Church of God News

Statue at Fatima Chapel and Image of What the Children Saw

COGwriter

November 8th is the day that the Church of Rome claims is for ‘Holy Relics’ and partially cites the Council of Trent from the 16th century as proof this is acceptable:

Feast of the Holy Relics

Protestantism pretends to regard the veneration which the Church pays to the relics of the Saints as a sin, and contends that this pious practice is a remnant of paganism.

The Council of Trent, on the contrary, has decided that the bodies of the martyrs and other saints who were living members of Jesus Christ and temples of the Holy Ghost, are to be honored by the faithful. This decision was based upon the established usage of the earliest days of the Church, and upon the teaching of the Fathers and of the Councils. http://saints.sqpn.com/pictorial-lives-of-the-saints-the-feast-of-the-holy-relics/ viewed 11/06/13

Holy relics?

There are a few points to consider.

The first is that the Bible is opposed to the idea of ‘holy relics.’ Here is one admonition from the Apostle John:

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21).

The second is that those that the Church of Rome consider to have been early ‘Fathers’ and saints were opposed to them as well.

After John died, his disciple, Polycarp of Smyrna became perhaps the most well-known Christian leader in the second century.

Even though the Roman Catholics and Orthodox leaders consider that Polycarp was an important saint, note what Polycarp wrote in the mid-second century:

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

Thus, Polycarp says that those who practice idolatry, even if they profess Christ, will be judged as a heathen!

In the early-mid second century there was an apologist named Marcianus Aristides who wrote the following to the emperor:

But it is a marvel, O King, with regard to the Greeks, who surpass all other peoples in their manner of life and reasoning, how they have gone astray after dead idols and lifeless images. And yet they see their gods in the hands of their artificers being sawn out, and planed and docked, and hacked short, and charred, and ornamented, and being altered by them in every kind of way. And when they grow old, and are worn away through lapse of time, and when they are molten and crushed to powder, how, I wonder, did they not perceive concerning them, that they are not gods? And as for those who did not find deliverance for themselves, how can they serve the distress of men?

But even the writers and philosophers among them have wrongly alleged that the gods are such as are made in honour of God Almighty. And they err in seeking to liken (them) to God whom man has not at any time seen nor can see unto what He is like. Herein, too (they err) in asserting of deity that any such thing as deficiency can be present to it; as when they say that He receives sacrifice and requires burnt-offering and libation and immolations of men, and temples. But God is not in need, and none of these things is necessary to Him; and it is clear that men err in these things they imagine (Marcianus Aristides. TRANSLATED FROM THE GREEK AND FROM THE SYRIAC VERSION BY D. M. KAY. Apology of Aristides the Philosopher, Chapter XIII. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 9. Edited by Allan Menzies, D.D. American Edition, 1896 and 1897. Online Edition Copyright © 2005 by K. Knight).

It should be noted that Marcianus Aristides argued against the concept that it was acceptable to believe that the idols only represented God–he clearly teaches that God was not to be worshiped with idols.

Melito also wrote against idols. Melito was a bishop of Sardis and is considered to be a saint by both the Catholics of Rome and the Eastern Orthodox.

Here is what Melito wrote around 170 A.D.:

We are not those who pay homage to stones, that are without sensation; but of the only God, who is before all and over all, and, moreover, we are worshippers of His Christ, who is veritably God the Word existing before all time (Melito. Translation by Roberts and Donaldson. From the apology addressed to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. Online version copyright © 2001 Peter Kirby. http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/melito.html 11/18/06).

For there are some men who are unable to rise from their mother earth, and therefore also do they make them gods. from the earth their mother; and they are condemned by the judgments of truth, forasmuch as they apply the name of Him who is unchangeable to those objects which are subject to change, and shrink not from calling those things gods which have been made by the hands of man, and dare to make an image of God whom they have not seen…

Who is this God? He who is Himself truth, and His word truth. And what is truth? That which is not fashioned, nor made, nor represented by art: that is, which has never been brought into existence, and is on that account called truth. If, therefore, a man worship that which is made with hands, it is not the truth that he worships, nor yet the word of truth…”

There are, however, persons who say: It is for the honour of God that we make the image: in order, that is, that we may worship the God who is concealed from our view. But they are unaware that God is in every country, and in every place, and is never absent, and that there is not anything done and He knoweth it not. Yet thou, despicable man! within whom He is, and without whom He is, and above whom He is, hast nevertheless gone and bought thee wood from the carpenter’s, and it is carved and made into an image insulting to God. To this thou offerest sacrifice, and knowest not that the all-seeing eye seeth thee, and that the word of truth reproves thee, and says to thee: How can the unseen God be sculptured? Nay, it is the likeness of thyself that thou makest and worshippest. Because the wood has been sculptured, hast thou not the insight to perceive that it is still wood, or that the stone is still stone? The gold also the workman: taketh according to its weight in the balance. And when thou hast had it made into an image, why dose thou weigh it? Therefore thou art a lover of gold, and not a lover of God…

Again, there are persons who say: Whatsoever our fathers have bequeathed to us, that we reverence. Therefore, of course, it is, that those whose fathers have bequeathed them poverty strive to become rich! and those whose fathers did not instruct them, desire to be instructed, and to learn that which their fathers knew not! And why, forsooth, do the children of the blind see, and the children of the lame walk? Nay, it is not well for a man to follow his predecessors, if they be those whose course was evil; but rather that we should turn from that path of theirs, lest that which befell our predecessors should bring disaster upon us also. Wherefore, inquire whether thy father’s course was good: and, if so, do thou also follow in his steps; but, if thy father’s course was very evil, let thine be good, and so let it be with thy children after thee. Be grieved also for thy father because his course is evil, so long as thy grief may avail to help him. But, as for thy children, speak to them thus: There is a God, the Father of all, who never came into being, neither was ever made, and by whose will all things subsist…

And then shall those who have not known God, and those who have made them idols, bemoan themselves, when they shall see those idols of theirs being burnt up, together with themselves, and nothing shall be found to help them (Melito. Translation by Roberts and Donaldson. A DISCOURSE WHICH WAS IN THE PRESENCE OF ANTONINUS CAESAR, AND HE EXHORTED THE SAID CAESAR TO ACQUAINT HIMSELF WITH GOD, AND SHOWED TO HIM THE WAY OF TRUTH. Online version copyright © 2001 Peter Kirby. http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/melito.html 11/18/06).

Notice that Melito taught against the use of images/idols/icons AND then taught NOT to accept them even if it was handed down by fathers (in other words, do not rely on traditions that say that idols are correct). Since Melito is considered to be both a saint and a ‘father’ of the Church by those Roman Catholics and Orthodox, then they should heed what he said.

About the same time that Melito was around, Theophilus also was a church writer. Theophilus of Antioch is not only considered to have been a saint by the Catholics and Orthodox, he also is in the Orthodox list of successors from the apostles. Here is a little bit of what he wrote about idols:

The divine law, then, not only forbids the worshipping of idols, but also of the heavenly bodies, the sun, the moon, or the other stars; yea, not heaven, nor earth, nor the sea, nor fountains, nor rivers, must be worshipped (Theophilus of Antioch. To Autolycus, Book 2, Chapter XXXV. Translated by Marcus Dods, A.M. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume II. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

And concerning piety He says, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I am the LORD thy God” …Of this divine law, then, Moses, who also was God’s servant (Theophilus of Antioch. To Autolycus, Book III, Chapter IX. Translated by Marcus Dods, A.M. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 2. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

Other second century writers, though they were not in the true Church of God, such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Athenagoras, and Tertullian also wrote against idols.

Notice that Irenaeus actually wrote that when God was going to call Gentiles (basically quoting quoting Isaiah 17:7-8), that they would no longer have or worship idols:

And that these promises the calling from among the Gentiles should inherit, to whom also the new testament was opened up, Isaiah says thus:

These things saith the God of Israel: In that day a man shall trust in his Maker, and his eyes shall look to the Holy One of Israel: and they shall not trust in altars, nor in the work of their own hands, which their fingers have made. For very plainly this was said of such as have forsaken idols and believed in God our Maker through the Holy One of Israel. And the Holy One of Israel is Christ: and He became visible to men, and to Him we look eagerly and behold Him; and we trust not in altars, nor in the works of our hands.

(Irenaeus, St., Bishop of Lyon. Translated from the Armenian by Armitage Robinson. The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching, Chapter 91. Wells, Somerset, Oct. 1879. As published in SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN CO, 1920).

The Catholic Encyclopedia calls Athenagoras a “Christian apologist of the second half of the second century”. Here is some of what he wrote:

Because the multitude, who cannot distinguish between matter and God, or see how great is the interval which lies between them, pray to idols made of matter, are we therefore, who do distinguish and separate the uncreated and the created, that which is and that which is not, that which is apprehended by the understanding and that which is perceived by the senses, and who give the fitting name to each of them—are we to come and worship images? If, indeed, matter and God are the same, two names for one thing, then certainly, in not regarding stocks and stones, gold and silver, as gods, we are guilty of impiety. But if they are at the greatest possible remove from one another— as far asunder as theartist and the materials of his art— why are we called to account? (Athenagoras the Athenian. A Plea for the Christians, Chapter 15. Translated by B.P. Pratten. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 2. Edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1885.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0205.htm>).

Notice some of what Tertullian wrote:

The principal crime of the human race, the highest guilt charged upon the world, the whole procuring cause of judgment, is idolatry…

God prohibits an idol as much to be made as to be worshipped. In so far as the making what may be worshipped is the prior act, so far is the prohibition to make (if the worship is unlawful) the prior prohibition. For this cause–the eradicating, namely, of the material of idolatry–the divine law proclaims, “Thou shall make no idol;”…All things, therefore, does human error worship, except the Founder of all Himself. The images of those things are idols; the consecration of the images is idolatry.

(Tertullian. On Idolatry, Chapters 1,4. Translated by S. Thelwall. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

Furthermore, there is no evidence that any who professed Christ had idols/icons, such as what are seen in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches, or even endorsed them in the second century. Thus, the early church was always against the use of idols and icons. Actually, they realize this as well as The Catholic Encyclopedia notes:

Long before the outbreak in the eighth century there were isolated cases of persons who feared the ever-growing cult of images and saw in it danger of a return to the old idolatry. We need hardly quote in this connection the invectives of the Apostolic Fathers against idols (Athenagoras “Legatio Pro Christ.”, xv-xvii; Theophilus, “Ad Autolycum” II; Minucius Felix, “Octavius”, xxvii; Arnobius, “Disp. adv. Gentes”; Tertullian, “De Idololatria”, I; Cyprian, “De idolorum vanitate”), in which they denounce not only the worship but even the manufacture and possession of such images. These texts all regard idols, that is, images made to be adored (Fortescue A. Transcribed by Tomas Hancil. Veneration of Images. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume VII. Copyright © 1910 by Robert Appleton Company. Online Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. Knight. Nihil Obstat, June 1, 1910. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York).

Furthermore, notice an accusation against those who professed Christ in the second/third century (date uncertain):

Why have they no altars, no temples, no acknowledged images? (Minucius. Octavius. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 4, Chapter 10. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

It should be noted that no Christian prior to the late second or early third century is ever described as carrying an idol, having images in any worship services, or even wearing a cross (though some apostates started to advocate crosses in the second and third centuries).

The third point to mention is that it took councils of men to accept the relics for the Church of Rome.

It was not until the ninth century that the arguments over idols were resolved between the Roman Catholics and Orthodox (the Orthodox generally wanted them, but many Roman bishops/pontiffs up until that time fought against them). The Orthodox Church teaches this:

The Seventh Ecumenical Council (787 and 843) decreed the use of icons, following in the main the teaching of St. John of Damascus” (Litsas FK. A Dictionary of Orthodox Terminology – Part 2. http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article9152.asp 8/27/05) .

…within Christianity itself there had always existed a ‘puritan’ outlook, which condemned icons because it saw in all images a latent idolatry…The final victory of the Holy Images in 843 is known as ‘the Triumph of Orthodoxy’…One of the distinctive features of Orthodoxy is the place which it assigns to icons. An Orthodox church today is filled with them…An Orthodox prostrates himself before these icons, he kisses them and burns candles in front of them…Because icons are only symbols, Orthodox do not worship them, but reverence or venerate them…icons form a part of Holy Tradition…The Iconoclasts, by repudiating all representations of God, failed to take to full account the Incarnation” (Ware T. The Orthodox Church. Penguin Books, London, 1997, pp. 31-33).

Notice that the Orthodox call that acceptance of icons as “the victory of Orthodoxy” over those of anti-idol professing Christian faiths (the date appears to have been March 11, 843).

However, since the use of idols and icons was not the position of the first or even second century church, it is truly not orthodox to use idols and icons. (More information on the Orthodox Church can be found in the article Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God.)

One Protestant scholar noted:

For the Jews and the early Christians, all attempts to create a likeness of God were prohibited…Gradually this reluctance faded, and at the beginning of the eighth century we find images in widespread use in the East; in the West they were less common (Brown HOJ. Heresies: Heresy and Orthodoxy in the History of the Church. Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody (MA), 1988, p. 212).

But why did idols win for the Greco-Romans? It is my opinion that the Romans felt that they needed unity with the Orthodox in order to put up a united front against Islam. Islam was properly against idols, and apparently Rome felt that its sometimes historically correct position against idols portrayed a divided “Christianity,” hence this was one additional major compromise for it.

The fourth point is that not only are the relics not holy, they often are not what people think.

At the beginning of this post are two statues. The first one is one normally in Fatima, Portugal, that Pope Francis had flown to Rome last month to bow and pray before it. My wife and I saw this particular statue when we visited Fatima. While millions have bowed down before and/or prayed to this statue, I will mention again to all who will hear that the statue IS NOT DRESSED like what the three children at Fatima (Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta) claimed the ‘Lady of Fatima’ looked like in 1917. What they described was a young female with a short skirt as also shown at the beginning of this post. There is no possible way that Mary, the mother of Jesus, appeared in Fatima, Portugal before Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta in 1917. Suggesting that the first image, which is not even an approximate representation of what was seen in Fatima, was somehow holy is wrong. It should also be pointed out that the relics of the Apostle Peter are also not in the Vatican according to various Catholic-related sources.

The Bible shows that the use of images will be forced upon the world in the end:

11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. (Revelation 13:11-15)

This will not end well for Vatican (Revelation 17:15-17) nor for the rest of the world (Revelation 18).

The Bible does NOT endorse the ‘Feast of Holy Relics’ day.

For more information, please check out the following:

What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did Catholic and Orthodox “saints” endorse or condemn idols and icons for Christians?
What is the Origin of the Cross as a ‘Christian’ Symbol? Was the cross used as a venerated symbol by the early Church? A related YouTube video would be Origin of the Cross.
Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions. Whether or not you believe anything happened at Fatima, if you live long enough, you will be affected by its ramifications (cf. Isaiah 47; Revelation 17). Fatima Shock! provides concerned Christians with enough Catholic-documented facts to effectively counter every false Marian argument.
Fatima Shock! YouTube Dr. Thiel highlights a few points of why no one would support Fatima, etc. as discussed in the documented book Fatima Shock!
Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers?
Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy? Pope Francis has taken many steps to turn people more towards his version of ‘Mary.’ Could this be consistent with biblical and Catholic prophecies? This article documents what has been happening. There is also a video version titled Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?
Jesus: The Son of God and Saviour Who was Jesus? Why did He come to earth? What message did He bring? Is there evidence outside the Bible that He existed? Here is a YouTube sermon titled Jesus: Son of God and Saviour.
The Malachy Prophecies and “Peter the Roman” An Irish bishop allegedly predicted something about 112 popes in the 12th century. Pope Benedict XVI was number 111. Francis would be number 112–if he is that one–and if so, he is to reign until Rome is destroyed. May he be an antipope/final Antichrist? Here is a related YouTube video The Malachy Prophecies and “Peter the Roman”.
Could Pope Francis be the Last Pope and Antichrist? Former Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is now Pope Francis. According to some interpretations of the prophecies of the popes by the Catholic saint and Bishop Malachy, Pope Francis is in the position of “Peter the Roman,” the pontiff who reigns during tribulations until around the time of the destruction of Rome. Do biblical prophecies warn of someone that sounds like Peter the Roman? This is a YouTube video.
Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good?
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 Unity 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.
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. Is telling the truth about the early church citing Catholic accepted sources anti-Catholic? This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church. There is also a YouTube sermon on the subject titled Church of God or Church of Rome: What Do Catholic Scholars Admit About Early Church History?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. [Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja do deus?]
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
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 Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.

COGwriter

The Continuing Church of God is pleased to announce the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

15:20

‘Pride’ parade

COGwriter

The transgender agenda, which is part of the the Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender (LGBT) agenda, is pushing ahead in many parts of the USA.

November 7, 2015

The views of religiously conservative Americans no longer dominate U.S. culture or law. How will LGBT supporters engage with their perspectives on sexuality?  …

The idea that gender and sex are distinct is fairly new. In the United States, psychologists and social theorists began seriously developing “gender theory”—roughly, the idea that male/femaleness is socially constructed, whereas sex is biologically determined—in the late 1960s. This idea has become overwhelmingly accepted in American culture. It is embedded in terminology guidelines from medical groups like the American Medical Association and American Psychological Association; media organizations like the Associated Press; and, of course, LGBT advocacy organizations such as GLAAD. …

Courts across the country are facing new questions of how to balance LGBT rights with religious liberty. Communities are wrestling with confusing challenges, like how schools should assign gender labels to bathrooms and how city governments should write gay-discrimination ordinances…

In Utah, for example, lawmakers passed legislation prohibiting LGBT housing and employment discrimination while allowing certain exemptions for religious groups, the result of a collaboration between LGBT and faith organizations.  http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/11/hating-queerness-without-hating-the-queer/413587/

It is more than ‘discrimination’ that is happening-those who want to identify males as males and females as females are facing difficulties.  Notice:

November 6, 2015

Daycare workers fired for refusing transgender demands

2 male parents insisted daughter, 6, be called boy

Two daycare workers in Texas – one of whom is the author of a Christian book – were fired after they refused to refer to a six-year-old girl in their care as a boy.

The demand came from the girl’s two male parents, Breitbart reported. The dads also demanded the girl, whose hair was cut short like a boy’s, also be called by a masculine name.

Madeline Kirksey, who has penned a book for the Christian crowd, told Breitbart she was most concerned about confusing the little girl by calling her “John,” which was not the name given at her birth, and by referring to her as a boy. Kirksey and another worker at the Childrens’ Lighthouse Learning Center in Katy, Texas, were fired, Breitbart said. …The fired worker who asked to remain anonymous actually contacted Child Protective Services about the dads’ treatment of the little girl.  http://www.wnd.com/2015/11/daycare-workers-fired-for-refusing-transgender-demands/#FQrteMiMgFXri12e.99

So, you can be fired for not calling a girl a boy!  Child Protective Services should have removed the girl from her homosexual parents, but it no longer seems to consider this child abuse–which trying to make a girl a boy most certainly is.

Earlier this week, the US Department of Education ordered a school district in Illinois to allow a boy to be able to have access to the girls’ locker room and shower at any time, as well as to be allowed to play as a girl on an all girl sports’ team (see also  US DOE orders Illinois school district to allow boy to shower with girls):

The Department of Education is demanding that an Illinois school district allow a boy who identifies as a girl and plays sports on a girls team to have full access to the locker room and showers with the girls on the team.

The district has only 30 days to comply, or it stands to lose Title IX federal funding. …

“All students deserve the opportunity to participate equally in school programs and activities – this is a basic civil right,” Assistant U.S. Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine Lhamon said in a statement Monday.

The district issued a statement in disagreement with the Department of Education ruling, saying its top concern was protecting the privacy of its students.

This DOE demand is absurd, yet the acceptance of the transgender agenda keeps growing from where it was a few years ago.

Did you know that in California, it is the law to teach homosexual and transgender history? This was law signed in back in 2011:

Democratic California Gov. Jerry Brown said Thursday he had signed a bill that will require public schools in the state to teach students about the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/07/14/california.lgbt.education/index.html

For those unfamiliar, here is how Wikipedia defines being “transgendered” (viewed 06/24/13):

Transgender is the state of one’s gender identity (self-identification as woman, man, neither or both) not matching one’s assigned sex (identification by others as male, female or intersex based on physical/genetic sex)

Notice also the following:

March 7, 2015

A Michigan woman’s Planet Fitness membership was revoked after she complained about a transgender person in the women’s locker room.

Yvette Cormier, a 48, said she was walking into the Midland Planet Fitness locker room last Saturday when she saw someone “dressed like a man.”

The person was wearing a wig and “a little bit of blush,” but was “huge” and appeared “very manly,” Cormier told ABC News today.

“I just stopped right there in my tracks,” she said. “It was a man for sure.”

Cormier, who had been a Planet Fitness member for two months, said she went to the front desk immediately. The man at the desk told her that Planet Fitness policy is “whatever gender you feel you are, that’s the locker room you’re allowed to go in,” she said.

“And then he said, ‘We’ve had lots of complaints about him but we told him to go change in a stall,’” Cormier said.

“He said, ‘if you’re uncomfortable with that you can wait until he’s done in there,’” she said. “I stood back and said, ‘How about he waits until I’m done in the women’s locker room. Or get a unisex bathroom.’ He asked if I would like to talk to the manager and I said, ‘I’m calling corporate.’” …

“I wouldn’t have signed up for this gym if I knew that ahead of time,” Cormier said, adding that the gym is “failing to protect me if anything happens in those locker rooms with a man.”

She said she went back to the gym the next few days and “told everyone in the locker room what happened.” She said everyone she talked to “was appalled.”

On Thursday, Cormier said, Planet Fitness Corporate called and revoked her membership immediately.

“They said, ‘You are talking to people about him in the women’s locker room. You are making people upset.’ That’s my whole point,” she said. “I’m telling them and warning them because you are not doing that. You allow men in there, and we are appalled by it.”

Planet Fitness Director of Public Relations McCall Gosselin said the gym is “committed to creating a non-intimidating, welcoming environment for our members. Our gender identity non-discrimination policy states that members and guests may use all gym facilities based on their sincere self-reported gender identity.”

The statement continued, “The manner in which this member expressed her concerns about the policy exhibited behavior that management at the Midland club deemed inappropriate and disruptive to other members, which is a violation of the membership agreement and as a result her membership was cancelled.”

Gosselin added, “As our statement outlines, her membership was not cancelled as a result of complaints about our policy, as we welcome all feedback from our members. Rather, it was the manner in which her concerns were expressed that club management felt was inappropriate, which resulted in the cancellation.” http://abcnews.go.com/Health/planet-fitness-revokes-womans-membership-transgender-complaint/story?id=29465983

March 7, 2015

A Michigan Planet Fitness canceled a woman’s membership after she campaigned to get a transgender person, whom she described as “a man,” booted from the women’s locker room.

“The manner in which this member expressed her concerns about the policy exhibited behavior that management at the Midland club deemed inappropriate and disruptive to other members,” said a statement from the Planet Fitness gym in Midland County, Mich.

The gym called the woman’s actions a “violation of the membership agreement” and the chain’s policy of a “no judgment zone.”http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/mar/7/planet-fitness-mich-revokes-womans-membership-over/#ixzz3TnujhWnZ

Notice something from a Jewish group:

November 5, 2015

The largest Jewish group in North America adopted a broad transgender rights policy on Thursday, not only stating its own commitment to equality, but also urging synagogues and other Jewish groups to be advocates for transgender rights and to take steps like training their staffs on accommodating transgender people.

“We have a longstanding commitment to bringing in people who have heretofore been on the margins of society,” said Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the president of the Union for Reform Judaism. “For us, this is not just political correctness, but opening possibilities theologically.” http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/06/us/union-for-reform-judaism-adopts-transgender-rights-policy.html

Opening possibilities theologically?

The Hebrew scriptures that the Jews claim to believe teach the following, and the following are Jewish translations into English:

5 A woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment; for whosoever doeth these things is an abomination unto the LORD thy God. (Deuteronomy 22:5, JPS Tanakh 1917)

20 Woe unto them that call evil good, And good evil; That change darkness into light, And light into darkness; That change bitter into sweet, And sweet into bitter! (Isaiah 5:20, JPS Tanakh 1917)

27 And God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. (Genesis 1:27, JPS Tanakh 1917)

The New Testaments also condemn aspects of the transgender movement:

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, KJV)

Much associated with the Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender (LGBT) agenda is an abomination to God. And that agenda is also targeting children.

It is not just Jews who are having theological issues, notice this from a Protestant:

When pastors bear false witness against transgender people

November 6, 2015

by Morgan Guyton …

Pastors in Houston preached sermons and organized a massive campaign against transgender people. They invested hundreds of volunteers and hundreds of hours of time advocating in favor of discrimination. Instead of building the kingdom of God. How is that Christian discipleship? How does that exude the spirit of Christ in any sense? How is that evangelistic? Now, more and more people living in Houston have yet another reason not to give Jesus a chance. The equal rights ordinance actually had a religious exemption incorporated into it. Steve Wells, the current pastor of South Main Baptist Church where I grew up in Houston, observed that “though he believed some of the behaviors protected by the ordinance were sinful, the law would not keep him from believing that.” But this didn’t stop other pastors from lusting after that need to feel “persecuted” by persecuting others.

This is why we Christians are the people from whom Jesus needs to save the world the most. All slanderers will have to answer to God.  …

About Morgan Guyton

I’m the director of the NOLA Wesley Foundation, which is the United Methodist campus ministry at Tulane and Loyola University in New Orleans, LA.  http://www.patheos.com/blogs/mercynotsacrifice/2015/11/06/when-pastors-bear-false-witness-against-transgender-people/

All will answer to God and be judged for their words (Matthew 12:39) and works (Revelation 20:12.  And pastors should point out sin (cf. Isaiah 58:1) and not promote it (Jude 4-8). The Gospel of the Kingdom of God explains how that living according to God’s ways are best for humanity–it is not good to stay in a transgendered state of mind.

As far as ‘religious protections’ are concerned, they are becoming more limited: expect those to erode and criticism of transgenderism to be hate speech and/or discriminatory.

What should parents do to reduce ‘gender confusion’?  Consider the following:

6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6).

There is no such thing as two same-sex parents in actuality, nor is one a different gender than their actual genitalia.

33 God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33)

The transgender agenda brings to mind the following from the New Testament:

22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:22-32)

Notice that the Bible condemns not only sexual immorality, but those who approve of various forms of it.

Yet despite biblical warnings, many modern leaders are endorsing the LGBT agenda. The Bible, however, warns about such leaders:

12…Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths. (Isaiah 3:12)

16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err, And those who are led by them are destroyed (Isaiah 9:16).

So, leaders that ignore what the Bible teaches are leading others toward destruction. Perhaps I should mention that there are two bills in the Congress of the USA that will make all of this LGBT situation even worse–for some details watch Is the US Congress eliminating the 1st Amendment?

The USA will, within the next couple of decades, be no more. The agenda its government is pushing cannot succeed and is contributing to its decline and ultimate destruction:

20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20)

Promoting transgender ‘rights’ is putting darkness for light.

Because of speech ‘laws’ and actions, the time will more and more come when the following is fulfilled:

13 Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time, For it is an evil time. (Amos 5:13)

Until then, however, we in the Continuing Church of God are striving to fulfill the following:

1 “Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)

The transgender agenda is sinful and it promotes abomination.  This agenda is another one of the sins of the ‘house of Jacob,’ which includes the USA (see Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel).  This will not end well for the USA (Romans 1:32; Daniel 11:39).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Cross-dressing and other assaults against your children. What should you do? Is there an agenda to turn your children and/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on? There is also a YouTube video on this, titled Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children.
The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? Can homosexuals change? A related video sermon is titled What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?
Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word What is the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work.
Is the US Congress eliminating the 1st Amendment? Are you familiar with H.R. 3185 and Senate Bill 1858? Are you aware that they both contain a statement that essentially precludes having religious objections to this proposed law, known as the Equality Act? This Act gives additional legal rights to those who are homosexual, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender. This will affect schools, restrooms, and even churches. In this video, Dr. Thiel explains how this Act appears to eliminate provisions of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the USA. Additionally, Dr. Thiel explains from the Bible, why this agenda is a danger to the USA and may be a factor in its upcoming destruction.
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 sermons Why Teach the Kingdom of God? and The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Love, Marriage, and Sex It is important to get them in the right order.
God Created Marriage Some falsely claim that God did not create marriage and that fornication is fine. What does the Bible really teach? Here is a version in Mandarin Chinese 神创造婚姻.
Making Your Marriage Work Marriage is not always easy, but it pictures a divine relationship. How can you make your marriage work? Here is a link to the video sermon: You Can Make YOUR Marriage Work.
Pornography: A scourge on society Is pornography harmless fun? Does the Bible teach anything about it? What are the views of some involved with it? Here is a link to a YouTube video Pornography: Harmless Fun or a Scourge on Society?
British and American Moral Decay Public nudity is becoming more prevalent in the Anglo-Saxon lands. What are some of the consequences?
Can those in the USA/UK see the Handwriting on the Wall? Is everything fine in the USA/UK or is it like the days of Noah? Can we learn from the handwriting that appeared on a wall thousands of years ago? Here is a link to a related YouTube video Can you see the ‘Handwriting on the Wall’?
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?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2015, 2016, or 2017? 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 2015? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests?  Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies. Watch also the YouTube Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.

Taiwan’s Ma Ying-jeou and China’s Xi Jinping

COGwriter

The leaders of China and Taiwan have been meeting:

November 7, 2015

The leaders of China and Taiwan have held historic talks in Singapore – their first in more than 60 years.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou shook hands at the start of the talks, which were seen as largely symbolic.

China views Taiwan as a breakaway province which will one day be reunited with the mainland.

But many Taiwanese see it as independent and are concerned at China’s growing influence.  http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34742680

November 7, 2015

BEIJING—Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said the importance of security and dignity to the Taiwanese people was one of the key messages he shared with China’s President Xi Jinping Saturday, when leaders of the two countries met for the first time in more than six decades.

Ma told reporters that during his hourlong meeting with Xi, he raised concerns about the deployment of missiles across the Taiwan Strait. He said that Xi replied by saying that the missiles were not aimed at Taiwan.

“I especially emphasized that the two sides must base our ties on integrity, respect, clarity and good will in order to narrow the distance between the two sides. So I specially mentioned that both sides should turn hostility into friendship, and seek peace, not war,” Ma said, speaking to a crowded core of international media in the ballroom of Singapore’s Shangri-la Hotel.

China claims that Taiwan is part of its territory and that it must unify with the mainland. Beijing has never renounced its option to use force to resolve the dispute.

No meeting with reporters

Xi did not speak with reporters after the meeting but did make brief remarks before the talks began. In his comments, Xi, much like Ma, stressed the desire to peacefully develop relations between the two sides. …

But both Xi and the official who spoke on his behalf to reporters after the meeting showed little flexibility. Xi stressed China’s resolute position that Beijing would never accept one Taiwan or one China or even two China’s on the global stage.

“Sixty-six years of development of cross-strait relations has shown that no matter how much difficulties compatriots on both sides have been through, no matter how long we have been separated, no force can keep us apart,” Xi said. “We are brothers linked by blood. Bones may be broken, but they are not split, we are one family.”

Despite Xi’s sentiment, public opinion polls in Taiwan show that an increasing number there identify themselves as Taiwanese and not Chinese.

Democracy vs ethnic identity

One commentator speaking on a Taiwan’s Formosa TV said that Taiwanese are more concerned about minzhu or democracy, than minzu or ethnic identity.

“Taiwan’s Mr. Ma Ying-jeou did not even mention the word democracy, a core value of Taiwan. Democracy is the Taiwanese people deciding their own fate. The people of Taiwan will determine their future,” she added. http://www.voanews.com/content/taiwan-urges-china-to-resolve-cross-strait-issues-peacefully/3045887.html

Unless they have national repentance the future for those in Taiwan is not really going to be decided through voting.  The Bible shows that the leaders of the “sunrise” will be influenced by demons to get together to fight:

12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15 Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” 16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16).

Taiwan is one of the lands of the far east.  The term “kings of the east” is also better translated “kings of the sunrise” and that would seemingly have to include Taiwan.

Notice that demons will influence the “kings of the sunrise” to get together militarily and that they will also gather at Armageddon (a place I visited a couple of years ago, watch the short video Armageddon).

What about China?

Well, it is also in the far east.

The meetings between the leaders in China and Taiwan are small preludes to the type of cooperation we can expect to see in the future. Both of those nations would be expected to provide troops for the coming 200 million man army the Bible warns will form and be involved with Armageddon:

13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. 18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed–by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths(Revelation 9:13-18).

China must be involved as only China, and possibly India and others in Asia (which seemingly will also align themselves with Russia against the European Empire per Jeremiah 50:41-42), are capable of fielding a two hundred million man army. Closer ties between the Asians, despite occasional setbacks, will result in the fulfillment of biblical prophecies.

While Armageddon is at least seven years off, steps continue to take place in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and elsewhere to set the stage for it.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Armageddon Dr. Thiel, from Tel Megiddo in Israel, discusses Armageddon, some of its history, and what the Bible says about it. Is this the place where forces in the world will gather to fight? Will they fight here or is the related battle somewhere else. Dr. Thiel answers these questions and more.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2015, 2016, or 2017? 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 2015? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters Where did the Chinese people come from? 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. Here is a link to a version of this article in Spanish: ¿Prueban los caracteres chinos la exactitud de la Biblia?
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?
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?
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 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。 Here is a link to our Statement of Beliefs in Mandarin Chinese 继续神的教会的信仰声明.

COGwriter

The Continuing Church of God is pleased to announce this sermon from its ContinuingCOG channel:

1:14:34

Are you thankful? Does the Bible teach that you are supposed to be? What did Dibar Apartian write was ‘the most common sin’? What does the Bible say about thanks and praise? Is ingratitude warned against? Is unthankfulness prophesied? Can the thankful commit the unpardonable sin? What should you be thankful for? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.

Here is a link to the sermon: Ingratitude and Giving Thanks.

Some items of related interest may include:

Giving Thanks Are Christians supposed to give thanks? Why? Is unthankfulness warned against? Here is a link to a related sermon titled: Ingratitude and Giving Thanks.
What is the Unpardonable Sin? What is it? Can you repent of it? Do you know what it is and how to avoid it? Here is a link to a related sermon video The Unpardonable Sin and the Prodigal Son.
Praises to Jesus Christ or Biblical Hymns: Which Should Christians Primarily Sing? This biblical article on music is in response to an advertisement critical of WCG’s 1974 The Bible Hymnal. It also address early church practices here.
The Bible Hymnal via Amazon.   This is the paperback edition of the hymnal used by the Continuing Church of God. It consists of all the songs that were part of the 1974 edition of ‘The Bible Hymnal’ used by the old Worldwide Church of God, plus ten other hymns that Herbert Armstrong approved that were written by Ross Jutsum. The songs in this book are essentially the Psalms and other passages in the Bible set to music. To access it free online, click: The Bible Hymnal. Amazon sells a hard copy of The Bible Hymnal for $8.99.
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
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 Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
CCOG.ORG Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God. To see how CCOG has done so far, here are links to two sermons Continuing Church of God (CCOG) first year anniversary: What has been accomplished? and The Continuing Church of God: Two Years of Proclamation. Here is a written link to a version of that sermon in the Spanish language: Aniversario del primer año de la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios: ¿Qué se ha cumplido?
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。 Here 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.
CCOG.NZ This is a website targeted towards New Zealand and others with a British-descended background.
CCOGCANADA.CA This is a website targeted towards those in Canada.
CDLIDD.ES La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. This is the Spanish language website for the Continuing Church of God.
PNIND.PH Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos. This is the Philippines website Continuing Church of God. It has information in English and Tagalog.
Bible News Prophecy online radio. This is an audio version of the Bible News Prophecy videos as well as some ContinuingCOG channel sermons. It is also available as a mobile app.
ContinuingCOG channel. Dr. Thiel has produced scores of YouTube video sermons for this channel. Note: Since these are sermon-length, they can take a little longer to load than other YouTube videos.

Bernie Sanders & Marijuana

COGwriter

Democratic party candidate Bernie Sanders wants to legalize marijuana nationally in the USA:

Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced legislation this week to end the federal prohibition on marijuana, going far beyond Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in his acceptance of the drug.

The bill – called the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act – would remove marijuana from the federal list of Schedule I drugs, defined by the Drug Enforcement Agency as the “most dangerous” substances that have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Although states would still be allowed to ban the drug, other states that have legalized it would face no barriers from the federal government.

Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Washington, D.C. have all made the drug legal for recreational use.

The Vermont senator has tied the issue of marijuana legalization to criminal justice reform.

“I am seeing in this country too many lives being destroyed for non-violent offenses. We have a criminal justice system that lets CEOs on Wall Street walk away, and yet we are imprisoning or giving jail sentences to young people who are smoking marijuana,” Sanders said during the first Democratic debate in Las Vegas last month. “We need to rethink our criminal justice system, we we’ve got a lot of work to do in that area.”

Although he has said that his experiences smoking marijuana “didn’t quite work,” he said at the debate that he would vote in favor of a Nevada initiative to legalize it if he were a resident. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bernie-sanders-introduces-bill-to-end-federal-ban-marijuana/

The federal government currently groups marijuana with heroin in Schedule 1, the category reserved for the most dangerous illegal drugs. A substance qualifies as Schedule 1 if it has a high potential for abuse and no recognized medical purpose.

But while the U.S. government hasn’t recognized weed’s medical utility, plenty of its citizens have — including Hillary Rodham Clinton.

“I do support the use of medical marijuana,” Clinton said during last month’s debate. “And I think even there we need to do a lot more research so that we know exactly how we’re going to help people for whom medical marijuana provides relief.”  http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/11/hillary-clinton-should-support-sanders-weed-bill.html

So, although smoking marijuana “didn’t quite work” for Bernie Sanders, he wants to legalize it federally and Hillary Clinton wants it legal medically.

But marijuana is not healthy.  Marijuana use is harmful.  Notice a couple of reports:

Conclusions and Relevance The prevalence of marijuana use more than doubled between 2001-2002 and 2012-2013, and there was a large increase in marijuana use disorders during that time. While not all marijuana users experience problems, nearly 3 of 10 marijuana users manifested a marijuana use disorder in 2012-2013. Because the risk for marijuana use disorder did not increase among users, the increase in prevalence of marijuana use disorder is owing to an increase in prevalence of users in the US adult population. Given changing laws and attitudes toward marijuana, a balanced presentation of the likelihood of adverse consequences of marijuana use to policy makers, professionals, and the public is needed. http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2464591

Many studies have looked at the effects of smoking cannabis on the respiratory system. Cannabis smoke contains thousands of organic and inorganic chemical compounds. This tar is chemically similar to that found in tobacco smoke, and over fifty known carcinogens have been identified in cannabis smoke, including; nitrosamines, reactive aldehydes, and polycylic hydrocarbons, including benz[a]pyrene.

There is serious suspicion among cardiologists, spurring research but falling short of definitive proof, that cannabis use has the potential to contribute to cardiovascular disease. Cannabis is believed to be an aggravating factor in rare cases of arteritis, a serious condition that in some cases leads to amputation. Because 97% of case-reports also smoked tobacco, a formal association with cannabis could not be made. If cannabis arteritis turns out to be a distinct clinical entity, it might be the consequence of vasoconstrictor activity observed from delta-8-THC and delta-9-THC. Other serious cardiovascular events including myocardial infarction, stroke, sudden cardiac death, and cardiomyopathy have been reported to be temporally associated with cannabis use. Research in these events is complicated because cannabis is often used in conjunction with tobacco, and drugs such as alcohol and cocaine. These putative effects can be taken in context of a wide range of cardiovascular phenomena regulated by the endocannabinoid system and an overall role of cannabis in causing decreased peripheral resistance and increased cardiac output, which potentially could pose a threat to those with cardiovascular disease. (Cannibis (Drug), Wikipedia, viewed 02/14/14)

A 2013 literature review said that exposure to marijuana had biologically-based physical, mental, behavioral and social health consequences and was “associated with diseases of the liver (particularly with co-existing hepatitis C), lungs, heart, and vasculature”. (Medical Cannibis, Wikipedia, viewed 02/14/14)

Notice what the National Institute of Health says about marijuana:

How Does Marijuana Affect the Brain?

When marijuana is smoked, THC rapidly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. It is absorbed more slowly when ingested in food or drink.

However it is ingested, THC acts on specific molecular targets on brain cells, called cannabinoid receptors. These receptors are ordinarily activated by chemicals similar to THC that naturally occur in the body (such as anandamide; see picture, above) and are part of a neural communication network called the endocannabinoid system. This system plays an important role in normal brain development and function.

The highest density of cannabinoid receptors is found in parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement. Marijuana overactivates the endocannabinoid system, causing the “high” and other effects that users experience. These effects include altered perceptions and mood, impaired coordination, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and disrupted learning and memory.

Marijuana also affects brain development, and when it is used heavily by young people, its effects on thinking and memory may last a long time or even be permanent. A recent study of marijuana users who began using in adolescence revealed substantially reduced connectivity among brain areas responsible for learning and memory. And a large long-term study in New Zealand showed that people who began smoking marijuana heavily in their teens lost an average of 8 points in IQ between age 13 and age 38. Importantly, the lost cognitive abilities were not fully restored in those who quit smoking marijuana as adults. Those who started smoking marijuana in adulthood did not show significant IQ declines.

What Are the Other Health Effects of Marijuana?

Marijuana use may have a wide range of effects, particularly on cardiopulmonary and mental health.

Marijuana smoke is an irritant to the lungs, and frequent marijuana smokers can have many of the same respiratory problems experienced by tobacco smokers, such as daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest illness, and a heightened risk of lung infections. One study found that people who smoke marijuana frequently but do not smoke tobacco have more health problems and miss more days of work than those who don’t smoke marijuana, mainly because of respiratory illnesses. It is not yet known whether marijuana smoking contributes to risk for lung cancer.

Marijuana also raises heart rate by 20-100 percent shortly after smoking; this effect can last up to 3 hours. In one study, it was estimated that marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in the risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking the drug. This risk may be greater in older individuals or in those with cardiac vulnerabilities.

A number of studies have linked chronic marijuana use and mental illness. High doses of marijuana can produce a temporary psychotic reaction (involving hallucinations and paranoia) in some users, and using marijuana can worsen the course of illness in patients with schizophrenia. A series of large studies following users across time also showed a link between marijuana use and later development of psychosis. This relationship was influenced by genetic variables as well as the amount of drug used, drug potency, and the age at which it was first taken—those who start young are at increased risk for later problems.

Associations have also been found between marijuana use and other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts among adolescents, and personality disturbances, including a lack of motivation to engage in typically rewarding activities. More research is still needed to confirm and better understand these linkages.

Marijuana use during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of neurobehavioral problems in babies. Because THC and other compounds in marijuana mimic the body’s own endocannabinoid chemicals, marijuana use by pregnant mothers may alter the developing endocannabinoid system in the brain of the fetus. Consequences for the child may include problems with attention, memory, and problem solving.

Additionally, because it seriously impairs judgment and motor coordination, marijuana contributes to risk of injury or death while driving a car. A recent analysis of data from several studies found that marijuana use more than doubles a driver’s risk of being in an accident. The combination of marijuana and alcohol is worse than either substance alone with respect to driving impairment.

Is Marijuana Addictive?

Contrary to common belief, marijuana is addictive. Estimates from research suggest that about 9 percent of users become addicted to marijuana; this number increases among those who start young (to about 17 percent, or 1 in 6) and among people who use marijuana daily (to 25-50 percent). (DrugFacts: Marijuana.  National Institute of Drug Abuse. January 2014. http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana viewed 07/08/14)

Smoking or otherwise ingesting marijuana does not show love towards one’s neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40) and harms oneself and others.

Notice also the following from the old Worldwide Church of God booklet:

Marijuana and Tobacco

We’ve all read the statistics which show that every puff on a cigarette statistically takes x number of seconds off a person’s expected lifespan. Yet over 500 billion cigarettes are smoked in the U. S. every year.
Marijuana protagonists enjoy exposing the hypocrisy of the average person’s acceptance of cigarettes as compared with his emotional rejection of . marijuana. The nicotine in tobacco may be just as — or even more- physically addictive than marijuana. And the carcinogenic tars in tobacco far out-kill anything presently known in marijuana…
Is the general public hypocritical? You bet it is.
Is tobacco more of a national health problem than marijuana? Obviously-and by a long shot.
But marijuana is coming on strong. And we must not allow the idiocy of our national attitude toward tobacco to justify the introduction of another, even more subtle killer.

Smoking marijuana should generally not be done by Christians (1 Corinthians 5:11). But the Bible shows that, even if you have done such things, you can repent and change (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Possessing marijuana is also illegal in many parts of world, as well as expensive. Yet, in places like the USA, it appears it will become legal in more areas, this is a trend to look out for. This is not good.

The Bible warns of disaster coming upon a nation that is in debt and a nation that is drunk. Marijuana essentially makes one drunk. Notice:

2 Then the Lord answered me and said:
“Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.
4 “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.
5 “Indeed, because he transgresses by wine, He is a proud man, And he does not stay at home. Because he enlarges his desire as hell, And he is like death, and cannot be satisfied, He gathers to himself all nations And heaps up for himself all peoples.
6 “Will not all these take up a proverb against him,And a taunting riddle against him, and say,’Woe to him who increases What is not his — how long? And to him who loads himself with many pledges’? 7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. 8 Because you have plundered many nations, All the remnant of the people shall plunder you, Because of men’s blood And the violence of the land and the city, And of all who dwell in it. (Habakkuk 2:2-8)

15 “Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor,
Pressing him to your bottle,
Even to make him drunk,
That you may look on his nakedness!
16 You are filled with shame instead of glory.
You also — drink!
And be exposed as uncircumcised!
The cup of the Lord’s right hand will be turned against you,
And utter shame will be on your glory. (Habakkuk 2:15-16)

The above will come to pass. A people that ‘party’ and increase debt will be eliminated. No nation in history has been as indebted as the USA. Expect increased partying and drunkenness as marijuana gets more legal and more public acceptance in the USA.

Marijuana use is not something that politicians should encourage.

This week, the people in Ohio voted against legalizing it.  But as happens in the USA (and elsewhere), when there is an obstacle, leaders often work around the legal system to try to come up with ways to push their agendas.  The increased acceptance of marijuana is not good.

There are more problems with marijuana than many wish to accept.

Some items of possibly related interest include:

Marijuana: Should a Christian Get High? There is increasing acceptance of the use of marijuana. How should Christians view this? Here is a related video titled How Should a Christian View Marijuana?
Should Christians Smoke? Is smoking a sin? What does the Bible teach? What have COG leaders written? Can smokers change? What about marijuana?
Hillary Clinton in Prophecy Prophecy, Hillary Clinton? Are there prophecies that Hillary Clinton may fulfill? Are there any prophecies that she has already helped fulfill? Could Hillary Clinton be apocalyptic? Could Hillary Clinton be the final Antichrist? A video of related interest is titled Hillary Clinton and Bible Prophecy.
Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president/prime minister? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand.
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.
Living as a Christian: How and Why? In what ways do Christians live differently than others. What about praying, fasting, tithing, holy days, and the world? There is also a YouTube video related to that also called: Living as a Christian: How and Why?
Who Was Herbert W. Armstrong? How is He Viewed Today? Includes quotes from the 1973 edition of The Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong and explains how he is and should be viewed today.
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.
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?
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.
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version of the 188 page print edition is available for only US$3.99. 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 Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon Kindle edition.

Eastern Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew and Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby

COGwriter

Eastern Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew and Anglican Archbishop Welby have spoken out in favor of the climate change agenda that Pope Francis and the United Nations have also been promoting:

November 6, 2014

The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, considered to be “the first among equals” among Orthodox patriarchs, met this week with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

At Lambeth Palace they prayed and talked privately on issues such as the refugee crisis and persecution of Christians in the Middle East and later joined Anglican and other faith leaders in addressing climate change.

Bartholomew said that protecting the planet for Christians is a “sacred task and a common vocation,” when he spoke on Nov. 3 at Lambeth Palace in London. “Global warming is a moral crisis and a moral challenge.”

“Basic human rights such as access to water, clean air and sufficient food should be available to everyone without distinction or discrimination.

“We are convinced that we cannot separate our concern for human dignity, human rights or social justice from the concern for ecological preservation and sustainability.” …

The Church of England has exhorted its faithful set aside one day each month to fast and pray for the planet in its commitment to creating environmental awareness.  http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/climate-change-action-needs-both-science-and-faith-says-ecumenical-patriarch-35518

The Ecumenical Patriarch His All Holiness Bartholomew has called for urgent action for climate justice ahead of the UN summit on climate change in Paris in December. …

The Archbishop went on to say: “We are only too aware through our brothers and sisters in the Anglican Communion of how climate change is already affecting often the poorest around the world – those who demand the least of resources and yet find those increasingly hard to attract.”

The Ecumenical Patriarch, said: “Basic human rights such as access to water, clean air and sufficient food should be available to everyone without distinction or discrimination. We are convinced that we cannot separate our concern for human dignity, human rights or social justice from the concern for ecological preservation and sustainability.” https://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2015/11/ecumenical-patriarch-calls-for-urgent-action-on-the-environment.aspx

The climate change agenda that they are endorsing is basically the same one that is in Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si as well as the same one adopted by the United Nations several weeks ago called the New Universal Agenda, also called (by me) the New Catholic Agenda (as catholic means universal).  The Vatican’s Pope Francis was the keynote speaker at the UN the day that the New Universal Agenda was adopted.

But that is not all those leaders did.  Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Welby also put out a joint communique:

The Ecumenical Patriarch and Archbishop of Canterbury, as spiritual leader of the 80-million strong Anglican Communion made a joint statement between Anglican and Orthodox Churches on the theology of the human person.

In a joint communiqué, the two leaders said that the agreement “celebrates what Anglicans and Orthodox affirm together about the human person, created in ‘the Image and Likeness of God.'”

They said it, “will form the theological foundation for forthcoming discussions on the practical consequences of these theological presuppositions for addressing the key themes, including the protection of the environment, medical interventions, and questions around family life and ethics.”

The statement concluded six years of study on “what Anglicans and Orthodox can say together about the meaning of human personhood in the divine image,” the International Commission for Anglican-Orthodox Theological Dialogue said when they agreed on the final text in September.   http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/climate-change-action-needs-both-science-and-faith-says-ecumenical-patriarch-35518

The above shows that the Eastern Orthodox and the Church of England have been working together for some time to see how they could find areas of agreement to promote.

The ecumenical and inter-faith movements are moving ahead, yet they WILL NOT RESULT IN A CLEAN CLIMATE AND REAL AND LASTING PEACE. Many Protestants are falling for it (see Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! and Pope Francis speaks of ecumenism to 52,000 Pentecostals and others).

The Bible does not teach that Christians are to ignore biblical reality and pray that they are to be moved into the type of unity that Pope Francis, Patriarch Bartholomew, and apparently Archbishop Welby want.

The Bible tells that the ecumenical/inter-faith movement will also end in destruction (Revelation 18 & 19). This is not something that Catholics or the Eastern Orthodox or the Protestants should want (see also Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? and Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction!).

In Zechariah, the Bible warns against a coming ‘daughter of Babylon’ and shows that proper unity will not happen until after Jesus returns:

10 Look out! Look out! Flee from the land of the north — Yahweh declares- for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven — Yahweh declares. 11 Look out! Make your escape, Zion, now living with the daughter of Babylon!

12 For Yahweh Sabaoth says this, since the Glory commissioned me, about the nations who plundered you, ‘Whoever touches you touches the apple of my eye. 13 Now look, I shall wave my hand over them and they will be plundered by those whom they have enslaved.’ Then you will know that Yahweh Sabaoth has sent me! 14 Sing, rejoice, daughter of Zion, for now I am coming to live among you -Yahweh declares! 15 And on that day many nations will be converted to Yahweh. Yes, they will become his people, and they will live among you. Then you will know that Yahweh Sabaoth has sent me to you! 16 Yahweh will take possession of Judah, his portion in the Holy Land, and again make Jerusalem his choice. (Zechariah 2:12-16, New Jerusalem Bible-NJB)

The ecumenical and inter-faith movements that the Vatican, certain Protestants, and certain Eastern Orthodox leaders are promoting are clearly condemned by the Bible and should not be encouraged.

The Apostle Paul also taught that true unity of faith would not happen until after Jesus returns:

13 until we all reach unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God and form the perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself. (Ephesians 4:13, NJB)

Those who believe this unity comes prior to Jesus’ return are in error. Actually, when Jesus returns, He will destroy the unity of nations that are against Him:

11:15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and voices could be heard shouting in heaven, calling, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.’ 16 The twenty-four elders, enthroned in the presence of God, prostrated themselves and touched the ground with their foreheads worshipping God 17 with these words, ‘We give thanks to you, Almighty Lord God, He who is, He who was, for assuming your great power and beginning your reign. 18 The nations were in uproar and now the time has come for your retribution, and for the dead to be judged, and for your servants the prophets, for the saints and for those who fear your name, small and great alike, to be rewarded. The time has come to destroy those who are destroying the earth.’ (Revelation 11:15-18, NJB)

19:6 And I heard what seemed to be the voices of a huge crowd, like the sound of the ocean or the great roar of thunder, answering, ‘Alleluia! The reign of the Lord our God Almighty has begun;… 19 Then I saw the beast, with all the kings of the earth and their armies, gathered together to fight the Rider and his army. 20 But the beast was taken prisoner, together with the false prophet who had worked miracles on the beast’s behalf and by them had deceived those who had accepted branding with the mark of the beast and those who had worshipped his statue. These two were hurled alive into the fiery lake of burning sulphur. 21 All the rest were killed by the sword of the Rider, which came out of his mouth, and all the birds glutted themselves with their flesh… 20:4 Then I saw thrones, where they took their seats, and on them was conferred the power to give judgement. I saw the souls of all who had been beheaded for having witnessed for Jesus and for having preached God’s word, and those who refused to worship the beast or his statue and would not accept the brandmark on their foreheads or hands; they came to life, and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (Revelation 19:6,19-21; 20:4, NJB)

Notice that Jesus will have to destroy a world of armies unified against Him. Then He and the saints will reign. That is when there will be proper unity of the faith. Even the NJB, a Roman Catholic translation of the Bible, concurs.  The nations will united AGAINST Jesus.

Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, and others need to be concerned about the type of unity that is actually being promoted.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

United Nations: Humankind’s Last Hope or New World Order? Is the UN the last hope for humanity? Or might its goals end up with sinister results? Two related videos include UN’s ‘New Universal Agenda’ is a False Gospel! and United Nations and Vatican Are Planning the New World Order.
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differ from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background. As far as some changes affecting Protestantism, watch the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware! [Português: Esperança do salvação: Como a igreja do deus difere da maioria de protestantes]
Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their ‘mother church’ in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed? See also World Council of Churches Peace Plan.
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III? and a video sermon is also available: Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their ‘mother church’ in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed? watch the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware!
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 Unity 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.
Laudato Si: Pope’s Agenda or Kingdom of God? Pope Francis’ 2nd encyclical is titled ‘Laudato Si.’ In it, he goes over his views related to environmental, economic, social, moral, agricultural, and spiritual issues. He advocates international cooperation to solve various problems he believes are affecting humanity. Is that Pope’s agenda the solution? What about the Kingdom of God? does the Bible teach? Two related articles include Laudato Si: Will Pope Francis’ economic actions match his words? and Laudato Si: A call for a one-world government?
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?
The Bible, Christians, and the Environment How should Christians view the environment? Does the Bible give any clues? What are some of the effects of air, water, and land pollution? Is environmental pollution a factor in autism and death? Do pollutants seem to double the autism risk? What will Jesus do? A YouTube video is available titled Air Pollution, Autism, and Prophecy.
Could Pope Francis be the Last Pope and Antichrist? Former Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is now Pope Francis. According to some interpretations of the prophecies of the popes by the Catholic saint and Bishop Malachy, Pope Francis is in the position of “Peter the Roman,” the pontiff who reigns during tribulations until around the time of the destruction of Rome. Do biblical prophecies warn of someone that sounds like Peter the Roman? Could Francis be the heretical antipope of Catholic private prophecies and the final Antichrist of Bible prophecy? Could a Jesuit be “the black pope”?
Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy? Pope Francis has taken many steps to turn people more towards his version of ‘Mary.’ Could this be consistent with biblical and Catholic prophecies? This article documents what has been happening. There is also a video version titled Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
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 Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.

COGwriter

The latest issue (says #177, print date September-October 2015) of The Journal was sent out electronically and received a few hours ago.

Items covered included information on CEM, CG7, Feast of Tabernacles, Bob Fahey, Frank Scherich, and a Big Sandy investigation.  This is the first issue that I noticed my byline on two articles on the front page.

Here is some of what Dixon Cartwright reported about CEM and Ron Dart:

Ron Dart is still recovering from an injury he sustained in a fall at his residence on April 9, 2010. His head struck a bookcase, causing internal and external bleeding and the beginning of a long period of convalescence. Yet the ministry he and his wife, Allie, founded in 1995 continues to serve members of the Churches of God and other listeners to Mr. Dart’s Born to Win radio broadcast and readers of printed materials produced by Christian Educational Ministries. (Outside the United States the Darts’ ministry is sometimes known as Christian Educational Services.)

Recent interview

Recently Mrs. Dart sat for an interview with a member of CEM’s homeoffice-based Sabbath congregation in which she talked about her and her husband’s personal and professional histories and plans. The interview is included later in this article. CEM began in 1995 when Mr. and Mrs. Dart left their membership in the Church of God International. Mr. Dart told THE JOURNAL in 1998 that his personal ministry had been “driven for many years by Matthew 28:19-20” (“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . . teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you . . .”) “Wherever we are in whatever circumstances we are in, we must pursue the making of disciples and the teaching of those disciples to do the things that Jesus commanded,” he told JOUR- NAL writer Bill Stough at the time. Not a new church Mr. Dart said he did “not want to build a church [when he started CEM]. I told Garner Ted Armstrong when I resigned from CGI [the Church of God International] that I thought the last thing the world needed was another WCG [Worldwide Church of God] splinter group. “I decided I would form a service ministry . . . Radio seems to be what I do best.”

Ron Dart has long said he did not start a church. The Journal also asked Mrs. Allie Dart some questions:

THE JOURNAL: We understand that Mr. Dart is not able to record new broadcasts of Born to Win. Are there plans to feature other voices as presenters on the radio program?

Mrs. Dart: I don’t think we need to discuss that at this point. But I would say we’re certainly considering it at some point.

THE JOURNAL: Although CEM was not founded as a church per se, the CEM Fellowship Group is a church, is it not?

Mrs. Dart: We have Sabbath services so I guess you could call it whatever you want to.

For more information about CEM, check out the article Teachings of Christian Educational Ministries.

Here is what I submitted to The Journal, of version of which (without the photographs) is on its front page:

While in Denver, I got an opportunity to visit the headquarters of Church of God (Seventh Day), Denver (CG7). There I met with CG7′s former president Robert Coulter.

CCOG’s Bob Thiel and CG7’s Robert Coulter

Robert Coulter and I have conversed over the years, mainly on matters of church history, Christology, and working with people in South America and Africa. This was our first face-to-face meeting and we discussed those subjects and more. He and I had more personally in common than I thought as I learned we both spent time in Africa, South America, and Michigan doing church work.

(Because of responsibilities related to the Feast of Tabernacles, I did not report about this meeting here until now as I simply did not have time to get the few photographs resized until a few hours ago so that they could be posted on WordPress as I do not have Adobe Photoshop on my laptop.)

Robert Coulter also showed me CG7′s ‘vault,’ which is a storage room with original copies of old CG7 publications. He showed me, for example, the first edition of the old Hope of Israel magazine.

Robert Coulter with the first edition of the Hope of Israel which has a print date of August 10, 1863

While in Denver, I had also hoped to meet with another former CG7 president, Calvin Burrell. However, he recently moved to the State of Oregon–Calving Burrell has since emailed me to see if we can meet in the future. He and I have discussed doctrinal matters as well as matters related to contacts in Africa.

Several groups in Africa who have contacted the Continuing Church of God in the past couple of years have used some version of the name Church of God Seventh-Day and I have tried to determine their sincerity as well as their possible connections to the group in Denver.

In 2015, we were contacted by groups in Ethiopia and Ghana who use a version of the term Church of God 7th Day as their name. I discussed those groups with Calvin Burrell some months ago. After that and additional contacts, I determined it would be wise to send CCOG Pastors Evans Ochieng and John Owak to meet those in Ghana in August 2015. I also worked on matters related to supporting those in Ghana to observe the Feast of Tabernacles this year, as well as assisted in clarifying doctrinal issues related to the Feast of Trumpets and the Last Great Day. We hope that CCOG Pastor Evans Ochieng will be able to go to Ethiopia relatively soon to meet with those interested in that nation.

Those groups in Ghana and Ethiopia were not breaking away from the Denver group according to Calvin Burrell (nor had I thought so, but wanted to check). When I met with Robert Coulter, he explained that there are groups that are formally part of the CG7 International Conference, but that there are also independent groups that have associate status–but that it is really a name-only association.

Robert Coulter and I discussed how I was told the Ethiopians first became affiliated with a Church of God minister from Kenya and that there were around 200 in the group that contacted us (how many are truly interested in the CCOG remains to be seen). I also mentioned that there were about 500 in the group in Ghana that we were starting to work with. He provided some of his insights to that part of the world, and he and I discussed our own respective visits to Kenya and other parts of Africa.

While in Denver, I was unable to meet with new CG7 president Loren Stacey as he has not yet moved to CG7′s Denver office in his new role.

My main interests in meeting with CG7 was to improve information on church history, pass on doctrinal information, help prevent misunderstandings, reduce the possibility of getting misled by pretenders to the COG located in various parts of the world while we in the Continuing Church of God work to fulfill Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19-20. We also discussed, but did not dwell on, prophetic and other differences, but did discuss the belief that God will call all.

Anyway, the meeting I had in person with Robert Coulter was helpful and productive as were my previous telephone and email contacts with him and Calvin Burrell.

After my article, Dixon Cartwright had his own short piece on CG7:

Mr. Coulter’s visit to Big Sandy in ’08

Editor’s note: See also “Former CG7 President [Robert Coulter] Gives His Understanding of History of Church of God and Mr. Armstrong,” THE JOURNAL, issue No. 132, dated September-December 2008.

THE JOURNAL, and Church of God members in Big Sandy during a Q&A in 2008, questioned Mr. Coulter on several historical and doctrinal points.

What can happen to babies?

One question that came up was “What [according to official CG7 Denver doctrine] happens to people who died in infancy or never heard the words ‘Jesus Christ’ in their lifetimes?”

Mr. Coulter responded that the “righteous” will be resurrected at the Second Coming, and the remainder will not be resurrected until the end of the 1,000 years.

“So what happens to people who are resurrected after the 1,000 years?” a writer for THE JOURNAL asked.

“Well, God will raise them and pass judgment on them, and they would be judged, in a sense, and annihilated,” Mr. Coulter responded.

The fact that God will offer salvation to all as well as what happens to babies are topics that I also brought up to Robert Coulter when I met him.  I even mentioned to him that I had twice sent CG7’s Calvin Burrell, at his request, a link to my article Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis.

Perhaps I should add here that one of the doctrines that first got me interested in the Church of God was the teaching about what happens to babies when they die (see also Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differ from most Protestants and What is Limbo? Is There Such a Place as Limbo? What Happens to Babies When They Die?).

The Journal had a few Feast of Tabernacles’ reports.  About half had to do with those of the Continuing Church of God.  To read even more than The Journal reported, along with more photographs, check out the link: CCOG Feast of Tabernacles’ Sites for 2015.

The Journal ran the following obituary on UCG minister Robert Fahey:

Funeral services were Oct. 11, 2015, for Robert Fahey at Hinsdale Community House in Hinsdale, Ill. ¶ Robert Edmund “Bob” Fahey was born Jan. 15, 1940, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Mildred (Bower) and Walter Fahey. After his parents divorced when he was 2, he moved many times around the country with his mother, often in less than ideal circumstances. The two eventually relocated back to Cleveland to be near Bob’s grandmother, Elizabeth Bower, and his aunts and uncles, Evelyn (Bower) and Charles Delamater, Stan and Louis Bower, and Jim Bower. ¶ After finishing high school in Cleveland, Bob entered General Electric’s Management Apprenticeship Program. He worked for GE for three years, and in 1961 the direction of his life was changed when he enrolled in Ambassador College in Pasadena, Calif., to pursue his newfound interest in biblical studies. ¶ In 1963 he was transferred to Ambassador’s British campus in Bricket Wood, England. ¶ In a single month in 1965 he graduated, was ordained into the ministry and married Evelyn Thomas from Kalamazoo, Mich. ¶ The couple’s first pastorate was Glasgow, Scotland. Then in 1966 the Faheys were transferred to Melbourne, Australia, to pastor the congregations in the states of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. ¶ Joanna Marie and Jonathan Thomas were born in Melbourne in 1966 and 1968, respectively. ¶ In 1969 the Faheys were transferred to Johannesburg, South Africa, where Bob became regional director for Southern Africa. In 1972 their third child, Robert Benjamin, was born in Johannesburg. From 1976 to 1978 Bob served as regional director for all of Africa. Other assignments included regional director of Canada in 1980, executive assistant to Herbert W. Armstrong, pastor of four congregations in and around New York City during the mid-1980s and regional director of Australia and Asia in 1986. ¶ While serving in Australia he also enjoyed caring for the congregation in Hong Kong. ¶ In 1990 Bob and Evelyn returned to their Midwest roots as pastor of the Chicago congregation, a post Bob held for the last 25 years. ¶ On a personal side, many have commented over the last few days that Bob was larger than life, a true extrovert with a full social calendar, exuding energy and determination. He loved to study books on business management, history, human development and more, but his passion was studying the Bible. ¶ Through the years he developed extensive studies on most of the books of the New Testament, as well as many biblical studies with general-life applications. ¶ In his youth (friends and family have commented) he “had a cool haircut, drove a cool car and listened to cool music.” In his 20s and 30s friends shared that he was “a man’s man” and “macho,” “a constant swirl of activity and energy.” In his 40s and 50s he was known as “a man with deep conviction,” “having amazing drive and resiliency” and “a strategic mind with a laser focus on results.” In his 60s he was known as a man with growing “wisdom, maturity, strength and love,” “willing to learn from others” and “open to trying new approaches.” In his 70s he was described as having “silver-fox hair, holding a cane” and being “a dedicated husband to an ailing wife.” ¶ In June 2015 the couple was honored with a special church tea to note the 50th anniversary of Bob’s ordination as an elder. It was a meaningful time for the couple and they fondly reminisced on their many travels and the friends they had enjoyed together through the years. ¶ The following week on July 3, 2015, Bob hosted a celebratory dinner for his bride and their family to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. ¶ On Monday, Sept. 28, first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Robert E. Fahey, 75, died unexpectedly. He was recovering at home from a heart-stent procedure completed less than two weeks prior, and all indications had been that he would make a full recovery. This was the first Feast he had missed in 54 years because he was resting and attending to Evelyn, who was four weeks into her stay at a rehabilitation facility after surgery to repair a broken hip. Bob had been visiting her twice a day before his heart procedure and was working diligently to help her gain strength so she might have an opportunity to return home. ¶ Robert Edmund Fahey dedicated his life to preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God and helping others towards that goal. He trusted God and lived in faithful anticipation of the resurrection to eternal life. His example of steadfast service and forward momentum despite many obstacles encourages those who follow along behind him: a husband, father, grandfather and teaching pastor who is greatly missed.

Robert Fahey’s name seems familiar to me, but I do not believe we ever met.

The Journal ran the following obituary on ICG minister Frank Dorwin Scherich:

Francis “Frank” Dorwin Scherich was loved by his family, friends, brethren and all who knew him worldwide. He loved people and he loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest. He was a faithful and dedicated minister of Jesus Christ for 35 years. ¶ Frank was born March 17, 1934, in Wind Ridge “Jacktown,” Pa., as the youngest child of Herbert Paul and Ruby Durbin Scherich. He grew up in his mother’s childhood home and helped out on the farm. He was responsible for tending the sheep, which prepared him for being a shepherd of God’s people. ¶ He graduated from Richhill High School and attended Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania. Annually, he would return to his birthplace and the green rolling hills and tall trees of his beloved Greene County. Frank’s childhood friend, Patricia R. Burns, became his wife on May 12, 1955. They reared six children and enjoyed 50 years together before her passing in 2005. ¶ One of Frank’s greatest passions was flying. He served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force for six years, until he was called by God and was baptized in April of 1959. After leaving the Air Force, he worked as a flight instructor in Pennsylvania and Ohio, teaching numerous students to obtain their private pilot’s license and was also a charter pilot. He also taught two of his sons, Fran and Barry, how to fly. ¶ He was employed in the early ’70’s as a pilot for the Worldwide Church of God in Pasadena, Calif., and Big Sandy, Texas. When he accepted a job as a private pilot in the Austin area, he moved his family to Liberty Hill, Texas where he lived for 39 years. ¶ In 1980 he was ordained a minister in Church of God International and pastored several churches in central Texas over the years. When he became an area coordinator his responsibilities increased to supervising congregations throughout portions of the central part of the country, necessitating long hours of travel. ¶ He loved teaching others about God and was doing so right up until his passing. This included traveling a long distance every week to lead a Bible study. ¶ Family was also a priority for Frank, and some of his greatest joys came from family gatherings where interesting conversation, food and card games were a family tradition. His life experiences, love for travel and extensive knowledge on just about any subject became the fodder for fascinating stories. ¶ He was a voracious reader with an extensive library, as well as an amateur astronomer. His innovative mind enabled him to figure out or fix just about any mechanical or technical problem. His skill for carpentry was often employed in enhancing not only his own home but others’ as well, even to the extent of building a home for his son. He was happiest when he was using his talents to help others. ¶ He was an avid *Star Trek* fan and enjoyed many other pursuits, but two years ago he discovered a new passion: a white Scottish terrier he named Buddy who became his travel buddy and constant companion. He now had a partner to share his zest for life, adventure and new discoveries. ¶ He was warm, loving, generous, compassionate, kind, considerate, humorous and a true gentleman. He loved life and he seemed to have found the proper balance to fully enjoy it. He was known for his smile, laughter and positive outlook. ¶ Faithful to the end, he finished his course on Oct. 1, 2015. ¶ He was preceded in death by his beloved wife; three infant children, Laura Lee, Scott Durbin and Michael Jones; one infant granddaughter, Allison McCammon; his parents; and siblings Herbert Paul Scherich Jr. and Christine Staggers. ¶ Survivors include three sons, Frank Scherich Jr. and wife Sharon of Grapevine Texas; Randy and wife Mary of Leander, Texas; and Barry of Mart, Texas; three daughters, Becky Tate and husband John of New Caney, Texas; Debbie McCammon and husband Phil of Leander, Texas; and Sherry Evans and husband David of Georgetown, Texas; 17 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. ¶ His funeral was Oct. 11 at the Angel Springs Event Center in Georgetown.

The Journal ran the following:

Buyer of Big Sandy campus investigated

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.— Reports from several news media say that U.S. federal investigators are looking into the David and Barbara Green family, founders of the Hobby Lobby arts-and-crafts chain of stores.

Allegations are that Hobby Lobby smuggled ancient artifacts into the country illegally, The Daily Beast and other sources report. The Green Family Trust bought the former Ambassador University campus in Big Sandy in 2000 and sold it for a token amount (said to be $1) to the ministry of Bill Gothard of La Grange, Ill.

Mr. Gothard is said to operate several varieties of Christian ministries, and one of them is the International ALERT (Air, Land Emergency Rescue Training) Academy, which operates the campus as a military-style training school for young men. The probe of Hobby Lobby is based on a 2011 shipment of 200-300 small clay tablets inscribed in cuneiform.

The Greens are deeply religious evangelical Christians, and the tablets were to be a part of their planned Museum of the Bible, scheduled to open in Washington, D.C., in 2017. Museum President Cary Summers confirmed the seizure of the tablets and the federal investigation, according to The Daily Beast.

I had heard of this investigation.  Since decades ago Big Sandy was part of the old Worldwide Church of God, I thought I would include the report here.  I have personally been to Big Sandy, but that was several decades ago.

Anyway, The Journal also had 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).

It tends to have a non-Philadelphian approach to many matters and, in my view, it excessively allows unitarians to promote their views (there was at least one pro-unitarian ad in this edition), which I do not believe were held by early Christians (see also Was Unitarianism the Teaching of the Bible or Early Church?).

Angela Merkel

COGwriter

The Chancellor of Germany has faced some challenges for her pro-migrant stances:

November 5, 2015

Angela Merkel has struck a truce with a key right-wing coalition partner unhappy about her stance on migration.

But the fact that there is another tricky meeting on Thursday emphasises that this is a reprieve not a final judgement.

The danger to Merkel from the refugee crisis may not be the stuff of front-page headlines in Britain, but it is real enough.

Some in Germany are seething at the seemingly limitless commitment the chancellor has made to take in anyone fleeing Syrian’s civil war. …

She has risked her reputation on a gamble that at first sight seems totally out of character – “reckless” is not a word you would normally apply to her 10 years in power.

One usually loyal German politician told me her decision to open Germany’s borders to all refugees from Sudan and Syria was “madness”.

He said a mayor in his area was phoning him almost nightly in tears.

Threat of revolt

The political crisis came about because the leader of the Bavarian Conservative party, a member of her coalition, was threatening to revolt.

The writ of Mrs Merkel’s party, the Christian Democrats, does not run in Bavaria – they have their own Conservative party, the Christian Social Union.

Bavaria is funny like that. It even has its own embassy in Berlin, something the Edinburgh government has yet to achieve in London. …

Europe as a whole is still struggling to cope with growing numbers of people looking for a better life.

Slipping authority

So some say Merkel’s race is run.

Her authority and popularity are slipping at home, her clout in Brussels diminishing. …

How she continues to manage it may also determine how history sees her, and what becomes of the European Union and Europe as a whole.  http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34719228

Now, it should be pointed out that Angela Merkel still has influence.  Notice the following:

November 4, 2015

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been named world’s most powerful person by Forbes magazine.

“Putin continues to prove he’s one of the few men in the world powerful enough to do what he wants – and get away with it,” the magazine said of the Russian leader, who has topped the list three years in a row.

Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel took over the second spot from U.S. President Barack Obama, who dropped to third.

It marks the first time a U.S. president has not been in the top two in the seven-year history of the rankings, according to the 73-person list named by Forbes. http://www.voanews.com/content/mht-putin-tops-forbes-most-powerful-list/3036461.html

As the BBC reported, Angela Merkel has made some type of temporary deal with the Bavarian Christian Social Union party.  One of its more internationally known members, Karl-Theodor zu Guttnberg, is currently at the Fortune Global Forum which runs through today.  Yesterday, he mentioned the migrant situation in Europe  and basically indicated that Europe needed to look beyond just taking short term actions, but also needed to better organize for the long term (Here’s Why Europe’s Political System is Failing). Despite his past plagiarism scandal, Baron Guttenberg is sought out for his international perspective on many matters that affect Europe.

As regular readers of this page are aware, the Bible tells of at least three reorganizations to come in Europe in Revelation 17 (see also Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?).

The time will come when there will be a type of dictatorial ‘United States of Europe.’   As regular readers of this page are aware, I have considered that Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg could either be that King of the North (Daniel 11:21-44) dictator or support him (see Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North?).  Despite Vladimir Putin’s influence he is NOT the prophesied final King of the North (see also Is Russia the King of the North?).

Fortune also reported the following:

November 4, 2015

Brian Forde admits that bitcoin isn’t a no-brainer. …

Someone needs to create “that killer app that all of you are dying to download,” said Forde, just like Uber very quickly made the idea of what Forde called “digital hitchhiking” mainstream.

Forde made his comments during a panel discussion on digital currencies at the Fortune Global Forum in San Francisco on Wednesday. …

Fee-heavy financial services could be massively disrupted by digital currency payment systems. “Where is the potential and who is potentially scared?” said Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, the former minister of economics and technology for Germany and now an investor in blockchain technology. “The third-party intermediary sees potentially an apocalyptic moment.”

On the other hand, millions of people in the developing world could get access to financial services for the first time via a “digital wallet” powered by the blockchain, opening new markets. Blockchain verification tracking has the potential to transform everything from human resources functions to elections.  http://fortune.com/2015/11/04/bitcoin-boom-hero-app/

The Bible teaches that the final King of the North Beast power will control buying and selling (Revelation 13:16-18), which makes Herr Guttenberg’s involvement in electronic currencies of more than incidental interest. He is developing expertise along these lines (he also was once the Defence Minister, as well as Economics Minister, for Germany).

Perhaps it should be mentioned that the final European King of the North will take over the UK, USA, and their Anglo-Saxon allies according to Bible prophecy (cf. Daniel 11:39; Isaiah 10:5-11).  Later, he will take over many of the Arab nations (Daniel 11:40-43).

While Angela Merkel may survive the migrant crisis, politically, for a time, the time will come when those in Europe will decide that they do not want to have their continent turning Islamic.  Civil unrest, and possibly civil war, will happen in Europe.  A strongman will rise up and deal with this.  Europe will reorganize.

The biblical King of the North will arise and the migrant situation will be a factor.

Some items of related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? 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.
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the former German Defense Minister (who is also the former German Minister for Economics and Technology) one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here are links to two sermon videos Germany in Bible Prophecy and The Rise of the Germanic Beast Power of Prophecy.
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.
Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. 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? There is also a video sermon available: Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy and a video sermonette available: Ukraine in Prophecy?
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?
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fulfilled? A related video is available titled Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now?
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?
The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben: France in Prophecy? What is the origin of this in France? What is prophesied to happen to them? A two-part sermon related to history and prophecy is available online: The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben and France and Prophecy.
Ten clues tying Belgium and Luxembourg with the tribe of Asher Who did some in Belgium and Luxembourg descend from?
Ten clues tying Zebulun with the Dutch Who did some in the Netherlands descend from?
WTO/TTIP and the Babylonian Beast Will international trade agreements like WTO/TTIP/CETA lead to the fulfillment of end time prophecies concerning the Babylonian Beast power that the Book of Revelation warns against? What does the Bible teach? A related video would be WTO Trade Deal and the Rise of the European Beast Power.

COGwriter

The United States more on medications than other developed nations, yet Americans do not live longer: