) I have been given the name Zerubbabel which means one that flows out from Babylon or out from the captivity. (Haggai 2:23, Zechariah 4)
• 2) The five commandments posted above are a 5 point sign that our Elohiym gave to us. (Ezek 24:22-24)

He said that He would send this sign through the one whom He would deliver out from the captivity in the last days.

This is recorded in Ezekiel 24:24-26.

This sign is a promise from the Most High and He was not going to allow an imposter bring forth a counterfeit to His sign when He promised that when it comes that it is from Him.

• 3) He has authorized me to turn the water into blood. This was briefly discussed in baptism instructions above. (Rev 11:6)

And it is described in further detail in the “Baptized in the blood” video and in other videos and the corresponding texts found on the website.

It was prophesied that the two witnesses would be authorized to turn the water into blood.

The first witness was our Messiah.

Some translation errors in Revelation chapter 11 make it read like both witnesses would be sent in the last days but this is not true.

All of the prophesies for the last days are for one stone or one servant to be sent.

This servant was to be the brand that would be plucked out of the fire that was clothed in filthy rags and Yehshua the High Priest was to enter into Him to finish off the temple. (Zech 3:2)

I was plucked out and given a change of raiment and made to be this servant to be a witness to the nations.

I will be killed in the streets of Jerusalem on July 15^th, 3 and ½ days before the morning of the 19^th when I will be caught up to meet Yehshua. (Rev 11:9)

The first witness was already dead in Jerusalem for 3 ½ days. He was in the tomb for 3 days and 3 nights but He was dead there for 3 ½ days…

Anyway, the truth is, even though I am sent with this resume it will not matter to most because my Father’s word has no place in them.

And sadly even when the destruction intensifies and I am pronouncing exacting judgments on world, most still will not hearken.

They will not because they do not want to hearken to His word.

Therefore His Son will return like a thief in the night to them on July 19^th.

Before commenting on this, notice some of what the Bible teaches about the two witnesses:

3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.   (Revelation 11:3-10)

Jesus was not one of the two witnesses in Revelation 11.  Jesus did not really do the miracles of the two witnesses.  Nor was His body on display for 3 1/2 days for the world to see.  One would think that any who claim to be one of the two witnesses, would realize what the Bible actually teaches about the two witnesses, but false ‘Zerubbabel,’ like Ron Weinland, apparently does not believe that the scriptures can possibly mean what they say about the two witnesses.  A lot of false prophets apparently believe in a lot of allegory.

And, for another comment, Jesus will not return next month.  Nor will true Christians be made immortal next month either.  The necessary prophetic events, per Matthew 24, simply have not happened.  One would think that after Harold Camping was proven wrong (twice) in 2011 and Ronald Weinland last month, that the false prophets would not be so bold.  But a lot of false prophets apparently cannot help themselves.

The Great Tribulation cannot possibly start before 2015 (with 2016 a more likely earliest date), and Jesus is not coming for several years (and that not before 2019 or later).

Although many think that they can wait to do something about all of this, they should not wait.  The time for personal repentance is now.

COGwriter

What is the gospel?  What does the Bible say?

In the New King James Version (NKJV) of the New Testament, an electronic search reveals the term “gospel” 100 times. The Douay-Rheims Bible has the term “gospel” 109 times. The term “gospel” in English is mainly translated from two Greek terms euaggelizo (Strong’s 2098) and euaggelion (Strong’s 2097), which are used 54 and 76 times respectively–they both mean good message or good news, though euaggelizotends to include the concept of proclaiming that good news.

Because of the multiple number of times the term is used and the fact that early Christians called the first four books of the New Testament Gospels, there is a lot of information on the gospel and it can be considered to have multiple parts, yet it is still all part of the same good news.

The term “gospel” is associated with quite a few aspects of the good news in the New Testament.

Here are some of the terms associated with it, in the order they appear in the most common order of the New Testament books, and with only the first scripture that mentions each expression cited (many are in the New Testament multiple times):

gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 4:35)
gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:1)
gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24)
gospel of God (Romans 1:1)
gospel of His Son (Romans 1:9)
gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16)
gospel of peace (Romans 10:15)
gospel of your salvation (Ephesians 1:13)
gospel of our Lord Jesus (2 Thessalonians 1:18)
gospel of the blessed God (Titus 1:11)

So we see that the kingdom of God, Jesus Christ, grace, peace, salvation, and the blessed God are all aspects of the gospel.

Jesus Proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom of God

Jesus started out preaching the good news of the kingdom of God:

14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15)

The English word “kingdom” for this particular kingdom is mentioned approximately 149 times in the NKJV and 151 in the Douay Rheims Bible in the New Testament. Kingdoms require a king, territory, subjects, and laws (for more information, see also The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church).  To help us become part of that kingdom, God loved humans so much that He sent Jesus to die for us (John 3:16-17). Jesus will come to the earth and His Kingdom will eliminate pain and sorrow (Revelation 21:4).  That truly is good news.

Of course, to be part of this kingdom requires repentance of sins (Acts 2:38), the sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 10:12-14), the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9), the acceptance of Jesus Christ as savior (Titus 2:11-14), proper baptism (Acts 2:39), the keeping of the commandments to “walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:3-6), having the Spirit of God (Romans 8:9-11), and allowing Jesus to live His life in us (Galatians 2:20).  The fact that sinners will be saved is also part of the gospel.  This truly is good news.

Faithful Followers Understood that the Law of God was Part of the True Gospel

While some act like the law of God was done away, the reality is that early Christians considered that it was part of the gospel.

Polycarp of Smyrna heard the gospel from the apostles. Around 120-135 A.D., Polycarp warned that others were essentially falsifying parts of it:

4. Let us then serve Him in fear, and with all reverence, even as He Himself has commanded us, and as the apostles who preached the Gospel unto us, and the prophets who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Lord [have alike taught us]. Let us be zealous in the pursuit of that which is good, keeping ourselves from causes of offence, from false brethren, and from those who in hypocrisy bear the name of the Lord, and draw away vain men into error…5 Knowing, then, that “God is not mocked,” we ought to walk worthy of His commandment and glory …For it is well that they should be cut off from the lusts that are in the world, since “every lust warreth against the spirit; ” and “neither fornicators, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, shall inherit the kingdom of God,” nor those who do things inconsistent and unbecoming (Polycarp. Letter to the Philippians, Chapters IV, V. Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1 as edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson; American Edition, 1885; Reprint Hendrickson Publishers, 1999, pp. 33-36)

So, Polycarp expected Christians to serve Jesus as He commanded, warned that vain men left that for error, and that those who disobeyed the law would not be part of the kingdom of God.

Shortly after Polycarp was martyred, the Church of God in Smyrna wrote the following:

19…This, then, is the account of the blessed Polycarp, who, being the twelfth that was martyred in Smyrna (reckoning those also of Philadelphia), yet occupies a place of his own in the memory of all men, insomuch that he is everywhere spoken of by the heathen themselves. He was not merely an illustrious teacher, but also a pre-eminent martyr, whose martyrdom all desire to imitate, as having been altogether consistent with the Gospel of Christ….22 We wish you, brethren, all happiness, while you walk according to the doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Martyrdom of Polycarp. Chapters 19 and 22)

Hence, it was commonly understood that the sacrifice of Christ was certainly part of the Gospel.

Melito of Sardis, who was a successor of Polycarp, around 170 A.D., taught:

For indeed the law issued in the gospel–the old in the new, both coming forth together from Zion and Jerusalem; and the commandment issued in grace, and the type in the finished product, and the lamb in the Son, and the sheep in a man, and the man in God…

But the gospel became the explanation of the law and its fulfillment, while the church became the storehouse of truth…

This is the one who delivered us from slavery into freedom, from darkness into light, from death into life, from tyranny into an eternal kingdom (Melito. Homily On the Passover. Verses 7,40,68. Translation from Kerux: The Journal of Online Theology (http://www.kerux.com/documents/KeruxV4N1A1.asp 09/14/05).

So, Melito recognized that the law, the Son, grace, and what will be the eternal kingdom are all part of the gospel. And that is correct.

Irenaeus, who earlier claimed to have met Polycarp, around 170 wrote:

11…But if any one, “doting about questions,” do imagine that what the apostles have declared about God should be allegorized, let him consider my previous statements, in which I set forth one God as the Founder and Maker of all things, and destroyed and laid bare their allegations; and he shall find them agreeable to the doctrine of the apostles, and so to maintain what they used to teach, and were persuaded of, that there is one God, the Maker of all things. And when he shall have divested his mind of such error, and of that blasphemy against God which it implies, he will of himself find reason to acknowledge that both the Mosaic law and the grace of the new covenant, as both fitted for the times [at which they were given], were bestowed by one and the same God for the benefit of the human race.

12. For all those who are of a perverse mind, having been set against the Mosaic legislation, judging it to be dissimilar and contrary to the doctrine of the Gospel, have not applied themselves to investigate the causes of the difference of each covenant. Since, therefore, they have been deserted by the paternal love, and puffed up by Satan, being brought over to the doctrine of Simon Magus, they have apostatized in their opinions from Him who is God, and imagined that they have themselves discovered more than the apostles, by finding out another god; and [maintained] that the apostles preached the Gospel still somewhat under the influence of Jewish opinions, but that they themselves are purer [in doctrine], and more intelligent, than the apostles. Wherefore also Marcion and his followers have betaken themselves to mutilating the Scriptures, not acknowledging some books at all; and, curtailing the Gospel according to Luke and the Epistles of Paul, they assert that these are alone authentic, which they have themselves thus shortened.(Book III, Chapter 12, Verses 11-12).

Notice that Irenaeus is teaching that the idea that the Old Testament laws are dissimilar and contrary to the Gospel came from followers of Simon Magus.

Theophilus of Antioch taught that the laws of God were confirmed in the books referred to as Gospels and basically that the gospel taught love:

CHAP. XII.–OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Moreover, concerning the righteousness which the law enjoined, confirmatory utterances are found both with the prophets and in the Gospels, because they all spoke inspired by one Spirit of God. Isaiah accordingly spoke thus: “Put away the evil of your doings from your souls; learn to do well, seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” And again the same prophet said: “Loose every band of wickedness, dissolve every oppressive contract, let the oppressed go free, and tear up every unrighteous bond. Deal out thy bread to the hungry, and bring the houseless poor to thy home. When thou seest the naked, cover him, and hide not thyself from thine own flesh. Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily, and thy righteousness shall go before thee.” In like manner also Jeremiah says: “Stand in the ways, and see, and ask which is the good way of the LORD your God, and walk in it and ye shall find rest for your souls. Judge just judgment, for in this is the will of the LORD your God.” So also says Hosea: “Keep judgment, and draw near to your God, who established the heavens and created the earth.” And another, Joel, spoke in agreement with these: “Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children that are in arms; let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet, and pray to the LORD thy God urgently that he may have mercy upon you, and blot out your sins.” In like manner also another, Zachariah: “Thus saith the LORD Almighty, Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassion every man to his brother; and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, nor the stranger; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart, saith the LORD Almighty.”

CHAP. XIII.–OF CHASTITY.

And concerning chastity, the holy word teaches us not only not to sin in act, but not even in thought, not even in the heart to think of any evil, nor look on another man’s wife with our eyes to lust after her. Solomon, accordingly, who was a king and a prophet, said: “Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee: make straight paths for your feet.” And the voice of the Gospel teaches still more urgently concerning chastity, saying: “Whosoever looketh on a woman who is not his own wife, to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” “And he that marrieth,” says [the Gospel], “her that is divorced from her husband, committeth adultery; and whosoever putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery.” Because Solomon says: “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to a married woman shall not be innocent.”

CHAP. XIV.–OF LOVING OUR ENEMIES.

And that we should be kindly disposed, not only towards those of our own stock, as some suppose, Isaiah the prophet said: “Say to those that hate you, and that cast you out, Ye are our brethren, that the name of the LORD may be glorified, and be apparent in their joy.” And the Gospel says: “Love your enemies, and pray for them that despitefully use you. For if ye love them who love you, what reward have ye? This do also the robbers and the publicans.” And those that do good it teaches not to boast, lest they become men-pleasers. For it says: “Let not your left hand know what your right hand doeth.” Moreover, concerning subjection to authorities and powers, and prayer for them, the divine word gives us instructions, in order that “we may lead a quiet and peaceable life.” And it teaches us to render all things to all, “honour to whom honour, fear to whom fear, tribute to whom tribute; to owe no man anything, but to love all.” (Theophilus. To Autolycus. Book III. Translated by Marcus Dods. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 2. Edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1885.)

The following is from Herbert Armstrong’s What is the True Gospel? booklet:

Which Gospel Did Jesus Preach?…

Notice, Jesus said, “Believe THE GOSPEL!”

WHAT Gospel? the one He was proclaiming—”the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.”

But, one may ask, don’t we need to believe on Jesus? Of course. Other scriptures teach that. but at this particular time Jesus said we must believe Him –believe what He said—believe the Gospel of the Kingdom of God!

Some believed on Jesus, but did not believe Jesus –did not believe what He SAID (John 7:31; 8:30, 31, 46).

What About the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

But if the one and only TRUE Gospel is the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, what about the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Is that a false gospel?

Not at all. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Gospel He brought as God’s Messenger—the Gospel He proclaimed is the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ IS NOT man’s gospel ABOUT THE PERSON of Christ. It is CHRIST’S Gospel—the Gospel Jesus PREACHED—the Gospel GOD SENT by Him, and therefore it is also called, in Scripture, the Gospel of God. The Gospel of God is God’s GOSPEL—His Message—His Good News which He sent by Jesus.

Also the Gospel of Jesus Christ is Christ’s Gospel—the Gospel Christ brought from God—the Gospel He proclaimed.

We hear a great deal today of the gospel of MEN about the PERSON of Jesus Christ—confining the message solely to the things ABOUT Jesus. As a result, millions believe on Christ, who do not BELIEVE CHRIST! But Jesus’ Gospel IS HIS MESSAGE!…

Conditions of Entering

Now, HOW do we enter into that glorious KINGDOM? Jesus came preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, “REPENT,” and “BELIEVE THE GOSPEL.”

Just TWO things we do—REPENT, and BELIEVE. We must BELIEVE the Gospel, and that means also believing on JESUS CHRIST, the KING of the Kingdom of God, and coming KING of kings over all the families of the earth. It means believing in Him as personal SAVIOUR, as High Priest now, and as coming KING.

But to repent is to completely CHANGE THE MIND in respect to SIN, and “sin is the transgression of the LAW” (I John 3:4)—the law of God by which God RULES the Kingdom.

It means a total, complete CHANGE OF MIND AND OF LIFE. It means we REPENT of transgressing the rule, the will, the laws, of GOD. What did Jesus say to the young man who asked Him HOW to inherit eternal life? He said, “IF thou wilt enter into life, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS” (Matthew 19:17) (Armstrong HW. What is the True Gospel? WCG booklet, 1972, p.6).

Herbert W. Armstrong clearly taught that Jesus was part of the message, and we in the Living Church of God try to proclaim the full gospel message, which emphasizes the Jesus’ coming kingdom and His role in salvation.

In various writings HWA explained the gospel had various parts of Jesus’ involvement. Notice another:

Jesus constantly preached the good news about the coming Kingdom of God (Matthew 4:23; 6:10; 7:21; Mark 1:15; 4:11; 14:25; Luke 4:43; 8:10; 9:2, 11, 62, etc.). He pictured Himself as the young nobleman going away (to heaven) to be coronated, and to return to earth (Luke 19:12-27). Repeatedly Jesus said He would return to earth (Matthew 24:27, 30-31, 42; 25:13; Mark 13:26; Luke 12:42-43; 17:24; 18:8; 19:12; 21:27; John 14:3, etc.). “If I go and prepare a place [position, office, habitation] for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). He will then be on the earth — Zechariah 14:3-4 with I Thessalonians 4:16. The living Christ is coming in all the power and glory of Almighty God, as “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:11-21), to put down the rebellion of warring nations (Revelation 17:14), and establish God’s world-ruling Government over all nations (Daniel 2:44; 7:9,13-14, 18, 22, 27; Isaiah 9:7) (Armstrong HW. The Wonderful World Tomorrow What it Will be Like. Everest House, New York, 1979 p. 100).

And, according to Herbert Armstrong, it involved our personal conversion and keeping Jesus’ works:

The Purpose of the Christian Life

WHY do people not understand the very Gospel Jesus Christ taught? He taught the Kingdom of God. So did the apostles, including Paul. Jesus spoke mostly in parables. Take a quick look at one or two. Notice what Jesus revealed. Notice the awe-inspiring TREMENDOUS potential that is ours.

Take the parable of the nobleman going to a far country, later to return. It is in Luke 19:11-27. Jesus is the Nobleman. He was going to a far country — to the heaven of God’s throne, seat of the government of the entire universe…

Back to Luke 19. On his return, his servants, to whom he had given the money — that is, the beginning unit of GOD’S SPIRIT at conversion — are to be called to an accounting, “that he might know how much each man had GAINED” while he was gone. This means each Christian is expected to GROW spiritually — in spiritual KNOWLEDGE and grace (see II Peter 3:18). The Christian life is a life of spiritual GOING TO SCHOOL — of training for a POSITION IN GOD’S KINGDOM, when and after we shall be changed from mortal to immortal — when we shall be no longer flesh-and-blood humans, but composed of SPIRIT, with eternal life inherent…

The nobleman (Christ) said to him, “Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in very little, have thou AUTHORITY over TEN CITIES.

He had qualified to RULE. He had been obedient to God’s commands — God’s government. We have to BE RULED before we can learn to RULE.

The second servant had increased his spiritual stock of goods five times. He had qualified, in this life, for HALF as much as the first servant. He was given HALF the REWARD.

The Kingdom of God…

Jesus said: “And he that overcometh, and keepeth MY WORKS unto the end, to him will I give POWER over the nations: and he shall RULE THEM with a rod of iron (Revelation 2:26-27) (Armstrong HW. Just What Do You Mean…Conversion? WCG Booklet, 1972, pp.8-11).

In addition, in various writings, HWA made it clear that the gospel of the kingdom of God included more than simply proclaiming that God’s governing kingdom would be established upon the earth. Notice what Herbert W. Armstrong wrote:

I say Christ’s gospel – the message He brought from God – was the advance good news of the establishment of the Kingdom of God. But just what does that include?…

Actually, Christ’s message of God’s coming Kingdom is directly concerned with world conditions as they are – with human nature – its source and origin – with world evils, suffering, unhappiness – with world peace. It’s concerned with government – with the reason present human governments fail to be the benefactors of their peoples they are supposed to be. His message hits directly at the very roots of individual personal happiness and at the awesome transcendent potential of each human life. It is concerned with the CAUSES of present conditions that affect every human and with the WAY that will solve all problems.

But it is concerned with far, far more. It is concerned with God’s tremendous, overwhelming, over-all purpose as Creator of the entire universe. It’s concerned with the entire vast universe, filled with its uncountable galaxies, nebulae, suns, stars, planets, and with God’s purpose for them…

God’s message is concerned with overall truth. What has been covered so far should be considered as merely the introduction to the entire story of Christ’s gospel message (Armstrong HW. Incredible Human Potential. Everest House, New York, 1978, pp.20-21).

What is Christ’s Gospel?  What is the message God sent to mankind by Jesus Christ?  It is the GOOD NEWS of the KINGDOM OF GOD!…Of course that power-filled message INCLUDES THE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE SAVIOR, High Priest and coming King!  Of course, it INCLUDES the true way of salvation, which the churches seem to have lost! (Armstrong, HW. Good News, Jan. 1980, p. 9).

Now, HOW do we enter into that glorious KINGDOM? Jesus came preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, “REPENT,” and “BELIEVE THE GOSPEL.”

Just TWO things we do—REPENT, and BELIEVE. We must BELIEVE the Gospel, and that means also believing on JESUS CHRIST, the KING of the Kingdom of God, and coming KING of kings over all the families of the earth. It means believing in Him as personal SAVIOUR, as High Priest now, and as coming KING.

But to repent is to completely CHANGE THE MIND in respect to SIN, and “sin is the transgression of the LAW” (I John 3:4)—the law of God by which God RULES the Kingdom.

It means a total, complete CHANGE OF MIND AND OF LIFE. It means we REPENT of transgressing the rule, the will, the laws, of GOD. What did Jesus say to the young man who asked Him HOW to inherit eternal life? He said, “IF thou wilt enter into life, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS” (Matthew 19:17) (Armstrong HW. What is the True Gospel? WCG booklet, 1972, p.6).

We must believe the GOSPEL, and THAT MEANS ALSO believing on JESUS CHRIST, the King OF the Kingdom of God, and coming King of kings over all the families of the earth. IT MEANS believing in Him as personal Saviour, as High Priest, now and as coming King” (Armstrong HW. What is the True Gospel? 1972 booklet, p.10.)

If those who claim to preach a gospel of SALVATION understood and proclaimed WHAT salvation really is…it might be A PART OF the gospel” (Armstrong HW. Incredible Human Potential, 1978 hardback edition, page 16)

I must call the reader’s attention again at this point to the fact that a full and complete understanding of the MESSAGE sent by God TO ALL MANKIND, by His Divine Messenger Jesus Christ, involves a vast comprehension of God’s great purpose, and of events, prehistoric, historic, present and future.    “I might say it means an overall understanding of EVERYTHING!” (ibid, p.15).

The true GOSPEL, when viewed with ALL THAT IT EMBODIES—the reason for it, the prehistoric truth of earth’s first inhabitants, the reason humans were created and put on earth, the CAUSE of all the earth’s evils and sufferings, the nature of the human mind, the need for spiritual salvation and what it is, the coming world tomorrow of peace, what lies on beyond, and man’s ultimate incredible potential—becomes the MOST ALL-ENCOMPASSING SUBJECT that can enter the mind of man (ibid, p.11).

Jesus’ gospel was the KINGDOM OF GOD. Does that have anything to do with afterlife – with spiritual salvation? It has everything to do with it. BUT THE WHOLE WORLD is DECEIVED and ASLEEP! The gospel of the KINGDOM OF GOD has to do basically with TWO themes – government and spiritual salvation…

Notice it! Not only is Christ to rule – but the saints – that is, converted true Christians – those begotten as sons of God – are to take and possess the Kingdom! They are to rule under and with Christ! In the New Testament it is recorded that converted saints are co-heirs with Christ!

…The commission He had given the CHURCH was to preach His gospel to all the world. They were to receive the Holy Spirit, begetting them as saints – as Christians – putting them into God’s CHURCH. This would infuse them with the power to carry out the mission of the Church (ibid, chapter 13).

Notice clearly that the Kingdom of God has two themes according to HWA. And thus, the part about spiritual salvation is obviously intended to be part of the gospel that is to be preached to all the world.

The top leadership of the Living Church of God (LCG) came out of the late HWA’s church and has written:

Notice how the following scriptures define the Gospel:  

Mark 1:14-15 – Jesus said the Gospel was about the coming Kingdom of God
Mark 16:15 – Jesus commissioned his disciples to preach the Gospel to the world
Acts 8:12 – Philip preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ
Acts 20:20-27 – Paul preached the “whole counsel of God” including repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ, the Gospel of grace and the Kingdom of God (grace involves forgiveness, unmerited pardon)
Acts 28:23 – Paul preached about the Kingdom of God and about Jesus
Acts 28:30-31 – Paul preached of the Kingdom of God and things concerning Jesus Christ
I Corinthians 2:2 – Paul’s main focus was on “Jesus Christ and Him crucified”
I Corinthians 15:1-8 – Paul preached “the gospel…by which you are saved…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures…and that He rose again on the third day”
Ephesians 1:13 – Paul wrote of trusting in Christ “after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation”

These scriptures clearly indicate that the Gospel includes not just a message about the coming Kingdom of God, but also the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins.   That sacrifice, when accompanied by repentance and spiritual growth on our part, will result in our ultimate salvation—receiving eternal life in the Kingdom and family of God (see John 3:16, etc.).   The Gospel is also about the exciting news that Jesus Christ is going to return to this earth as King of kings to establish the Kingdom of God and bring peace and justice to all (Isaiah 9:6-7; Revelation 11:15).  To separate the Gospel of the Kingdom of God from the good news of the opportunity for salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is simply not biblical or factual.  

What the critics of the LCG doctrinal statement also overlook is the fact that Mr. Armstrong understood the Gospel encompassed more than what he addressed in certain writings that critics have chosen to quote.  Notice these statements from the Good News, December 1984, p. 5 – “The Gospel of Christ is Christ’s own Gospel—not a story about His person… The Gospel of Christ ‘is the power of God to salvation’ (Romans 1:16)… What is Jesus Christ’s Gospel?… It is the Good News of the Kingdom of God !… It is the message of divine government—government by God’s Laws!… Of course that message includes the knowledge about the Savior, High Priest and coming King!  Of course, it includes the true way of salvation, which the churches have lost! [Emphasis ours].  And it includes also knowledge of the location of the territory to be ruled over by the King of the coming Kingdom—the fact it is this earth and not heaven.”   Mr. Armstrong clearly understood that the true Gospel included much more than just a story about the person of Jesus Christ.  However, he also clearly understood the Gospel included that Jesus was the promised Messiah who came to give his life as a sacrifice for mankind and to explain the way of salvation that is outlined in the great plan of God pictured by the Holy Days.  When we study all the scriptures on the subject, there is no need to be confused about the Gospel.  Even the critics should remember that Mr. Armstrong repeatedly stated, “Don’t believe me, believe your Bible.”  The Bible must be our ultimate authority in this vital subject.   (Confused Critics Limit the Gospel. The World Ahead Weekly Update  December 14, 2006).

LCG teaches what the Bible teaches and what HWA actually taught.

The gospel is the good news that God has a plan of salvation for human kind that includes His Son showing love by being sacrificed for sinners who should repent and accept the grace of God so that they can live in peace and be part of the coming kingdom of God that will come to this earth.

Some article of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
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?
Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
True vs. False Conversion Are you really converted or willing to be? What is true conversion? What is false conversion? What are the dangers of false conversion? Evangelist Roderick Meredith provides information on those important questions.
Getting the Gospel Out is More than a Local Job Discusses Biblical rationale for doing an international, and not just a local, work.
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?

Berlin Reichstag

COGwriter By Michael

Over the past few days Germany has continued to make the news. Spain also has made the news regarding their poor economic situation and their near 25% unemployment.

The coverage of Germany has varied from positive to negative stories. The positive items are essentially reporting how well German’s economy is performing. The stories and editorials that seem negative are accusing Germany of not helping enough. In summary, these articles are reporting that Germany should take more involvement. Inevitably, more involvement will lead to more German control.

Leaders plotting EU superstate: ‘Fiscal union’ looms… with the Germans in charge
19:36 EST, 5 June 2012

There is growing frustration in London and Washington at Germany’s reluctance to take steps towards a single economic government and put its vast resources behind the struggling countries in the eurozone.

Their fears were aired yesterday in a conference call between finance ministers from the G7 group of leading nations.

Four EU leaders have been asked to draft proposals for a deeper eurozone fiscal union, to be presented to an EU summit at the end of this month….

They fear a core eurozone, led by Germany, would be in a powerful position to push whatever policies it wanted affecting the rest of the 27-member EU.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2155082/Leaders-plotting-EU-superstate-Fiscal-union-looms–Germans-charge.html#ixzz1x7KFIFhc

DailyMail sees Germany as the practical solution to the financial difficulties in the eurozone, but there is also a strong fear of Germany and the control it would gain.

Today, TomorrowsWorld made a post on Twitter about Germany as well:

Germany grapples with its role in Euro rescue. WSJ: ow.ly/bq6RA Growth of a “strongman”? [TW:] ow.ly/bq6Xe

— tomorrowsworld (@tomorrowsworld) June 7, 2012

The start of the Wall Street Journal article states:

As Europe careens deeper into political and economic crisis, the immediate survival of the euro turns more than ever on a single question: Will Germany act?

For nearly three years, Chancellor Angela Merkel has resisted pressure from European neighbors to provide a stronger financial backstop for the euro zone. Germany, the only euro-zone nation with the economic heft to do so, has done the minimum necessary to keep vulnerable countries afloat—and demanded crushing public-spending cuts in return.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303506404577446312797418208.html

WSJ is emphasizing how Germany really is the solution also. From a 2010 article, Growth of a Strongman: Germany Rising Again, Dexter B. Wakefield wrote the following:

Tomorrow’s World has long explained that the German people are identified in prophecy as Assyria. Even though these remarkable people were crushed by Allied might in World War II, they are rising again to power and prominence in Europe. Look for Germany to lead the way in trade dominance, finance, economic power, political muscle and revived military force in a federal EU.

Through the prophet Isaiah, God said, “Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger and the staff in whose hand is My indignation. I will send him against an ungodly nation, and against the people of My wrath. I will give him charge, to seize the spoil, to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. Yet he does not mean so, nor does his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy, and cut off not a few nations. For he says, ‘Are not my princes altogether kings?'” (Isaiah 10:5–8).

Constantly, we are seeing the demand for Germany’s help. According to these articles, it seems that Germany is being very hesitant to help. If Germany was to rush in and take complete control financially, it would simply seem that Germany is “greedy” and wants to “take over” the eurozone. The appearance of Germany, not wanting to take control, is prudent on Germany’s part.

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”?
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?
Resurgent Germany: A Fourth Reich? Who are the German peoples and where did they come from? What is Germany’s role in end time prophecy?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, 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?