Church of God News

COGwriter

The latest issue (says #191, print date January 31 2017) of The Journal: News of the Churches of God was sent out electronically and received.

Dixon Cartwright reported the following:

United Church of God president Victor Kubik released a statement after police charged a UCG elder with murder in the death of the elder’s wife. President Kubik, who works out of the church’s head quarters in Milford, Ohio, expressed “pro- found shock and sadness” upon learning about the arrest of Stephen Allwine, 43, of Cottage Grove, Minn., on Jan. 17, 2017, on charges of second-degree murder of his wife, Amy Louise Zutz Allwine, two months earlier on Nov. 13, 2016. Mrs. Allwine, 44, according to news reports and Mr. Kubik, was found dead at her residence in Cottage Grove by police and paramedics after an emergency call from Mr. Allwine.

I covered some of this before. For more information check out: Arrested UCG minister in the news.

There was a split from the old WCG in 1974. Here is some of what David Antion wrote that was in The Journal:

Looking back

Looking back on all those times, I realize that I could have done more to communicate with my colleagues. I also realize that I, as well as others in the Church of God, tended to demonize others when- ever we had the slightest disagree- ment. Disagreement was looked on as disloyalty. That should not be. I do not blame anyone else for my having been mistaken in doctrine. As a minister I must be responsible for what I preach. It is the job of every minister to be- come an approved workman of God and one who does not need to be ashamed, correctly expounding the word of truth. However, an oppressive church government requires a person to sacrifice job, family, friends and reputation to seek the truth. We all made many mistakes that hurt many people. There were too many words of an incendiary nature spoken and written on all sides during those times. Using those words tended to make us provoke and reprovoke one another. Life and trials are for learning. Looking back on 1974, I pray that I have learned.

My recollection was that WCG attempted to fix some doctrinal errors, but did not address some issues the way some wanted, so they left. As far as church governance goes, I would add that it works well when practiced properly. But my experience has been that people, including ministers, often will not stand for the truth when they overly worship their jobs/prestige/futures. As far as David Antion goes, he is the founder of Church of God, Southern California.

In a paid ad in the Connections’ section of The Journal, CGFF’s Don Billinsley wrote:

God chose Donald Trump to become the president of the United States of America to ignite it.

The Third Temple — Another major reason for his presidency will be to make possible the building of the third Temple in Jerusalem (more about this in a future article in our magazine). This will lead to the count-down of Jesus Christ’s coming back to this earth (Daniel 12:11-12).

Last Summer, Don Billingsley gave various reasons why Hillary Clinton would win and essentially said that was a message from God (see CGFF’s Don Billingsley glosses over his error regarding Hillary Clinton, then switches to why God allowed Donald Trump to win). As far as the third temple goes, this is an error on his part (see Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?). CGFF is NOT faithful and has many misunderstandings that it pays to push off on people with COG interest.

I was surprised to see the following on the back page of The Journal:

The president in prophecy

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif.—Bob Thiel, founder of the Continuing Church of God, has a new book out, Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse. The volume is available for $13 at Amazon. Topics the book covers include Mr. Trump’s back- g round and controversies in light of Hebrew prophecy; immorality; displeased Europeans; is Mr. Trump the Antichrist; 20 reasons Mr. Tr ump is “apocalyptic”; American Indian prophecies; and Nostradamus and Donald Trump. The Kindle version is less expensive at $4, and for a limited time a free Kindle version may still be available. Write 1036 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach, Calif. 93433, U. S .A., or cogwriter@aol.com.

We made the Kindle version of the book free for the maximum promotional period that Amazon allowed–and that period expired. But yes, the books are available:

Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse This 188 page book is for people truly interested in prophecies related to Donald Trump and the United States, including learning about several that have already been fulfilled and those that will be fulfilled in the future. The physical book can be purchased at Amazon for $12.99 from the following link: Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse.
Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse-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 Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse-Kindle Edition.

I would have posted about this issue of The Journal earlier, but was unable to access what I needed when I was in Africa and the Middle East (just been in my house about 1/2 hour as I just got back).

As far as the rest of The Journal goes, it also had the usual letters to the editor and other advertisements, various comments, and opinion articles. The advertisements mainly seem to be from possibly Laodicean groups and/or individuals (not all seem to be COG) who seem to think that the ads are somehow doing the work of God. More of the real work that the COGs should be doing are in the article The Final Phase of the Work.

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, but not all, matters.

COGwriter

February 14th is known to many as Valentine’s Day.

The ‘heart’ is a common symbol related to Valentine’s Day, as is the pagan deity Cupid. Back in the 1800s, Alexander Hislop wrote:

In the Church of Rome a new kind of devotion has of late been largely introduced, in which the beads play an important part, and which shows what new and additional strides in the direction of the old Babylonian Paganism the Papacy every day is steadily making. I refer to the “Rosary of the Sacred Heart.” It is not very long since the worship of the “Sacred Heart” was first introduced; and now, everywhere it is the favourite worship. It was so in ancient Babylon, as is evident from the Babylonian system as it appeared in Egypt. There also a “Sacred Heart” was venerated. The “Heart” was one of the sacred symbols of Osiris when he was born again, and appeared as Harpocrates, or the infant divinity, * borne in the arms of his mother Isis.

Therefore, the fruit of the Egyptian Persea was peculiarly sacred to him, from its resemblance to the “HUMAN HEART.” Hence this infant divinity was frequently represented with a heart, or the heart-shaped fruit of the Persea, in one of his hands. The following extract, from John Bell’s criticism on the antiques in the Picture Gallery of Florence, will show that the boyish divinity had been represented elsewhere also in ancient times in the same manner. Speaking of a statue of Cupid, he says it is “a fair, full, fleshy, round boy, in fine and sportive action, tossing back a heart.” Thus the boy-god came to be regarded as the “god of the heart,” in other words, as Cupid, or the god of love. To identify this infant divinity, with his father “the mighty hunter,” he was equipped with “bow and arrows”; and in the hands of the poets, for the amusement of the profane vulgar, this sportive boy-god was celebrated as taking aim with his gold-tipped shafts at the hearts of mankind. His real character, however, as the above statement shows, and as we have seen reason already to conclude, was far higher and of a very different kind. He was the woman’s seed. Venus and her son Cupid, then, were none other than the Madonna and the child. Looking at the subject in this light, the real force and meaning of the language will appear, which Virgil puts into the mouth of Venus, when addressing the youthful Cupid:–

“My son, my strength, whose mighty power alone
Controls the thunderer on his awful throne,
To thee thy much afflicted mother flies,
And on thy succour and thy faith relies.”.From what we have seen already as to the power and glory of the Goddess Mother being entirely built on the divine character attributed to her Son, the reader must see how exactly this is brought out, when the Son is called “THE STRENGTH” of his Mother. As the boy-god, whose symbol was the heart, was recognised as the god of childhood, this very satisfactorily accounts for one of the peculiar customs of the Romans. Kennett tells us, in his Antiquities, that the Roman youths, in their tender years, used to wear a golden ornament suspended from their necks, called bulla, which was hollow, and heart-shaped. Barker, in his work on Cilicia, while admitting that the Roman bulla was heart-shaped, further states, that “it was usual at the birth of a child to name it after some divine personage, who was supposed to receive it under his care”; but that the “name was not retained beyond infancy, when the bulla was given up.” Who so likely to be the god under whose guardianship the Roman children were put, as the god under one or other of his many names whose express symbol they wore, and who, while he was recognised as the great and mighty war-god, who also exhibited himself in his favourite form as a little child?

The veneration of the “sacred heart” seems also to have extended to India, for there Vishnu, the Mediatorial god, in one of his forms, with the mark of the wound in his foot, in consequence of which he died, and for which such lamentation is annually made, is represented as wearing a heart suspended on his breast. It is asked, How came it that the “Heart” became the recognised symbol of the Child of the great Mother? The answer is, “The Heart” in Chaldee is “BEL”; and as, at first, after the check given to idolatry, almost all the most important elements of the Chaldean system were introduced under a veil, so under that veil they continued to be shrouded from the gaze of the uninitiated, after the first reason–the reason of fear–had long ceased to operate. Now, the worship of the “Sacred Heart” was just, under a symbol, the worship of the “Sacred Bel,” that mighty one of Babylon, who had died a martyr for idolatry; for Harpocrates, or Horus, the infant god, was regarded as Bel, born again. That this was in very deed the case, the following extract from Taylor, in one of his notes to his translation of the Orphic Hymns, will show. “While Bacchus,” says he, was “beholding himself” with admiration “in a mirror, he was miserably torn to pieces by the Titans, who, not content with this cruelty, first boiled his members in water, and afterwards roasted them in the fire; but while they were tasting his flesh thus dressed, Jupiter, excited by the steam, and perceiving the cruelty of the deed, hurled his thunder at the Titans, but committed his members to Apollo, the brother of Bacchus, that they might be properly interred. And this being performed, Dionysius [i.e., Bacchus], (whose HEART, during his laceration, was snatched away by Minerva and preserved) by a new REGENERATION, again emerged, and he being restored to his pristine life and integrity, afterwards filled up the number of the gods.” This surely shows, in a striking light, the peculiar sacredness of the heart of Bacchus; and that the regeneration of his heart has the very meaning I have attached to it–viz., the new birth or new incarnation of Nimrod or Bel. When Bel, however was born again as a child, he was, as we have seen, represented as an incarnation of the sun. Therefore, to indicate his connection with the fiery and burning sun, the “sacred heart” was frequently represented as a “heart of flame.” So the “Sacred Heart” of Rome is actually worshipped as a flaming heart, as may be seen on the rosaries devoted to that worship. Of what use, then, is it to say that the “Sacred Heart” which Rome worships is called by the name of “Jesus,” when not only is the devotion given to a material image borrowed from the worship of the Babylonian Antichrist, but when the attributes ascribed to that “Jesus” are not the attributes of the living and loving Saviour, but the genuine attributes of the ancient Moloch or Bel? (Hislop A. The Two Babylons, pp. 188-191)

One thing that Alexander Hislop failed to mention was that although the ‘sacred heart,’ Cupid, and certain other symbols associated with Valentine’s Day came from paganism, is the reason why the Church of Rome became more focused on the ‘immaculate heart of Mary’ when it did.

The basic reason was because of testimonies of various ones who claimed to see apparitions of Mary. For example, after claiming to see an apparition in Rue du Bac, Paris in 1830, the Catholic Saint Catherine Labouré claimed Mary “was conceived without sin” (Apostoli A. Fatima for Today. Ignatius Press, 2010, p. 7). (More on the apparitions like this, Lourdes, Medjugorje, and Fatima, can be found in the article Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions.) In the 19th century, there was a female apparition in France, known as the Lady of Lourdes. One of the statements she reportedly stated in 1858 was, “I am the Immaculate Conception!”

The ‘sacred heart’ of Mary is tied in with a variety of Catholic prophecies which are mainly tied in with messages that Marian apparition allegedly gave. Basically, they teach that ‘Mary’ will help turn the world into a ‘Catholic’ faith in the end time and if not, destruction will come.

The apparition known as the ‘Lady of Fatima’ allegedly made the following claim on July 13, 1917:

…the souls of poor sinners…To save them God wants to establish throughout the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If people will do what I tell you, many souls will be saved…(Flynn, Ted & Flynn, Maureen, p. 136).

Now believers of the Bible should be shocked by the above as there is nothing in the Bible that hints that the above could possibly be true. People are saved only through Jesus (Acts 4:12). “Nor is there salvation in any other” (Acts 4:12; 16:30-31), including “the Lady of Fatima”. Hence, the Fatima apparition should not be considered as sent by God as at least that part of the message contradicts scripture (even if parts of what were claimed did come to pass).

Notice what Bishop Kennedy of the Celtic Orthodox Church wrote:

The great deceiver of Fatima promises salvation to those who embrace devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary… We can be very certain that God did not send Mary to earth to change God’s eternal plan of salvation. It is just this kind of deceit that leads to other false statements about Mary; Mediatrix of all graces etc. The devil’s deceit is felt far and wide within the Church as is evidenced in the number of well meaning but deceived souls proclaiming Mary is Mediatrix of all graces. How would have such a statement sounded to the Apostles? This salvation we enjoy is from God in Christ; “The man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as ransom for all”. (1 Timothy 2:1, 3-6 NAB)… We should STOP THE DEVIL in his tracks and proclaim the vision of Fatima to be a fraud, a work of the devil and an abomination to God, Mary and to the Church. (Kennedy BJ, Bishop. The Fatima Affair. HOLY TRINITY CELTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH / MONASTERY. Toledo, Ohio. http:// www.celticorthodoxchurch.com/fatima.html viewed 05/17/12)

Sadly, on October 13, 2013, Pope Francis consecrated the world to this so-called immaculate heart of Mary (see Francis consecrated world to the ‘immaculate heart’ of an alleged ‘Fatima’ statue).

As it turns out, Pope Francis has shown he is highly Marian focused and speaks of his version of her regularly (see Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?). He also has made various pronouncements related to Valentine’s Day.

While that may not seem to be unusual, notice what the Roman Catholics have taught:

The roots of St. Valentine’s Day lie in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated on Feb. 15. For 800 years the Romans had dedicated this day to the god Lupercus. On Lupercalia, a young man would draw the name of a young woman in a lottery and would then keep the woman as a sexual companion for the year…

The Catholic Church no longer officially honors St. Valentine, but the holiday has both Roman and Catholic roots. (The Origins of St. Valentine’s Day. http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/ValentinesDay/, January 31, 2004).

Pagan symbols and pagan holidays are not God’s tools to reach people. True Christians need to avoid participating in pagan holidays, such as Valentine’s Day. Turning towards Cupid’s or Mary’s heart is not what the world needs. Valentine’s Day is not a biblical holiday nor did early Christians observe it.

The world needs the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God. Valentine’s observances and other distractions turn people away from the true Jesus and more towards a faith that is against what Jesus stood for.

For more information, please consider studying the following:

Valentine’s Day: Its Real Origins Christianity Today suggests that Valentine’s Day is good for Christians to observe. Is this true? There is also a YouTube titled Should Christians Observe Valentine’s Day? A more detailed sermon is available and titled Valentine’s Day, Christianity, and Islam.
Mardi Gras: The Devil’s Carnival? Is Mardi Gras Christian? Do you know that in Bolivia the carnival/Mardi Gras time is part of a celebration known as the Devil’s Carnival? Where did it come from? There is also a related YouTube video Mardi Gras & Carnaval: Are they for Christians?
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.
Should You Observe God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays? This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history shows about God’s Holy Days and popular holidays.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What happened at Fatima? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Eastern/Greek Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers? Here is a link to a YouTube video Marian Apparitions May Fulfill Prophecy.
Do you understand the ramifications of the ‘Lady of Guadalupe’? It is claimed that a female apparition appeared near Mexico City on December 12, 1531. How has it affected the world? What might it suggest about the future?
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?
Feast of the Immaculate Conception? Did early Christians teach Mary had an immaculate conception and led a sinless life?
Origin of the Marian Dogmas: Where Do Catholic Scholars Say The Four Dogmas of Mary Came From?
Assumption of Mary Did Mary die? Was she taken to heaven on August 15th? What is known? What does the Bible show?
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. In addition to the print version, there is a Kindle version of Fatima Shock! which you can acquire in seconds.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
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 and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L’Histoire Continue de l’Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.

COGwriter

The movie based on the followup up to the horrifying book, Fifty Shades of Grey is being released in a couple of days.  Here is some information about it:

Fifty Shades Darker’s released trailers have shown some steamy sex scenes between Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan. After watching the famous shower scene, many are waiting to see the movie adaptation of the erotic drama novel on the big screen. Even though millions of fan loved seeing the nude scenes in the film, it was highly uncomfortable for the actress to shoot them in front of the entire crew.

  Fifty Shades Darker’s first released trailer showed sequences from some of the most crucial parts of the published novel. In the    trailer, Anastasia Steele is shown upset after being constantly punished by her dominant boyfriend Christian. http://www.inquisitr.com/3837345/dakota-johnson-shoots-uncomfortable-sex-scenes-with-jamie-dornan-in-fifty-shades-darker/

Uncomfortable Dakota?

Such things should not have been done.

Sadly, Fifty Shades of Grey  was a box office sensation. But CBS reported the following about it last year:

Razzies 2016: “Fifty Shades of Grey” named Worst Film

February 28, 2016

LOS ANGELES – “Fifty Shades of Grey” came out on top — or perhaps the bottom — at this year’s Razzies.

The awkward adaptation of author E.L. James’ erotic novel nabbed five prizes at Saturday’s Golden Raspberry Awards, including tying it up with superhero flop “Fantastic Four” as the year’s worst film.

“Fifty Shades of Grey” also “won” for worst screenplay, worst actor for Jamie Dornan and worst actress for Dakota Johnson, with the pair pinning down the worst screen combo award. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/razzies-2016-fifty-shades-of-grey-named-worst-film/

What it should have “won” for was being one of the most influential pro-semi-rape movies of the year.

Here are some reports about Fifty Shades of Grey itself:

February 16, 2015

Fifty Shades of Gilded Cages: The Luxury Branding of Domestic Abuse

Strip Christian Grey of his wealth and trappings of nobility and he’s just a misogynistic jerk who beats his girlfriends. …

It’s lifestyle porn as much as it is actual porn—it’s just another entry in the long, long history of films and TV shows that serve as one long commercial for the American Dream of achieving one-percenter-hood.Nor is Fifty Shades of Grey particularly subtle about it—E.L. James is, again, as open about her drooling consumer lust as her actual lust. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/02/16/fifty-shades-of-gilded-cages-the-luxury-branding-of-domestic-abuse.html

LOS ANGELES — Moviegoers turned out en masse to see the sadomasochistic love story “Fifty Shades of Grey” over the Presidents’ Day weekend, delivering a triumph for Universal Pictures and potentially altering Hollywood’s approach to sex.

“Fifty Shades of Grey,” capitalizing on the fall of Valentine’s Day on a Saturday, will take in about $90.7 million between Thursday night and Monday, according to Rentrak, which compiles ticketing data. The movie, which cost $40 million, attracted an audience that was 68 percent female, Universal said.

The film, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and based on the erotic novel by E. L. James, played in 3,646 theaters in North America, the largest release in history for an R-rated movie, according to Nick Carpou, Universal’s president of domestic distribution. “Theater owners added screens in response to a clamor from their patrons,” Mr. Carpou said on Sunday.

Female fans of the best-selling book — apparently dragging along a lot of reluctant husbands and boyfriends to theaters — created a wave of interest that pushed past reviewers, who gave the film terrible notices. Also drowned out were those calling for a boycott, among them the feminist group Stop Porn Culture, several domestic abuse organizations and the Roman Catholic archbishop of Cincinnati.

There were also small protests overseas, where the film took in an additional $158 million through Sunday. (Sample placard in London: “50 Shades of Nay!”) The movie was banned in some countries, including Indonesia, Kenya and Malaysia. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/16/movies/fifty-shades-of-grey-leads-weekend-box-office-stirring-reflection-on-sex-films.html?_r=0

Fifty Shades of Grey promotes semi-rape and fornication. Perhaps it should have been called Fifty Shades of Sin.

The term “Grey” while the main character’s name, suggests something that is not good or bad, but in-between. The movie and what it depicts is bad. And no, I did not watch it or need to watch it personally (I also have never watched an X-rated movie, but have read enough about them to realize why they are wrong)–I read book and movie reviews about Fifty Shades of Grey that gave me enough details to be able to conclude it was bad. The same about it Fifty Shades Darker.

So, I denounce Fifty Shades of Grey and Fifty Shades Darker in accordance with 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)

Notice some more passages from the Bible:

18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18)

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 1:24-32)

A movie whose entire message is basically fornication and semi-rape is bad.

Of course, it has long been said that “sex sells.” It is just sadistic sex used to be only something that a relative few were involved in.

Notice also the following prophetic warning:

3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:1-4)

Fifty Shades of Grey has been a book and movie sensation promoting brutality around the world. That is not good.

COGwriter

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

15:56

COGwriter

Lying is hazardous to your health:

When we lie, blood pressure in the heart rises — and polygraphs pick up the change. Lying often enough, long enough can damage the heart and arteries.

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame carried out a 10-week honesty experiment with 110 people, half of whom were instructed to stop telling major and minor lies during the test. The rest got no special instructions about lying.

Both groups went to a lab each week to complete health and relationship surveys and to take a polygraph test assessing the number of major and “white” lies they had told that week.

“We found that the participants could purposefully and dramatically reduce their everyday lies, and that in turn was associated with significantly improved health,” Anita Kelly, the psychology professor who led the study, said in a statement after presenting her findings to the American Psychological Association…http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/health/liars-face-health-consequences-research-shows#ixzz2D9dMn7dt

Lying causes lots of problems. Often for those lied to and always for those doing the lying. The Bible teaches “love truth” (Zechariah 8:19) and that those who do not have the “love of the truth” will perish (2 Thessalonians 2:10).

Those of us who believe the Bible, have read the Bible, and believe in keeping the Ten Commandments have long realized that telling the truth contributes to happiness. Notice the following:

18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law. (Proverbs 29:18)

14 Happy is the man who is always reverent (Proverbs 28:14).

And since lying is a violation of the law, logic dictates that those who lie are less happy than those who do not.

Many lie because they fear the truth.

The Bible warns what will happen to unrepentant liars:

8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)

Jesus condemned Satan as the father of lies:

44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God. (John 8:44-47)

And the final Antichrist will be influenced by Satan as have all antichrists throughout church history. Not only do lies hurt individual health, they also hurt civilization and will be factors in leading to its destruction (Mystery of Civilization).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Lies Where did they originate? What was really the first lie? What happens for lies?
The Mark of Antichrist What is the mark of Antichrist? What have various ones claimed? Here is a link to a related sermon What is the ‘Mark of Antichrist’?
Mystery of Civilization Why is civilization like it is? How will it end? What will replace it?Here is a link to a related sermon titled: Mystery of Civilization and How it Will End.
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught? For a more detailed discussion of the first four commandments, please see the video The Ten Commandments: Loving God. For a more detailed discussion of the last six commandments, please see: The Ten Commandments: Loving Your Neighbor. Here is a link to a related article in Mandarin Chinese 十条诫命显示爱，违反诫命的就是邪恶的
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings. A related sermon is titled: Christians and the Ten Commandments.
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?
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally? There is also a video titled What is the meaning of your life?

COGwriter

Someone asked me about the following:

At the beginning of the 3rd century civil war raged in Britain as the Roman emperor Septimius Severus sought to quell unrest in the north. But unknown to the fighting cohorts and Caledonian tribes, high above their heads two stars were coming together in a huge cataclysmic explosion.

Now 1800 years later the light from that collision will finally arrive on Earth creating a new star in the night sky – dubbed the ‘Boom Star – in an incredibly rare event which is usually only spotted through telescopes.

Before their meeting the two stars were too dim to be seen by the naked eye, but in 2022, the newly formed Red Nova will burn so brightly in the constellation Cygnus that everyone will be able to to see it. “For the first time in history, parents will be able to point to a dark spot in the sky and say, ‘Watch, kids, there’s a star hiding in there, but soon it’s going to light up,” said Dr Matt Walhout, dean for research and scholarship at Calvin College, Michigan, where the prediction was made.

For around six months the Boom Star will be one of the brightest in the sky before gradually dimming, returning to its normal brightness after around two to three years. It is the first time scientists have ever predicted the birth of a new star and astronomers in Britain said it would be a fascinating and important event which is likely to trigger a race to be the first to record the phenomenon.

Dr Robert Massey, of the Royal Astronomical Society, said: “What we’re talking about you might literally call the birth of a new star which should be very visible.“ The good news for people in the UK is that it is in the constellation Cygnus which is always above the horizon and is very high in the sky in the summer, so everyone will be able to see it. “Nobody has ever managed to predict the birth of a star before so this is really unprecedented and I think there will be a race among amateur astronomers, and members of the public to spot it first.

The forecast was made officially at a press conference … all the more poignant because it coincided with the epiphany, which commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men, who followed the star to Bethlehem to witness the birth of Jesus. http://www.q-mag.org/boom-star-visible-in-2022.html

WASHINGTON – A prominent Israeli rabbi says an ancient collision of stars that will be visible on earth in 2022 will provide a celestial sign referred to in the Bible, ushering in the age of the Messiah.

Five years from now, the light from the collision of two stars will reveal a new star in the night sky, referred to in Numbers 24:17 as a messianic prophecy by Balaam, says Rabbi Yosef Berger, of King David’s Tomb in Mount Zion. …

Berger cites Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, known by the acronym Rambam, the foremost Torah authority of the 12th century, whose rulings are still used as the basis for much of Jewish law.

“The Rambam brings this verse about a star appearing as proof that the Messiah will come one day,” Berger told Breaking Israel News. “But he says it will come from Jacob, and not from Esau. More specifically, from the tribe of Judah.”

The Zohar, the foundational work of Jewish mysticism also predicts the color and type of stars which will appear, says Berger.

“The Zohar states explicitly that the Messianic process will be accompanied by several stars appearing. The Zohar goes into great depth, describing how many stars, and which colors they will be,” he said. http://www.wnd.com/2017/01/2022-messianic-expectancy-over-celestial-explosion/#F6yQ5sUYWI8SkRWf.99

I was asked if some might consider this some type of ‘wise man star’ occurrence. While I have no reason to believe that the ‘wise men’ saw baby Jesus on the day of the ‘feast of the epiphany,’ some might make that connection.

I was also asked if this could be related to prophecies regarding signs in the heavens.

Jesus, for example, spoke of the following:

29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (Matthew 24:29)

Since the great tribulation will not be over by 2022 (and may not have even started then), the predicted appearance of the ‘boom star. in 2022 is not the fulfillment of that prophecy.

Notice something related to stars in the Book of Revelation:

12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. (Revelation 6:12-14)

The above happens after the sixth seal is opened, which also is after the great tribulation starts, and these stars falling is not going to happen in 2022. Here is something else that happens even later:

12 Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night. (Revelation 8:12)

The trumpet blasts are related to seventh seal which is after the end of the great tribulation, but is part of the day of the Lord.

So, since none of these passages can happen until after 2022, what might the ‘boom star’ prediction be telling us?

Well, it appears to be telling us that around 1800 years ago, something happened that no one saw, but we will be able to possibly see it for six months in 2022.

That, in turn, tells us that other events were also set in motion a long time ago that will be fulfilled with stars.

And that is consistent with biblical prophecy.

The Bible even warns that because some prophesies take a while to be fulfilled, that in the last days people will scoff about them:

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

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

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.  11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:3-13)

The prophecies will come to pass. The heavens will be affected.

While I do not believe the ‘boom star’ predicted for 2022 is a direct fulfillment of the prophecies in Matthew or Revelation, it could have some type of effect later.  We will see.

But we will see the fulfillment of the prophecies in Matthew or Revelation, but that will not be in 2022.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Will the Great Tribulation Start in 2017? There are various theories, signs, and opinions of ones who believe that the Great Tribulation will start in 2017. Some point to Nostradamus, some point to Fatima, some point to a solar eclipse for 21 August 2017, some point to Donald Trump, some point to Jubilee cycles, some point to the rebirth of the nation of Israel, some point to a possible Shemitah year, some point to a Jewish sage, others point to the Bible, and some claim a combination of reasons why the Bible supports their view that the tribulation will begin in 2017. Is it at all possible for the Great Tribulation to begin in 2017? Dr. Thiel goes over various theories and shows what the Bible actually teaches. This is a video.Wormwood and Planet Nibiru Will the Earth be devastated by Planet X or Comet Encke? What about Planet Nine? Here is a link to a related YouTube video
Could Comet ISON be Wormwood of Bible Prophecy?
Planet Nibiru to Destroy Earth by 2017? Some say NASA has identified Plant X, also called Planet Nine or Nibiru or even Planet 7X. One prophecy watcher has stated that this planet will destroy Planet Earth by January 1, 2017. Is this possible? While the Bible tells of a destructive power called ‘Wormwood’ will come from outer space to destroy much of the Earth in Revelation 8, can Wormwood hit by 2017? Dr. Thiel explains from the Bible why Wormwood could be a comet and why the Bible and not those who misinterpret it should be trusted. This is a video.
Blood Moons and Prophecy There were four ‘blood moons’ expected in 2014 and 2015. Some claimed that they signaled the Day of the Lord or the return of Jesus Christ. I denounced that view in advance. A related YouTube video is also available: Blood Moons, Prophecy, 2014, and 2015.
The Dangerous Rise of Preterists Has the Great Tribulation finished? What was the view of early Christians? Why is the preterist view dangerous?
Zephaniah’s ‘Gather Together’ Prophecy Is it safe to be ‘independent’ or in a non-Philadelphin Church of God? What did God inspire Zephaniah to write?
Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected? What does the Bible really teach? Does the Church flee or is it taken up just prior to the great tribulation? Who really is left behind? There is also a YouTube video with information Did Jesus Teach a Pre-tribulation Rapture?
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and COG-7th Day.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots. They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent.
Laodicean Warning for God’s People Is there really a place of safety? Do God’s people need to be warned? Warned for what?
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 teaches “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come ” will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing Church of God been doing? This is a sermonette length video.
The Elijah Heresies Does the Bible teach that there will be a future Elijah? Must it be Herbert W. Armstrong?
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2017, 2018, or 2019? 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 2016 o 2017? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Will the Great Tribulation Start in 2017?

COGwriter

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

1:15:24

COGwriter

Herbert W. Armstrong, the late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God, wrote the following article of warning:

Some of You May Not Make It Into God’s Kingdom – Does It Mean YOU?

MOST PEOPLE who follow this world’s traditional “Christianity” take it for granted that, if sometime in their life they “accept Christ,” they will go to heaven when they die. But in GOD’S Church we talk about “making it into God’s Kingdom.”

I wonder if YOU really do understand the difference! This world is SATAN’S world — not God’s. Satan is a DECEIVER! This world is DECEIVED! But often I wonder, dear brethren, how many of YOU have really come to see the difference! How many of OUR brethren just substitute “the Kingdom” for going to heaven, and think we “get into the Kingdom” the same way they think they shall go to heaven — just by having somehow professed to have “accepted Christ”!

This deceived world lives the way of “GET.” And “GET” is the way that TRANSGRESSES God’s LAW! They want to “GET” salvation. They “RECEIVE” Christ — they profess to “ACCEPT” Christ. And they think that’s ALL THERE IS TO IT. Once they have declared they “accept” — that is, “GET” Christ — there is nothing more to do. It is all settled. They go to church once in a while and sing that old hymn, “It Was All Settled Long Ago.” They were THEN “saved.” They are never told to REPENT. They are not instructed on what REPENTANCE really is. Instead they are taught that if they obey God’s law they will be “LOST.” Obeying God’s spiritual LAW, they are taught, is “works,” and their preachers quote Ephesians 2:8-9:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.” But the preachers NEVER read right on the next words, verse 10, which says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
They MISS God’s whole PURPOSE in saving us. Do NOT SOME OF YOU, ALSO? Just WHAT is this important matter of salvation all about?

The first created man, Adam, disobeyed God. He followed his wife Eve in choosing SATAN’S “GET” way of life, rejecting God’s spiritual LAW, which is God’s WAY OF LIFE love to God and outflowing LOVE to other people!
God had, long before creating Adam, set the super archangel LUCIFER on the THRONE with power to RULE over all the earth. When Lucifer rejected God’s LAW — God’s WAY OF LIFE — he abrogated the GOVERNMENT OF GOD on earth, and he became SATAN THE DEVIL. But it is the law of God’s government over the universe that SATAN must remain on that throne, with SUPERNATURAL POWER OVER ALL THE EARTH, UNTIL the government of God is restored, and CHRIST is sitting on that throne with supreme POWER to rule all the earth — when Satan shall be banished from the earth.

So Satan was still there to deceive Eve and lead Adam into SIN. After the beginning of the New Testament Church, SATAN was still there. The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church: “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted” (II Cor. 11:3). Satan is still on that throne today, deceiving, misleading the world. And I have to often wonder, as Paul did in writing the church at Corinth, if Satan is deceiving some of YOU dear brethren? So I appeal earnestly to you to listen and to THINK ABOUT THIS!

Adam cut himself and HIS FAMILY off from God — from God’s LAW — from God’s GOVERNMENT! Now WHAT IS GOD’S PURPOSE? WHY did He create humans and put us humans here on earth? LISTEN! UNDERSTAND THIS! God is reproducing Himself! He is begetting human PEOPLE as HIS very own CHILDREN. His children together with Him and with Christ will become the GOD FAMILY! There will be, in His Kingdom, God the FATHER, Christ the SON and we of the Church as Christ’s WIFE — married to Christ at the time of the resurrection at His Second Coming to earth — at the final making of the NEW COVENANT, which is the NEW Covenant! It will make us of the Church — then made immortal GOD BEINGS composed of immortal spirit — both the children of God and the Wife of Christ — the GOD FAMILY — and called also THE KINGDOM OF GOD!

Now we talk about “making it into the Kingdom.” What do we mean? We mean making it into God’s own FAMILY! We shall be a FAMILY — the GOD FAMILY!

Now to train us to be a part of that divine FAMILY, God made us male and female. God ordained the marriage union and the human FAMILY. God intended us to LEARN HIS KIND OF FAMILY RELATIONSHIP in our own FAMILY LIFE here in this present life! Now keep that in mind. I’m coming back to it. But keep also in mind something else.

Since Adam failed to resist Satan and to restore the GOVERNMENT OF GOD, none of Adam’s children could overcome Satan and qualify to replace Satan on that throne over all the earth and to RESTORE the government of God. So finally God sent His OWN Son, His only-begotten Son, to become human as well as divine. Jesus was GOD in human flesh — God as well as MAN. He was the ONLY human ever able to obey God’s great spiritual LAW perfectly, resist and conquer Satan and QUALIFY to RESTORE the GOVERNMENT OF GOD on earth!

More than that, He was able to set us an example of living THE WAY of God’s spiritual LAW, to die for us, paying for us the penalty of our sins, and to be resurrected by the FATHER, thus making our resurrection and immortal life possible — so that WE may become God’s CHILDREN in GOD’S FAMILY, and born GOD BEINGS.

We together with God and with Christ shall form THE. KINGDOM OF GOD, RULING ALL THE EARTH WITH
THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD. Satan then shall be banished.

Now Adam cut himself and HIS family OFF from God and from receiving God’s Holy Spirit. God made Adam’s decision BINDING on Adam’s FAMILY who form the whole world — UNTIL the GOVERNMENT OF GOD is RESTORED and Satan is banished, so Satan cannot lead humanity any longer AWAY FROM GOD! And that means UNTIL the Second Coming of CHRIST and restoration of GOD’S GOVERNMENT by the Kingdom of God.

Meanwhile God made an exception in cutting Adam’s FAMILY off from God. God called Abraham out of Satan’s world, and 430 years later Abraham’s children to become God’s NATION. To them He gave the OLD Covenant — a marriage covenant that made them the wife of Yahweh who was to be born as Jesus later. God gave them His spiritual law but they, like the first Adam, refused to obey it. Only the prophets of Israel obeyed, and only they shall be in Goo’s KINGDOM WITH GOD’S CHURCH!

Then when Jesus came and QUALIFIED to depose Satan and RESTORE the GOVERNMENT OF GOD and for Himself to sit on that THRONE with power to rule the whole earth, God the Father called certain ones HE chose. He called them to come OUT OF THIS WORLD — out of SATAN’S world — to receive His Holy Spirit. This begat them as His CHILDREN, in His BEGOTTEN FAMILY.

He called us out of the world, to be SEPARATE FROM the world. To Live a FAMILY LIFE to prepare us for the FAMILY LIFE that shall be HIS KINGDOM!

Now UNDERSTAND THIS! I’m afraid many of you have NOT understood it!

The KINGDOM is the divine FAMILY of God. If we cannot live as a FAMILY should live, according to God’s SPIRITUAL LAW, now, while in God’s Church, WE SIMPLY WON’T MAKE IT INTO God’s KINGDOM (which is His divine FAMILY!).
Now PLEASE! PLEASE, dear brethren, HEED THIS! Many of you are NOT living the kind of FAMILY

LIFE that is preparing you for God’s Kingdom. And if you DON’T repent, and reorder your whole FAMILY life,
YOU SIMPLY WON’T MAKE IT INTO THE KINGDOM! I MEAN THAT! It is LIFE AND DEATH for ALL ETERNITY!
We found at the summer SEP camp at Orr, Minn., that in many cases the children DO NOT EAT WITH THEIR PARENTS AT HOME!

It is reported to me that many of you are LAX in child training and in teaching your little children! You ARE NEGLECTING YOUR FAMILY LIFE. And you may be NEGLECTING SO GREAT SALVATION.
Listen to what God SAYS! “How shall we [we’ in the Church] escape, if we NEGLECT so great salvation?” (Heb. 2:3).

… many of you are NEGLECTING your very salvation!

God says to YOU: “For the time IS COME that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if… the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (l Pet. 4:17-18). (Good News, January 1981)

Five years after the above was published Herbert W. Armstrong died.

His successor was NOT faithful and led what was perhaps one of the largest ‘falling aways’ in the history of the Church of God (see The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings).

Thus, Herbert W. Armstrong was correct to warn people who thought they were Christians that they may not make it into the Kingdom of God.

He also taught about those who would not fully fall away, but would be Laodicean:

…the final generation of the Church shall be LUKEWARM — not less emotional, but more ‘liberal,’ more secular and less spiritual — less strictly biblical –” “Speaking of the present ‘Philadelphia’ era, it says…because we have kept God’s Word faithfully, not liberalizing nor watering down, God will keep us from the ‘hour of temptation, which shall come upon all them that dwell on the earth’ to try and test them. (Armstrong HW. Personal from Herbert W. Armstrong. Plain Truth, August 1980).

But, the BAD NEWS, as it appears today, my dear brethren, is that we, undoubtedly of the Philadelphian era…are in serious danger of BECOMING also the Laodicean era. I am personally much concerned about that. If YOU are NOT concerned, then indeed we are in mortal DANGER. (Armstrong HW. Personal from Herbert W. Armstrong. Good News, August 1979).

Now, here we find, while it’s pictured as seven churches, it’s really seven stages of the one True Church.., in seven successive times. Also, you’ll find every one of the seven conditions in the church at all times but, in the early years, the Ephesus condition dominated and the tail end of it the Laodicean condition is to dominate on the earth and there you are. (Armstrong HW. History of the True Church – Part 4. Radio broadcast, transcript)

Well, now then, I have said that the Laodicean condition will dominate at the tail end. But I have said that all of those conditions—all the way from Ephesus up to Laodicea, all seven—are present at all the time in the Church; but that now, in the Philadelphian Era, we have the Laodicean condition. That’s what I am talking about today. It’s here. (Armstrong HW. Warning To The Church. Sermon, July 1, 1978)

These seven messages DO apply to seven successive church eras. BUT they also apply to the WHOLE CHURCH through ALL eras. In other words, the Ephesus characteristics DOMINATED in the first era, and the Laodicean will dominate in the last, but SOME of these characteristics are found in EVERY era. (Armstrong HW. Human Nature, Did God Create It? 1976)

You may have to give your present life in order to make the Kingdom of God. Are you going to try to live on and save it? Or are you willing…? There is one place in the 12th chapter of Revelation where, after Satan has had the battle in heaven once again and has been sent back down to earth, where the “saints loved not their lives unto death.” And that’s speaking of our time, and our people, and those of the Laodicean Church to follow us almost immediately. And the Laodicean Era of the Church has not yet come, but it will; and I think that we are doing a whole lot to raise it up. (Armstrong HW. Mark of the Beast. Sermon, December 11, 1982)

The Apostle Peter wrote:

10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:10-11)

After Herbert W. Armstrong’s death, not only was there a falling away (see The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings), it has become clear that the Laodicean era has been upon us.

Sadly, most who did not fall away from Christianity have drifted into Laodiceanism.

Jesus told those Christians to repent:

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

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

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

Do not remain Laodicean. Support the remnant of the Philadephian era and God’s work today.

COGwriter

Received the following several hours ago in an email:

U.S. Betrayed by Allies, Domestic Attack Imminent

Shocking evidence from the same economist who predicted the fall of the Soviet Union, the Japanese depression, the dot-com crash and the Great Recession proves that a 57-nation alliance of American allies and enemies is positioned to dethrone America as the last superpower. Worse yet, an attack on our financial system is imminent.

I reported a bit about this before as it is related to James Dale Davidson of Strategic Investment who posted the following:

There is nothing — absolutely nothing — that Washington can do to stave off the financial bloodshed that will be unleashed on millions of Americans as the dollar is dethroned. For the unprepared, investment accounts will suffer as the stock market plummets 60% (or more), streets will be littered with foreclosed signs as millions are evicted from their once-cherished homes that were suddenly stripped of 50% of their value, millions more will be decimated as unemployment triples, while those on the sidelines, who think they are out of harm’s way, will be shocked as their life savings are vaporized by as much as 80%. In over 30 years as an economist, I’ve predicted some of the biggest economic and geopolitical events in our lifetime, but I’ve never been more confident — than I am now — about what’s to come. Remember, in 1987, I was one of the first to sound the alarm that the Soviet Union was about to collapse … in 1989, I predicted the Japanese depression that struck just one year later … I predicted the dot-com crash in 1999 … and I predicted the subprime mortgage crises, along with the collapse of the real estate market, years in advance. Washington, Wall Street and most of America have ignored my dire warnings; to do it again would be a very dangerous risk to take. And while America’s day of reckoning is unavoidable, there are practical ways to prepare — at this very moment — so that you can stay safe, and even prosper.

He also has a video where he claims that 57 nations have gotten together with a plot to overthrow the economic dominance of the USA. He claims this will result in a 60% reduction in the stock market and a 50% reduction in property values. Here is what J.L. Yastine says James Dale Davidson stated:

He showed me ironclad evidence that our fiercest enemies—and now our closest allies—have just formed a 57-nation alliance. They have one goal: to dethrone America as the world’s financial superpower…even if they have to dismantle the European Union to do it. Taking documents from his briefcase, this man revealed how this “alliance” has already obtained a $47 trillion financial arsenal — 300% larger than that of the United States. He exposed their exact plot, naming names and pulling reams of intelligence from his briefcase … diplomatic cables, photos, data sheets and more… My stomach turned as he revealed why the financial fallout from this betrayal could equate to three Great Depressions — striking all at once — sending tens of millions of Americans from Starbucks lines to breadlines. “Life savings will be vaporized by 80%. The stock market will plummet by 60%. Real estate will fall by 50%,” he warned. “Millions of seniors will go from luxurious retirement communities to government-sponsored nursing homes as Social Security and Medicare get slashed.” He then handed me a video saying, “This reveals everything.”

Anyway, I watched parts of the related video and then saw a transcript. Here is information from the transcript of the video of what James Dale Davidson said:

With a $47 trillion economic arsenal, this alliance has 3 times the financial strength of the United States … soon, it could be FOUR … even FIVE times as big. Let that sink in for a moment. For the first time ever, the MAJORITY of the economic world has banded together in a 57-nation alliance, and the United States is on the outside looking in. Compared to the United States, this alliance presently has 15 times the population, 6 times the land mass, and its military budget is 1.7 times bigger. Mark my words — the economic threat this 57-nation alliance poses is bigger than anything else America will face in the years ahead. It’s bigger than Iran’s nuclear ambitions. It’s bigger than the threat of Islamic terrorism. And it’s bigger than an all-out war with any number of our enemies. Most unnerving of all, the evidence I’ve uncovered suggests this new 57-nation alliance has a clear plan to take America’s economy down. It won’t entail an attack in any military fashion … no guns or missiles will be needed. Their plan is much more calculated and stealthy than that. One of my sources, an Austrian economist, disdainfully called their mission “a little experiment in revenge,” as one of the leaders of this alliance attacked America by saying it is “like a parasite.” When they achieve their goal … and they will … millions of unsuspecting Americans will be crushed under an economic bombshell that will leave a trail of financial devastation unlike anything we’ve ever seen. The stock market will collapse by 60% … wiping out $21.4 trillion in wealth, home values will get slashed in half … erasing $13.8 trillion in equity … and as my insider from the CIA says, “The dollar is going to collapse 80% or 90%,” obliterating $9.5 trillion in savings. … Simultaneously, food prices will jump up as much as 300% and gas prices will increase to $6.00 per gallon … before making their way up to $7.00 and even $8.00 a gallon. … These 57 nations already represent 62% of our global economy … that’s 3 times the economic power of the United States. And more countries are lined up to join … indeed, 27 are scheduled to be ratified by the end of 2016. … Russia is quietly corralling this alliance of nations that have lost trust in the U.S. dollar and that are fed up with a dollar-dominated world. These recent headlines have exposed Russia’s intent…

• Putin Targets U.S. Monetary System — Zero Hedge
• Putin Wants U.S. Dollar Banned from Russian Trade — ValueWalk
• Russia Shuns Dollar — The Wall Street Journal

Early on, many of our leaders dismissed Russia’s threats, just like they dismissed the threat from ISIS. However, things spiraled out of control when 23 nations quickly joined this new alliance in late 2014…

“23 Countries Now Abandoning U.S. Dollar”

Now, it was no surprise when Eastern countries like India, Saudi Arabia and South Korea quickly jumped on board. But on December 3, 2015, everything changed… The United Kingdom — America’s closest ally — didn’t just join this new alliance —they became a “founding member.” Many saw it as the ultimate betrayal since they did it despite Washington publicly begging them not to join. There was even a headline in Reuters.

“U.S. Urges Allies to Think Twice Before Joining [the 57-Nation Coalition]”

But the United Kingdom, for the first time in 70 years, ignored their plea. Business Insider called it “a massive embarrassment for Obama.” The Huffington Post called this action “the end of the American century.” Forbesreported: “Britain’s decision is just a recognition of new realities.” Once Britain joined the alliance, Australia, Italy, France, Germany and many more followed suit by the end of the month. And in just the last few weeks, 9 nations — including Israel, Denmark and Finland — made the final step to becoming a member of this alliance. … This alliance has already reached the key milestone for global dominance … these 57 nations represent 62% of the world’s economic power … 3 times the economic power of the United States. An alliance with 15 times the population, 6 times the land mass and a military budget 1.7 times bigger than the United States. … This alliance of 57 nations has already, albeit stealthily, declared a currency war. A war in which they have “pointed a gun” directly at the dollar. They’ve already completed the first 3 of their 4-phase plan of attack.

• Phase I: Blatantly Ignore the Bretton Woods Agreement The first phase is to blatantly ignore the Bretton Woods Agreement. The agreement clearly states that all international trade is to be done in U.S. dollars. However, as Brazilian economist Ricardo Amaral recently said: “The U.S. dollar served its purpose since the end of WWII and became the major foreign-exchange reserve currency … (but) the days of the U.S. dollar playing that special role … has reached the end of the line … today that system is very sick.”China and Russia have already created their own $24 billion currency swap, and then did a $450 billion energy trade, directly … completely sidestepping the U.S. dollar. Others are joining in.

• Phase II: Create Their Own International Monetary Fund Phase II is to create their own International Monetary Fund (IMF). For the last 70 years, the IMF, located in Washington D.C., has fostered “global monetary corporation.”Now, this 57-nation alliance has come together to rival the IMF with their own umbrella organization — based in Beijing, China. It’s called the AIIB.

• Phase III: Create Their Own Currency ABC recently reported: “China is calling for a global currency to replace the dominant dollar, showing a growing assertiveness on revamping the world economy.”An article in China leaked that “a basket of currencies called the ‘AIIB currency’ would most likely be adopted as the bank’s currency for settlements.”Once these 57 nations agree on this basket of currencies, the dollar is doomed.

Now, I admit, when they release this new currency, which could be any day now … you likely won’t hear about it … simply because the media, Wall Street and our elected officials fail to understand the ramifications of such an action. http://pro.strategicinvestment.com/NDPCUR1/ENDPS437/Full

The AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank) is something that the USA asked nations not to be part of, but many decided to join it anyway. I have written about it in the past, starting first in October 2014 (see China and 21 other Asian nations take another step to break USA dollar dominance) and then in March 2015 that Europeans, like the Germans were coming on board with this program (see Europe is pivoting towards China and away from the USA). The next month, I reported that former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said the USA had just lost its global economic lead because of this (see Former Treasury Secretary: USA Lost its Global Economic Leadership Last Month).

Now with Donald Trump as USA president, it would seem many nations will work even harder to prepare to dethrone the USA.

Getting back to the video transcript, James Dale Davidson said:

The dollar’s day of reckoning is here. America’s day of reckoning is here. All this 57-nation alliance has to do is complete phase IV of their plan…

Phase IV: Trigger the Dollar Collapse

Phase IV is to pull the trigger on the dollar collapse. And they will do this by selling it in droves. … Now, as this 57-nation alliance dumps the dollar, the greenback will start to collapse. And fast. The Federal Reserve knows this. Which is why they are going in and buying their own debt. Just take a look at this chart. Our own Federal Reserve now holds more of its own debt than any other time in history. Nobody else will buy it. So they have to go in and buy it.

The time will come when the US dollar is totally worthless and will stop being a world reserve currency. The Bible also has an end time prophecy that those who read it may want to run:

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. (Habakkuk 2:2-3)

What is this end time prophecy about that should cause people to run? It is a prophecy about debt accumulation:

6 “Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases What is not his — how long? And to him who loads himself with many pledges’? 7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. 8 Because you have plundered many nations, All the remnant of the people shall plunder you (Habakkuk 2:6-8)

Getting back to the video transcript, James Dale Davidson says:

One day … maybe in a week from now, maybe in a few months from now … the full force of the financial hurricane will hit our shores. You will wake up to the reality that the dollar is no longer the “world reserve currency.” A white paper distributed by Project Censored describes what that world will look like:

The impact on daily living for the U.S. population could be severe. In addition to increased costs, states and cities will see their pension funds drained. The government will be forced to sell off infrastructure, including roads and transport, to private corporations. People will be increasingly charged for privatized utilities that were once regulated and subsidized. Commercial and private real estate will be worth less than half its current value. The negative equity that already plagues 25 percent of American homes will expand to include nearly all property owners. It will be difficult to borrow and impossible to sell real estate unless we accept massive losses. There will be block after block of empty stores and boarded-up houses. Foreclosures will be epidemic. There will be long lines at soup kitchens and many, many homeless.

Extreme? Hardly. … Day of Reckoning Fallout No. 1: The Collapse of the Dollar The dollar will collapse, almost overnight. … Day of Reckoning Fallout No. 2: Prices of Everything You Buy Will Double Secondly, the price of everything we buy will double. And not just because “when the dollar goes down, prices of every day goods go up.” That is just the start. … Day of Reckoning Fallout No. 3: Unemployment Triples Right now the unemployment situation doesn’t look too bad. But once the dollar is no longer the “world reserve currency,” that financial sector will be blindsided. And while you might not be in that industry, those people make billions of dollars that they use to buy stuff — houses, cars, gadgets and more. My point is, there will be a ripple effect. I expect unemployment to triple. Day of Reckoning Fallout No. 4: End of Social Security Without the ability to print money, the 161 million Americans who have some form of government benefits will get hit hard. … Day of Reckoning Fallout No. 5: Taxes Will Double Tax breaks will be wiped off the books as Washington tries to stave off the carnage. This chart reflects how much money the U.S. government is collecting per year. It’s gone up nearly 50% in the last 5 years alone. Expect your overall taxes to increase from 30% to 40% to 50% and higher. Day of Reckoning Fallout No. 6: Real Estate Will Plummet Home prices are going to fall by 50% in the next few years. … Day of Reckoning Fallout No. 7: Stocks will Collapse by 60% (or More)

In the video transcript, James Dale Davidson, does not advocate the nation turning back to God, instead his survival plan is discussed:

Your Survival Plan …

It’s called The Day of Reckoning Survival Plan. … When this next crisis hits, gold will again go up 300%, before going up even higher. … I’m not the only one who believes this. In fact, in preparation for what’s to come, China secretly bought 604 TONS of gold since 2009, second only to … you guessed it, Russia.

The accumulation of gold by China has been covered here before (see China, Gold, and the AIIB). Various ones in Europe have been repatriating gold from the USA, like the Germans (see Germany is repatriating and accumulating gold–why?). Here is something from my book Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States, 2nd edition: Is Hillary Clinton Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Hopi, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Donald Trump?:

Since many are now questioning the role of the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency, more are looking into other currencies as well as gold. Gold will set records in U.S. dollar terms. When the U.S. dollar totally collapses people all around the world will consider that even if the Euro (or something similar) is strong, having a more gold-backed currency would be safer. The collapse of the U.S.A. dollar will shake a lot of the world’s confidence in non-gold backed currencies. The Europeans do not have to have a perfect currency, only one that is perceived to be in better shape than the USA dollar. Having the European power acquiring more gold to back the Euro or possibly another future European currency (that might potentially replace the Euro or even a basket of currencies) may greatly increase European credibility, prosperity, and influence around the globe, even if the backing is only implied. (Thiel B. Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States, 2nd edition: Is Hillary Clinton Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Hopi, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Donald Trump? . Nazarene Books, 2015, p. 161)

Germany is getting more gold. The Bible teaches that the final King of the North will accumulate gold and take it from Egypt in Daniel 11:40-43; cf. Revelation 18) In the video transcript, James Dale Davidson states.

While it may be America’s day of reckoning, it won’t be your day of reckoning. … At this very moment, more countries are swearing allegiance to this 57-nation alliance … 27 are expected to make it official this year. They already control the majority of the world’s economic power … soon, it will be 70% … then 80%. They will dominate the money! They will dominate the world! The hurricane is already heading to our shores. Make sure your house isn’t on a sandy beach, but rather built high upon a rock. You have to prepare, and you have to prepare today!

Now the video essentially ends up being a sales pitch for a newsletter I have never read. In addition to gold, he makes comments about stocks and various currencies. So, why bring any of this up? Because, despite having misunderstandings of prophetic events, even secular sources are seeing that there is a trend to topple the USA as the world’s dominant economic power. And, according to biblical prophecy that will happen–and it will be worse for the USA than what James Dale Davidson is claiming. The Bible shows that a powerful international economic leader will arise (cf. Revelation 18) and it will NOT be the USA. The USA, after having financial and other troubles (Mark 13:6-8) will finally be taken over. Not just financially, but according to the Bible militarily. Normally I would just quote Daniel 11:39, but this time first let’s also look at an earlier verse:

23 And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24 He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time. (Daniel 11:23-24)

The ‘he’ is the final European King of the North power, called the Beast of the Sea in Revelation 13:1-10. Notice that he gets in deceitfully and makes plans against “the strongholds.” Notice what Daniel says this leader will later do:

39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain. (Daniel 11:39)

In the 21st century, the strongest fortresses belong to the USA and to a much lessor extent, its Anglo-Saxon descended allies. And while some do not believe that America’s European friends could betray it, the Bible teaches otherwise:

1 How lonely sits the city That was full of people! How like a widow is she, Who was great among the nations! The princess among the provinces Has become a slave! 2 She weeps bitterly in the night, Her tears are on her cheeks; Among all her lovers She has none to comfort her. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; They have become her enemies. (Lamentations 1:1-2)

The USA and Great Britain (including its Anglo-Commonwealth members, like Australia and Canada) were “great among the nations.” And the Bible is clear that betrayal is coming from national FRIENDS! That betrayal will result in the complete end of USA dominance in the world. Politicians will NOT be able to save the USA, nor its Anglo-Saxon descended allies (UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand). The total end of the USA dollar will happen. But it will not be as soon as James Dale Davidson seems to be claiming. Here is a link to a video about this: America’s Day of Reckoning 2017 Dollar Collapse?

22:22

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Collapse of the Euro and Dollar? War in 2020? Larry Edelson of Money and Markets described aspects of current economic difficulties and explained why he felt matters would get a lot worse. He said war, like World War III, could break out as early as 2020. What did he call the ‘granddaddy of all cycles”? Will matters go as he said? What does the Bible teach? Dr. Thiel provides biblical insights that secular sources often miss. This is a video.
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. The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill?  Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill?  Could a Donald Trump presidency be apocalyptic?  A related video is titled: Donald: ‘Trump of God’ or Apocalyptic?
Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse This 188 page book is for people truly interested in prophecies related to Donald Trump and the United States, including learning about several that have already been fulfilled and those that will be fulfilled in the future. The physical book can be purchased at Amazon for $12.99 from the following link: Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse.
Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse-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 Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse-Kindle Edition.
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.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2017, 2018, or 2019? 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 2016 o 2017? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Will the Great Tribulation Start in 2017?
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 Who is 666? This article explains how the COG views this, and compares this to Ellen White. Here is a link to a prophetic video Six Financial Steps Leading to 666?
The Mark of Antichrist What is the mark of Antichrist? What have various ones claimed? Here is a link to a related sermon What is the ‘Mark of Antichrist’?
Mark of the Beast What is the mark of the Beast? Who is the Beast? What have various ones claimed the mark is? What is the ‘Mark of the Beast’?
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.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? What about WWIV? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2024 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?
The Snowden Leaks are Leading to the Destruction of the USA Can what happened with the leaks of what the NSA has done help the USA to be taken over? What does the Bible teach that seems to be related to this? Here is a related YouTube video titled Are the Snowden NSA leaks leading to the destruction of the USA?
The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What do economists and the Bible teach about gold? Gold and silver may drop in value. Inflation/deflation? What do Christians need to know about gold?
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.
Are You Being Called by God? Norman Shoaf wrote various points to consider.
Is God Calling You? Alfred E Carrozzo wrote this.
What Did Christ Mean – Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen? This article was by Raymond McNair.
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? A related sermon is also available titled: Real Christian Repentance.

Valentine Card, 1909, Shows Pagan Ties

COGwriter

Notice the following:

February 2017

NEW YORK – Shopping for jewelry for a loved one ahead of Valentine’s Day can be stressful. http://www.nwherald.com/2017/01/25/5-tips-for-buying-jewelry-for-valentines-day/avhqvzl/

Valentine’s jewelry shopping can apparently be stressful, but is not something any should do.

Since many observe Valentine’s Day, this post will cover some of the traditions of it around the world and where some came from. Notice the following:

February 14, … Many countries have their own particular traditions and customs on February 14 and here’s a selection: Italy Originally, Italians celebrated Valentine’s Day as the Spring Festival…Also, there is a traditionof giving chocolate to loved ones and Italians believe that in this case, size does matter- the bigger the chocolate, the stronger the love you will have. France The French like to think of themselves as the most romantic people in the world, and it’s often claimed on Gallic shores that the first Valentine’s Day card originated in France when Charles, Duke of Orleans, sent love letters to his life while imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415. United Kingdom Valentine’s cards are often sent anonymously in the UK, a tradition dating back to Victorian times… Estonia Valentine’s Day celebrations in Estonia have their own twist: February 14 is called “Friend’s Day”, so single, lovelorn people don’t feel left out. http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/14/valentines-day-traditions-around-the-world/ China …couples in China rushed to make their marriages official, as Friday marked both Valentine’s Day and the Chinese Lantern Festival. The two celebrations fall on the same day only once every 19 years. http://www.voanews.com/content/valentines-day-around-the-world/1851556.html United States In the United States, the National Retail Federation expects people to spend more than $17 billion this year on candy, cards, flowers and other mementos marking the occasion. http://www.voanews.com/content/valentines-day-around-the-world/1851556.html

Valentine’s Day is banned in Saudi Arabia and discouraged in other Islam-dominated lands.

February 14, 2014 In Pakistan, Malaysia and other mainly-Muslim countries, many consider Valentine’s Day to be un-Islamic and discourage the celebration of it. In Iran and Saudi Arabia, Valentine’s Day is banned. Hindu extremists in India have also opposed the day. http://www.voanews.com/content/valentines-day-around-the-world/1851556.html

But, some still observe it in the Islamic-dominated lands–which is why some have taken steps to reduce the influence of this essentially pagan holiday. Notice something from NPR:

Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate romance and love and kissy-face fealty. But the origins of this festival of candy and cupids are actually dark, bloody — and a bit muddled… From Feb. 13 to 15, the Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia. The men sacrificed a goat and a dog, then whipped women with the hides of the animals they had just slain. The Roman romantics “were drunk. They were naked,” says Noel Lenski, a historian at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Young women would actually line up for the men to hit them, Lenski says. They believed this would make them fertile. The brutal fete included a matchmaking lottery, in which young men drew the names of women from a jar. The couple would then be, um, coupled up for the duration of the festival — or longer, if the match was right… Later, Pope Gelasius I muddled things in the 5th century by combining St. Valentine’s Day with Lupercalia to expel the pagan rituals. But the festival was more of a theatrical interpretation of what it had once been. Lenski adds, “It was a little more of a drunken revel, but the Christians put clothes back on it. That didn’t stop it from being a day of fertility and love.” Around the same time, the Normans celebrated Galatin’s Day. Galatin meant “lover of women.” That was likely confused with St. Valentine’s Day at some point, in part because they sound alike. http://www.npr.org/2011/02/14/133693152/the-dark-origins-of-valentines-day

While I am glad women are no longer subject to public whipping on this day, the holiday still is not of Christian origin. The Catholic Encyclopedia states:

The popular customs associated with Saint Valentine’s Day undoubtedly had their origin in a conventional belief generally received in England and France during the Middle Ages, that on 14 February, i.e. half way through the second month of the year, the birds began to pair. Thus in Chaucer’s Parliament of Foules we read:

For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne’s day Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.

For this reason the day was looked upon as specially consecrated to lovers and as a proper occasion for writing love letters and sending lovers’ tokens. (Thurston, Herbert. “St. Valentine.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 14 Feb. 2014 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15254a.htm>.)

The Catholic Encyclopedia essentially admits this did not come from the Bible. I would add that the practices began earlier than the Middle Ages with origins in a pagan sexual lottery. Notice what else the Roman Catholics teach:

The roots of St. Valentine’s Day lie in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated on Feb. 15. For 800 years the Romans had dedicated this day to the god Lupercus. On Lupercalia, a young man would draw the name of a young woman in a lottery and would then keep the woman as a sexual companion for the year (The Origins of St. Valentine’s Day. http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/ValentinesDay/, January 31, 2004).

The Apostle Jude warned that people claiming to be Christian leaders would turn towards behaviors like sexual license:

4 For there have been some intruders, who long ago were designated for this condemnation, godless persons, who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and who deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (Jude 4, New American Bible of the United States Conference Catholic Bishops)

As alluded to earlier, in countries like the USA, Valentine’s traditions include giving cards, flowers, and chocolate, often with symbols that are supposed to represent Cupid or some type of love. Food and alcohol are sometimes also involved. Here is more information on some of the origins of a few of the traditions:

Your Valentine’s Day checklist probably includes chocolates, cards and a dozen red roses. So how did all this start?…Ancient Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia on Feb. 13-15. The feast involved animal sacrifices and whipping women, thought to make them more fertile… But the first direct connection between St. Valentine’s and the idea of love comes much later, in the poetry of Geoffrey Chaucer, says Andy Kelly, an English professor at the University of California-Los Angeles, who wrote the book “Chaucer and the Cult of St. Valentine.” Chaucer, best known for “The Canterbury Tales,” wrote a poem called “Parliament of Foules (Fowls)” in 1381 to honor Richard II’s engagement, Kelly said. In the poem, St. Valentine’s Day is celebrated on May 3 — not Feb. 14 — and represents “the day when all the birds choose their mates for the year,” Kelly told USA TODAY Network. “Quickly afterwards, within a generation, people took the idea of celebrating of St. Valentine’s as a day of love,” Kelly said. The St. Valentine whom Chaucer was probably referencing was St. Valentine of Genoa, who died on May 3 and whose feast day was celebrated on May 2, according to Kelly’s book… Cards The British Museum in London has a Valentine dated from the 15th century, but it wasn’t until the mid-19th century when Valentine-giving became popular in England, said Ann C. Colley, a distinguished professor of English at SUNY-Buffalo State… Chocolate Chocolate has long been considered an aphrodisiac, said Alexandra Leaf, a culinary educator and founder of Chocolate Tours of New York City, in an interview with USA TODAY Network. Starting in the 17th century, when cacao beans were first brought to Europe from Mexico and Central America, Europeans associated the food with stories about Montezuma and his many wives, Leaf said… “There’s a carryover of the aphrodisiac notion that would make it appropriate for Valentine’s Day,” Leaf said… Cupid The cherub-faced Cupid we recognize today was originally something quite different. In the 5th century, the Greek version of Cupid, Eros (the inspiration for the word “erotic”), was depicted as a tall young man, who was “athletic, heroic and had wings,” according to Angeline Chiu…Chiu said Cupid’s transformation into a baby can be credited to Renaissance art… Red roses In the 18th century, Charles II of Sweden introduced the idea of flowers symbolizing emotions or messages carrying non-verbal messages, according to ProFlowers.com. Today, red roses stand for passionate love, pink roses for friendship, white for purity, and both red and white mean unity, said Jennifer Sparks, spokeswoman for the Society of American Florists, in an e-mail to USA TODAY Network. http://www.freep.com/article/20140214/FEATURES01/302140053/Valentine-s-Day-traditions-explained

Valentine’s Day is not an actual Christian holiday, even the Church of Rome no longer officially honors it, see Valentine’s Day: Its Real Origins, though Pope Francis promoted it today. Actually, in the photo of him encouraging Valentine’s Day at http://www.voanews.com/content/valentines-day-around-the-world/1851556.html, Francis was holding a red rose. It comes from paganism and the Bible warns against engaging in pagan practices. Notice:

29 When the LORD your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, 30 take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ 31 “You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. 32 Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it (Deuteronomy 12:29-32, NKJV). 2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe (Jeremiah 10:2-3, KJV).

29 …abstain from things offered to idols (Acts 15:29, NKJV). 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. (2 Corinthians 6:14-16) 9 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. (1 Corinthians 10:19-21)

While there are many traditions and practices, none who profess Christ should observe this February 14th “holiday”–it simply is not a Christian holiday.

For more information, please consider studying the following:

Valentine’s Day: Its Real Origins Christianity Today suggests that Valentine’s Day is good for Christians to observe. Is this true? There is also a YouTube sermon available titled Valentine’s Day, Christianity, and Islam.
Should Christians Observe Valentine’s Day? This is a shorter YouTube video about the origins of Valentine’s Day and why real Christians should not observe it.
Should You Observe God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays? This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history shows about God’s Holy Days and popular holidays.
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
Are the Ten Commandment Still in Effect? This article quotes the ten commandments and combines some of the previous articles into one article about the ten commandments. The commandments are shown at Mount Sinai, before Mount Sinai, in the teachings of Jesus, after the crucifixion, and in the teachings of Paul. It addresses the most common “traditions of men” regarding them as well. Here is a version in the Spanish language:.¿Están vigentes todavía los diez mandamientos?
Were the Pharisees Condemned for Keeping the Law or Reasoning Around it? Many believe that the Pharisees were condemned for keeping the law, but what does your Bible say? If they were not condemned for that, what were they condemned for?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught? For a more detailed discussion of the first four commandments, please see the video The Ten Commandments: Loving God. For a more detailed discussion of the last six commandments, please see: The Ten Commandments: Loving Your Neighbor. Here is a link to a related article in Mandarin Chinese 十条诫命显示爱，违反诫命的就是邪恶的
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings. A related sermon is titled: Christians and the Ten Commandments.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
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.