Church of God News

COGwriter

Many people have questions about the Bible in general and the first several chapters of the Book of Genesis in particular.

The first six chapters of Genesis present a sum­mary of vital high points of approximately the first 1600-1700 years of mankind — from Adam’s creation to just before Noah’s Flood (details on calculations can be found in the article Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?).

In this basic summary of events, many details have been omitted. However, God saw to it that what we really needed to know was preserved for us today. Enough was recorded to show that mankind was instructed of God in the way that would cause every good effect — peace, happiness, prosperity, comfort, an interesting life, abundant well­ being.

We in the Continuing Church of God have looked at various questions were taken from authentic letters emanating from Ambassador College sponsored programs and publications or received as emails by us. This particular set of questions and answer is an update strongly based upon those in the 1973 booklet (shown above) written by the late John Ross Schroeder, but with most answers partially updated by Dr. Bob Thiel in 2014.  Biblical quotes are from the KJV unless otherwise noted.

• “Can you give me information on prehistoric man? Did God make other men before Adam?”

As used by critical historians, “prehistoric time” is said to refer to earliest antiquity nowhere documented in written records. But the Bible records, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Here is a documented account reaching back to the beginning of time. “Prehistoric time,” in that sense, is therefore irreconcilable with Scripture. It should come as no surprise, therefore, to learn that biblical passages reveal occurrences prior to the time of man.

But so far as modern humans are concerned, the Bible plainly states that Adam was the first man (1 Corinthians 15:45), and he named his wife “Eve because she was the mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20). Adam and Eve were therefore the first humans.  While there are fossil records of apes and other creatures that predate Adam, these creatures were not the same as modern humans as far God is concerned.

• “Were there really such people as Adam and Eve? Did they actually have children — Cain, Abel and Seth?”

For those of us who believe the Bible the answer is clearly “Yes.”

Interestingly, scientists tend to believe that modern humans had a common, at least female, ancestor, but there are debates about how far back common ancestry goes.  One report goes back to about the time of the biblical flood, while another claims it goes back 200,000 years.  The reality is that it actually goes back about 6000 years (see also Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?).

As far as children go, there is legal documentation of the murder of Abel, Cain’s trial before a judge, and Cain’s sentencing (Genesis 4:8-16). That legal document is the Bible!

The Old Testament is the only bona fide record which has been preserved down to our day telling of the lives of Adam and Eve — of the birth of Cain, Abel and Seth. It mentions what sort of personalities they had and the highlights of the times in which they lived. Christ’s own physical genealogy was reckoned through Seth back to Adam.

Physically, Adam and Seth both were Christ’s ancestors (Luke 3). Jesus Christ accepted the testimony of the Old Testament record as authoritative. He knew that Abel had existed — that he was a historical person. He referred to Abel’s murder by Cain. Notice what Christ said to the religious leaders of His time: “That upon you may come all the righteous bloodshed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar” (Matthew 23:35).

The apostles referred to famous early human beings more than fifteen times in the New Testament. Genesis has always been accepted by true Christians as a valid and highly accurate record of early history. It simply does not make sense to profess a belief in the teachings of Christ and the apostles, and then at the same time refuse to accept their verification of Genesis.

• “Would you associate God with science and why?”

The word “science” comes from the Latin word scien­tia meaning “knowledge.” What we call “science” seeks to know, explain, and classify knowledge of the material universe. God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, is also the Creator of true science. God, in His Word, encourages man to study the true sciences. “For the invisible things of him [God] from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20). Scripture also says, “Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). Hence there is no conflict between true science and the true teaching of the Bible.

The Bible teaches that the prophet Daniel was wise and also trained in science (Daniel 1:4-6).

It should be noted, however, that many called scientists tend to make a religion about certain beliefs which tends to cause them to ignore real science.  The Apostle Paul had that problem in his day:

20 Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. (1 Timothy 6:20-21)

His advice still holds today.  There are positions held to be scientific that all false that have misled many, such as the idea of evolution as the source of life. Those ‘scientists’ who espouse evolution over creation have ignored science in order to promote something that is not true (see Is God’s Existence Logical? and Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II).

For more questions and answers, please check out the post: Questions and Answers from Genesis.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Questions and Answers from Genesis Many wonder about certain early events that this article discusses.
How Old is the Earth and How Long Were the Days of Creation? Does the Bible allow for the creation of the universe and earth billions of years ago? Why do some believe they are no older than 6,000 years old? What is the gap theory? Where the days of creation in Genesis 1:3 through 2:3 24 hours long?
Where Did God Come From? Any ideas? And how has God been able to exist? Who is God?
Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true? Here is a link to a YouTube sermon titled Is it logical to believe in God?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge. Here is a link to a YouTube video titled Quickly Disprove Evolution as the Origin of Life.
How Old is the Earth and How Long Were the Days of Creation? Does the Bible allow for the creation of the universe and earth billions of years ago? Why do some believe they are no older than 6,000 years old? What is the gap theory? Where the days of creation in Genesis 1:3 through 2:3 24 hours long?
How is God Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient? Here is a biblical article which answers what many really wonder about it.
Has time been lost? It Saturday the seventh day of the week?
Why Were You Born? Why did God make you? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject. You may also wish to read the article What is Your Destiny? or watch the video, also titled What is Your Destiny?
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally? There is also a video titled What is the meaning of your life?

Ted Cruz

COGwriter

Republican Senator Ted Cruz was disturbed about objections for some of his pro-Israel comments:

September 11, 2014

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, walked offstage at an event Wednesday evening after his remarks in support of Israel drew boos from some members of the audience.

Cruz was speaking at a dinner for In Defense of Christians (IDC), a group that aims to raise awareness of persecuted minority communities in the Middle East, particularly Christians.

According to The Daily Caller, it was Cruz’s assertion that “Christians have no greater ally than Israel” which drew the first negative reaction from some in the crowd, who booed and yelled, “stop it!”

As Cruz doubled down on his point – “those who hate Israel hate America,” he said – the interruptions grew.

“If you will not stand with Israel and the Jews,” Cruz said. “Then I will not stand with you. Good night, and God bless.” He left the stage.

“I came to this event [Wednesday] to help shine a light on the tragic persecution and slaughter of Christians by ISIS and Islamic radicals throughout the Middle East. American leaders have been far too silent as to this horrific evil,” Cruz said in a statement released after the event. “But bigotry and hatred have no place in this discussion. Anti-Semitism is a corrosive evil, and it reared its ugly head.”

He blamed a “vocal and angry minority of attendees” for what he called a “shameful display of bigotry and hatred” and said he had no choice but to leave.

IDC issued its own statement reprimanding “a few politically motivated opportunists” for choosing to cause division in the room.  http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ted-cruz-walks-out-of-christian-event-after-being-booed/

Ted Cruz is considered to be a potential candidate for the USA presidency (see Ted Cruz emerges as a top potential candidate).

Although many Protestants and Catholics are pro-Israel, many who claim to be Christian are antisemitic.

Various notable leaders that Catholic and Protestants respect hated Jews.

Notice some statements from the antisemite John Chrysostom, Orthodox Bishop of Constantinople:

But do not be surprised that I called the Jews pitiable. They really are pitiable and miserable (John Chrysostom. Homily Against the Jews I:II:1. Preached at Antioch, Syria in the Fall of 387 AD. Medieval Sourcebook: Saint John Chrysostom (c.347-407) : Eight Homilies Against the Jews. Fordham University. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/chrysostom-jews6.html ).

So the godlessness of the Jews and the pagans is on a par. But the Jews practice a deceit which is more dangerous (I:VI:4).

Do you see that demons dwell in their souls and that these demons are more dangerous than the ones of old? (I:VI:7).

Since it is against the Jews that I wish to draw up my battle line, let me extend my instruction further. Let me show that, by fasting now, the Jews dishonor the law and trample underfoot God’s commands because they are always doing everything contrary to his decrees. When God wished them to fast, they got fat and flabby (VI:IV:2).

Indeed, the fasting of the Jews, which is more disgraceful than any drunkenness, is over and gone (VIII:I:5).

Notice some statements from the antisemite Martin Luther, a Protestant Reformer:

My heart is fuller of these thoughts than my tongue can tell. I have come to the conclusion that the Jews will always curse and blaspheme God as all the prophets have predicted. He who neither reads nor understands this, as yet knows no theology, in my opinion. And so I presume the men of Cologne cannot understand the Scripture, because it is necessary that such things take place to fulfill prophecy. If they are trying to stop the Jews blaspheming, they are working to prove the Bible and God liars (“Martin Luther’s to George Spalatin,” from Luther’s Correspondence and Other Contemporan, Letters, trans. by P. Smith (1913), Vol. 1, pp. 28-29).

Furthermore he wrote:

I had made up my mind to write no more either about the Jews or against them. But since I learned that those miserable and accursed people do not cease to lure to themselves even us, that is, the Christians, I have published this little book, so that I might be found among those who opposed such poisonous activities of the Jews and who warned the Christians to be on their guard against them…They are so blind and stupid that they see neither the words found in Genesis 17 nor the whole of Scripture, which mightily and explicitly condemns this lie…They are real liars and bloodhounds who have not only continually perverted and falsified all of Scripture with their mendacious glosses from the beginning until the present day. Their heart’s most ardent sighing and yearning and hoping is set on the day on which they can deal with us Gentiles as they did with the Gentiles in Persia at the time of Esther…The worse a Jew is, the more arrogant he is, solely because he is a Jew — that is, a person descended from Abraham’s seed, circumcised, and under the law of Moses. David and other pious Jews were not as conceited as the present-day, incorrigible Jews…I wanted to present this to us Germans so that we might see what rascals the blind Jews are and how powerfully the truth of God in our midst stands with us and against them (Medieval Sourcebook: Martin Luther (1483-1546): On the Jews and Their Lies, 1543)

Martin Luther advised his followers:

…to burn down Jewish schools and synagogues, and to throw pitch and sulphur into the flames; to destroy their homes; to confiscate their ready money in gold and silver; to take from them their sacred books, even the whole Bible; and if that did not help matters, to hunt them of the country like mad dogs (Luther’s Works, vol. Xx, pp. 2230-2632 as quoted in Stoddard JL. Rebuilding a Lost Faith, 1922, p.99).

Accordingly, it must and dare not be considered a trifling matter but a most serious one to seek counsel against this and to save our souls from the Jews, that is, from the devil and from eternal death. My advice, as I said earlier, is: First, that their synagogues be burned down, and that all who are able toss in sulphur and pitch (Martin Luther (1483-1546): On the Jews and Their Lies, 1543 as quoted from Luther’s Works, Volume 47: The Christian in Society IV, (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1971). pp 268­293).

Notice something from a Roman Catholic source:

In the Middle Ages, the Popes and the Councils were successful in destroying the Jewish revolutionary movements which appeared within Christianity in the form of false teaching and which were introduced by those who were Christians in appearance but Jews in secret. The latter then recruited upright and good Christians for the arising heretical movement by persuading the latter in a crafty way.

The secret Jews organised and controlled in secret manner the movements, which were the creative and driving force of wicked false teachings, such as those of the Iconoclasts, the Cathars, the Patarines, the Albigensians, the Hussites, the Alumbrados and others. (Pinay, Maurice. The Plot Against the Church, Part Four Chapter One. Translated from the German and Spanish editions of the same work. 1962)

The above book is still recommended by and for many Catholics (though some others distance themselves from it).

Racial hatred is wrong. People should not be antisemitic.  There are many who are antisemitic.

Speaking in favor of the nation of Israel will likely both gain and cost Ted Cruz votes should he formally announce that he plans to run for his party’s nomination for president.

John Kerry and Barack Obama

COGwriter

Both the US Secretary of State and US President are publicly pushing for the type of regional cooperation that could help lead to the formation of the biblical King of the South of Daniel 11:40-43 (bolding mine below):

September 11, 2014

JEDDAH— U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is in Saudi Arabia for talks with Arab leaders on an international coalition against Islamic State militants. …

It is important the Saudis are hosting this meeting as they will be a key element in this coalition both because of their size and economic importance, “but also because of their religious significance with Sunnis,” according to a senior State Department official at the talks.Overcoming the Sunni/Shi’ite divide in the region, and within Iraq, is a big part of making this coalition work, as Islamic State fighters are predominantly Sunni and the new government in Baghdad is led by a Shi’ite backed by Iran.

The senior State Department official says Secretary Kerry is asking Arab leaders to use nationally-owned media — including Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya — as well as their religious establishments to speak out against Islamic State extremism in hopes of undermining its appeal to young recruits.

In that push, Secretary Kerry is echoing President Obama’s denunciation of the ISIL group as not “Islamic” because no religion condones the killing of innocents.

“ISIL claims to be fighting on behalf of Islam, but the fact is that its hateful ideology has nothing to do with Islam. ISIL is a manifestation of evil, a vicious terrorist organization, and it is a organization that achieves its goals only through violence, repression and destruction, fed by illicit funding and a stream of foreign fighters. It has seized territory and terrorized the people who live there regardless of their sect or ethnicity,” said Kerry.

In addition to Saudi leaders, Kerry is meeting in Jeddah with officials from Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.

The senior State Department official says the coalition may need enhanced military basing and overflights for airstrikes against the Islamic State. Kerry is also asking for better efforts to stop individuals from sending money to extremist groups, as the U.S. official says financial enforcement by Kuwait and Qatar has been “spotty.”  http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-saudi-arabia-talks-arab-leaders-comabting-islamic-state/2445974.html

September 11, 2014

Obama laid out the new strategy in a televised White House speech as the U.S. and its allies face the growing threat of rising Islamist extremism in Iraq, Syria and other parts of the volatile Middle East and North Africa region.

Obama’s plan includes training and arming Iraqi security forces as well as vetted Syrian opposition fighters in order to help both groups battle fighters from the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL.  http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-address-on-islamist-militant-threat/2445625.html

September 11, 2014

(Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry pressed Arab leaders on Thursday to support President Barack Obama’s plans for a new military campaign against Islamic State militants…

In a strong measure of support, Saudi Arabia has agreed to host training camps for moderate Syrian rebels who are part of Obama’s broad strategy to combat the militants, who have taken over a third of both Syria and Iraq, U.S. officials said.

The agreement, outlined by Obama’s aides on the night of his speech laying out his expanded campaign against the Islamist group, appeared to reflect the depth of Saudi concern about Islamic State’s threat to the region. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/11/us-iraq-crisis-kerry-idUSKBN0H50MA20140911

All the nations mentioned above that the John Kerry is planning on meeting with are expected to be part of the confederation that will back the King of South.  The Bible says that this King of the South will be take military steps, and the USA is specifically encouraging a coalition to do be a military force.

Now, I will add that groups like the Islamic State do have something to do with Islam, despite John Kerry’s and Barack Obama’s public comments to the contrary.

Anyway, as far as the King of the South goes, the position of the old Radio Church of God and Worldwide Church of God is that this leader would be an Arabic-Muslim confederation that would also involve Turkey, which resemble the nations that John Kerry is meeting with related to a coalition.

Notice the following:

Daniel was given specific visions of events to occur in OUR TIME!…Notice! And at the TIME OF THE END (this prophecy, then, is absolutely DATED as pertaining to OUR DAY, NOW) shall the king of the south push at him (the “king of the north”) and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over” (verse 40). Bible scholars have recognized the FIRST, TYPICAL fulfillment of this surprising prophecy, but have failed to see its LITERAL application to OUR TIMES!…

But what of the MODERN powers meant by these designations? Remember-the Bible is written, SPIRITUALLY and GEOGRAPHICALLY, from the point of view of PALESTINE! If you were to look on a map, and try to find two powers fitting this description, you would have a fairly easy task…Who else could this be, then, except the coming UNITED STATES OF EUROPE, a resurrection of the ancient ROMAN EMPIRE, Just as we have been fearlessly proclaiming…A rearmed GERMANY, heading up a final union…IN EUROPE -THIS is the Biblical KING OF THE NORTH!

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

But who is the “king of the south”?…in verse 40 we skip to “the time of the end”…The verse undoubtedly found partial fulfillment in the offensive of 1896…But Mussolini did not finish the prophecy…Just as there is yet to be a final “king of the north”…there may very well emerge in the same manner a final “king of the south”–an overall leader of an Arab-Moslem confederation, possibly bearing the very title Mahdi…a prophetic psalm (Psalm 83) provides additional insight into the Mideast picture. Germany (Assyria in Bible prophecy) and perhaps the rest of Europe will be in league in the future with a union of Arab nations…But in the end, this European-Arab alliance will prove short-lived…And the king of the north shall come against him [the king of the south]…Daniel 11:40-41…The Arab-Moslem Confederation will, of course, be thrown into chaotic disarray in the fact of invasion. (Stump K. The Arab World in Prophecy. Plain Truth, December 1979, pp. 11-12).

Turn to the astounding prophecy found in Psalm 83:1-8. David, inspired of God, predicted the coming time when ALL of Israel’s enemies would join together in an effort to crush out even the name “Israel” from the face of the earth! (Verse 4) “For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee…” (verse 5). Notice the nations making up this confederation. “Edom [Turkey], and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; Moab [Jordan], and the Hagarenes [they anciently dwelt in the land known as Syria today]; Gebal {Lebanon}, and Ammon [Jordan] and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur [whose descendants migrated to Germany] is joined with them; they have helped the children of Lot” {Moab and Ammon in modern Jordan). Here we see that the Arab nations mentioned are allied with Germany (Assur) which we know from other prophecies will be the military leader — naturally so — of a United States of Europe…Egypt…will provoke the prophesied United Europe (Dan. 11:40). … “And the land of Egypt shall not escape”(Boraker R. SYRIA RAIDS ISRAEL – Where Is It Leading? Plain Truth. November 1966)

Here is some of what the Bible teaches about the final King of the South:

40 “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. (Daniel 11:40-43)

The area/peoples that Daniel referred to are currently predominantly Muslim and are found in North Africa, the Middle East, the Arab peninsula, and Turkey.  Areas that the USA wants to get together militarily to deal with the threat of ISIS.  Weeks ago I warned that the USA would do this (see Beheading, and France calls for ‘global strategy’ to deal with the Islamic State and Letter to the Brethren: August 21, 2014 and US trying to figure out how to deal with Islamic State, Chicago threatened, and ‘peace promoting’ Pope Francis endorses intervention), and it is happening.

Both Daniel 11 and Ezekiel 30 tell of a confederation of Arabic and other peoples.

Here are some statements from Barack Obama’s speech last night:

At this moment, the greatest threats come from the Middle East and North Africa, where radical groups exploit grievances for their own gain. And one of those groups is ISIL — which calls itself the “Islamic State.”

Now let’s make two things clear: ISIL is not “Islamic.” … ISIL poses a threat to the people of Iraq and Syria, and the broader Middle East — including American citizens, personnel and facilities. If left unchecked, these terrorists could pose a growing threat beyond that region — including to the United States. …

But this is not our fight alone. American power can make a decisive difference, but we cannot do for Iraqis what they must do for themselves, nor can we take the place of Arab partners in securing their region.  http://www.npr.org/2014/09/10/347515100/transcript-president-obama-on-how-u-s-will-address-islamic-state

Similar to what he said last night, last week US President Barack Obama called for something like that as well:

September 5, 2014

“Our goal is to act with urgency but also make sure that we’re doing it right, that we have the right targets, that there’s support on the ground … that we have a strong political coalition,” Obama said at a news conference…

One major piece of the strategy for weakening the threat from Islamic State, Obama and aides said, will be the support and participation of the neighbors of Syria and Iraq.

“It is absolutely critical that we have Arab states, and specifically Sunni-majority states, that are rejecting the kind of extremist nihilism that we’re seeing out of ISIL, that say, ‘That is not what Islam is about,’ and are prepared to join us actively in the fight,” Obama said, using one of the acronyms for Islamic State. http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-obama-islamic-state-20140905-story.html

The Bible shows that the areas that are currently Sunni-majority states in the Middle East and North Africa will compose the final King of the South, and that is something that Barack Obama and his Administration is seemingly advocating.

Back in 2009, I warned:

…the Bible predicts that at the appointed time, a King of the North and a King of the South with rise. Various statements that Barack Obama has made suggest that he will implement policies that will likely help lead to the multi-national formations that will ultimately have these kings.

Islamic Prophecy: Barack Obama to Aid the Rise of the King of the South?

According to a commentary by Amir Taheri in Forbes, there is an amazing old Shi’ite prophecy that some in Iran believe seems to fit Barack Hussein Obama personally…

Now without seeing the actual Shi’ite prophecy that Forbes reported about (which would have been in either read Persian or Arabic), it is not certain that Barack Obama will meet all of the criteria of that prophecy (or if reports on it are entirely accurate).  However, if Barack Hussein Obama is the President of the United States until 2013-2017, his administration will help (most likely inadvertently) lead to the rise of the future King of the South who is mentioned in end time Bible prophecy. …

As mentioned earlier, even some Shi’ite Muslims believe that his presidency may lead to the rise of their Mahdi who seems to be the same person that the Bible calls the King of the South.

(Thiel B. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. Nazarene Books, 2009)

Back in 2013, I wrote:

Furthermore, the Bible predicts that at the appointed time, a King of the North and a King of the South with rise (Daniel 11:27,39-40) and the U.S.A., the nation currently with the “strongest fortresses” (Daniel 11:39) will be destroyed.

Various steps that Barack Obama has taken have helped lead to the multi-national formations that will ultimately have these kings. This would include his administration’s support for the European Union and groups with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. If he continues, he would be expected to support greater union amongst the Europeans and greater union amongst some of the Islamic peoples. …

Might U.S. military intervention with Syria under the Obama Administration be at all prophetic? … if Barack Hussein Obama survives as the President of the United States until 2013-2017, his administration will help lead to the rise of the future King of the South who is mentioned in end time Bible prophecy. …

Barack Obama does not seem to understand many end-time biblical events. This has lead him to be more accommodating to the rise of the Beast and King of the South powers than one who understands end-time prophecy would likely be. … Yet, irrespective of any tie Barack Obama may have to Islam or Christianity, it seems that his policies may lead to greater cooperation between the Arabic and non-Arabic Muslim nations (even if Barack Obama decides he has to intervene in Iran), which at some point, must end up with a leader (whom the Shi’ites tend to call a Mahdi and the Sunnis more likely to call a Caliph) whom the Bible warns will be the Future King of the South. …

Barack Obama’s political support … will help lead to the formation of the final King of the South of Bible prophecy, even if he takes steps that many in the Islamic world disagree with. (Thiel B. Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term. Nazarene Books, 2013).

The final King of the South will form and the Obama Administration is and has been taking steps to encourage this.

Some items of additional interest may include the following:

Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
Libya, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia in Prophecy What is ahead for North Africa? What does the Bible teach?
The Prophesied ‘Islamic’ Confederation Where is an Islamic caliphate prophesied? Will one happen? Should you be concerned about it? A related video is Will an Arabic Calphiphate Destroy the West?
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
How Will Middle East Peace be Brought About? Can humans bring peace to the Middle East? Here is a link to a related video: Middle East Peace? When?
Gaza and the Palestinians in Bible Prophecy What does the Bible teach about Gaza and the fate of the Palestinians? Here is a link to a related video: Gaza and Palestine in Prophecy.
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
Egypt in Prophecy Does Egypt have a special role in end time prophecy? Will Egypt rise up and then be defeated. What does God teach will happen to those in Egypt? Here is a link to a YouTube video titled Egypt and End Time Prophecy.
Iraq, the King of the South, Armageddon, and Prophecy What will happen to Iraq? Is it the prophesied Mystery Babylon? What is Armageddon and how does that have to do with Iraq? Here is a related video Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy.
Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There is also a YouTube video titled Iran in Prophecy. Here is a related video Iran In Prophecy.
What Should You Know About Turkey in Prophecy Do you know the Turkish people descended from? Did the Ottoman Empire possibly fulfill a promise in Genesis? Will Turkey support the European King of the North or Arabic King of the South? Will it betray one of them? Will Turkey be involved in the encouraging the destruction of Israel? Is Turkey going to become Catholic? Is Turkey mentioned in Psalm 83, Daniel 11, and elsewhere in the Bible? This video provides answers.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2014, 2015, or 2016? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2013 o 2014? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language video The Great Tribulation Will Not Begin Before 2017.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

Uganda (Mark Dingemanse)

COGwriter

There are some in Uganda that have expressed interest in the Continuing Church of God, but are not yet actually part of us. Kenya-based Pastor Evans Ochieng was born in Uganda and was able to meet with a couple of them. Several hours ago, I received the following from him in an email:

I went to meet two brethren from Uganda who met me at border yesterday till today early. There is a sad news from them that I would like the church to offer prayer to this our brethren. They have a great war with some denominations that surrounding them. These denominations are saying that they are devil worshipers because they are preaching that people are not going in heaven. That Christ is coming to rule on earth. This is  a big problem  which facing these our brethren. Some of people have attacked them and are ready to accuse them because of what they preach. But it is good that, they insisted that they must preach the truth and they cannot change whatsoever. Even some of people who had joined went back to follow men instead of following God. Now they told me that even though the situation is tough, They are going to arrange how I am going to meet those people on the ground. They told me that I should wait first and give them time to see how they are going to solve that  problem  We took a lot of time when talking, answering questions and talking about kingdom of God. I urged them not to give up because God has chosen them to reach in the kingdom of God. When I saw how they were brave and strong, I was very happy and pray for them. please pray for the gospel in Uganda to stand.

Evans

Notice that Christians are being persecuted an being devil worshipers for teaching what early Christians taught about heaven (see also Did Early Christians Teach They Were Going to Heaven?).  This email reminded me that in ancient Rome the pagans called the Christians ‘atheists’ because they would not worship the various Roman gods and goddesses. Real Christians have long been subject to persecution, as sometimes have nominal ones.

Continuing Church of God Pastor Evans Ochieng wanted me to make a prayer request for those in Uganda, so I am repeating that prayer request here.

Many do not wish to hear that Jesus is going to come to reign on the earth (see also Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?).

We all need to realize that because those who support the proclamation of Christ’s gospel of the kingdom to the world as a witness (Matthew 24:14), that we in the Continuing Church of God are subject to persecution and more persecution will come per Daniel 7:25a, Daniel 11:30-35, and Revelation 12:13-16.  Christians have been persecuted for this in the past and will be again (see also Persecutions by Church and State).

Even those Christians who do properly support the proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom will be subject to persecution at a  later time per Revelation 12:17 and Daniel 7:25b.  Additionally, Jesus and the Apostle Paul taught:

20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.  21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. (John 15:20-21)

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12).

Persecution will get worse in time, but we should pray for brethren (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2) in distress as well as pray, “Thy kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10, KJV).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer. There is also a YouTube video sermon you can watch: The Coming Persecution of the Church. Here is information in the Spanish language: Persecuciones de la Iglesia y el Estado.
What is the Gospel? True religion should be based upon the true gospel. What are some of the different gospels and where did they come from? Do you believe the true or a false gospel? Who is preaching the gospel? Here is a version in Korean 복음이란 무엇인가?
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? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? A related sermon is titled The Millennium.
Did Early Christians Teach They Were Going to Heaven? What do the Bible and scholars teach? What about ‘near-death experiences’? Here is a link to a related sermon: Heaven and Christianity.
What Is the Place that Jesus Is Preparing? Dr. Herman Hoeh wrote this and answered whether the saints go to heaven upon death.
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? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2021 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2014, 2015, or 2016? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2014 o 2015? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans?
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 lower level leaders? A related sermon is available titled Priority of the Philadelphia Work.
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 teaches “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come ” will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing Church of God been doing?  This is a sermonette length video.

COGwriter

The Continuing Church of God continues to get additional materials translated into the Spanish language.

Here are links to some of recent news items and articles that were sent recently:

US Military Chairman scales down threat from Islamic State and seems to be advocating the rise of the King of the South
Jefe militar de los EE.UU. reduce la amenaza del Estado Islámico y parece abogar por el surgimiento del Rey del Sur
http://www.cdlidd.es/jefe-militar-de-los-ee-uu-reduce-la-amenaza-del-estado-islamico-y-parece-abogar-por-el-surgimiento-del-rey-del-sur/

Certain Russian ‘artists’ oppose ban on profanity
Algunos ‘artistas’ rusos se oponen a prohibición sobre profanidad
http://www.cdlidd.es/algunos-artistas-rusos-se-oponen-a-prohibicion-sobre-profanidad/

Australian researchers accused of falsifying ‘global warming’ data
Investigadores australianos acusados de falsificar datos sobre ‘calentamiento global’
http://www.cdlidd.es/investigadores-australianos-acusados-de-falsificar-datos-sobre-calentamiento-global/

Recollections of WCG, etc. in Canada
Recuerdos de la WCG, etc. en Canadá
http://www.cdlidd.es/recuerdos-de-la-wcg-etc-en-canada/

London proposing changes as polls show shift towards Scottish independence
Londres proponiendo cambios en tanto que las encuestas muestran un cambio hacia la independencia de Escocia.
http://www.cdlidd.es/londres-proponiendo-cambios-en-tanto-que-las-encuestas-muestran-un-cambio-hacia-la-independencia-de-escocia/

Beheading, and France calls for ‘global strategy’ to deal with the Islamic State
Decapitación, y Francia llama por ‘estrategia global’ para tratar con Estado Islámico
http://www.cdlidd.es/decapitacion-y-francia-llama-por-estrategia-global-para-tratar-con-estado-islamico/

The Continuing Church of God has a separate Spanish language website http://www.cdlidd.es. The term Continuing Church of God translates into La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios in the Spanish language, also called Castellano or Español.

The Continuing Church of God is reaching people around the world in multiple languages via the internet, printed literature, and human church leads around the world. We also reach people over the radio and through videos in the English language.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean in Prophecy [Español: México, América central, Suramérica, Brasil y el Caribe en la profecía] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What role might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from c. 31 A.D. to 2014. A related sermon link would be Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios.
Faith for those God has Called and Chosen What is faith? Can faith be increased? Are you saved by faith? What about works? Do Christians need to keep the Ten Commandments? What is the ‘faith chapter’? How do the just live by faith? Is faith one of the weightier matters of the law? How does faith come? Here is a link to a pdf. booklet titled Faith for Those God has Called and Chosen. Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Fe para aquellos que Dios ha llamado y escogido.Here is a link to a related sermon titled: Faith for the Called and Chosen. Here is a link to shorter version of the written article in Mandarin Chinese 一篇关于信仰的小文章
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God. And the one that is leading the final phase of the work. That written article has also been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
CCOG.ASIA We in the Continuing Church of God also have the url www.ccog.asia which has a focus on Asia and has various articles in Mandarin Chinese as well as some in English, plus some items in other Asian languages. 我们在继续神的教会也提供此网址 www.ccog.asia, 关注于亚洲并且有各种各样的中英文文章，其中一些用菲律宾语翻译的文章也正在进行中，准备添加到这个网站中。 HHere is a link to our Statement of Beliefs in Mandarin Chinese 继续神的教会的信仰声明.
CCOG.IN This is a website targeted towards those of Indian heritage. It has a link to an edited Hindi translation of The Mystery of the Ages and is expected to have more non-English language materials in the future.
CCOG.EU This is a website targeted toward Europe. It has materials in more than one language (currently it has English, Dutch, and Serbian, with links also to Spanish) and it is intended to have additional language materials added.
PNIND.PH Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos. This is the Philippines website Continuing Church of God. It has information in English and Tagalog.
CDLIDD.ES La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. This is the Spanish language website for the Continuing Church of God.

United Airlines’ Flight 175 Hitting South Tower, 9/11/2001

COGwriter

Americans believe that the threat of terrorism is worsening.  Notice the following:

September 10, 2014

The nation is on edge in the wake of brutal beheadings of journalists by Islamic extremists, with more Americans saying the United States is less safe now than at any point since 9/11, a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll shows.

The exclusive poll reveals that 47% of Americans believe the country is less safe now than before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. That’s a significant increase from even a year after the twin towers fell when in September 2002 just 20% of the country said the nation was less safe. The level of fear across America also is up substantially from last year when 28% felt the same way.

In fact, just 26% of Americans now feel the nation is safer than before 9/11. http://www.inlandnewstoday.com/story.php?s=34800

The belief that USA is at a greater terrorist threat is correct. And, in many ways, ultimately, it will be worse than Americans believe possible.

I believe that the Bible shows that King of the North will invade (Daniel 11:39) and in conjunction with the terrorism from King of the South (Psalm 83:3-8) will cause the end of the USA and this is at least alluded to in Deuteronomy 32:25.  The King of the South will be a type of confederation of states in North Africa and the Middle East according to Daniel 11:40-43.

Notice also something from USA Today:

13 years after 9/11, terror threat undiminished

Islamist radicals control vast swaths of land across Iraq and Syria…Their victims’ heads festoon telephone wires in Raqqa, Syria, and they have posted videos online showing mass executions of prostrate Iraqis. Other terror groups are rallying to their black banner. ISIS has been so successful that at the end of June it shortened its name to simply the Islamic State (IS), with its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi assuming the title of caliph…

The problem of governance is even worse today than it was in the 1990s, though the White House seems unaware. In June, Obama declared that “the world is less violent than it has ever been,” and in July, White House press secretary Josh Earnest boasted of the administration’s role in increasing the “tranquility of the global community.” Mr. Obama’s perspective is that America is winning the war on terrorism because Osama bin Laden is dead and U.S. drones continue to decimate “core al-Qaeda.”However, this perspective is dangerously outdated. The war on terrorism has always been less a battle against a specific terror organization than a struggle against a violent, transnational extremist ideology…

Al-Qaeda is no longer the leading force in global Islamist terrorism; the torch has passed to the Islamic State…In his first public statement as caliph, al-Baghdadi proclaimed that the world is divided into two camps, the “camp of Islam and faith” and the “camp of the Jews, the crusaders, [and] their allies,” led by the United States. And like Bin Laden, he has a vision. When leaving prison in Iraq in 2009, he told his American captors, “I’ll see you guys in New York.” We may not be at war with the Islamic State, but it is at war with us.  http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2014/08/05/al-qaeda-islamic-state-is-isis-obama-column/13622585/

Terrorism was prophesied:

14 ‘But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, 15 and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, 16 I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17 I will set My face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you shall reign over you, and you shall flee when no one pursues you. (Leviticus 26:14-17)

25 The sword shall destroy outside; There shall be terror within (Deuteronomy 32:25)

12 “Cry and wail, son of man; For it will be against My people, Against all the princes of Israel. Terrors including the sword will be against My people; Therefore strike your thigh. (Ezekiel 21:12)

12 Behold, these are the ungodly,Who are always at ease; They increase in riches…19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. (Psalms 73:12,19)

25 Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, 27 When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. (Proverbs 1:25-27)

5 Also they are afraid of height, And of terrors in the way (Ecclesiastes 12:5).

What is going to happen to the USA relatively soon will be so much worse than 9/11/2001 ever was (cf. Psalm 83:4-8; Daniel 11:39). Do not wait until it is too late to respond spiritually, so that you may be protected physically.

Without national repentance, the USA is doomed. Since the USA seems to be going more into sin nationally, that seems unlikely. Yet, personal repentance is still possible. Do you see the winds of change in the USA and elsewhere?

If so, what do you plan to do about it?

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (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-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Will the Anglo-Saxon 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? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?
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?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally? There is also a video titled What is the meaning of your life?
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
Do Christians Sin? This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Overcoming Sin What is sin? How are Christians suppose to overcome it? Here is also a link to a video titled How to Overcome Sin.
How to Prevent Sin This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Just What Do You Mean Conversion? Many think that they are converted Christians. But are they? Would you like to know more about conversion. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
False Conversion Have you really been converted? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this article on this important subject.
All About Water Baptism What is baptism? Would you like to know more about it. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject. As far as early history, see also Baptism and the Early Church.
God’s Grace is For All Is being Jewish a hindrance to salvation? What about not being a descendant of Israel? What does the Bible really teach?
Iraq, the King of the South, Armageddon, and Prophecy What will happen to Iraq? Is it the prophesied Mystery Babylon? What is Armageddon and how does that have to do with Iraq? Here is a related video Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy.
The Prophesied ‘Islamic’ Confederation Where is an Islamic caliphate prophesied? Will one happen? Should you be concerned about it? Here is a link to a related video video: Will an Arabic Calphiphate Destroy the West?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.between these groups will put them in position to be part of the final end time Babylon that the Bible warns against as well as require improper compromise.
Gaza and the Palestinians in Bible Prophecy What does the Bible teach about Gaza and the fate of the Palestinians? Here is a link to a related video: Gaza and Palestine in Prophecy.
Libya, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia in Prophecy What is ahead for North Africa? What does the Bible teach?
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There is also a YouTube video titled Iran in Prophecy. Here is a related video Iran In Prophecy.
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising. The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2014, 2015, or 2016? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2013 o 2014? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Wars, rumors of wars, and the Apocalypse Jesus foretold a time before the end where there would be wars and rumors of wars. The Apocalypse (the Book of Revelation) warns of the red horseman of war. Now, even secular writers, like Larry Edelson, are worried that wars and rumors of war are the most menacing problem that now haunts the earth? Are they right? What is the solution? This is a sermonette-length video.
Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy? There is actually a 17th century Shiite prophecy that some believe that Barack Obama will fulfill that will lead to a rising up of Islam.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

Kviv Patriarch Filaret Denysenko

COGwriter

Amnesty International says that both the Ukrainians and pro-Russian separatists have committed war crimes, and that Russia also may have:

September 10, 2014

MOSCOW—Amnesty International said on Wednesday it had documented evidence of war crimes by both sides in the conflict between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

The human rights group’s secretary-general, Salil Shetty, told a news conference in Moscow that some separatists, backed by Russian troops, and Ukraine’s Aidar battalion had committed human rights abuses in the five-month-old conflict.

Citing satellite imagery as well as witness accounts, Shetty said Russia’s involvement in the violence in eastern Ukraine made it a side in the conflict which could make it liable if war crimes are established.

“We have repeatedly raised the issue of war crimes and in our most recent reports we have documented evidence of war crimes from both sides,” said Shetty, repeating the allegations in the Russian capital, where authorities have denied their involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Shetty said the organization had requested meetings with President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov but neither had agreed to meet him or answered the allegations.

Russia has denied it is a party to the conflict and has dismissed accusations that it has sent soldiers and weapons to support the separatists.

Shetty said human rights abuses, including beatings and abductions, had been carried out by separatists “who we now know have been backed by Russian forces” and by Ukraine’s Aidar Battalion, a volunteer territorial defense group. http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-amnesty-says-evidence-both-sides-committed-war-crimes-in-ukraine/2444715.html

The fighting in Ukraine has hurt many as well as impacted the economy there.

There has long been some tension between the Ukrainian Orthodox and the Russian Orthodox churches.  The Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill is a political ally of Vladimir Putin (see Russia’s Putin attempting to unify some of the Orthodox? and Russian Orthodox Church Claims it Can Show the Way for Europe, Others Believe it Has Sold Out), and this has caused additional tensions. In the past, the Vatican (see Vatican credits Russia’s Putin for ‘defending Christianity’ and confirms a meeting and Moscow Patriarchate pleased Putin to meet Vatican, while Vatican works many sides for its ecumenical plans and Russia’s Putin and Pope Francis both kiss Marian icon) indicated that Vladimir Putin has been a positive leader from a religious perspective.

Now, the Patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox has spoken out against Vladimir Putin:

September 8, 2014

Putin ‘possessed by Satan,’ says head of Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Peter Kenny and Henri Rose Cimatu

The head of Ukraine’s Orthodox Church has accused President Vladimir Putin of being possessed by Satan while the Dalai Lama in a less strident critique accused the Russian leader of being “self-centered.”

Patriarch Filaret, who heads the Ukraine Orthodox Church, compared Putin to Cain in the Bible, the son of Adam and Eve who killed his brother, while not naming the Russian president by name.

“With great regret I have to say now publicly that among the rulers of this world upon the fact of baptism, belonging to the Orthodox Church, appeared a real new Cain – not by name, but by deeds,” he said.

“These matters indicate that the above mentioned governor as the first in the history fratricide Cain, came under the action of Satan.”

The statement was published on the church’s website in Russian, Ukrainian and English.

“He calls himself a brother to the Ukrainian people, but in fact according to his deeds, he really became the new Cain, shedding the brotherly blood and entangling the whole world with lies,” said the patriarch. http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/putin-possessed-by-satan-says-head-of-ukrainian-orthodox-church-26343

Here are statements from the website of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by Patriarch Filaret:

Statement of the Patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine Filaret

And Cain said to Abel his brother: [let’s go to the field]. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? He said: I do not know; Am I my brother’s keeper?

Genesis 4: 8-9

Dear brothers and sisters, all people of good will!

With great regret I have to say now publicly that among the rulers of this world upon the fact of baptism, belonging to the Orthodox Church, appeared a real new Cain – not by name, but by deeds.

These matters indicate that the above mentioned governor as the first in the history fratricide Cain, came under the action of Satan.

From the Holy Scriptures, we know that two great sins, murder and lie are in close unity with each other, as the ruler and the inspiratior of both is the devil. Therefore, anyone who indulges in these sins, according to the Savior, has the devil as his father, “your father is the devil; and you want to fulfill the lusts of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies “(John 8:44).

“From everyone to whom much is given, much will be required, and who has been entrusted with more will be asked” – says the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:48). A lot of power was given into the hands of the above mentioned ruler, but both the world and we are witnessing the fact that he drew this power not on good deeds, but on evil.

It was at his behest that the media in his country day and night in many languages ??spread cynical lie about Ukraine, sow enmity against the Ukrainian people, and against our desire to be independent and build our own sovereign state, they provoke bloodshed and murder in the Donbass.

He says outright and blatant lies: organizing and sending killers mercenaries to our country, speaks of “internal conflict”, to which he allegedly is not involved; sending to Ukraine his troops, he publicly states that these forces are not present there. At the time when in Ukraine the perished soldiers, defenders of the Fatherland are buried as heroes, the soldiers of his country, who died in the Donbas, are buried secretly, carefully concealing the truth about the circumstances of their death.

This ruler is cynically lying, saying that his country is not a party to the conflict in Ukraine – although he did everything in order to foment the conflict and maintain it.

Numerous victims are the consequence of his actions. In recent months, soldiers are killed every day and volunteers, who protect Ukraine from the aggressor, which loves to call himself our brother. The fighting affects millions of civilians and tens of thousands are forced to flee from war, hundreds were killed. Cities and villages of the Donbass turn into ruins.

Seeing this, and as the Patriarch, being responsible before God for the Orthodox Ukrainian people, I affirm that the greatest blame for all this lies on the abovementioned governor. In his will and power is to immediately stop the bloodshed and death, but it is for the sake of his pride he continues to multiply evil. He calls himself a brother to the Ukrainian people, but in fact according to his deeds, he really became the new Cain, shedding the brotherly blood and entangling the whole world with lies.

His lie is misleading some people, and they think that in fact this ruler protects traditional spiritual and moral values ??from the ravages of globalization….

I call on God’s blessing to Ukraine and our pious people!

Filaret,

Patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine

September 5, 2014

http://cerkva.info/en/messages/5417-new-kain.html

Basically, Patriarch Filaret is indicating that the Ukrainians represent the righteous Abel and the Vladimir Putin represents the murderer Cain as the Ukrainians and Russians should be brothers.

Now it is true that Satan is a liar and murderer (John 8:44) and incites wars (e.g. Revelation 16:13-14).

That being said, for Patriarch Filaret to call the Ukrainians a ‘pious people,’ is not biblically accurate (e.g. Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare or Encourage Violence?).  One would think he would be aware of the war crimes and other violent actions that happened in Kiev itself over the past 10 months or so as well as other issues.  Not that the Russians are themselves more pious (sincerely devoted to a proper religion) than the Ukrainians.

It is just that those of Ukraine and Russia do really need to turn to God and practice the true biblical faith.  As do all others:

30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead. (Acts 17:30-31).

Vladimir Putin himself made the news today:

September 10, 2014

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia will counter military moves by the U.S. and NATO with an array of new nuclear and conventional weapons, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday as the military successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile from a nuclear submarine. …

Putin accused the West of using the crisis in Ukraine to reinvigorate NATO, warning that Moscow will ponder a response to the alliance’s decision to create a rapid-reaction “spearhead” force to protect Eastern Europe. …

The comparative weakness of Russia’s conventional arsenals have prompted Russia to rely increasingly on a nuclear deterrent, with the nation’s military doctrine envisaging the possibility that Russia may use nuclear weapons first in response to a conventional aggression. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_RUSSIA_PUTIN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-09-10-10-40-17

Russia wants the West to know it can cause destruction, so do not engage with Russia militarily.  However, Russia’s actions have tended to reinvigorate NATO, and the long-term ramifications is that this means that Europe will end up with a much stronger military than it now has.  Russia’s threat of a potential preemptive nuclear strike will give European politicians even more reasons to argue for a stronger military over there.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics There are many problems that will happen if they unify, including make them part of end time Babylon.
Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
Russia and Ukraine: Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? You can also watch the short video Ukraine in Prophecy?
Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy Is Russia mentioned in the Bible? It it is where is it? Is there any evidence of a people moving to the land that the Russians now occupy? What do Catholic and other prophecies say about Russia? What does the Bible teach? How are Protestants often in error on this? Is there more in biblical prophecy for Russia than war? Does God have a plan to save Russia and her allies? Does Russia have a history involving Sabbath keepers? Does scripture tie Russia in with Armageddon? Will Russia help defeat the end time Babylonian power? What did the Apostle John, and the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel, write about Russia? This is a sermon-length video.
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fufilled? A related video is available titled Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now?
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
Bible News Prophecy July-Sept. 2014: The Coming Eurasian Union Here is the latest magazine from the Continuing Church of God. The cover of which shows Vladimir Putin and features an article about the coming Eurasian Union.
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
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? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent.
Do Christians Sin? This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Overcoming Sin What is sin? How are Christians suppose to overcome it? Here is a link to a version in Mandarin Chinese: 克服是重要的. Here is also a link to a video in English titled How to Overcome Sin.
How to Prevent Sin This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong. Here is a version in Mandarin: 如何不犯罪
Real Conversion Many think that they are converted Christians. But are they? Would you like to know more about conversion.
False Conversion Have you really been converted? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this article on this important subject.

Devil	= Secret	+ Person	+ Garden

COGwriter

Do the Chinese people have ties to the Book of Genesis? Have the Chinese retained any indirect knowledge of this in their writing?

The simple answer is yes.

Let’s notice what the Bible teaches Adam’s wife Eve:

20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. (Genesis 3:20)

All who lived would certainly include the Chinese.

The Bible also specifically teaches that all peoples were together and of the same language until after the tower of Babel:

1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech…

6 And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth. (Genesis 11:1,6-9).

Thus, until God confused human language and scattered people abroad, all humans were together and spoke the same language.

If the Bible is true (and I believe that it certainly is) then we would expect that perhaps somewhere the Chinese may have preserved some knowledge of some of the events recorded in the Bible prior to this scattering as well as some connection to the area of Babel.

Chinese Characters Provide a Clue

Chinese characters are essentially the symbolic representation of words. It is my understanding that both the Chinese and Japanese languages share some of the same characters, and though they pronounce the words differently, thus a few of the characters have the same meaning in Japanese as they do in Chinese. There are over 600 symbols Chinese characters, and although some were changed in the 20th century, most still are essentially the same as they were thousands of years ago. (Now since I do not read Chinese, or Japanese, I am relying exclusively on the works of others–most heavily from Kees Noorlander from http://www.morgenster.org/signs.htm from which this portion of this paper is indebted to, plus a little bit from Babel Fish by Alta Vista, and quite a bit from http://www.zhongwen.com/ and from the book The Discovery of Genesis). It should be noted that in the 1950s China nearly decided to abolish characters and even now most Chinese are not taught the history and tradition behind their writing system.

Anyway, since the characters had to start from somewhere (and biblically they would have started sometime after the construction of the tower of Babel), some have suggested that perhaps these characters help demonstrate that the Chinese characters (and Japanese for that matter) demonstrate that they were familiar with some of the events recorded in the first chapters of the Book of Genesis.

For example, the Book of Genesis records:

8 The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden…9 The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden…10 Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads. (Genesis 2:8,9, 10).

The term English term garden can be represented by the Chinese word tièn (also spelled tián). The Chinese symbol is four irrigation channels within an area of land (it can also mean farm or field). Or it possibly may be the four rivers with a type of tree in the middle of it.

Was that symbol influenced by the events recorded in the Bible or is this a coincidence?

It is difficult to know for certain as there are other Chinese symbols that can be used instead for garden.

However, there are several other characters to explore. There were two famous trees in the Garden of Eden:

9 The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9).

Recall that God gave Adam one command after placing him in the garden:

15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:15-17).

It is of interest to note that a Chinese symbol for Prohibition is the combination of the symbols for two trees (mù) and command. It should be noted that God, while He originally prohibited one tree, later prohibited access to the second tree (see Genesis 3:22-24).

In Genesis Eve stated:

2 We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden (Genesis 3:2).

It is also of interest to note that the Chinese symbol for Fruit is the combination of the symbols for tree and garden. While Adam and Eve were in the garden, the devil decided to implement his plan to alienate humans from God. His plan was to suggest that God withheld secret information for the humans in the garden.

1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.'” 4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:1-5).

As shown above, notice that the Chinese symbol for Devil is composed of the characters for secret, person, and garden. Sadly, Eve seemed to believe the devil as she desired to benefit from the fruit of the tree that was prohibited:

6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate (Genesis 3:6).

God decided later to prohibit the second tree lest Eve and others desired it so much that they would go for it as well (see Genesis 3:22-24).

Notice the symbol for the Chinese word lán for desire or greed is a combination of the symbols for woman and two trees. After succumbing to temptation, humans noticed that they were naked:

7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. (Genesis 3:7).

The Chinese symbol for being naked has to do with clothing, one tree (the one that Adam and Eve were originally told not to eat from perhaps), and a garden with four irrigation canals. After Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden they had children. On of their sons was Abel, who raised and sacrificed sheep:

2 Now Abel was a keeper of sheep…4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering (Genesis 4:2,4).

Notice what a Chinese character meaning righteous is made of sheep + a hand + a lance. Interestingly, the New Testament account of Abel refers to:

35…the blood of righteous Abel (Matthew 23:35).

Thus, the Chinese symbol agrees with the New Testament account that essentially the sacrifice of sheep (by Abel, for example) was righteous.

Many know that Chinese history contains an account of some type of worldwide flood. There may be a couple of aspects of it preserved in its characters.

Notice a couple of statements in the Bible concerning the flood:

1 Then the LORD said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. (Genesis 7:1).

20…in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water (1 Peter 3:20).

A Chinese word chuán for a type of boat is 8 + a mouth + a vessel. It may be of interest to note that one of the Chinese symbols for flood (chong) is a combination of an inverted symbol meaning “first Earthly branch” and eight (the term for eight may instead mean “person remaining””–that of itself is interesting as that the symbol for eight and “person remaining” look about the same–recall that on the ark there were only eight persons remaining alive).

After the flood, humans stayed together and built a tower:

1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” (Genesis 11:1-4).

Yet God did not care for this:

5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” (Genesis 11:5-7).

It is highly likely that when people saw others speaking foreign languages, that they thought that somehow something at this tower affected their mouths. The Chinese symbol of a tower is grass + clay + mankind + mouth. The tower of Babel was built with bricks (grass and clay) and humans originally had one language (or mouth). It is possible that this symbol is showing that the ancient Chinese recognized a connection to the biblical tower of Babel.

The Bible shows that after God confused the languages in Babel that He scattered humans all over:

8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth (Genesis 11:8-9).

For more about this, and to see the actual Chinese characters (which for some reason would not copy properly over to this post, please check out China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters.

Chinese Characters Predate Moses

While researching this paper I came across a quote that perhaps should be placed here:

…the ancient Chinese people were quite familiar with the same record which the Hebrew Moses is popularly given credit for writing some 700 to 1,000 years later. Imagine this information being stored in special characters that were in use hundreds of years before the first page of the Bible was written! (Kang C.H., Nelson E.R. The Discovery of Genesis: How the Truths of Genesis Were Found Hidden in the Chinese Language. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, 1979, p. 5)

Notice that the development of Chinese characters predates the writing of the Book of Genesis. Thus, the Chinese characters seem to provide an ‘independent’ account that verifies portions of the accounts in Genesis.

Continuing, the authors of the previous citation go so far as to state:

Moreover we believe that the Chinese actually employed this historical knowledge as one small facet in the process of building their written language. The significance of this claim is broad. But most important, it appears to us to give support and added acceptance of the much slandered account of Biblical Genesis (Ibid).

Thus, the existence of these Chinese characters should be a comfort to the Chinese that their ancestors did have some type of biblical witness, as well as the modern believers that even in a land as removed as it is from the Middle East, the Chinese did know about various portions of the Genesis account. And since their characters were developed prior to Moses writing Genesis, their very existence provides additional verification that the events were known for many thousands of years.

In addition to Chinese characters, the following is a prayer believed to be said prior to the acceptance of polytheism in China. This is believed to have been written in the neighborhood of 2230 B.C., about 700 or so years before Moses wrote the Book of Genesis:

Of old in the beginning was the great chaos, without form and dark. The five elements had not begun to revolve, nor the sun and the moon to shine. In the midst thereof there existed neither forms nor sound. Thou, O spiritual sovereign camest forth in Thy presidency, and the first didst divide the grosser parts from the purer. Thou madest heaven; Thou madest earth; Thou madest man. All things with their reproducing power got their being (He Sacrificed to ShangTi as reported in, without its edits, Kang C.H., Nelson E.R. The Discovery of Genesis: How the Truths of Genesis Were Found Hidden in the Chinese Language. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, 1979, p. 15).

The above, though not in perfect agreement, is in substantial agreement with the first chapter of the Book of Genesis. This account suggests that at least portions of what God did as also recorded in Genesis were known to ancient peoples, including the Chinese.

It is difficult to be absolutely certain why the Chinese characters described in this paper were developed. However, it seems reasonable to conclude that these symbols do provide evidence that the biblical accounts of the garden of Eden, the flood, and the tower of Babel did involve peoples, like the Chinese, who do not now live in the Middle East.

Hence, it appears likely that even from the beginnings, the ancestors of the modern Chinese did have some basic understandings of God and some of how He had intervened in the affairs of humankind. And thus, Chinese characters appear to provide additional confirmation from outside the Bible that some of its basic assertions of humankind are correct.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon? A YouTube video of interest may be Is China THE Threat to the United States of America?
How to Observe the Sabbath? How should you keep the Sabbath? This is an old article by Raymond Cole, with updated information for the 21st century.
The Dramatic Story of Chinese Sabbathkeepers This reformatted Good News article from 1955 discusses Sabbath-keeping in China in the 1800s.
Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge. Here is a link to a YouTube video titled Quickly Disprove Evolution as the Origin of Life.
How Old is the Earth and How Long Were the Days of Creation? Does the Bible allow for the creation of the universe and earth billions of years ago? Why do some believe they are no older than 6,000 years old? What is the gap theory? Where the days of creation in Genesis 1:3 through 2:3 24 hours long?
Where Did God Come From? Any ideas? And how has God been able to exist? Who is God?
God’s Grace is For All Is being Jewish a hindrance to salvation? What about not being a descendant of Israel? What does the Bible really teach?
Read the Bible Christians should read and study the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading. Here is a link in Mandarin Chinese: 读圣经 Here is a link in the Spanish language: Lea la Biblia.
Bible: Superstition or Authority? Should you rely on the Bible? Is it reliable? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
What is the Appropriate Form of Biblical Interpretation? Should the Bible be literally understood? What do the writings of the Bible, Origen, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Augustine show?
Bible and Historical Resources on the Internet Electronic bibles, Two Babylons, early Christian literature, photos, and even links to old Herbert W. Armstrong materials.
CCOG.ASIA We in the Continuing Church of God also have the url www.ccog.asia which has a focus on Asia and has various articles in Mandarin Chinese as well as some in English, with some in items in the Tagalog language in progress that are intended to be added.

Logo of the Scottish National Party

COGwriter

There are concerns in the United Kingdom that Scotland may actually vote for independence later this month, so leaders are going to Scotland to encourage those there to vote to remain in the UK:

September 9, 2014

The main UK party leaders are visiting Scotland to campaign against independence, ahead of the referendum.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband will abandon their weekly Prime Minister’s Questions clash and instead fly north on Wednesday.

It came as the Scottish pro-Union party leaders announced their backing for more powers for Scotland.

First Minister Alex Salmond said the campaign to keep the Union was now in “absolute panic”.

Liberal Democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will also be campaigning in Scotland, ahead of the 18 September referendum, although the three leaders will not travel or appear together.

In a joint statement they said: “There is a lot that divides us – but there’s one thing on which we agree passionately: the United Kingdom is better together.”

The intervention came after campaigners said at the weekend that the referendum result was too close to call, after polls indicated a narrowing of the lead that the Better Together campaign for the Union have over their Yes Scotland rivals.  http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29126386

Alex Salmond is the leader of the Scottish National Party (Pàrtaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba), and is a major player in trying to get Scotland to vote to leave the United Kingdom.  Someone from Scotland has emailed me a few times this week to tell me his view that Scotland will not possibly vote to leave the UK.

While he was not announced as being on his way to Scotland, UK Ukip party leader Nigel Farage has spoken out against Alex Salmond and the Scottish independence movement:

The Ukip leader Nigel Farage has accused Alex Salmond of stirring up “excessive nationalism” and “anti-English hatred” with just two weeks to go until the vote on Scottish independence…

“A sensible degree of nationalism is a good, healthy thing,” Mr Farage said. “But excessive nationalism is really very dangerous, and Salmond has stirred up amongst 16 to 24-year-old Scots a kind of anti-English hatred and it’s pretty unpleasant.”

Asked why a pro-independence party leader would be against independence in Scotland, Mr Farage explained that he felt the Scottish public was being given a “false proposition”.

He said: “I believe in national self-determination, so if Scotland wants to be independent that’s fine, but I think they’re being sold a pig in a poke.

“They’re being told they can be independent and be members of the European Union – if you’re a member of the EU, their courts are supreme over yours.”

Mr Farage said that the most immediate impact Scotland would feel from independence would be on its economy, adding that the “sums Salmond is peddling don’t add up”.  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-independence-nigel-farage-accuses-alex-salmond-of-stirring-up-excessive-nationalism-9711666.html

As I have been writing for some time, even if Scotland votes for independence, I expect that it will normally cooperate with England and the rest of the remaining UK. But I do believe that if it votes for independence that this will not be good for the rest of the UK. In the future, the UK will lose control over Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands (see also Will the UK Lose Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands?)–the continental Europeans, in my view, will make sure this happens.

National repentance is the only hope now for the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The referendum on Scottish independence is not the true hope for the Scots.

There is an old legend that makes a connection between the first Scottish kings and the children of Israel. Here is one 19th century report of it:

We have seen a late work on prophecy gravely affirming that the Prophet Jeremiah died in Ireland, having been forced hither by the wandering sons of Ephraim. One of the few unquestionable facts connected with early Irish history, is the intercourse between Ireland and the Phoenicians, through Spain. The Israelitish settlers, according to the tradition, carried with them Jacob’s pillow or pillar, known as the Lia Fail or Stone of Destiny, which secured a perpetual monarchy to the people so happy as to possess it. This stone, at the crowning of the first king of the Scots in Scotland, was borrowed… (The Christian remembrancer; or, The Churchman’s Biblical, ecclesiastical & literary miscellany. 1864. Original from Oxford University, Digitized, Oct 5, 2006, p. 2).

The above legend is interesting as it may tie Ephraim in with the British Isles, and affirms the idea that Jeremiah also came to the isles. In the 43rd chapter of Jeremiah, Jeremiah is shown to be with the “king’s daughters” (Jeremiah 43:6). The only two times the expressions “king’s daughters” is used in the Bible, it is in the book written by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 41:10, 43:6). Presuming that Jeremiah took one or more of the “king’s daughters” with him, this would be a way to fulfill the following prophecies:

10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah (Genesis 49:10).

5 I promised David your father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’ (1 Kings 9:5)

The Davidic kingdom ended in Judah centuries BEFORE Christ came (around 586 B.C.), thus there had to be a way for the descendants of David to rule. And probably prior to the time the last true king of Judah died, his daughters (who seem to have been in the British Isles) likely married and had descendants to reign. Those who actually believe what the Bible teaches must realize that somehow God must have fulfilled His promises. And the British Isles seems to make the most historical sense to fulfill this.

Notice what then Duke of York, who later was King George VI of England from 11 December 1936 until his death on February 6, 1952, reportedly wrote in 1922:

…I am sure the British Israelite business is true. I have read a lot about it lately and everything no matter how large or small points to our being ’the chosen race.’ (George, Duke of York. Letter, 1922. Facsimile printed in The Independent, April 6, 1996 per Wikipedia, viewed 11/21/12)

So, even the last King of England believed in British-Israelism, which has included the Scots.

Scotland, along with the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the rest of the UK are all in at least relative decline, despite the appearance of prosperity in their lands. This will not turn out well (cf. Habakkuk 2:6-8; Daniel 11:39), no matter which way any vote for independence may turn out.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (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-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Will the Anglo-Saxon 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? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?
Will the UK Lose Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands? Spain wants Gibraltar and Argentina wants the Falklands (also known as the Malvinas). Does the Bible give clues as to what will happen with these ‘sea gates’? A related video would be Will the UK Lose Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands? A version in Spanish ¿Perderá el Reino Unido a Gibraltar y las Islas Falkland (Malvinas)? Here is a version in Mandarin Chinese 英国将失去直布罗陀和福克兰群岛.
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.
Protestant and Church of God views of the United States in Bible Prophecy Is the USA mentioned in Bible prophecy? Some Protestants say yes, while others say no. What does the Bible really teach? Learn the truth about this. There is also a video available: Is The United States Mentioned In Bible Prophecy?
Dangerous Protestant Prophetic Errors What are some errors that various Protestants hold to that will tend to prevent them from knowing when the Great Tribulation will begin?
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? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
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? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
Just What Do You Mean Conversion? Many think that they are converted Christians. But are they? Would you like to know more about conversion. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent.
False Conversion Have you really been converted? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this article on this important subject.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

COGwriter

The latest issue (says #165, print date August 31, 2014) of The Journal was sent out electronically and just received.

One of its lead messages had to do with the upcoming Feast of Tabernacles:

The Journal lists 257 Feast sites for 2014

The Journal lists four Feast of Tabernacles sites for the Continuing Church of God, which has increased to at least six since as we have added two additional sites in Kenya and are considering one or two additional sites in North America (sites currently planned for the CCOG are in the article Feast of Tabernacles’ Sites for 2014).  The Feast of Tabernacles begins after sunset on the 8th of October this year.  Here is a link to a Holy Day calendar and some in two languages:

Holy Day Calendar This is a listing of the biblical holy days through 2024, with their Roman calendar dates. They are really hard to observe if you do not know when they occur 🙂 In the Spanish/Español/Castellano language: Calendario de los Días Santos. In Mandarin Chinese: 何日是神的圣日？ 这里是一份神的圣日日历从2013年至2024年。.

A front page article had to do with someone’s anger towards God for allowing deaths:

Preacher unhappy with God for letting friends suffer, die
By Dixon Cartwright

BIG SANDY, Texas—A visiting speaker for Sabbath services in the building owned by the Church of God Big Sandy on Aug. 30, 2014, said he’s angry with God be- cause of the recent spate of illnesses and deaths of several of his friends.

Dennis Mouland, 60, of Dewey, Ariz., was in Big Sandy to speak at the me- morial service Aug. 31 for Carl Akins, a 56- year-old Church of God member from this area. Mr. Mouland said God has some explaining to do. “I have been quite angry with God over a number of things, especially this year,” he said. “It might be better not to say I’m totally torqued off but that I’m bitter- ly disappointed or I don’t understand and I disagree with Him.”

While grief is expecting, directing anger towards God is inappropriate.  Of course, many have issues handling grief and other problems.  Here is a link to three items that could be helpful for some:

Why Does Man Suffer? Herbert Armstrong gives biblical reasons on this topic. I also wrote and added a section titled Suffering Has a Future Purpose.
Why Does God Allow Suffering? This is a pdf booklet put out by the old Worldwide Church of God that also answers questions about why God allows war as well as babies to die.
Did God Create a Devil? If not, what happened? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet.

The front page of The Journal also had the following:

Leon and Gloria Sexton…. The public-relations department of the royal palace in August interviewed Mr. Sexton, a Church of God member and founder, with his wife, of Legacy Institute ministry in Thailand.

A related article in The Journal was written by Leon Sexton where he wrote:

CHIANG MAI, Thailand—In early August 2014 I received a call from a palace official asking if I would participate in an event honoring Queen Sirikit of Thailand on her 82nd birth anniversary. I of course said yes, but not knowing what to expect. …

What activities and projects of the queen have I participated in? I talked about how, as Ambassador Foundation representative to Thailand, I traveled with the queen to her many SUPPORT Foundation projects in the north, northeast and south of Thailand. I have seen Her Majesty hard at work for many hours at a time with no breaks. I have seen her kneel in the dirt to talk to the poor people sitting on the ground instead of sitting in a chair at a much higher level. …

I answered all her questions in the Thai language. The interview lasted for 20 minutes.

The late Herbert W. Armstrong met with many world leaders decades ago and had the Sextons with him when he met the royal family in Thailand.  The Sextons continued to have contact on behalf of the old Worldwide Church of God with the Thai royal family, and in particular, the Queen, after the initial meeting.  Leon Sexton now runs the Legacy Institute and lives in Thailand.  While I have issues with some of his theology, I have always respected the fact that he and his wife choose to live there and devote their lives to trying to serve.

In another Journal article, Noel Rude wrote:

SCOTTSBURG, Ore.—Many years ago there was this booklet by Herbert W. Armstrong with shocking illustrations by famed artist Basil Wolverton. Even now it merits its own Wikipedia entry.

That booklet— 1975 in Prophecy, published by the Radio Church of God—along with much else brought yours truly to Ambassador College in Pasadena, Calif., in the late ’50s. And so I reminisce. If these are not your recollections, that’s fine. I just want to tell you mine. We don’t set dates I remember the booklet’s author insisting that he was not setting dates. Rather, he was responding to a certain magazine article’s gushing exuberance over the marvels that technology would bring by the year 1975.

The lesson for some is that the study of biblical prophecy is futile.

Let’s eat, drink, and be merry— and get with the praise music—for the Lord delayeth His coming.

But, as for me and my house, we’re still watching.

Although I never met him face-to-face, I have spoken with Noel Rude a time or two over the telephone and found his skills as a linguist helpful to me on certain matters of koine Greek related to church history (e.g. Another Look at the Didache, Ignatius, and the Sabbath).

He is correct that many do not properly pay attention to prophecy.

Many with COG-ties who now discount prophecy, and also various preterists (The Dangerous Rise of Preterists),  have improperly taught that the old Radio Church of God taught that Jesus would return in 1975.  That was not the case, even though many believed that.  In order to attempt to correct that misunderstanding, in the late 1960s the ministry and others part of that church were told specifically that 1975 was too early.  Obviously it was, as Jesus still has not returned.

But as Noel Rude’s article indicates, various ones got turned off of the subject of prophecy, which is a biblical mistake.

As I wrote in an article late last week (see Why Prophecy? To keep us vigilant and to realize that the world will not end this year) there are many reasons that God inspired prophecy, and that properly understood prophecy leads to spiritual growth.  God would not have inspired between 25 -33 % of the Bible to be prophetic if prophecy was not important.  Jesus, warned, however, that most at the end would not properly understand/pay attention to prophecy, which is the case in these Laodicean times.

There were other articles in The Journal, including subjects such as discouragement and government.  Here is a link to an article by Paul Krautmann & John Siston related to the latter titled How to Overcome Depression and Discouragement.  Here is a link to an article I wrote to the former: The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government.

The back page of The Journal had an announcement that another group, CGG, now accepts PayPal.  We in the Continuing Church of God began to accept donations via PayPal this year.  PayPal is a convenient way for contributions to made, especially for those outside the USA as it handles matters such as currency translation.

Also in The Journal there were the usual letters to the editor and other advertisements, various comments, and opinion articles.

The Journal itself is available by paid subscription (though Dixon Cartwright says some subscriptions are free to those who cannot afford it) and often tends to take a non-Philadelphian era view of certain church matters.