Church of God News

My wife, youngest son, and I having lunch with Dr. and Mrs. Meredith during the Feast of Tabernacles in 2005. Dr. Meredith is the Presiding Evangelist of the Living Church of God.

The following was in the latest Weekly Update from the Living Church of God:

Excerpts from a report prepared by Mr. Wayne Pyle for the Feast of Tabernacles: 

In the past 12 months, we have received 196,336 responses from our TV stations in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.  The total response is up by 8 percent over the previous year, which itself was up 30 percent!  More than 100,000 of the Tomorrow’s World respondents were brand new to the television program and the Living Church of God.   

A total of 442,654 booklets, reprints, lessons, audio CDs and other publications were sent to requesters around the world, which is 15 percent above the previous year. 

Since last year’s Feast of Tabernacles, a total of 409 new members have come with the Living Church of God, including 209 newly baptized members.  Some of these new members came from such far-flung countries as Botswana, Mauritius, Tanzania and Vanuatu—a total of 24 countries. 

Comments by COGwriter

Its always great to hear how effective this “little flock” we call LCG is in proclaiming the true gospel to the world as a witness.  With only 7,000 people in attendance, LCG does reach people all over the world–especially with nearly 3,800 contacting us each week because of the telecast.

And while not all will respond in the Church age, ultimately the work of God will result in all having an opportunity for salvation and nearly every one who ever lived be saved.

Several articles of related interest may include:

There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church.

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 LCG.

Hope of Salvation: How the COGs differ from most Protestants How the COGs differ from mainstream Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a COG background.

Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority.

The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong 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.

Universal Salvation? There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?

The following AP photos were of interest: 

I saw the above photo a few days ago, and ICG’s Mark Armstrong made the following comments in his latest newsletter:

Did you see the story the Vatican TV station in Rome deemed newsworthy this week?  A photograph of a bonfire near Pope John Paul II’s birthplace, lit to mark the second anniversary of his death, appeared to mimic an actual photo of the pope when alive.  That’s right, a momentary flare out of the fire is being hailed as a “sign” from beyond the grave.  Although I’m unaware of any discussion of this story on domestic television, the picture was “broadcast continuously on Italian TV and also posted on religious websites, some of which crashed as thousands logged on…”  You can see how incredibly gullible people can be, which has been amply demonstrated long prior to this absurd incident.  Those who took the photograph conferred with their priest and agreed that the deceased pope is still making pilgrimages, even in death.  Interesting that a story with this kind of sensational potential didn’t seem to rate mention on the American talk circuit.  Among the true believers, including priests identified in the story, there was no explanation for why the blurry image thought to be the former pope is seen on fire! 

Comments by COGwriter:

Presuming that the photo is not some type of hoax, I have a somewhat different view of it than Mark Armstrong seems to.

I believe that signs and wonders including things like the flaming deceased “Pope John Paul II” will be cited by Catholics, both now and in the future, that their church is correct and that it has the correct understanding of end-time prophetic events (more information on how some of their prophetic understanding is biblically in error is included in the article Who is the King of the North? ).  Actually, I have read where Catholics specifically have claimed that these types of signs are confirmation that God is with their church.

Yet, the Apostle Paul warned:

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

Anyway, one of the reasons I wanted to comment on this has to do with the fact that a “bonfire” was held. 

Here is some information on bonfires from CBCG that is in the article Is Halloween Holy Time for Christians?:

By COGWriter

One of the most popular links at the COGwriter website is to the Who Wants to be a Biblical Millionaire? quiz.

While at the Feast of Tabernacles in Trinidad & Tobago, the brethren from Trindad played a “Bible Bowl” game. Well, that game consisted of a lot of questions, so Michael has modified them a little bit and has been able to increase the number of questions in the game from 199 to 254. A significant increase to the quiz. We wish to thank the brethren in Trinidad and Tobago for enabling Michael to expand the database for this quiz.

By the way, Michael is always looking for more questions and you can send him additional questions and answers to mike10z@aol.com

While I believe that this and other quizzes at the site help people better learn the Bible, the major reason I have quizzes, animations, photos, and even news, as opposed to only doctrinal articles, is to attempt to better follow the Apostle Paul’s example which was:

I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you (1 Corinthians 9:22-23).

Michael’s Free Bible Quizzes and Public Domain Animations.

Self Grading Bible Quiz 15 questions and a report card when you finish.
The Good Samaritan A public domain claymation for younger people.
Paul in Damascus Not a quiz, but a Lego-animation.
John 21 Not a quiz, but (other than a Lego suggesting a long-haired Jesus) a biblical story for young people.
David vs. Goliath A higher level animation for older young people.
Solomon’s Temple This is a a 5 minute animated film that shows one artist’s understanding of the details about Solomon’s temple.
Bible Crossword Puzzle
Who Wants to be a Biblical Millionaire? A sophisticated quiz.
Pentecost Quiz This is a Pentecost quiz based upon the Old and New Testaments in the Bible.
The Antichrist Quiz Do you really know much about the Antichrist?
Michael’s Feasts and Fasts Quiz 15 questions, amusing wrong answer screens.
The Ten Commandments Quiz Developed by my son Michael.
Michael’s Day of Atonement Quiz Another free on-line Bible quiz by my son Michael.
Bible Hangman Michael’s most interactive Bible game to date. Another one of his free online Bible games.
Michael’s Sabbath Quiz Test and learn a little more about the Sabbath.

TIME – Oct 17, 2007

The significance of any new batch of Roman Catholic Cardinals lies above all in geography. With the internationalization of the College of Cardinals in the past two decades, it was a given that the latest names presented by Pope Benedict XVI would “well reflect the universality of the Church,” as the pontiff himself declared Wednesday in St. Peter’s Square as he announced the 23 soon-to-be-elevated prelates.

And indeed, certain key postings, including recently named heads of major archdioceses from Paris to Mumbai to Sao Paulo, were virtual shoo-ins to get their scarlet hats — and an eventual ticket into the conclave that will elect Benedict’s successor...

Still, a broader geographical breakdown of the new cardinal-electors (five of the 23 are over 80, and thus ineligible to vote in a conclave that picks a new Pope) shows Benedict continues to have European leanings. Ten of the 18 electors are from the old continent, including four from Italy alone.

Among the key priorities of Benedict’s papacy has been to respond to encroaching secularism on the continent where the Church is headquartered; and with Wednesday’s announcement, the number of European electors now bumps back over 50% (69 of 121). The notable Italian presence — 22 voting-age Cardinals — is seen by some Vatican insiders as a sign of the power being consolidated by Benedict’s top deputy Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, a native of the Piedmont region of Italy, who serves as Secretary of State…

Among those at Rome headquarters to get the honor were the chiefs of the Vatican’s charitable works office, the Pontifical Council for Laity, and the governor of Vatican City. Archbishop John Foley, the Rome-based American who long headed the Vatican’s Social Communications office, will also get his red hat. Other new voting-age cardinals include the primate of Ireland, as well as archbishops of Nairobi, Kenya, Barcelona, Spain, and Monterrey, Mexico…

But, as with the last conclave that elected a long-serving head of a key Vatican office named Joseph Ratzinger, the weight of headquarters will no doubt be felt in the choice of Benedict’s successor… Catholic Church geography lessons will always begin with Rome in the center. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1672515,00.html 

Comments by COGwriter: 

The fact is that the Roman Catholics are focused on Rome and Europe (and then probably Russia–they want the Orthodox–and then Latin America, then Africa).

The Catholics are awaiting a “Great Monarch” to arise in Europe along with a miracle working Pope who is to appoint him as the new “Holy Roman Emperor”.  They expect this “prince of the north” (a term one of their “prophets” has used) to essentially rid Europe of Moslems then invade the Arabs.  Although the Bible warns against a European Beast power accompanied by a miracle-working religious leader, Catholic writings seem to look forward to who we in the Churches of God would call “the King of the North” (based upon the terms and descriptions in the Bible in Daniel 11).

Several articles of related interest may include:

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
The Bible and the Arab World In History and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist. This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”.
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 This article explains how the COG views this, and compares this to Ellen White.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.

COGwriter:

Someone who came to this page sent the following in an email last week:

I know plenty about Halloween…I know it’s pagan, and I love it…It’s a really fun Holiday, and it’s one fun thing in life to do…The problem so many uptight Christians have, is that the whole idea of ‘spirit’ or ‘god’ came from the pagans in the first place…And they can’t admit that…the various ideas and experiences about ‘god’ evolved through cultural, personal experiences and indoctrination…some good, some not so good…

Much of religion is mythology…

The whole idea of God did not come from pagans as God always existed (this is discussed in the article Where Did God Come From?).  

It is true, however,  that much of the world’s religion is mythology and Halloween is pagan.  The fact that the emailer wants to celebrate it anyway, simply shows that she is not interested in true Christianity. 

Those truly interested in what happened to early Christianity to result in the majority of those who profess Christ adopting pagan customs may wish to read the article The History of Early Christianity.

Halloween is an old English word which means ” hallowed evening”. It is the night before the Roman Catholic holiday called All Saints Day (which in Mexico is celebrated as “the Day of the Dead”). Part of the Catholic rationale for All Saints Day is that they have so many saints they wish to honor that they decided to lump all those without a specific day into this one.

It is believed that Halloween contains many of the remnants of an autumn holiday celebrated by the Druids called Samhain (apparently pronounced “sah-van” though some say SAH win or SOW in–and apparently meaning “summers end”). There historically have been pagan figures with names that are similar to this. For example, there was a Celtic hero named Samain or Sawan who supposedly owned a magical cow. In other pagan religions, there was Samana (“the leveler”) the name of an Aryan God of Death (a.k.a. Yama, Sradhadeva, Antaka, or Kritanta) according to the ancient Veda scriptures of Hinduism and Shamash was the Sun God of the Assyrians and Babylonians. 

In the Bible, in Leviticus chapter 23, it lists:

“The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts” (vs.2).

All Saints’ Day is not listed as one of them. All Saints’ Day is not a biblically enjoined feast day for Christians (there is not any hint of it in the Bible; it may even be warned against in Deut 4:15-24). Actually the Bible warns against worshipping God the way the pagans, etc. did (Leviticus 18:3; Deuteronomy 12:31, Jeremiah 10:2-3).

The Bible repeatedly warns against the practices of witches (Exodus 22:18; Deuteronomy 18:10, Galatians 5:20) and dealing with ghosts/etc. (Deuteronomy 18:11, I Chronicles 10:13).

In addition the Bible specifically teaches:

” Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: …idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, … drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).

This may be because it also teaches that “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft” (I Samuel 15:23).Christians and Halloween do not belong together.

An old Chinese Yuan Note That is No Longer Used

The following news item was of interest:

Japan and China lead flight from the dollar

Telegraph (UK) – Oct 16, 2007

Japan and China led a record withdrawl of foreign funds from the United States in August, heightening fears of a fresh slide in the dollar and a spike in US bond yields.

Data from the US Treasury showed outflows of $163bn (£80bn) from all forms of US investments. “These numbers are absolutely stunning,” said Marc Ostwald, an economist at Insinger de Beaufort.

Asian investors dumped $52bn worth of US Treasury bonds alone, led by Japan ($23bn), China ($14.2bn) and Taiwan ($5bn). It is the first time since 1998 that foreigners have, on balance, sold Treasuries.

Mr Ostwald warned that US bond yields could start to rise again unless the outflows reverse quickly. “Woe betide US Treasuries if inflation does not remain benign,” he said.

The release comes a day after the IMF warned that the dollar was still overvalued and likely to face “some depreciation in the medium term”.

The dollar’s short-lived rally over recent days stopped abruptly on the data, increasing pressure on US Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson to shore up Washington’s “strong dollar” rhetoric at the G7 summit this week.

The Greenback has already fallen below parity against the Canadian Loonie for the first time since 1976 and has touched record lows against a global basket. It closed at $2.032 against the pound…

The US requires $70bn a month in capital inflows to cover its current account deficit, but the key sources of finance are drying up one by one.

BNP Paribas said America has relied on “hot money” from abroad to cover 25pc to 30pc of the US short-term credit and commercial paper market over the last two years.

This flow is now in danger after the seizure in parts of the market over the summer and after the Federal Reserve’s half point rate cut, which has shaved the US yield advantage over other countries.

Ian Stannard, a Paribas currency analyst, said the data was “extremely negative” for the dollar. “It exceeds the worst fears. It is not just foreigners who are selling US assets. Americans are turning their back as well,” he said.

Central banks in Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam have all begun to cut purchases of US bonds, or signalled an intent to do so. In effect, they are giving up trying to hold down their currencies because the policy is starting to set off inflation.

The Treasury data would have been even worse if it had not been for $60bn of inflows from hedge funds based in Britain and the Caymans, which needed to cover US positions at the height of the credit crunch.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;jsessionid=U5BCGMYEEFHKDQFIQMFSFGGAVCBQ0IV0?xml=/money/2007/10/16/bcnchina116.xml

Comments by COGwriter:

The US dollar has been dropping against most major currencies and precious metals (gold, platinum, etc.) have been rising.

While there will be rallies for the dollar, the long-term trend for it is not good as more and more are beginning to realize.

Japan and China, while also expected to have their own problems, biblically are expected to prosper even after the USA is no more.

Several articles of possible interest may include:

China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.

China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?

China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 3: China in Prophecy What is Ahead for China? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese?

Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? This is a draft of an in-process article about Japan. Have they had any witness?

Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan. Will God save the Japanese?

Modern Nations and God’s Ancient Plan Many peoples are mentioned in the Bible. And other than the fact that the modern nation of Israel represents the ancient kingdom of Judah, do you know who any of these people are now?

In its latest newsletter, CGG’s Richard T. Ritenbaugh actually wrote:

All hail Al Gore, the winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize!

This is the near-unanimous cry of the mainstream media news hawkers this morning. Gore—former U.S. Vice President and darling of liberals, Hollywood, and tree-huggers everywhere—received the Peace Prize for preaching the gospel of manmade climate change around the world and urging radical measures to counteract the “imminent” threat. Supporters here in the U.S. are hoping that this honor will convince Gore to reconsider running for President in 2008…

It appears that the members of the Nobel Committee live in a sealed environment cut off from the real world. There are many real conflicts raging right now over earth’s precious resources. In fact, one can argue that the world’s spotlighted conflict, the Iraq War and its aftermath, is a struggle over Middle East oil, the fuel of the world’s economy. In addition, the migrations of workers from poor to rich countries—for example, Hispanics into America and Muslims into Europe—are related to a lack of resources in their homelands and an abundance of them in the developed nations, and they are creating conflict. Yet, none of these present-day confrontations have been set off by manmade climate change, today’s cause célèbre, so the supposed prevention of hypothetical future conflicts becomes the reason for Gore’s selection. What a peacemaker he might be!

Comments by COGwriter:

I take no position on who should win a prize by worldly men about their ideas of peace. 

However, according to Bible prophecy, global warming will occur as the Bible does show that the earth will become very hot:

Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire.  And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory (Revelation 16:8-9).

And while the Bible does not specify that humans have had a specific part in global warming, it does teach that humans will suffer for destroying the earth:

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). 

Bible prophecy also shows that there will be enough climate change (probably from combinations of heat and earthquakes) that most of the islands will be gone:

Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.  Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found (Revelation 16:19-20).

Irrespective of any claims in Al Gore’s movie (which I did not see) or by the Nobel prize committee, I would also like to add that my own visit to glaciers in Alaska in 1982 and 1999 convinced me that there is significant glacial melting.

An article of possibly related interest may include Islands and Bible Prophecy.

By COGwriter

As many readers of this page are aware, Church of God, Seventh Day (Denver) does not observe the biblical holy days other than Passover.

And while most in the COGs have just observed the biblical Feast of Tabernacles, apparently some in CG7 are looking forward to something that CG7 is actually calling Octoberfest (though they do not intend it as the Germans tend to celebrate it–also the Germans often spell it Oktoberfest, though many in the USA spell it Octoberfest).

Below is the first item listed under Events at CG7’s website:

October 19-21 – Octoberfest Family Retreat, CoG7 Camp, Jasper, AR; theme: Our Church, Our World; speaker: Bill Hicks…>> Flier PDF

The pdf. flier is simply a one page picture that adds the statements, “An old fashion camp-meeting nestled in the beautiful Ozarks…Food & Lodging Provided”.

FWIW, Octoberfest, if my memory serves me correctly, was began in the early 1800s when a Bavarian prince married a Saxon princess.  About 40,000 attended to celebrate that with the eating of chicken and drinking of beer.  It is still celebrated in various places as mainly a time to eat chicken and drink beer.  Over 6,000,000 have celebrated the German version this year according to one news report I saw.

I would suggest that CG7:

1) Observe biblical holy days such as the Feast of Tabernacles

2) Not go for catchy titles like “Octoberfest” as it clearly has a different meaning that CG7 intends.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? Did they? Did Jesus? Should you?
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians?
5. The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and COG-7th Day.
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?

Some in the COGs have recently mentioned Iran. 

In his latest newsletter, ICG’s Mark Armstrong commented:

Today, October 12, is the day Iran promised its “final response” to supporters of the Zionist state of Israel.  That would be us, here in the United States.  I’ve been checking the news for some word of the “final response” but there is nothing so far.  Not that these terror-mongers don’t have the will and the means to carry out vicious attacks, but they’re also prone to great gusts of hot air. 

In the latest Living Church News, LCG’s RC Meredith noted:

Meanwhile the Jerusalem Post reports that the Israeli airforce is practicing long-range bombing maneuvers in preparation for a strike against Iran…Richard Bolton, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., has been simultaneously pushing the U.S. to “act now” to relieve Iran of its nuclear capability…Regardless of the exact timing, events of this type increasingly put America and its allies against more than a billion  people who comprise the “Moslem nation!”

Comments by COGwriter:

V. Putin is planning on meeting with Iran Tuesday to tell them to cooperate a bit more so that it will not have to face the Israeli or U.S. military according to a news story that PCG linked to this morning.

It should be noted that unlike PCG, those of us in LCG do not believe that Iran will be the future King of the South (though it could be a supporter).  We tend to feel that Iran will be just one more irritant to negatively impact the US as opposed to being the King of the South .

By Philip Pullella, Reuters

VATICAN CITY (Oct. 12) – The Knights Templar, the medieval Christian military order accused of heresy and sexual misconduct, will soon be partly rehabilitated when the Vatican publishes trial documents it had closely guarded for 700 years…

The Templars, whose full name was “Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon,” were founded in 1119 by knights sworn to protecting Christian pilgrims visiting the Holy Land after the Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099.

They amassed enormous wealth and helped finance wars of some European monarchs…

The most titillating part of the documents is the so-called Chinon Parchment, which contains phrases in which Pope Clement V absolves the Templars of charges of heresy, which had been the backbone of King Philip’s attempts to eliminate them.

Templars were burned at the stake for heresy by King Philip’s agents after they made confessions that most historians believe were given under duress.

The parchment, also known as the Chinon Chart, was “misplaced” in the Vatican archives until 2001, when Frale stumbled across it.

“The parchment was catalogued incorrectly at some point in history. At first I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was incredulous,” she said.

“This was the document that a lot of historians were looking for,” the 37-year-old scholar said.

Philip was heavily indebted to the Templars, who had helped him finance his wars, and getting rid of them was a convenient way of cancelling his debts, some historians say.

Frale said Pope Clement was convinced that while the Templars had committed some grave sins, they were not heretics…

Despite his conviction that the Templars were not guilty of heresy, in 1312 Pope Clement ordered the Templars disbanded for what Frale called “the good of the Church” following his repeated clashes with the French king.

Comments by COGwriter:

I believe that part of the reason that these documents are now being released is for “the good of the Catholic Church”.

Why?

Because there is a Catholic prophecy that a group like the Knights Templar is going to rise up and establish a new religious order that will turn the world Catholic!

Notice the following from a book written by a Catholic who claims that he only cited Catholic-approved prophecies:

St. Francis of Paula (15th Century)…Francis also speaks in a series of letters to Simeon de Limena, Count of Montalto in great detail of a future Great Monarch who will be a Roman Emperor. Limena was a great patron of St. Francis’ order and also a great military protector of the Church…Several potentially confusing things are now told about this future Monarch. He is described as founding a new religious order. To the reader this may sound like he also become a priest. That is not the case. What happens is that he founds a religious order, part of which contains military men who take religious vows. He will be the head of the military arm of this order. In this sense it will be like the Knights Templar of the Middle Ages.

“He shall be the founder of a new religious order different from all others. He will divide it into three strata, namely military knights, solitary priests, and most pious hospitalliers. This shall be the last religious order in the Church, and it will do more good for our holy religion than all other religious institutions.”

“…These devout men will wear on their breasts…the cross” [It becomes clear from other prophecies that it is from this that they will receive their popular name “the cross bearers.”]…

“He shall…destroy all tyrants and heresies. There will be one fold and one shepherd. He shall reign until the end of time. On the whole earth there will be twelve Kings, one Emperor and one Pope. (Birch DA. Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before During and After Antichrist. Queenship Publishing Company, Goleta (CA), 1996, pp.267-270)

Notice that Francis prophesied that there will be a new essentially Roman Catholic religious order that will do more good for the Roman Catholic Church than all other religious institutions. This is because this “Great Monarch” (the first Beast of Revelation) will work with the Pope to make the world nominally Catholic.

Since I believe that this time is coming soon, it makes sense to me that some positive news about the Knights Templar would be released by the Vatican.  More information on the Great Monarch is included in the new article Who is the King of the North? (see also Europa, the Beast, and Revelation).

On related matters, the Knights Templar had a major castle in Rhodes that my wife and I visited a couple of years ago.  Some photos of it and Rhodes are available at the link Joyce’s Photos of Rhodes.

The Roman Catholics themselves have long been into revisionist history as they used to hold many beliefs still held by the Churches of God, yet they now condemn many of those same beliefs as heretical.  This is clearly documented for all to see in the major article Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Church of God?