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01/20/06 a.m. Is CGPFK's Ronald Weinland one of the two witnesses? Well let's see what he says about that.

I wrote and asked:

Dear Ronald Weinland: 

It has come to my attention that several over the internet are reporting that you now claim to be one of the two witnesses of the Book of Revelation.  While I know you claim to be a prophet, I have seen nothing in your literature that suggests to me that you make that claim. 

Do you now claim to be one of the two witnesses?

This morning, I received this reply:

Yes I do make the claim. I am one of the witnesses. The subject is already covered in sermons on our website and will be covered far more thoroughly in a new book that will be out before next Feast of Tabernacles.  

Ron Weinland

Then I sent him this message:

Thank you for your response.  I would suggest that you consider changing an article that you have online as it seems to contradict that:

The job of witnessing has been set aside for "two" to accomplish by the power of God. No church organization is going to do it, and no individual is going to be able to set himself up as God's apostle to do it. It is for the "two" who are yet to be sent by God.

So today we find that the witness some organizations believe they are doing is actually a witness that God already did during Philadelphia. According to prophecy, the only great witness that remains is the one God will do through His two witnesses at the very end (Weinland Ronald. Time is Running Out. Copyright © the CHURCH OF GOD-PKG. 2005).

First it was Gerald Flurry claiming to be a prophet, then many other titles. Then Ronald Weinland claimed to be a prophet. Then David Pack claimed to be an apostle. Now Ronald Weinland claims to be one of the two witnesses. Astounding.

As regular readers of this page most likely understand, I do not consider that Ronald Weinland is a true prophet or one of the two witnesses (nor do I accept Gerald Flurry or David Pack's self-proclaimed titles). More on Ronald Weinland and his church are at the following link Brief Article on Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom.

Last night, SDA Samuele Bacchiocchi sent an email stating the following:

A responsible interpretation of Revelation seeks to understand first of all how the prophetic messages were understood by the original readers and listeners during the church service. We must not forget that John wrote "the Revelation of Jesus Christ" to encourage, warn, and rebuke seven real congregations in Asia Minor. Shortly we shall see that Christians were promised a blessing for reading, listening, and obeying the messages of the book.

Until recent years, Adventist writers, evangelists, and pastors have largely ignored the political, social, and religious world of the book of Revelation.

I agree that historically Adventist writers have not understood the Book of Revelation. This is somewhat discussed in the article Two Horned Beast of Revelation. The COG is NOT part of the Seventh Day Adventists. This article explains a prophetic difference, as well as a difference in approaching doctrine.

Samuele Bacchiocchi also wrote:

For Muslims the biblical teaching that Christ is the Son of God is blasphemous. "They do blaspheme who say: God is one of three in a Trinity, for there is no God except One God" (Surah 5:76). Islam's teaching of the absolute Oneness of God stems from their believe that God is "far above" and beyond any intimate relationship. He lives in solitary aloofness. Such a teaching derives from gnostic sects that lived in Saudi Arabia at the time of Muhammad. By contrast, the God of the Bible consists of three Beings who live in eternal fellowship. He is both transcendent and immanent, beyond and within His creation.

There is no divine provision of salvation in Islam. Muslim earn salvation through religious rituals like praying, fasting, alms-giving, and pilgrimage to the Mecca. Allah is a fearful god who requires total submission to his rules and rituals. For example, if a Muslim doesn't pray to Allah daily, he will have to fulfill the missed duties in hell before going to heaven. Muslims worship Allah out of fear of punishment on earth and in heaven.

There is a striking similarity between Islam and Catholicism in their respective understanding of the importance of good works to earn salvation. Both in Catholicism and Islam salvation is the result of a combination of grace and works. In Catholicism, God's grace is infused into believers to enable them to do the necessary good works to merit salvation on the day of judgment.

On a similar vein in Islam salvation is a combination of Allah's grace and Muslims' works. On the Day of Judgment, if a Muslims good works outweigh their bad ones, and if Allah accept their good works, then they may be forgiven of all their sins and enter into Paradise. Therefore, Islam is a religion of salvation by works because it combines man's works with Allah's grace.

The Koranic Allah explicitly enjoins to slay the pagans, Jews, and Christians who do not embrace Islam. "When the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war). But if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity [become Moslem], then open the way for them." (Surah 9:5).

Such a coercive method of evangelism stands in stark contrast to the teachings of the biblical God to win men and women for His Kingdom by proclaiming to them the Good News of His saving grace through Christ's atoning sacrifice.

In all due respect to Dr. B., while I do not believe either of those faiths, there remains, however, an important difference between Islam and Catholicism. As a general rule, Roman Catholics worship idols and tend to be less diligent to live by their faith than those who claim Islam as their faith. Idolatry within the Roman Catholic and Orthodox faiths helped Islam grow centuries ago, and probably remains a factor even today.

The trinity, not being of biblical origin, is one major doctrine I have seen Moslems point to as proof that Christianity is not biblical and did not properly preserve the Bible (when trinitarians cite I John 5:7-8 which is wrong in the KJV and NKJV, but is correct in the NIV)--more on the nature of God can be found in the article Binitarian View: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning.

I do agree with Dr. B that coercive evangelism has been practiced by the Catholics and Moslems, and that that is in contradiction to New Testament teachings, many of which can be found in the article Military Service and the COGs.

01/19/06 a.m. The December 2005 edition of UCG's World News & Prophecy arrived last week. It had this in an article by Darrell Keisel:

When we look at the economic health of the United States, the main thing many people look at is Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This is the total of all transactions of the goods and services of the United States. It is the broadest available picture of the country's economic growth.

As of Oct. 1, 2005, GDP has been positive for 16 consecutive quarters. That is four years in a row. While the GDP of other nations has struggled at times to remain positive, America's GDP keeps going forward...

Over the last several years of steady GDP growth, the manufacturing sector has been declining. The service sector has grown, but only sluggishly. And unemployment was up during some of these same quarters the GDP surged ahead.

So, how does the United States get the GDP to keep moving forward so well in spite of all this? As a friend of mine, a local bank president, says, "We are a great nation because we spend a lot of money." That's pretty much it in a nutshell.

Referring to growth after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, The Wall Street Journal said of the GDP expansion of July-September 2005, "Increased consumer and federal government spending contributed heavily to the increase" ("Economy Marks Solid Growth Despite Storms," Oct. 29, 2005).

First we need to realize that a product, let's say a microwave oven, could be made in China, shipped from California to Maine by a Mexican trucking company and sold in a Dutch-owned store, with each step in this process adding to America's GDP.

What has added most to GDP growth is the volume of foreign goods sold in America. As late as 1975 the country had a trade surplus of $9 billion. By 1980 that turned into a trade deficit of $24 billion. In 1995, the deficit soared to $150 billion; in 2000, to $436 billion; in 2003, to $532 billion; and in 2004, to $600 billion. This year, the deficit will be around $750 to 800 billion. Many economists believe that these trade deficit increases cannot continue without an eventual economic collapse.

The unique part is how America could make GDP grow so much without a corresponding increase in national productivity. In other words, how can the United States spend so much more money without Americans making more money? Good question.

In 2004 when the trade deficit was $600 billion, the U.S. government also overspent its budget by $400 billion. You could say the nation "lost" $1 trillion last year. And yet it seems to be going forward.

Spending other nations' money

What the United States is doing now is unique—financing its deficit by borrowing huge sums of other nations' money and spending it.

Remember when the United States used to have gold bullion sitting in Fort Knox backing its currency? Those days are long gone. In fact, no major country has precious metals backing its currency today. Instead most countries today have either American treasury bills or European Union treasury bills backing their currency.

It's like you going down to the bank and buying a certificate of deposit. You buy a certificate of deposit with a maturity date and a specific amount of interest you will receive at the time of maturity. The issuer of the certificate of deposit meanwhile uses your money as it wishes until the due date. The U.S. government does the same thing, only on a much bigger scale...

U.S. household savings rates have been declining steadily for many years, but not until the April-June 2005 quarter have the savings rates gone negative. Savings for the third quarter dropped to a negative 1 percent of personal income. Many Americans have become dependent on "home equity loans," borrowing money on their biggest asset, their homes...

Unsustainable trend

The question is not whether this is a sustainable trend. Economists, government leaders and bankers know this has to be turned around. The question is how do you do it without a domino effect?

In a global economy, even seemingly small adjustments can lead to the "housing bubble" bursting or some other economic downturn that could make foreign investors fear the loss of their investments. Or if other nations find their money could make a better return somewhere else, that could be fatal to the U.S. economy.

Also in last week's weekly update, LCG put out a report that stated:

The US Economy: Is it Booming?  Monday, the US economic stability measure, The Dow Jones Industrial Average, surged past the 11,000 mark for the first time in 4.5 years. (USA Today, Jan. 10, 2006). Late last week, the latest US unemployment figures were released and proved to be the lowest rate in more than five years (Yahoo News, Jan. 5, 2006). These indicators combine to give many economists the “feeling” that the US economy is still sound, despite rising inflation, falling home sales, an exploding trade deficit and national debt, and rising energy costs. But are these recent events (Rising Dow and dropping unemployment) just an illusion of economic stability? Some sources are suggesting so. One source forecasts that 2006 will show the greatest devaluation of the American dollar in recent history, as well as unprecedented and unbridled inflation (Weiss, Safe Money Report, Jan. 2006). Our Bible tells us to WATCH, because the return of Christ will come as a Thief in the Night – when people least expect Him (I Thes. 5:2). Positive economic indicators in many Israelite-descended nations may continue for a time, but we must pray and watch so that we are not caught off guard like the Foolish Virgins of Matthew 25. 

Both COGs have this right. The US economy appears to be booming in many places, but it is in much worse fundamental condition than most still realize. The US economy is being set up for a major fall. And this is because of sins--LCG's latest available TW is America's Moral Meltdown and information on it is also available at my News of the Living Church of God page.

01/18/06 a.m. In the January 2006 edition of WCG Today Michael Morrison wrote:

How far are we from “complete unity”? A long way, I fear. There are deep-rooted divisions in the Christian churches, mutual accusations that have endured for centuries and are only gradually being addressed.

There are still many churches that will not share communion with people in other denominations.

How ironic! The Apostle’s Creed, which most Christians accept as valid, says: “I believe in … the communion of saints.” This is talking about much more than sharing communion, but it surely includes that much—and yet many Christians refuse to do it. The prayer of Jesus is still waiting to be fulfilled.

In 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, Paul writes: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread” (King James Version).

Why WCG appeals to a creed not in the Bible shows that it has accepted Tradition above the Bible. WCG also has a tendency to stop before it gets to the part of scripture that challenges what it says. For example, verses 20-21 of I Corinthians 10 state:

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. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons ( NKJV).

While Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 states:

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
NKJV

WCG simply does not believe what the Bible teaches, and instead endorses lawlessness, like other non-COG groups. Two articles of related interest may be:

Attending the Church of Choice This article discusses whose choice is important to worship God; should you attend the church of your choice or the church of God's choice?
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it?

In another article WCG Today had these announcements:

Mat Morgan has been appointed as treasurer of the church. Bernie Schnippert, former treasurer, serves as general counsel for the church.

Vance Gilless, facilities director, transitioned to employment outside the church, and Mitchell Vasseur has assumed Vance’s duties as facilities director.

Ron Urwiller, church archivist, has left the employ of the church. Scott Wertz has assumed his duties.

Mike Arguien and Jerry Thornton of Computer Information Systems have left the employ of the church.

In other news, I noticed that a version of the Painful Truth website is back on-line. Historically it has been an anti-COG site mainly ran by atheists.

01/17/06 a.m. Gerald Flurry wrote this in the February 2006 issue of his Philadelphia Trumpet magazine:

Currently The Key of David ranks as the third-highest rated religion program in the United States. (However, our television program is really a news program with a religious base; we have to teach about world news and then show how it is fulfilling Bible prophecy.) This ranking doesn’t even include our worldwide television broadcast.

This did not seem true to me and according to Nielsen Media Research (THE ratings company for television), Gerald Flurry is not even in the top ten. Which, as of May 2005 (the last information I have seen) were:

#1—Joel Osten
#2—In Touch/ Stanley
#3—Ken Copeland (weekly and daily)
#4—Robert Schuller
#5—D James Kennedy
#6—700 Club
#7—Creflo Dollar
#8—Jack Van Impe
#9—Day of Discovery
#10—Life in the World/Joyce Meyers (weekly and daily)

Nielsen’s latest ratings sweep, back in November 2005, will not be made public until next month. Does Flurry know something Nielsen doesn’t? Or did he jump up in the July 2005 list? Or?

It does the COGs no good to exaggerate impact. Perhaps some day PCG will explain how they are somehow #3, when Nielson does not have them in the top ten.

I know that LCG averaged over 2,000 respondents (people calling in as a result of watching its telecast) per week. In that same article, Gerald Flurry suggests a greater television impact than HWA by picking the year that HWA got the least respondents and and attempts to build his impact compared to that. He, like RCG, uses percentages without actually stating numbers, which makes it hard to know PCG's actual impact.

On other matters, I rarely post much about COGaic (mostly just news items from COGaic). Yesterday, I decided to do some additional research. Peter Nathan, in an article titled What is Doctrine?, apparently published in the July 2003 edition of COGaic's Church of God News wrote:

The Church of God did have to put a statement of beliefs together for legal purposes. It takes up less than one sheet of paper and simply states:

The Church's central belief and doctrine is based on the righteousness of, and obedience to the law of God. That law is love. It is not human love. Human love cannot arise above the level of self-centredness. It must be the love of God, shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). This basic teaching includes, therefore, the development of the fruit of the Holy Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self control (Galatians 5:22-23). The teachings of the Church are derived from living by every word of God as revealed in the Holy Bible (Matthew 4:4).

The Bible is our statement of belief! We are to learn the lessons it teaches and apply them in our lives.

I reported about that about a year and a half ago, when I explained why I did not write much about COGaic and its doctrines.

After the above statement, the following is about the closest I have ever seen for COGaic to produce a doctrinal statement, and it was written by David Hulme in the December 2005 edition of Church of God News:

Now if we know where we are and why we are here; if we know what our spiritual identity is and what brought about the necessary existence of the Church of God, an International Community; and if we understand that a clear biblical structure and government is part of the Church's doctrinal understanding, then certain questions are easy for us to resolve.

• Do we vote within this form of government? No we do not.
• Do we do our utmost to encourage each other in pursuit of the kingdom of God? Clearly, we have no option.
• Do we read literature from other church groups that exist because they have different ideas? Why would we?
• Do we sporadically attend the meetings of other church organizations? No, because clearly understood identity convicts against doing that. (I have said that we welcome any who want to find out whether the Church of God, an International Community, will become their home. But we do not encourage confusion of identity of our own brethren by suggesting they go wherever they like each week.)
• Do we attend the Feast sites where our brethren of like doctrinal mind gather? Why would we go elsewhere?
• Do we seek mates who know nothing of God's way? The answer should be obvious.
• Do we deliberately go counter to ministerial counsel that is biblical? Surely not.

Understanding identity, government and structure - as a spiritual consequence of knowing God and being called into His family - should lead us to ask and easily answer many such questions.

My personal opinion is that David Hulme strongly believes that the Bible is true, but does not as strongly believe enough historically COG doctrines that he may not ever wish to change them.

01/16/06 a.m. It has been 20 years since Herbert W. Armstrong died (d. 01/16/86). Since the old Worldwide Church of God repudiated most of his biblical teachings, there have been many splits and small groups who have formed since his death. Most however, do not seem to understand the first changes that the Tkach administration made or that they are to hold fast to both the 18 truths and the priority of proclaiming the gospel.

Three articles that perhaps should be read now would be:

Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work?
Unity: Which COG for You?
Do You Believe God Used Herbert Armstrong to Raise Up the Philadelphia Era of the Church of God?
Did You Know What the First Changes the Tkach Administration Made?

The last article is mainly quotes and analysis of HWA's 12/17/83 sermon, Mission of the Philadelphia Church Era.

There are several websites listed at my COGlinks page which have most of the articles, booklets, etc., that HWA produced.

Since there are so many groups, the following is probably the largest list of articles on the main groups (or at least type of groups, as there are a few larger ones directly missing from it--specifically COGaic as they have little in the way of doctrinal literature--though that may change) that somehow descended from HWA's old WCG (plus I have included CG7, where HWA once attended):

There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is a short, but very helpful 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.
Church of God, Seventh Day Nearly all COG's I am aware of trace their history through this group. Do you know much about them?
Comments on the Teachings of Ron Wallen, Philip Neal, Kenneth W., GRUMPS, Jesse Arellano, and others who Profess(ed) that WCG has God's Authority Can one still believe what HWA used to teach and still be in WCG? This article addresses this important issue.
Independent Members of the COG: HWA Comments, Plus Questions and Answers What did HWA teach about being independent of the organized Church? Should independents who claim to accept HWA's teachings be part of LCG?
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God Simply calling oneself 'Philadelphia' does not make one so (see Revelation 3:7-9). This article provides quotes from this group which claims to be faithful.
In Their Own Words: Doctrinal Differences Between the old United Church of God and the old Global Church of God Older quotes from the leadership and some of the membership of these two organizations are included without added commentary (until the end and the 7/31/98 update) which highlighted some of the differences between them. This article basically documents the changes that occurred in UCG under now COGaic's David Hulme's leadership.
Beware, Doctrinal Compromise is in the Air! Discusses some doctrines that CGCF may have had to change in order to merge with United.
Teachings of the Christian Churches of God This group reject's the deity of Jesus and has other unusual teachings.
Why Not the Restored Church of God? This group claims to be the most faithful. The information in this article suggests otherwise.
It's Not Stedfast This is one of the newest groups to claim it is the most faithful, but like others has different priorities.
God's Church, Worldwide is another group to claim it is the most faithful, but like others has different priorities.
Intercontinental Church of God Garner Ted Armstrong's last group.
Teachings of the Church of God, International This article focuses on where CGI differs from the old WCG.
Teachings and Practices of Legacy Institute Works mainly in Asia.
Church of God, Southern California This article discusses some of how David Antion's group differs from the old WCG.
Church of God Outreach Ministries This was a CGI spin-off who says it is not a church.
Teachings of the Christian Churches of God This group reject's the deity of Jesus and has other unusual teachings.
Teachings of Triumph Prophetic Ministries W. Dankenbring's ministry--speculates on various dates.
Brief Article on Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom This is Ronald Weinland's apparent group.
Worldwide Assembly of Yahweh This is what I'd call a sacred name group.
Church of God, In Truth This is what I'd call a calendar group.
Church of the Great God This group says the bride must first be made ready. Might this lead to a selfish bride?
Christian Educational Ministries Ron Dart's confederation (not a church).
Christian Renewal Ministries International They teach Hebrew.
Christian Biblical Church of God Fred Coulter's group--they tend to support conspiracy theories and calendar issues.

Anyway, as far as I have been able to tell, the Living Church of God is the only COG that teaches all of the 18 truths that HWA claimed God had him restore to the Philadelphia era of the Church of God AND who also places its top priority on proclaiming the gospel to the world as a witness.

HWA's legacy is that God used him to raise up the Philadelphia era/portion of the COG, that LCG is the main remnant of that era, and that after he died, people decided (that is what Laodicea means) what was more important than keeping the 18 truths and proclaiming the gospel. Of course, not all other non-LCG COG groups/individuals are Laodicean--some seem to be part of Thyatira, some Sardis, some not really in any real COG, and others still confused.

For those without (and even with) a COG background, the article The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert Armstrong may be of interest. This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the COG is NOT Protestant.

01/15/06 a.m. I have noticed almost every month that a few have come to the www.cogwriter.com site looking for information on Ronald Weinland. So, today I decided to combine information I put in the Elijah Heresies article, as well as from his group's website, into an article titled Brief Article on Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom

If any one you have any attendance or other statistical information on this probably extremely small group, please contact me. COGwriter@multiz.com.

LCG's Douglas Winnail reported:

Finance and Media: The 2005 income is coming in at about 6.7% above last year.  The budgeted income was 6.5%, so that is good news.  Responses to last week’s TV program, “Restoring Apostolic Christianity” presented by Mr. Meredith are expected to exceed 2,000.  The New Orleans TV station WHNO has resumed broadcasting after their technical facilities and office complexes were virtually destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, so Tomorrow’s World is once again being aired again on WHNO.  This week the Editorial Department is finishing production of the January-February LCN.  Production will begin next week for the March-April issue of the TW. 

This income increase is especially impressive considering events in 2005 such as Brookfield, Hurricane Katrina, etc.

On other matters, the following is from a sermonette I gave yesterday:

Do Humans Possess Immortality?

Not according to Theophilus.

Here is some of what he wrote about immortality:

When thou shalt have put off the mortal, and put on incorruption, then shall thou see God worthily. For God will raise thy flesh immortal with thy soul; and then, having become immortal, thou shalt see the Immortal, if now you believe on Him; and then you shall know that you have. spoken unjustly against Him (Theophilus of Antioch. To Autolycus, Book 1, Chapter VI. Translated by Marcus Dods, A.M. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 2. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885
Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

For if He had made him immortal from the beginning, He would have made him God...so that if he should incline to the things of immortality, keeping the commandment of God, he should receive as reward from Him immortality, and should become God...For God has given us a law and holy commandments; and every one who keeps these can be saved, and, obtaining the resurrection, can inherit incorruption (Theophilus of Antioch. To Autolycus, Book 2, Chapter XXVII. Translated by Marcus Dods, A.M. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 2. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

But God at least, the Father and Creator of the universe did not abandon mankind, but gave a law, and sent holy prophets to declare and teach the race of men, that each one of us might awake and understand that there is one God. And they also taught us to refrain from unlawful idolatry, and adultery, and murder, fornication, theft, avarice, false swearing, wrath, and every incontinence and uncleanness; and that whatever a man would not wish to be done to himself, he should not do to another; and thus he who acts righteously shall escape the eternal punishments, and be thought worthy of the eternal life from God (Theophilus of Antioch. To Autolycus, Book 2, Chapter XXXIV. Translated by Marcus Dods, A.M. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 2. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

Theophilus basically argues that humans are not immortal, but become God when they are immortal. While that is the Church of God (COG) teaching, this is not a position held that way by the Roman Catholic Church, even though it considers Theophilus to have been a bishop. Although the Orthodox Church does teach that Christians are to be God, they seem to teach that humans are currently immortal, hence they are differing from one of their early saints and patriarchs.

So, there now is a new article titled Theophilus of Antioch. Theophilus, though listed among the Patriarch's of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch, had several views more supportive of the COGs than the Orthodox church.

01/14/06 a.m. Last night, ICG's Mark Armstrong reported:

I’m sure all of you are aware of the political disarray in Israel now as a result of the failing health of Prime Minister Sharon.  Benjamin Netanyahu appears to be a likely candidate to succeed Mr. Sharon, and he has tended to be considerably more hawkish in his positions regarding the relinquishing of territory for the formation of a Palestinian state, and more urgently regarding Iran’s rush to acquire nuclear weapons.  A recent article carried on Worldnetdaily reports that 65 percent of Palestinians are in favor of al-Qaida attacks against the U.S. and Europe.  Televised sermons by various Muslim religious leaders among the Palestinians feature prayers calling for the annihilation of all “infidels”.  A quote from a prayer included in one of those recent broadcasts reads, “Destroy the infidels and the polytheists!  Your (Allah’s) enemies are the enemies of the religion.  …Count them and kill them to the last one, and don’t leave even one.”  It looks clear what kind of “neighbor” Israel will have if the envisioned Palestinian state ever actually comes into existence.

The situation in the Middle East is much more radical than most in the US and other Western countries seem to realize.

Amazingly, UCG announced the following yesterday:

Biblical Tour of Turkey: Description & Registration Information...
We are pleased to announce the custom-designed 2006 Feast of Tabernacles Tour in Turkey. This opportunity to visit a treasure chest of ancient ruins will begin in Istanbul, followed by a flight to Izmir (formerly known as Smyrna), where we will begin our tour of six of the seven churches of Revelation. We hope you can join your United Church of God friends and family for this spiritual journey through the land so familiar to John and Paul. It is sure to inspire you.

This announcement is amazing to me because my wife and I have been discussing doing a similar trip this Spring, though because of the fact that the bird flu is in Turkey, I am not sure if we will--but we still might. We visited Ephesus (also in Turkey) last year and have been to Izmir (Smyrna) and Pergamon (Pergamos) before. If we do go, I kope to visit the Church of Policarp (Turkish Anglicized spelling) as well possibly Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

On other matters, a reader of this page wrote:

As mentioned previously, I posted comments forwarded to others by UCG's Don Hooser. I myself have not seen this particular show. The old post (and other news) is available below. If I hear positive comments from others, I might tape it, but at this time will hold off.

Click here for previous news

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