Church of God News

Rebuilt Gymnasium in Sardis

COGwriter

CG7-Denver has just published something in its Sep-Oct 2010 Bible Advocate magazine allowing people to work on the Sabbath:

Q Please reiterate our position on the Sabbath.  If, due to the economy, a member who is a deacon takes a job requiring him to work late on Friday, but he still attends Sabbath day services, does God’s mercy allow him to continue as deacon? How would you handle this?…

A We’re no longer under old covenant law but under the new covenant of God’s grace (Rom. 6:15; Heb. 8:13)…Every believer must strive, out of love, to dedicate the glorious Sabbath to the Lord. When forced to work, he does not violate the law of love. He continues to love his Lord and His day, regretting that he cannot keep it as he wished. That’s completely different from one who mocks the commandment by working on Sabbath, even though he could keep it, and smugly says we are under grace. One who cannot attend Sabbath services obviously cannot hold an important church office, since he’s not aware of what goes on there. The deacon who is required to work in the dark hours of Sabbath to provide for his household is not wrong. He may continue to serve because he attends worship during the day when church activities take place and he knows what’s happening.

This is an outrage.  No one is being forced to violate the Sabbath, simply pressured.  We are all pressured to sin in many ways, but that does not make sin right.  It is still sin.

To try to reduce dissent from this outrageous response, CG7 had the following weasel words attached to the article:

Editor’s note: Not official policy, here is a respected pastor’s answer to a not uncommon problem in CoG7.

This is still an outrage.

People either have the faith that God will provide or they do not.

Those who knowingly violate the Sabbath simply do not have the faith.

Perhaps I should convey a related personal story.  When I was doing poorly financially struggling to get our business profitable, an opportunity came up for me to have a booth at a seminar on the Sabbath which would have likely resulted in noticeable financial benefits to our struggling business.  At the same time (around November 1994), the late J. Tkach had some article come out that essentially said that if you need to support your family it was okay to work on the Sabbath.

Yet the Bible says:

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.  (Exodus 20:8-11)

21 “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; in plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.  (Exodus 34:21)

There was more economic pressure for farmers during plowing and harvest time in the ancient days than there is for modern Westerners.  So, instead of listening to Tkach-accepted logic, I decided that it was an act of faith to not work on the Sabbath, but of course to work the other days.    I agreed with the Apostle Peter and others in Acts who faced persecuting pressure:

29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men…” (Acts 5:29)

Peter and the others were beaten then (Acts 5:40), but that and various threats did not stop them from obeying God (Acts 5:41).  They ignored being “forced” to disobey God.  And actual force was used against them.

Furthermore, the Book of Psalms clearly says:

25 I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. (Psalms 37:25)

My wife and I have faced various trials associated with keeping the Sabbath and Holy Days over the years (my wife was even fired for attending the Feast of Tabernacles from one company).  We have made it through, though it was not always easy.  We never had to beg for bread.  Jesus taught to pray to God for our daily bread (Matthew 6:11).  He did not teach to rely on carnal reasoning.

We knew that Jesus warned:

33…In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

So, the fact that it is not always easy to obey God does not justify disobedience.   Jesus taught that the way to life was difficult and few would find it (Matthew 7:14).

How does the Bible say that Christians are supposed to conduct their lives?  To compromise with the world?  Or to do something else?  Notice:

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:6-8)

3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’” And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.” And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.” It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience…9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience (Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, NIV).

Giving in to societal pressures in order to fulfill the carnal requirements of the flesh is not biblically sanctioned (cf. Romans 13:14).  Some believe God is faithful, while others look to their own understandings.   The Bible says to trust in God and not your own understandings (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Real Christians accept that God is faithful and do not compromise:

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.  (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)

There have been harder trials in the world than facing job loss in a Western society.  Almost no one actually starves in 21st century America/Europe, and if the “deacon” truly believed God, God would provide for him (and if not, likely the government) even if it does not seem so carnally (cf. Genesis 22:8).  Do he and others not realize that God is faithful?

Sadly, CG7 is encouraging people to look to their own carnal understandings and do what is right in their own eyes (cf. Proverbs 12:15; 21:2).

The Bible warns that the Sardis Church will lose what it has:

1″And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,

‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.  2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.  3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.  4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. (Revelation 3:1-4)

CG7-Denver keeps losing more and more of the truths it once had.

This latest published response (despite the weasel words that it was “not official policy”, when CG7’s policy was asked for) is an outrage that again confirms that CG7-Denver is at best part of Sardis.  And at worse, has almost no true Christians left in it.  God will decide which best describe that group now.  We in the Living Church of God have not followed the path CG7-Denver is going down.

Those in CG7-Denver really need to examine what church they really should be part of.

For more information about CG7 and other subjects in this post, please prayerfully study the following:

Church of God, Seventh Day: History and Teachings Nearly all COG’s I am aware of trace their history through this group. Whaid Rose is the president of the largest CG7 group (Denver). Do you know much about them?
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 basically the Living Church of God.
The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church?
The Dramatic Story of Chinese Sabbathkeepers This reformatted Good News article from 1955 discusses Sabbath-keeping in China in the 1800s.
Is God Unreasonable? Some have suggested that if God requires Sabbath-keeping He is unreasonable. Is that true?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by the Tkach 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.
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.
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?
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.

COGwriter

Professing to be wise, they became fools (Romans 1:22).  Notice a news report that came out today:

God did not create the universe and the “Big Bang” was an inevitable consequence of the laws of physics, the eminent British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking argues in a new book…

“Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist,” Hawking writes.

(http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6816EI20100902)

Oh.  So,the law of gravity is the answer to everything in the universe?

Not really.

So, Steven Hawking has been everywhere in the universe for eternity so he has a real scientific basis for that absurd statement that God did not create the universe?

No, not possibly.

So, there is no meaning of life?

Well, there is, yet people like Steven Hawking have no clue about what it is.

So, Steven Hawking has proof that life can generate spontaneously and continue to thrive?

No, definitely not.  That is not scientifically possible.

Instead, since the nonsense oscillating universe theory is basically discredited (see Scientists Agree With Bible that Universe Will Expand Forever), Steven Hawking and others like him wish to make statements that they cannot prove scientifically to try to sound scientific.

There is no real scientific basis for his claims.  Just a desperate set of assertions.

The Bible teaches:

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

The Bible then details how life formed.

And while the biblical explanation fits with the realities of true science, this “spontaneous creation” nonsense has no basis in fact.

The Apostle Paul made the following observations in his day which are still true now:

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

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

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.  (Romans 1:20-27)

Steven Hawkings is in error.  God did make everything as the Bible says.  There is no proof for the “spontaneous creation” assertion.  God wins.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge.
Where Did God Come From? Any ideas? And how has God been able to exist? Who is God?
How is God Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient? Here is a biblical article by Wallace Smith which answers what many really wonder about it.
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?
The Bible: Fact or Fiction? This is a booklet written by Douglas Winnail that answers if the Bible is just a collection of myths and legends or the inspired word of God.
Read the Bible Christians should read and study the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading.

Bas-relief at Angkor Wat depicting a demon performing an ancient abortion.

COGwriter

Bob Schieffer, a major voice at CBS, wrote the following which is a CBS’ website:

Stem Cell Injunction Dictated by Doctrine

Schieffer: Critics of Stem Cell Research Are Like Skeptics of Galileo’s Telescope…

I have the greatest respect for those who disagree, but to me putting restraints on stem cell research is not far from those who refused to look through Galileo’s telescope because they believed their doctrines and tradition had already told them what they would see.  http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/08/29/ftn/main6816315.shtml?tag=cbsnewsSectionContent.13

Give me a break!  Bob Schieffer is taking shots against others apparently because of a recent court decision telling the US government that it needs to obey its own laws in regards to stem cell research (see Stem Cell Research Abortion Outrage).  It has nothing to do with what happened to Galileo centuries ago.

Galileo used a physical device to look at the sky.  Because of his reported findings, he was opposed by the Church of Rome.  They essentially forced him to lie about what he discovered.  That was wrong, but it has nothing to do with critics of embryonic stem cell research.

While there may actually be “Critics of Stem Cell Research” like the CBS headline declares, I have never ran across any opposed to stem cell research per se.

There are critics of embryonic stem cell research as it destroys human life, as it is, in a sense, a type of abortion.  Yet, these same critics normally support stem cell research.  Stem cell research can be performed with stem cells from human umbilical cords without the controversy.

Furthermore, various animal tissues can also be used for much of the research.

The truth is, if people such as Bob Schieffer, would have not been so willing to destroy human embryos, that this stem cell matter probably would be further along through increased investigation of umbilical cord stem cells and animal tissues.

Blasting critics for being concerned for the rights of the unborn does not help and is highly misleading.  Abortion remains wrong and trying to justify parts of it the way CBS seems to be hinting at does not help.

Two articles of possibly related interest may include:

Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? What do the Living Church of God and the Church of Rome teach?
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?

Scanning electron micrograph of HIV-1 (in green) budding from cultured lymphocyte. Multiple round bumps on cell surface represent sites of assembly and budding of virions. (Wikipedia)

COGwriter

LCG announced the following today as part of its weekly update:

Plunging Male Circumcision Rates. According to at least one researcher, male circumcision rates in the U.S. dropped from 56% in 2006 to less than 33% at the end of 2009—that is almost a 50% drop in just three years. In a recent interview, pediatric bioethicist Dr. Douglas Diekema cited several factors that may have impacted this steep decline: (1) the American Academy of Pediatrics’ rather neutral stance on the matter beginning about ten years ago, which resulted in insurance companies dropping coverage of the procedure, (2) anti-circumcision activists using emotional pleas—referring to male circumcision as genital mutilation, and (3) increasing Hispanic populations that do not traditionally practice male circumcision of infants. Dr. Diekema went on to highlight the benefits of male circumcision that will likely be lost with the declining trend, such as a significantly decreased risk of infant urinary tract infection—that can be a dangerous condition—and a significantly decreased risk of sexually transmitted disease transmission, including HIV. Dr. Diekema also pointed out that the risks inherent in infant circumcision are far less than those at older ages (NPR, August 22, 2010). As the U.S. moves away from its Judeo-Christian roots, practices that were once commonplace are now becoming taboo. Although God no longer requires circumcision for spiritual reasons (see Acts 15, Romans 2:25-29), the health benefits are still well known in the medical profession. But today, anything associated with biblical beliefs is being rejected—regardless of the benefits to children and adults alike.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Increase in Young British Women. “Almost half a million new cases of [sexually transmitted] infection were diagnosed in Britain last year. Among women, two-thirds were aged between 15 and 24.” These numbers increased by 12,000 over the previous year and indicate increasing promiscuity among adolescents and young adults. Sadly, 11% of young women and 12% of young men experience re-infection after being treated (Express.co.uk, August 25, 2010). Sadly, the types of STIs being contracted usually result in sterility if untreated and can greatly increase the chances of miscarriage among women. God warned that because of the sins of Ephraim (modern British-descended peoples), the nation would experience a time in the future with “… No birth, no pregnancy, and no conception.” This will occur in part through “miscarrying” and “dry breasts” (Hosea 9:10-17). Sexually transmitted diseases could certainly cause these curses. However, The Bible reveals that obedience to God and His ways brings blessings, “I will take sickness away from the midst of you. No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren [sterile] in your land…” (Exodus 23:20-26). God speed the day when all will obey God and experience the rich blessings of obedience!

Male circumcision also seems to have other benefits. One study concluded:

• Male circumcision is associated with reduced risk of genital HPV infection in men whether or not their female partners have cervical HPV or cervical cancer.
• Circumcision is associated with reduced risk of cervical cancer in women with high-risk sexual partners.

There are also various hygiene issues. (Note: The same as the original New Testament church, LCG does not require males to be circumcised, but considers it has physical value since God implemented it in the Hebrew scriptures).

But circumcision is only one aspect of this.  Lust and sin are other aspects related to STDs/SDIs.

Immorality, or in the case many in the USA, UK, and many other places these days, amorality (many do not consider that sexual relations outside of marriage is wrong, hence they do consider the moral ramifications) leads to health problems.

Recall that the Apostle Paul wrote:

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)

But sadly, many do not care (or follow) about what the Apostle Paul wrote.  But it was true then, and it is true now.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments? This article quotes what Jesus actually said about them (His words are in red).
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?
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

Ancient Laodicea

COGwriter

One of the differences between the Living Church of God (LCG) and the United Church of God (UCG) is how they approach the matter of “church eras” in regards to the churches of Revelation 2 & 3.

In a shot directly against me (titled COGWriter Shows Inconsistency in Church Eras), UCG blogger John Carmack posted the following:

The main problem is how can an “era” come to an end and still have an entire group representing another era left behind?  When an empire falls, the empire is smashed.  It is gone.  Similarly, if the “Philadelphian era” of the church is over, then that church no longer exists.

You know what?  According to the usual identification given, Sardis still exists as well.  How can that be?  In fact, I believe Thyatira is still around.  There certainly is a group that seems to fit the description.  Again, if eras are true, how could that be?

Now, if John Carmack actually read what I have written about “church eras”, I specifically do state that Sardis, Laodicea, Thyatira, and Philadelphia all exist at the end.

There is no inconsistency that I am aware of in my writings on this as I and LCG (unlike UCG which hedges) teach:

The Living Church of God traces its history from the Apostolic Church in the Book of Acts (the Ephesian era) to the present. The message to the seven Churches in Revelation two and three successively shows the history of the true Church from that time forward. These seven Churches describe succeeding eras, or ages, of God’s Church. We believe that the Philadelphia era began in the 1930s, and that we are a continuation of that Philadelphia era. (Living Church of God, Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs–Church History)

The Laodicean Church is the last one mentioned in the book of Revelation (Revelation 3:14-22). As the last, it is the one that will be the most dominant at the time of the end. The word “Laodicea” can be rendered “the people rule”, “judgment of the people” or the “people decide.” Laodicea is characterized by a rejection of the governance accepted by the Philadelphians, and by a general lukewarm attitude. Laodicea places emphasis on self (as opposed to proclaiming the Gospel), thus it also waters down the Truth-and so is “rebuked and chastened” and counseled “to buy from Me gold refined in the fire” (Revelation 3:18-19).Because Laodicea is dominant at the end of the age, Philadelphia cannot be predominant then. However, a remnant of Philadelphia must still exist. We know this because Jesus told the Philadelphians: “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. Behold, I am coming quickly!” (Revelation 3:10-11). The Philadelphians are the only ones promised protection! The remnant of the Philadelphians are “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” (Revelation 12:14). (Thiel B.  What is a True Philadelphian?  Living Church News, July-August 2001)

In chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, Christ reveals the characteristics of the seven ages or “eras” of God’s true Church. He finds some fault with most of the seven churches or “eras”—but not Philadelphia. These “eras” represent attitudes that are always present in God’s Church, and they also indicate the progression of “dominant” attitudes in the Church at large. Today, we are clearly in the Laodicean era, which Christ condemns for being “lukewarm” even though it has most of the Truth. The living Jesus Christ said: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15–16).The Living Church of God, which has produced this booklet you are now reading, strives to retain the Philadelphia emphasis even in our Laodicean age. (Meredith RC.  Where is God;s True Church Today?  LCG booklet, 2005)

LCG teaches that while a certain attitude predominates one era at a time, that some from other “eras” still exist during that time.  Essentially, LCG teaches a series of overlapping eras.  (John Carmack may wish to consider, for a carnal example, that industrialists existed after the industrial era, etc.  The problem is not inconsistency, but the fact that the idea of “eras” includes overlap, and does not preclude individuals who are outside the norm for their time/era.)

This was also the position of the late Herbert W. Armstrong who specifically taught that Sardis (mainly represented by CG7) was around during the time Philadelphia predominated.  This was also the position of all the top leaders of UCG prior to them becoming part of UCG (they compromised afterwards).

I am sorry that John Carmack and others in UCG do not understand “church eras”.  This is one of the many ways in which I believe they have allowed themselves to go astray and will lead to less correct understanding of end time prophecy as events unfold.  Here is some of what it has published on “church eras”:

“You asked if the messages to the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 can be applied to eras of church history. As Mr. Herbert Armstrong said in the past, there were seven churches in Asia minor during the life of the apostle John that had certain strengths and weaknesses. Those same strengths and weaknesses could be evident in any church congregation today. Some believe that they also described church eras that began with the apostolic age and until Jesus Christ returns. Since some have disputed this idea, it is a subject that needs more study to see what we can know for sure and what remains in the unknown.” (Internet Correspondence from info@ucg.com to Dr. Thiel. November 13, 1997)

“Since seven represents completeness, these seven lampstands seem to portray a composite picture of the Church of God, the light of the world. Paul explains that the Church is one body (I Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 4:4). However, it has multiple congregations and members scattered throughout the nations. Therefore, these seven specific assemblies of believers appear to effectively represent the totality of the Church. It appears likely that the prophecies of the Church in Revelation 2 and 3 have multiple meanings and applications” (Foster, Roger. God’s Church in Prophecy. Good News, expanded edition. Jul-Aug 2000; p. 8).

“Mr. Walker asked for the Council’s input on this question – how should the Church deal with honest differences in opinion on prophetic topics? Not every issue of prophecy will create this dilemma, he stated, but some will. How do we deal with alternate explanations? Richard Thompson: ‘It could be that the traditional teaching is that we allow three different explanations – for example, the seven churches of Revelation’ ” (Johnson, Doug. United Church of God, an International Association Council of Elders Meeting Report Monday, March 4, 2002 – Cincinnati, Ohio).

From January 2002 through August 2002, UCG ran a series of articles on the 7 Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 written by David Treybig. Unlike anything that WCG ever produced, these articles never say anything about Church eras, do not indicate that the Church was predominant at any particular time, do not mention who or when the Church may have been primarily extant, never mention that Herbert Armstrong was used to raise up the Philadelphia era (or that he left the Sardis era), or anything else suggesting that UCG officially believes in Church eras (which is because officially UCG does not).

Of course there is a reason that UCG does not wish to clearly teach church eras, and that is that they will not like which era that they would have to conclude they are part of.

As far as my writings, several of my articles essentially state, “Revelation 2 & 3 shows a series, in an apparent overlapping succession of Churches of God, each with somewhat different strengths and weaknesses” (The Apostle John and Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus and Smyrna).

My writings on church eras are not inconsistent and I do consider that John Carmack is unintentionally bearing false witness here.  The fact that he does not understand a doctrine that he should have held, but since changed, is sad but consistent with others who have lost the knowledge of proper church governance, priority of gospel proclamation, and other such non-Philadelphia positions.

Those who understand church eras better understand how God has worked through the Church throughout the ages and how He plans to work through it in the future.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
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?
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.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
Old Testament Church Eras Are there seven church eras in the Old Testament? Do they parallel those in Revelation 2 &3?
The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 from 31 A.D. to present: information on all of the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3.
1. The Ephesus Church Era was predominant from 31 A.D. to circa 135 A.D. The Church of James, Peter, Paul, and John, etc.
2. The Smyrna Church Era was predominant circa 135 A.D. to circa 450 A.D. The Church led by Polycarp, Melito, Polycrates, etc.
3. The Pergamos Church Era was predominant circa 450 A.D. to circa 1050 A.D. An especially persecuted Church.
4. The Thyatira Church Era was predominant circa 1050 A.D. to circa 1600 A.D. The Church during the Inquisition.
5. 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.
6. 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 basically the Living Church of God.
7. The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

Bas-relief at Angkor Wat depicting a demon performing an ancient abortion.

COGwriter

Because a judge has ruled that the Obama Administration is to obey the law and not fund the destruction of fertilized human embryos, certain “scientists” are upset per the following from ABC:

Scientists Outraged By Block on Stem Cell Research

The U.S. District Court’s freeze on federally funded embryonic stem cell research has sparked a firestorm of controversy as scientists in the field cope with the devastating blow this ruling deals to their work.

“If the ruling cannot be lifted soon, this will do irreparable harm to the field,” says Sam Morrison, director of the Center for Stem Cell Biology at the University of Michigan.

What about the fact that destroying embryos does irreparable harm to the embryos?

If it was their embryos that were being destroyed the “scientists” would likely be more upset by that.  But since the unborn cannot speak for themselves, it is up to us who can speak to express outrage against those who would kill the unborn.

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)

As a scientist, I have written for years that there are other (cheaper and in my opinion simpler) ways to accomplish much of the stem cell goals without human stem cells at all (animal parts work).  Furthermore, umbilical cord stem cells have always been available and do not have the moral problems. Thus, I have long believed that the “science” argument for why embryonic stem cell research is “necessary” has been hypocritical: there never was any real need for it.

It has long been my belief that the real reason that the stem cell issue has been floated around is so that the abortion industry wants to use it to try to pretend that abortion is morally acceptable.  It is not, nor is the type of stem cell research that President Obama approved morally acceptable.

Without massive national repentance the USA is doomed relatively soon (see also Anglo – America in Prophecy).  The stem cell issue is just one more area of the national sins of the USA.  It is nice that at least one judge realizes that it is also against the law, but sad that certain so-called scientists are insistent upon it.

Two articles of possibly related interest may include:

Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? What do the Living Church of God and the Church of Rome teach?
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?

COGwriter

Scientists have concluded that the universe will continue to expand forever:

A “galactic lens” has revealed that the Universe will probably expand forever. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11030889)

The universe ‘will expand forever’, new Nasa study on ‘dark energy’ concludes (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/7955379/The-universe-will-expand-forever-new-Nasa-study-on-dark-energy-concludes.html)

Universe ‘will expand forever’ (http://www.brahmand.com/news/Universe-will-expand-forever/4747/3/13.html)

Those of us in the Churches of God have long believed this based, not upon telescopic images, but the following scriptures:

7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end (Isaiah 9:7).

33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end. (Luke 1:33)

The only way for God’s kingdom to continue to increase forever is if the universe expands forever.

Now, this expansion view causes scientists a problem.

Which is?

That it means that the universe had a beginning.  Of course, Bible believers have always know this as the Bible starts out with the following:

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

Yet, as certain scientists did not want to accept that the universe had a beginning, some instead tended to want to believe a certain type of nonsense called the oscillating universe theory.   I always felt that that theory violated the known laws of physics and was an attempt by some scientists to try to persuade themselves that there the universe had no beginning and that there was no God (for more details, see the article Is God’s Existence Logical?).

Now, scientists are still not generally publicly ready to embrace the idea of a Creator.  But the fact that they are starting to admit that the universe will expand forever means that they are distancing themselves away from the oscillating universe theory.  And without the oscillating universe theory, they have to admit that the universe had a beginning in a specific point in time.  And the Bible is clear about that (Genesis 1:1).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge.
Where Did God Come From? Any ideas? And how has God been able to exist? Who is God?
How is God Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient? Here is a biblical article by Wallace Smith which answers what many really wonder about it.

COGwriter

The judge who overturned California’s ban on homosexual marriage apparently believes that his position is so correct that the opponents have no real legal basis to appeal it, according to a news report just released:

US District Judge Vaughn Walker, who invalidated Proposition 8, doubts the proponents of California’s gay marriage ban have any standing to appeal his ruling.   (Why California gay marriage ruling may not head to US Supreme Court)

Of course, the fact that the Bible condemns such practices is of no real importance to the advocates of unbiblical morality.  Many believe that Judge Walker stacked the deck legally and that this will be appealed anyway.  What will happen next is still not clear.

LCG made the following observations yesterday about this matter:

Controversial Judge Overturns California Homosexual Marriage Ban. On Wednesday, August 4, a judge with a history of “pro-gray” rulings overturned a voter-approved amendment to the California Constitution that defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman. His 136-page ruling that declared the amendment unconstitutional included “some of the most radical statements about marriage yet encountered” (Christianity Today, August 5, 2010). In making the decision, the judge, widely identified as homosexual, accepted the claims put forth by proponents of same-sex marriage as rational, but he rejected the evidence and arguments of defenders of heterosexual marriage as irrational. Within days, lawyers for the Governor and Attorney General of California urged the judge to implement his ruling without further delay—claiming this was in the “public interest” (OneNewsNow, August 7, 2010). While this controversial decision by an activist California judge is now being appealed, it represents a “significant step toward the full normalization of homosexuality within the [American] culture.” Many Americans have forgotten God’s warning, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20).

It is true that many Americans have decided that what God condemns, many in society now condone.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments? This article quotes what Jesus actually said about them (His words are in red).
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?
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.Prophecies of Barack Obama? Eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? This is the longest and most complete article on this page on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.
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?

COGwriter

UCG sent the following today in an email:

3 Bible Tips: Self-Control

1. Lack of self-control will be a sign of the end time.

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good” (2 Timothy 3:1-3, italics added throughout).

2. Godly self-control comes through the Holy Spirit and is necessary to overcome the works of the flesh described in Galatians 5:19-21.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

3. Godly self-control requires making no provisions for the flesh—not allowing backup plans or harboring thoughts that could sprout into sins.

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:14).

The above is correct and Christians need to understand that self-control is important.

Furthermore, I would add that the Apostle Paul taught that self-control was important to a governor named Felix, who decided not to listen:

25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” (Acts 24:25)

But we all need to listen to what the Bible says.  Including about matters like self-control.  And then the Apostle Peter said to add perseverance to that:

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.  (2 Peter 1:5-7)

This would seem to be for all Christians for all times.  And, it is especially needed in these end times.

UCG, however, has other issues it is dealing with.  Its president, Dennis Luker, sent out the following yesterday, but that seemed to be posted today:

Ministers and brethren, the Council of Elders would like nothing more than to see sincere reconciliation. None of us wanted to see what happened in Latin America happen. We grieve for the members there who have been subjected to spiritual and emotional buffeting—in some cases for years. It is not pretty, and only the divine gift of love from God can truly heal this breach. Tempers have flared and accusations have been hurled by many people within our fellowship…

What is wrong is when the organizers, by clever and manipulative wording, imply and lead others to believe that the Council of Elders and administration lack the desire and have made no effort toward that goal. In fact the opposite is true. The former senior administrator in Latin America was asked at least twice to meet with members of the Council of Elders and Church administrators. In addition, other direct communication is ongoing with several ministers in the region.While the appeal posted on this formerly secret Web site is addressed to the full Council of Elders, we—Dennis Luker as president of the Church, and Melvin Rhodes, chairman of the Council of Elders—want to address these issues now. The full Council of Elders will meet later in August, and a formal response may come at that time.

Ministers and brethren, let’s be clear here. We want nothing more than true unity and reconciliation! We don’t doubt for a minute that the great majority of those who have agreed to add their names to the online appeal for reconciliation are sincere. Certainly we all want reconciliation!

But when we see among the signers the names of a number who have made and distributed unfounded attacks and accusations against the Council, some who have publicly and privately slandered Council members to their congregations and to other elders, some who have tried to organize efforts to recall certain Council members whom they accuse of “unethical” behavior (for which they have offered zero evidence), and some who are actively supporting a developing breakaway organization designed to draw members from the United Church of God—we clearly doubt their stated lofty intentions. (The fact that these words may come as an unpleasant shock to many of you reading this represents evidence that we have chosen not to respond to their actions in kind. The fact remains that we have tried to be patient in the hope that those who slander and speak falsely will repent.)

Let’s call a spade a spade. In the outside world, forums of this nature are rightly called a political caucus. The purpose of a political caucus is two-fold: Marshal resources to achieve a specific political goal, and draw in as many as possible to support that goal. To the organizers of that Web site we say this: Is your purpose to reconcile, or is your purpose to divide and conquer? To be sure, God will be your Judge!

To you well-meaning ministers who have been drawn in by this seemingly well-intentioned effort—and again, we fully respect and share your desire for true unity and reconciliation—do you know what you are doing? Do you realize that by participating you are unknowingly aiding efforts to undermine the very governmental structure that we all, before God, agreed to some 15 years ago?

Ministers and brethren, please be assured that this is as hard to write as we’re sure it is to read. Ministers are called by God to be peacemakers, to teach, to guide, to shepherd and most importantly to serve.

We would like nothing more than to reconcile with as many ministers and members in Latin America as possible—those who want to be with us. We have had several sound, spiritually mature, Spanish-speaking men traveling in Latin America for weeks now. Those men have been meeting with any and all who are willing. Yet they have been rejected with hostility by some who out of the other side of their mouth “seek” reconciliation.Those sent by the administration, with support from the Council, have been helping members and elders who want to remain part of the United Church of God to meet safely for Sabbath services, free of politics and heavy-handed rule. We have been working with them to set up Feast sites where they can meet and celebrate with us the wonderful promise of Jesus Christ’s coming reign on earth. We have continued to financially support those who want to be part of us. They have not been cut off.

Meanwhile, the former UCG administrator of the Latin American region claims that he was independent all along, that he does not recognize any spiritual or managerial authority from the president, the home office or the Council, and has openly compared our ministers to Satan, who “appears as an angel of light.” Some ministers who now follow him have used far worse language in describing loyal ministers and members of the Council of Elders…

To seek this divine and powerful healing, in our individual roles we are joining together to call a fast for the Church for the weekend of August 21-22. Some of you may choose to fast on the Sabbath and others may choose to fast on the following day. Either way please set aside that weekend for intensive prayer, meditation and focused Bible study. Please ask God to give us all a spirit of humility, repentance and unity. Please renew the very prayer of Christ on the night before His crucifixion, when He prayed for protection for all of us and asked God His Father that “You should keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15).

Let us truly forgive. Let us truly seek reconciliation. Let us abandon all efforts to divide—whether online or elsewhere—and draw together to accomplish the work that we have been given to do.

Whether self-control would have resolved this matters may be debated, but according to one UCG insider I spoke with a while back, it seemed like it would have.  UCG is not that into calling fasts, so this is somewhat out of the ordinary (especially with the Day of Atonement coming just a few weeks later).

As far as “calling a spade a spade”, UCG’s form of governance is certainly prone to “playing politics” and having “political caucuses”.  This would seem likely to continue if UCG continues with its presbyterian form of governance.  Which, they seem to prefer.  At least those still with it.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
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?
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.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

COGwriter

A reader sent me the following about an ocean “garbage patch” which has apparently been discovered in the Indian Ocean:

Lori Bongiorno – Tue Aug 3, 6:58 pm ET

Scientists previously mapped huge floating trash patches in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, but now a husband-wife team researching plastic garbage in the Indian Ocean suggest a new and dire view. “The world’s oceans are covered with a thin plastic soup,” says Anna Cummins, cofounder of 5 Gyres Institute. Cummins and her husband, Marcus Eriksen, established the 5 Gyres Institute to research plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.

Essentially, the 5 Gyres Institute believes that there are five major areas in the oceans that have more plastic and trash than other areas, that plastic and other trash is ending up in the oceans, and that this trash also ends up on the shores throughout the world.

Last year, LCG reported about the one in the Pacific Ocean:

Irresponsible Stewardship. The South Gyre is an area of the Pacific Ocean 1,000 miles (1600 km) off the coast of California where oceanic currents and winds converge and deposit surface materials. This is also the location of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch—a “sprawling mass of garbage-littered water… where most of the plastic looks like snowy confetti against the deep blue of the north Pacific Ocean.” Researchers are unsure of the exact impact on ocean life, but some estimate that plastic rubbish is responsible for the death of at least 100,000 sea creatures annually. Thankfully, plastics are biodegradable. However, in breaking down, they give off toxins to the surrounding environment (AP, August 28, 2009). When God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden, He charged them with being responsible stewards of His creation—to tend and keep the garden (Genesis 2:15). Human beings have failed in this responsibility and hence the whole creation is groaning for a time when it will be delivered from this bondage to human sins (Romans 8:19-22). We need to be concerned and cry out on behalf of humanity and creation, “…Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).

The Bible warns:

18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth (Revelation 11:18).

We are to be responsible stewards.

There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God?