Church of God News

January 2014 edition of the Bible News Prophecy magazine denounced Mark Biltz’s blood moon views

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Though World Net Daily often has items of interest, it has a history of promoting false prophets.

Earlier this week, it pushed Jonathan Cahn again. Cahn is a Messianic Jew who has repeatedly been wrong about blood moons, Shemitah years, and other matters (e.g. ‘Warning Signs of America’s Destruction – Jonathan Cahn’).

Now, World Net Daily is calling a Protestant minister, who I have denounced here multiple times, Mark Biltz a biblical expert:

Biblical expert: Solar eclipse to mark ‘beginning of judgment upon America’

April’s total darkness will be ‘a uniquely powerful sign from God,’ says author-pastor

February 19, 2024

ISRAEL – An unusual total solar eclipse that will traverse North America in April has some biblical experts pointing to a deeper significance of the event, especially in light of today’s extremely unsettled times.

With a deep understanding of classical Jewish and Christian sources, Pastor Mark Biltz of El Shaddai Ministries is sharing his insights into the upcoming solar eclipse that will take place on Monday, April 8, 2024. …

“From a biblical point of view, a solar eclipse is meant to be a sign from God,” said Biltz, …

“If you refer to NASA’s data, there’s been a total of 12,000 total solar eclipses all over the world listed over a 5,000-year time period,” said Biltz. …

Pastor Biltz was puzzled by the appearance of four blood moons in 2014-2015. If the celestial events were signs, what did the blood moons signify? In an epiphany, he realized that the celestial signs were part of a much larger cycle based in the Hebrew calendar. The Hebrew year that began on Rosh Hashanah in September 2014 marked the beginning of a seven-year Shemitah (sabbatical) cycle.

“This is not a random seven-year cycle,” Biltz emphasized. “Rosh Hashanah in 2014 marked the beginning of the Hebrew year 5775. The Shemittah years all go back to Creation. If you divide 5775 by 7, it is precisely 825. September 2014, or, more accurately, the first of Tishrei 5775, was the 825th Shemittah cycle since God created the world.”

After connecting the blood moons to the Shemitah cycle, Biltz realized they had prophetic significance: They came as a sign to herald war. …

Pastor Biltz noted the upcoming solar eclipse will take place on Rosh Chodesh Nisan, the new moon marking the beginning of the month which is referred to in the Bible as “the first month.”

“That is the very beginning of the religious calendar,” he said. …

“The first of Nisan has a huge biblical meaning. It’s the beginning. And just like it’s the beginning of the inauguration of the tabernacle, I believe it’s going to be the beginning of judgment upon America.” https://www.wnd.com/2024/02/biblical-expert-solar-eclipse-mark-beginning-judgment-upon-america/

The fact of 12,000 total solar eclipses suggests that they, each, are not a sign of God’s judgment.

Mark Biltz’s comments are partially based on his accepting that the Hebrew year 5775 was right in 2014–it was not. The Jews realize that year is off by 200 years (see Could God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?)! Therefore, basing a calculation on something that is wrong does not lead to the right answer.

That said, the USA and many other lands are doing things to trigger God’s judgment, particularly the sexually immoral, including, but not limited to, the LGBTQ+ crowd per Romans 1:18-32. But that is NOT related to the upcoming solar eclipse.

Years ago, I denounced the view that the ‘blood moons’ of 2014 and 2015 could mean that Jesus would return or that the ‘Day of the Lord’ was about to start. This was something that Mark Biltz (who, like Jonathan Cahn, also practices Messianic Judaism) started promoting back in 2008–but he was wrong.

Mark Biltz and WND promoted falsehoods related to the eclipse of August 21, 2017 (see ‘Blood moon’ Mark Biltz claims massive eclipse a sign of God and Mark Biltz on the approaching Asteroid Apophis and the August 21, 2017 solar eclipse).

Both Mark Biltz, Jonathan Cahn, and WND’s founder Joseph Farah consider themselves to be ‘Messianic Jews.’ While this means that they will avoid biblically unclean meats, keep the Sabbath, observe the biblical holy days, and hold to parts of a few Church of God doctrines, the Messianics are NOT Church of God Christians (see also Messianic Judaism Beliefs Differ from the Continuing Church of God). Like the Seventh-day Adventists, they are basically a type of Protestant.

No, none of that is right. 2029 is simply too early for Jesus to be able to return by then (see also When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2024, 2025, or 2026?).

Because there are many false and heretical leaders that lead people astray on prophecy and sometimes they mention the Bible to try to act like God sanctions their nonsense, they should be denounced as false.

While that has been appropriate for those I have denounced, sadly most end time Christians have been self-satisfied and/or relied on the dismissal of others to overlook what God’s word says God would be doing at this time related to prophets.

Norman Edwards, a former employee of the old WCG and later a former board member of the old Global Church of God, wrote the following:

There are over 40 separate passages about prophets and their prophecies in the New Testament—so many that one might easily get tired of reading them! … If we want God to show us what will happen in the future, we need to “desire earnestly to prophesy” (1 Cor 14:39). It is a New Testament teaching we must not ignore! …

Do people today have faith that God is able to prophecy through people …?

1Jo 4:1-2 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,

Note: If there were no true prophets, there would be no need to “test the spirits”—because every prophet would be a “false prophet”. But because there are both true prophets and false prophets, we need to “test the spirits”. (Edwards N. Need Prophets More than Prophecy. Shepherd’s Voice, Fall 2013)

Two Wrongs Do Not Make a Right …

Simply because some congregations that promote “spiritual gifts” do not follow all the scriptural teaching on it, does not mean that dedicated believers can abandon these vital gifts. It becomes all the more important for godly people to do it right. The number of false prophets compared to the number of true prophets does not matter. Elijah went up against 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah. The power of God destroyed all the false prophets (1 Kings 18:17-40). (Edwards N. Spiritual Oomph! Shepherd’s Voice, Fall 2015, pp. 11-12)

Basically, Norman Edwards is saying that the New Testament does tell of prophets, and that even though there can be vast multitudes of false prophets, that those who will really be the most faithful will listen to God’s prophet(s). Jesus Himself also warned in His parable of the talents that some would not support the work for fear of mistakes, and Jesus condemned the one who was afraid to do what should have been done (Matthew 25:24-30).

TWO WRONGS DO NOT MAKE A RIGHT!

The existence of false prophets does NOT excuse not supporting a real one.

Consider that the Book of Proverbs warns:

16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly. (Proverbs 26:16)

Now, most end time Christians do not believe that they are lazy, but wise.

Yet, they overlook evidence because they are uncomfortable with the idea that there could now be a prophet that they should heed.

It is NOT safer to reject a true prophet because there are many false ones.

Back in 1986, then WCG evangelist L. Leroy Neff (now deceased) wrote a lot about how to identify a true prophet as well as what is not required:

“How can you tell the impostor from the true servant of God? The answer will probably be quite surprising to many people because they are using an unscriptural basis for evaluation” …

What are the credentials?

Some people would look to a prophet’s or minister’s credentials. He would be accepted if he were educated at a recognized theological institution. Others would look for a minister’s popularity, his charisma, his personality or his speaking ability.

But the Scriptures show that God’s servants have sometimes not had these qualities or credentials. They were not graduates of the recognized theological institutions of their day. Moses had trouble speaking in public (Exodus 4: 10). Jeremiah was “too young” (Jeremiah 1:6). Paul lacked certain speech abilities (I Corinthians 2: 1, II Corinthians 10:10). Even Jesus Himself had no outstanding personal characteristics that set Him apart from others, as the religious leaders had to pay Judas to point Him (Matthew 26:47-49).

Some would expect to find a true minister or prophet in a large and beautiful church building. Yet, during the history of the early Church, there is no mention of church buildings. Instead we read that the Church was not a building at all, but the people who were called out of this world to become the Church. The people (the Church) met in various buildings, sometimes in Church members’ homes (Romans 16:5, I Corinthians 16:19, Philemon 2). Paul preached for two years while under house arrest in rented facilities. He probably had both living quarters and a meeting hall of some kind (Acts 28:30-31).

Jesus said His followers would not be many in number, but would be comparatively few: “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). (Neff LL. Imposter–or–True Prophet — Which? Good News, December 1986, pp. 10-11)

A true prophet would not need to be from a major theological institution, have the most magnanimous personality, be charismatic, or have a necessarily impressive Church. He also does not have to have had a ministerial background. Nor does the prophet even, like apparently the Apostle Paul per 2 Corinthians 10:10 and 11:6 or Moses per Exodus 4:10 or Jeremiah per Jeremiah 1:6, need to be a great speaker. God chooses who His prophets are.

The Apostle Peter stated:

17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. (Acts 2:17-18)

Are these the last days?

If so, God should be using dreams and prophets.

Do you believe that?

All should REALLY pay attention to the Bible.

The apostles were confirmed by signs that followed them (Mark 16:20) and there have been signs that have confirmed the leadership of the Continuing Church of God. And the old Radio/Worldwide Church of God pointed to a dream that preceded its formation in becoming the group to originally hold the Philadelphia mantle.

Now those of you who believe the Bible and accept that there is such a thing as “church eras,” pray and think about what I am going to write related to Philadelphia and Laodicea.

First of all, Jesus only promises to protect the Philadelphian Christians from the hour of trial, also called the ‘great tribulation’ (Revelation 3:7-10):

7“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Notice Jesus praises the work of the Philadelphians, as well as the fact they have kept His word and not denied His name. This is partially-related to Philadelphians accepting true hierarchical church governance — that is something most end time Christians do not fully accept, even though some think that they do. More on that can found in the article: The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government.

Now let’s see what Jesus said to the Laodicean churches — plural:

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— 18I 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. (Revelation 3:14-20)

Laodiceans are the bulk of end time Christians–not only are they NOT promised protection from what is coming, they are admonished by Jesus to repent. Yet, they feel that they are in need of nothing–which, in the case, includes the need to believe and heed any who claim to be a prophet.

Therefore, and this is the main point of my bringing church eras into this, IT WILL NOT BE CLEAR TO MOST END TIME CHRISTIANS THAT GOD HAS A PROPHET (OR PROPHETS) AND THAT THEY NEED TO HEED HIM WHEN HE GIVES THE MESSAGES THAT GOD WANTS GIVEN.

If so, all would know to flee when it is time and the Bible is clear that not all Christians would flee.

Notice that only some end time Christians, the most faithful will be persecuted then flee, whereas others will not flee and will be then persecuted by Satan:

13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 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. 16But 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)

Since the time to flee will not be clear to the non-Philiadelphians, do not rely on the criteria that most end time Christians have for a true prophet.

Now the Bible says that God appoints prophets in 1 Corinthians 12:28.

How would God put in a prophet that He knew most end time Christians would not heed?

Have you ever thought about that?

Recall that Jesus says He is knocking, yet the Laodiceans were not listening.

The Bible teaches:

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)

Isn’t that something a 21st century prophet would be doing?

Consider that multiple thousands of Church of God members, including the ministry, have heard warnings from places such as the COGwriter Church of God News page. Yet, the vast majority have failed to sufficiently respond to Jesus’ words about being Laodicean or what I post on that as well as other theological and prophetic subjects.

Since Jesus pointed to the last church of Revelation 2 & 3 needing to repent, plus only promised the Philadelphian Christians protection from the coming hour of trial, plus we know from what the Apostle Peter said there would be prophets in the last days, and that the last generation Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24 would see the return of Jesus in the 21st century, how would God appoint a 21st century prophet?

Would He do some dramatic miracle to make it clear to all end time Christians?

No.

Jesus also refused to do a dramatic one on more than one ocassion when pressed to prove who He was (Matthew 12:38). He then said:

“An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign” (Matthew 12:39)

Laodiceans do not consider that they are evil, but clearly they are in an “evil and adulterous generation.”

A dramatic miracle is not what end time Christians should expect–but like some of the scribes & the Pharisees (Matthew 12:38-39), some of the crowd seeing Jesus dying (Matthew 27:39-40), as well as robbers executed with Jesus (Matthew 27:44), that is what Laodicean Christians seem to expect.

First Kings shows a series of dramatic things occurring, but that God was not speaking thru them, instead the Bible shows something else:

11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

But many have falsely persuaded themselves that they need a massive miracle or need to be moved emotionally by a charismatic speaker. But that is not normally how God works.

If you go to the Old Testament, and read about the prophets, very few actually displayed any dramatic miracles. Most simply wrote and preached a few things.

Have you considered whether you have have heeded any without dramatic miracles back in Old Testament times?

Jesus pointed to religious leaders who THOUGHT they would have heeded, but He knew that they would not have (Matthew 23:29-32).

If YOU think you are different than them, can you accept what the word of God says abut how God appoints prophets:

5 Then the Lord came down in the pillar of cloud and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam. And they both went forward. 6 Then He said,

“Hear now My words:
If there is a prophet among you,
I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision;
I speak to him in a dream. (Numbers 12:5-6)

Notice that the above says that God’s plan is that He will speak to His prophets in a dream. That is a major way that God appoints prophets. God does not say rely on an organization to declare one.

Interestingly, the old Radio and Worldwide Church of God taught that God used dreams and would in the last days (see Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God), yet most in the COGs today seem not to accept that.

Jesus said that a true prophet will basically self-declare:

40 “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. (Matthew 10:40-41)

Yes, if you can accept a true prophet who declares he is a prophet, yes, you can get the reward of a prophet.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary states:

in the name of a prophet—for his office’s sake …

shall receive a prophet’s reward—What an encouragement to those who are not prophets!

Yes, that should be encouraging.

Yet, throughout history, people said bad things about God’s prophets (e.g. Jeremiah 43:1-7).

Jesus said:

11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)

Many once nominally part of the COG (e.g. see Banned by HWA and Ambassador Watch) as well as many inside still claiming to be have said false and evil things against me (e.g. see Can Christians Actually be Cursed By Witches or Witch Doctors?).

Do not accept false prophets. Do not, however, believe it is safer to not accept God’s criteria for prophets.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21, KJV)

The Apostle John added “test the spirits, whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1).

Have you proven ALL THINGS related to a prophet? Or are you more like one who despises the idea that God really has one or more prophets in place today?

According to the Bible, you should prove/test these matters.

Although Jesus gave many signs (John 2:11; 6:2, 26; 7:31; 9:16; 11:47; 12:37), the people apparently wanted different ones:

37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:

“Lord, who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” (John 12:37-38)

Jesus denounced those who wanted different signs from Him (Matthew 12:38-39). Non-Philadelphians are unwilling to accept God’s signs–that’s the biblical reality. God does not always show signs the way many seem to think He has to.

Jesus also said:

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. (Matthew 7:15-20)

So, what are the fruits?

Good trees produce a lot of fruit. Jesus also said:

16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit … (John 15:16)

20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred. (Mark 4:20)

Deuteronomy 7:13 also refers to people as the fruit of the womb, as does Psalm 127:3.

If fruits can be defined as people in the Church of God, then CCOG has those.

Anyway, the only x-WCG group to add over 9,000 congregants in the past eleven years is the Continuing Church of God which began with 5 people on December 28, 2012.

As far as other fruits go, Deuteronomy 18:21-22 stated, if a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, he must be right or he is not from God.

But it is not just enough that the prophet be right not to be false. Notice also the following:

1″If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’ — which you have not known — ‘and let us serve them,’ 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. (Deuteronomy 13:1-4)

So, if the prophet does not keep and advocate keeping God’s commandments, he is also false.

Thus, another fruit of a true prophet is that he advocates that people keep God’s commandments.

I have done many sermons and articles related to the Ten Commandments. Here are some:

The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast This is a free pdf book explaining the what the Ten Commandments are, where they came from, how early professors of Christ viewed them, and how various ones, including the Beast of Revelation, will oppose them. A related sermon is titled: The Ten Commandments and the Beast of Revelation.
FIRST COMMANDMENT: Priorities and the Most Broken Commandment Which commandment is broken the most? Which one is most involved with what should be your top priority? Here is a link to a related sermon: The Most Violated Commandment and Priorities.
SECOND COMMANDMENT: What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did the early Church use icons? What was the position of Christians about such things? A related sermon is available: The Second Commandment, Idols, and Icons.
THIRD COMMANDMENT: Words Matter Are you obeying the Third Commandment? Are you sure? Could you be blaspheming with your euphemisms or life actions? Here is a link to a related sermon: Third Commandment Plus: Words Matter. Here is a link to a shorter video: Was Increased Cursing Prophesied?
FOURTH COMMANDMENT: The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church? Here is a link to a related sermon: Fourth Commandment: Saturday or Sunday?
FIFTH COMMANDMENT: Honor and Be Honorable The fifth commandment involves family relationships. Is it more than parents and children? What about love and ruling well your household? Here is a link to a related sermon: Honor Your Parents and Rule Honorably.
SIXTH COMMANDMENT: Anger, Murder, Abortion, Sports, Self-Control, & Kindness Is there more to the 6th commandment than not murdering? What about abortion, hate, and violent sports? What is the attitude real Christians should have? Here is a link to a related sermon:: Murder, anger, kindness, and love.
SEVENTH COMMANDMENT: Love and Faithfulness, Not Sexual Immorality The seventh commandment prohibits adultery. Jesus made it clear that it involved more than marital infiedlity. What about the LGBTQ+ movement and the Bible? Here is a link to a related video sermon: 7th Commandment: Love and Faithfulness.
EIGHTH COMMANDMENT: Give not take. The eighth commandment prohibits stealing. This includes thievery, not tithing, debasing currency, cheating, and many other wrong acts.
The Ten Commandments in Hebrew This is a photo of a Hebrew document from the 2nd century, B.C.
Were the Ten Commandments in Effect Before Mount Sinai? Some have said not. This article provides biblical quotes to answer this important question. A sermon of related interest is titled Were the Ten Commandments in Place prior to Mt. Sinai?
Job and the Ten Commandments Was Job written prior to Mount Sinai? Did Job know about the ten commandments? This article provides biblical answers to those questions.
What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments? This article quotes what Jesus actually said about them (His words are in red).
Were the Ten Commandments Nailed to the Cross? Some have said so. This article provides some biblical quotes to answer this important question. Here is a link to a related sermon: Were the Ten Commandments ‘Nailed to the Cross’?
What Did Paul Actually Teach About the Ten Commandments? Many say Paul taught against the ten commandments. Is this true? This article quotes Paul with his words in green.
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? A related sermon is titled Jesus, Pharisees, and the Ten Commandments.
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–and here is a link to a related article in Spanish: Los primeros cuatro mandamientos: Amar a Dios. 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 SAga‹ëT}f>y:r1ÿÝSÍ‹ëT}v„\1f/ª`vv„
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: Cause and Effect Is everything random? Why do things happen? Are there just two ways? Should Christians keep the ten commandments? A related sermon is also available: Cause and Effect: Two Trees, Two Ways.
Love and Who is My Brother? This is an article with 1/2 of the information from late CCOG deacon Richard Close. It talks about love, the ten commandments,and who are your brothers and sisters and neighbors. Here is a link a related sermon: Love Your Brother and Neighbor.
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 Bible reported that Elijah was a prophet (1 Kings 18:22). Jesus said in the last days, a coming Elijah would “restore all things” (Matthew 17:11). More things have been restored in the CCOG than other other church in the 21st century. For a list, check out the article: Continuing Church of God, Elijah, and Restoring All Things.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

27 Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:

“Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea,
The remnant will be saved.
28 For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness,
Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.” (Romans 9:27-28)

Unlike Paul’s statement about the fullness of the Gentiles, we see that only a remnant of Israel will be saved in this age.

But we also see hints that there will be a ‘short work.’

Here is something Herbert W. Armstrong wrote in a letter dated September 17, 1982:

It is written in Romans 9, concerning this very END TIME, “For he (Christ) will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth” (verse 28).

While we were not in the very end time then, we are much closer to it now. In a letter dated October 18, 1983 he wrote that he realized that the ‘short work’ was for the future:

I feel God will move swiftly soon to make a short work preparatory to Christ’s coming.

The short work most definitely involves preparation now (see also Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word). And an important part of the short work relates to the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14, which, in a sense, is cut short as it triggers the end coming:

14 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. (Matthew 24:14)

We in the CCOG have been working on the fulfillment of that. This is part of why more materials, literature, articles, books, booklets, and websites are being developed and/or added to. That is basically the purpose of our literature as well as getting our English language booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God, translated into over 1000 languages–we seem to have been the only COG to do that (see also Preaching the Gospel in Over 1000 Languages).

The Apostle Paul wrote:

13 … I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. (Romans 1:13)

So, Gentiles being called is a fruit for the Apostle Paul, who was also a prophet that had visions (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:1) and who wrote prophecies (e.g. 2 Thessalonians 2; see also 2 Peter 1:19-21).

He also said he warned Christians night and day about false leaders and false doctrine while teaching God’s ways:

27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. (Acts 20:27-31)

That is, in several ways, similar to the COGwriter Church of God News site which has articles day and night on doctrine, prophecy, and warnings about false teachers.

With that in mind, notice a prophecy Paul wrote that will be fulfilled in the 21st century:

25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (Romans 11:25)

Consider that according to Jesus, it is the Laodiceans that are wise in their own eyes (cf. Revelation 3:14-18)–and the bulk of the Laodicean Christians that do not properly accept the fulfillment Romans 11:25 as being necessary.

As far as the timing of Romans 11:25, continuing in the sequence we read:

26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:

“The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
27 For this is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.” (Romans 11:26-27)

So, in the sequence of Romans 11, we see the full number of the Gentiles will come into the faith (Romans 11:25), prior to Jesus’ return (Romans 11:26)–this is to happen in the 21st century.

The late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong, taught the following about Romans 11:25:

Now I want you to study carefully one of the most wonderful, important chapters in all the Bible — the 11th of Romans. … Verse 23 says those who abide not still in unbelief shall YET receive salvation. … Now study carefully beginning verse 25: “Blindness in part is happened to Israel [HOW LONG? Forever? No — note it], UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” — the end of this age during which God is calling a people from among the gentiles to bear His name (Acts 15:14).  (Armstrong HW. Where Will The MILLENNIUM Be Spent? Tomorrow’s Word magazine, September 1971, p. 5)

Where is this occurring most in the Churches of God?

Well in the CCOG where we have had over 9,000 Gentiles come in (see also What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?). Unlike various other x-WCG groups, the vast bulk with us were NOT once part of the old WCG nor were their parents part of the old WCG.

This is a fruit of a prophetic evangelist.

We have also not ignored the Ezekiel warning (see What is the Ezekiel Warning?) as, for one example, our free online book, Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America?, demonstrates.

Here is a brief summary list of fruits of a 21st century prophet:

Dream(s) from Gd that come to pass (Acts 2:17-18; see also Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?).
Anointed to receive a “double-portion” of God’s Spirit (cf. 2 Kings 2:9-13; see also How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God).
Being told by church leadership God may consider one to be a prophet (cf. Jeremiah 42:1-6) then them not following (Jeremiah 42:1-6, 43:1-2; see also Church of God Leaders on Prophets ).
Telling people the dreams and declaration of a prophet status (Jeremiah 23:28; see .also How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God).
Having predictions that came to pass (Deuteronomy 18:20-22; see also Church of God Leaders on Prophets).
Being ridiculed and spoken badly about (Matthew 5:11-12; e.g. see also Banned by HWA and Ambassador Watch).
Teaching truth night and day and warns against false teachers (Acts 20:27-31; see also Church of God News & News of Interest to those once affiliated with the Worldwide Church of God).
Not making false prophecies (Deuteronomy 18:20-22; see also Church of God Leaders on Prophets).
Promoting the Ten Commandments and the true faith (Deuteronomy 13:1-4; see also The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast).
Restoring doctrinal truth in the end times (Matthew 17:11; see also Continuing Church of God, Elijah, and Restoring All Things).
Preparing for the Short Work of Romans 9:28 and the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14 (see also Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word and Preaching the Gospel in Over 1000 Languages).
Reaching Gentiles (Romans 11:25; see also What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?).
Geting out the Ezekiel warning (Ezekiel chapters 3,5, & 6; see also Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America?)
Leading the fast growing x-WCG in the 21st century (Matthew 7:16; Mark 4:20).

Please accept the criteria that God, not some organization claiming to best represent Him, has set for determining who is a true prophet of God. Do not add non-biblical criteria, which is what most have done.

Accept God’s form of governance, which means how HE ordains leaders. Accept God’s criteria for a prophet.

We in the Continuing Church of God “have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19, KJV).

Use God’s criteria, not your emotions or the opinions of others, to persuade you to prove all things related to prophets and God’s use of dreams.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 20th, 2024 at 8:00 am and is filed under Prophecy.

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