Ronald Weinland Still Claims that the Final 3 1/2 Years Has Begun

Despite the fact that no biblically required events have occurred, last night Ronald Weinland of CGPFK posted the following at his website:

“IN” THE FINAL THREE & ONE-HALF YEARS:

March 6, 2009

As regular readers/listeners are aware, on December 14, 2008, the world entered the final 3 1/2 years spoken of throughout prophecy as the end-time of man’s rule on earth. On Pentecost of 2012, the world will experience a final transition from mankind ruling himself to that of God’s government ruling over all nations.

Much of the world of traditional Christianity, and even God’s Church, have long believed that this final time would begin with great destructive events that would immediately lead to the death of tens of thousands of people and then continue to escalate throughout the final 3 1/2 years. This period of time has often been referred to as “the great tribulation,” although the Bible makes no such statement regarding this final 3 1/2 years.

The reality is that the Seventh Seal of Revelation was opened on November 14, 2008, and then 30 days later the First Trumpet sounded. This trumpet is prophetic in nature, yet it will also prove to be very physical in its complete fulfillment. It is prophetic in that it reveals the kind of literal, physical destructiveness that will follow in the fulfillment of the six trumpets that are yet to sound.

We now find ourselves three months into that final 3 1/2 year period of time, but thank God that these massive powers of end-time destruction have not yet been unleashed. The kind of suffering that will finally come to pass is horrific beyond comprehension. God is being merciful by temporarily holding back the day when the Second Trumpet sounds and massive physical destruction begins. As always, it needs to be understood that God is not bringing that destruction upon mankind, but mankind is bringing it upon himself (it will be caused by man). God is now holding back that time of massive physical destruction by not allowing man to start this process for a few more months.

This “holding back” is in large part due to the result of God answering the prayers of His people who set aside a time of fasting, similar to that of Esther, whose results are remembered to this day in what is called the Feast of Purim.

On January 31, the Church of God entered a prolonged fast (a fast that lasts beyond the normal one day), and God’s people petitioned God, humbling themselves in the process, seeking that God would humble more people, and thereby deliver many more than He initially revealed would be saved. This is all the result of God’s will and His purpose that is being worked out for this world, and although God has granted to offer mercy to more people in this end-time by bringing more to humility, the choice of repentance is still in the hands of those whom God humbles and grants mercy. It is sad that there will be many who will still refuse God’s mercy and His offer to save them physically through this final end-time.

The petitions that went up before God were not for the purpose that the destructive power be lessened (as this cannot be changed), but that the period of time of the actual physical suffering from it will be lessened, and that through this very process more people will potentially be able to be saved (who can indeed live on into the millennial period that is rapidly approaching). This not only includes the possibility of many more people of different nations being saved, but it also includes an offer of saving many more who were part of the scattering in the Church after the apostasy in 1994 (who otherwise would not have been given such opportunity and blessing).

Mocking continues:
Sadly, the world, and even the Church that was scattered, is unaware that God’s Church fasted for them and has been praying for them. God is answering those prayers by extending the time before the Second Trumpet sounds and actual massive physical destruction begins in the United States. With this change of timing for the Second Trumpet and with the change of timing that occurred in the revelation of the “50 Truth” to God’s people, all others who are without this knowledge or that are unbelieving of such matters often turn to mocking that which they do not see.

We understand the inability of people to “see” what God is doing during the timing of this First Trumpet, so we recognize the need to endure more ridicule and skepticism for a longer period of time. It really doesn’t matter that people don’t yet accept what is true, but what is important is that more of them can be saved through what is coming. Those who are saved through all this will one day be very thankful to God and to His Church for what they did on their behalf.

Foolishly there are those who are quick to find fault by saying we are wrong or that I am a false prophet since physical destruction did not come at a time I had previously stated. It is easy to see, that without the understanding of “why” some matters of timing have changed, that some would doubt or ridicule what is true. Yet the time for the final 3 1/2 years has not changed at all. We are in it! We are in the countdown before the actual day Jesus Christ returns to this earth as King of kings. There are those who unwittingly and ignorantly seem to wish that destruction was already occurring and that great suffering was already here. But that will come soon enough!

Many do not “get it” concerning the title of the last book that was published. It is 2008 – God’s Final Witness. That was the final and the last year for a witness to be given to mankind at the end of 6,000 years of man’s self-rule. At the end of 2008, the final 3 1/2 years commenced. Mankind has already received his last warning and it was God’s final witness.

Before the Second Trumpet is blown, God is giving more time for people to be humbled before actual physical destruction begins on a massive scale (whereby more can be saved). Rather than physical destruction beginning immediately, more people can actually be brought to humility through the prolonged process we are now experiencing, which will then be followed by massive physical destruction.

It is Ronald Weinland and his followers that don’t get it. They remain delusional. Their fasting did not lessen physical effects of the Great Tribulation, for it had not began on December 14, 2008 as Ronald Weinland claimed.

Furthermore, notice the backpedalling that Ronald Weinland is now engaging in. He is implying that the Bible does not refer to this final 3 1/2 year time period as “the great tribulation”, yet notice that this is exactly what one of his other website’s calls it:

1260 Days: The blowing of the first Trumpet will occur/occurred on the 14th of December, 2008. This is the beginning of the Great Tribulation and 3 1/2 years until the return of Jesus Christ on the day of Pentecost. The beginning of the fall of the USA and other Israelite countries begins from the start of the 1260 days (FAQ–Timeline Questions Answered. viewed 2/25/09).

Even in his sermon two weeks ago, Ronald Weinland claims it is the great tribulation:

We’re not calling it the great tribulation, it is the great tribulation, but it is not great, yet…We do set dates (Weinland R. Our Commission, Pt. 3. Sermon, February 21, 2009).

Also his book stated:

Therefore, on this last day of the three and one-half years of great tribulation, God will intervene in the affairs of all mankind, thus, saving mankind from destroying himself (Weinland R. 2008: God’s Final Witness, p. 129).

Cannot Ronald Weinland’s followers see the obvious contradictions here?

Ronald Weinland clearly claimed that the Great Tribulation began on December 14, 2008, now is trying to teach that the Great Tribulation has not yet began, but that “the final 3 1/2 years” started last year. He and his followers are ignoring reality and apparently overlooking these blatant contradictions. Perhaps I should point out that the Bible does not use his newly adopted expression “the final 3 1/2 years”, though it does use the term “great tribulation” (Matthew 24:21).

While we could be at the time that Jesus referred to as “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8, for more details see also Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011?), the persecution that is to occur between that (vs. 9) and the Great Tribulation (vs. 21) in Matthew 24 did not happen (see also Persecutions by Church and State). Thus, it is NOT possible that the 1260 days which starts with the Great Tribulation began when Ronald Weinland claimed that it did–despite the fact that he wants to indicate that it is not “great” yet.

While Ronald Weinland wishes to call his critics “mockers”, I remain committed to telling people to compare his false claims with the Bible. I have been doing this for over three years now, and in every case have been correct and he has been wrong. What kind of “prophet and witness” does that make him (cf. Deuteronomy 18:21-22)?

Contrary to his “more time for repentance” angle, the Jesus was clear that massive physical signs are supposed to be occurring during the Great Tribulation:

21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matthew 24:20-21).

17 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19 For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days (Mark 13:17-20).

23…For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (Luke 21:23-24).

This is simply NOT the case now. The world economic crisis is still not as bad as during the Great Depression. Nor have many other outwardly required signs become evident. Furthermore, Jerusalem is specifically to be trampled by Gentiles for 1260 days (42 months, Revelation 11:2), and this has not happened.

Notice also what is supposed to have happened to Christians during this 3 1/2 years (which is a time, times, and half a time) according to the Bible:

23…’The fourth beast shall be
A fourth kingdom on earth,
Which shall be different from all other kingdoms, And shall devour the whole earth, Trample it and break it in pieces. 24 The ten horns are ten kings
Who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first ones, And shall subdue three kings. 25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand
For a time and times and half a time (Daniel 7:23-25).

14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:13-17).

Christians have not fled (to learn possibly where, please see There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra), nor have the rest of the saints been given into the hand of the Beast power under Satan. The beast power in Daniel 7:23-25 has not yet even arisen up yet, hence this is NOT the Great Tribulation.

The Great Tribulation has not began. Ronald Weinland and his followers remain delusional. Hopefully they will open their eyes and compare what Ronald Weinland claims against what the Bible really teaches–sooner than later.

There seems to be another twist and change in Ronald Weinland’s latest letter, so here is more from it:

Today’s predominating and sustaining financial system that the global economy has been woven from originated in the United States and it is now coming unraveled! There is no mending that will save it. It is doomed to complete destruction. That is prophetic and the truth of it is from God. Such a system cannot stand because it is against the laws of God. Yet the world has established itself upon this false Babylonish System, whether they know it or not. Initially, some nations believed they were immune from what has been happening in the collapsing global economy originating out of the United States, but they are quickly learning that they are very deeply tied into it. They are now finding just how attached they really are. Through time, they have become part of the same Babylonish System.

We are witnessing the collapse of the United States, followed by the complete collapse of all governments of mankind. It has already begun. Nothing can change the course of what is happening. The merchants of the earth are beginning to mourn for what they see collapsing before them.

In the past, Ronald Weinland (correctly on this one point) seemed to teach that the revived European power was to be Babylon (Weinland R. 2008: God’s Final Witness, p. 137). Now (presumably because there is no European beast power yet), he is indicating that the financial system of the United States is Babylon (Revelation 18:2-19). This is yet another, not to subtle, change that he is trying to foist upon his followers so that they will feel that he may be right.

He is not.

While Ronald Weinland has not yet claimed that Barack Obama is the Beast, this could possibly be coming next as if the USA is Babylon than its leader would seem to have to fulfill that role. And while some feel that Barack Obama is, that simply is not the case (see also Prophecies of Barack Obama?).

Followers of Ronald Weinland need to ask themselves if the USA is the prophesied Babylon (Revelation 18:4), who do they claim that the Beast now is as the Beast must exist for the entire final 3 1/2 years (Daniel 7:23-25)?

The Great Tribulation is coming, and the United States will be destroyed–probably next decade. However, people should not believe any who claim that the final 3 1/2 years and the Great Tribulation has already began.

While we are in economically challenging times, it is disgraceful that Ronald Weinland is taking advantage of people’s fears instead of teaching what the Bible teaches. Ronald Weinland sadly is fulfilling the following prophecy:

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

While Bible prophecy is being fulfilled, Ronald Weinland is a false prophet and is causing many to blaspheme the way of truth. No one should heed his false explanations.

Some articles of related interest may include:

Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up and that the end will come in 2008. Is he a false prophet? He has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the COG.
Why Prophecy? Because the World Will Not End Next Week Some question or downplay the role of prophecy. This article gives some of the biblical reasons what it is important and explains why the world cannot end for at least 3 1/2 years from now.
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”? What is ahead for Europe?
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
Who Are The Two Witnesses? What is their job? What does the Bible reveal? What has the Church of God taught on this subject? Might even Roman Catholic prophecies give some clues here?
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse What is the Book of Revelation trying to tell us about them? Does the first one deceive many?
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.