Church of God News

Bas-relief at Angkor Wat, dated circa 1150, depicting a demon performing an abortion by pounding a mallet into a woman’s belly.

COGwriter

Democratic vice-presidential nominee Joseph Biden has been in the news lately:

Abortion: Hypocrite Catholic Joe Biden

By J. Grant Swank Jr. (09/11/08)

Roman Catholic of sorts Joe Biden says that he believes life begins at conception. But as a Roman Catholic, he does not want to impose his in-line-with-Vatican ethic on others. http://www.americandaily.com/article/23099

Zenit.org, a Vatican-supporting news service had the following related article:

DENVER, Colorado, SEPT. 8, 2008 (Zenit.org).- NBC’s “Meet the Press” has inadvertently become the stage for some Catholic politicians to display “flawed moral reasoning,” according to the bishops of Denver.

In the second statement in two weeks responding to comments made by Catholic politicians on the Sunday morning program, Archbishop Charles Chaput and Auxiliary Bishop James Conley of Denver are telling politicians “who describe themselves as Catholic,” to begin to “act accordingly.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared first on the program in late August. When asked to comment on when life begins, she said that as a Catholic she had studied the issue for “a long time” and that “the doctors of the Church have not been able to make that definition.”

Senator Joseph Biden, Senator Barack Obama’s running mate on the Democratic presidential ticket, appeared on the same program last Sunday. The senator “compounded the problem” with his explanation of when life begins, according to the bishops.

The senator said that although he knows “when [life] begins for me,” he claimed it to be fundamentally a “personal and private issue.”

And, even though as a Catholic he is “prepared to accept the teachings of my Church,” the senator said that in a pluralistic society it would be “inappropriate” to “impose that judgment on everyone else.”

Always wrong

In the wake of Pelosi’s appearance on “Meet the Press,” Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop William Lori, chairman of the Committee on Doctrine, responded that her answer “misrepresented the history and nature of the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church against abortion.”

The prelates noted that since the first century the Church has “affirmed the moral evil of every abortion.”

A series of statements were released by other bishops across the United States, including Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C.; Archbishop Charles Chaput and Auxiliary Bishop James Conley of Denver; Cardinal Edward Egan, archbishop of New York; Archbishop John Nienstedt of St. Paul and Minneapolis; Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo, North Dakota; Cardinal Francis George, archbishop of Chicago; and Archbishop George Niederauer of San Francisco.

Responding to the comments of Biden, the bishops of Denver refuted the claim that the moment when life begins is “a personal and private issue.”

“Modern biology knows exactly when human life begins,” they explained, “at the moment of conception.”

“Religion has nothing to do with it,” the prelates continued. “People might argue when human ‘personhood’ begins — though that leads public policy in very dangerous directions — but no one can any longer claim that the beginning of life is a matter of religious opinion.”…

The statement continues: “If we claim to be Catholic, then American Catholics, including public officials who describe themselves as Catholic, need to act accordingly.

“We need to put an end to Roe and the industry of permissive abortion it enables. Otherwise all of us — from senators and members of Congress, to Catholic laypeople in the pews — fail not only as believers and disciples, but also as citizens.”

Now I agree with the Catholic bishops about when life begins and that abortion is wrong.

But the problem with that is that the Catholic Church itself has allowed abortions in the third century and certain other later ones–thus suggesting that it has always opposed them is simply not true.  Beginning with the simonist Bishop Callistus in the early third century, various Bishops of Rome have allowed abortions.

The Catholic Encyclopedia reported:

Callistus allowed the lower clergy to marry, and permitted noble ladies to marry low persons and slaves, which by the Roman law was forbidden; he had thus given occasion for infanticide (Chapman, John. “Pope Callistus I.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 3. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908. 11 Sept. 2008 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03183d.htm>).

Another writer reported:

Most Catholics are not aware that the infallible Church and popes have changed their minds several times on this topic–unthinkable from today’s perspective.

From the fifth century onward, Aristotle’s view that the embryo goes through stages from vegetable to animal to spiritual was accepted. Only in the final stage was it human. Thus Gregory VI (1045-6) said, “He is not a murderer who brings about abortion before the soul is in the body.” Gregory XIII (1572-85) said it was not homicide to kill an embryo of less than 40 days since it wasn’t yet human. His successor, Sixtus V, who rewrote the Bible, disagreed. His Bull of 1588 made all abortions for any reason homicide and cause for excommunication. His successor, Gregory XIV, reversed that decree. In 1621 the Vatican issued another pastoral directive permitting abortion up to 40 days (Hunt D. A Women Rides the BeastHarvest House Publishers, Eugene (OR), 1994, pp. 519-520).

I, of course, remain opposed to abortion and believe that the true Church of God always has been.  Abortion is one of the areas that the Church of Rome has sometimes compromised on.  While it is good that it is not wishing to compromise on it now, the truth is that history shows that the Church of Rome has allowed abortions.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living 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.
“Pope” Callistus (217-222) He is the first bishop known to have been a criminal prior to his election. He was also accused of a variety of corrupt acts, including allowing indulgences and infanticide (abortion).
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church.
Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this?
Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.

Sarah Palin, Vice Presidential Nominee

COGwriter

While Sarah Palin herself has not been interviewed in any detail since her nomination for the Republican vice-presidential spot (she is scheduled to have an interview tomorrow, 9/11/08), CNN found out something interesting about her former church.

Notice the following that was on the news two nights ago and is from a recently posted transcript:

Apparently at least one in her former church neglected to seriously consider the following scripture:

“Flee from the land of the north”, says the LORD…Up Zion! Escape you that dwell with the daughter of Babylon (Zechariah 2:6,7).

For many reasons, including geography, I do not believe that the Bible supports the idea that Alaska can be a place of safety at the end.  Though because of its size, it is likely that a higher percentage of Americans may survive and avoid slavery there than in the rest of the USA–perhaps in that way it will be a shelter–though a relatively difficult one.

But Alaska simply is not the prophesied place of biblical refuge at the end, despite what any parishioners at the Wasilla Assembly of God may think.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected? What does the Bible really teach? Who really is left behind?
Laodicean Warning for God’s People Is there really a place of safety? Do God’s people need to be warned? Warned for what?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?

Three relatively recent news posts on the presidential/vice-presidential candidates would be:

• Might Sarah Palin Fulfill Prophecy?
• Barack Obama is Not the Antichrist
• John McCain Picks a Woman for VP

Flooding in Iowa in 2008

COGwriter

While I have reported about American and Chinese flooding this year, I thought that perhaps British flooding should also be covered now.

The following news item explains some of the problem:

There certainly have been a lot of weather-related problems this year

LCG has long had a booklet of possibly related interest titled “Who Controls the Weather? ” that is available for those interested in more on the weather and Bible prophecy.

Now there is good news as ultimately, God’s kingdom will come.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Universal Offer of 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? Will all good things be restored? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it. Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?

Superconducting quadrupole electromagnets are used in the LHC to direct the beams to four intersection points where interactions between protons will take place.

COGwriter

On September 10, 2008, the massive Large Hadron Collider (LHC, also known as a super collider) is to begin being tested.  And it has some people concerned that it may lead to the end of the world.  Time reported the following:

Collider Triggers End-of-World Fears

From the flagellants of the Middle Ages to the doomsayers of Y2K, humanity has always been prone to good old-fashioned the-end-is-nigh hysteria. The latest cause for concern: that the earth will be destroyed and the galaxy gobbled up by an ever-increasing black hole next week.

On Sept. 10, scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland, will switch on the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) — a $6 billion particle accelerator that will send beams of protons careening around a 17-mile underground ring, crash them into each other to re-create the immediate aftereffects of the Big Bang, and then monitor the debris in the hope of learning more about the origins and workings of the universe. Next week marks a low-power run of the circuit, and scientists hope to start smashing atoms at full power by the end of the month.

Critics of the LHC say the high-energy experiment might create a mini black hole that could expand to dangerous, Earth-eating proportions.

On Aug. 26, Professor Otto Rossler, a German chemist at the Eberhard Karis University of Tubingen, filed a lawsuit against CERN with the European Court of Human Rights that argued, with no understatement, that such a scenario would violate the right to life of European citizens and pose a threat to the rule of law.

Last March, two American environmentalists filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in Honolulu seeking to force the U.S. government to withdraw its participation in the experiment. The lawsuits have in turn spawned several websites, chat rooms and petitions — and led to alarming headlines around the world (Britain’s Sun newspaper on Sept. 1: “End of the World Due in 9 Days”).

Should we be scared? No. In June, CERN published a safety report, reviewed by a group of external scientists, ruling out the possibility of dangerous black holes. It said that even if tiny black holes were to be formed at CERN — a big if — they would evaporate almost instantaneously due to Hawking Radiation, a phenomenon named for the British physicist Stephen Hawking, whose theories show that black holes not only swallow up the light, energy and matter around them, but also leak it all back out at an accelerating pace. http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1838947,00.html.

Of course, because the deal between the prince that will become the King of the North and Israel (cf. Daniel 9:26-27) has not yet occurred, there is at least 3 1/2 years until the start of the Great Tribulation and 7 years until the end of the world and the start of the millennium.

Thus, false predictions by people such as Ronald Weinland (Ronald Weinland Claims Thunders Are Growing Louder) and James Malm (James Malm Challenges COGwriter) that the beginning of the tribulation will occur on/by September 30, 2008 (or a month or two later) are also wrong.

On the other hand, while it is touted as simply a scientific (and not a military) device, the LHC will likely give the Europeans some techological advantages that they will eventually be able to use as they seek to strength their military.  And that is likely to help them when they decide it is time to launch a surprise attack on the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Since the Bible is clear that the Beast power will have unique military advantage and the Europeans have the largest “super collider” in existence, it just may be that it will somehow lead the Europeans to get the type of military power that they are prophesied to have (cf. Revelation 13:4)

But again, the destruction of the Anglo-American powers cannot happen until at least 3 1/2 years from now, which would be no earlier than 2012.  It will not be September 10, 2008.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

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”?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans (the Hindus may have some predictions for the next decade as well). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it. Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?

Sarah Palin, Vice Presidential Nominee

COGwriter

In the newspaper yesterday, I was both amused and disturbed by a letter to the editor criticizing Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin for supporting the teaching of creationism and not teaching that evolution is a fact.

The writer apparently is one of those improperly educated people who has not considered that the explanation of evolution as the origin of life is scientifically preposterous.

But that writer was not the only one.  There have been many articles and headlines about that in the past couple of days by journalists that presumably think that this is something that needs to be warned against.

A sub-headline one hour ago stated:

Sarah Palin’s record shows a strong faith in Bible and prayer. She supports teaching creationism, outlawing abortion and banning same-sex marriage.

By GEORGE BRYSON and R ICHARD MAUER, McClatchy News Service

Last update: September 7, 2008 http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/27958514.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DU2EkP7K_V_GD7EaPc:iLP8iUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU

Another news article stated:

During a 2006 gubernatorial debate in Alaska, Palin was asked if she supported teaching an alternative to evolution.

“Teach both,” Palin said at the televised debate, according to a news story in the Anchorage Daily News. “You know, don’t be afraid of information. Healthy debate is so important, and it’s so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both.”

It’s not clear if she was asked specifically about creationism or intelligent design.

After the debate, Palin told the newspaper she would not push the state board of education to add evolution alternatives to the mandatory curriculum, nor would she base appointments to the board on the candidates’ views on the issue. http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_10400863

Sarah Palin herself is expected to be interviewed by ABC news later this week, and creationism may be a topic she may be asked about in more detail.

Now, while I am not going to endorse either party in the USA election (see Should a Christian Vote?), I will however support the view that creationism is more scientific than evolution (and of course oppose abortion, all forms of fornication, etc.).

Those interested in knowing more on why evolution and abortion are not correct and the Bible is may wish to read the following articles:

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.
Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? Has the Roman Catholic Church allowed abortions? What about the Living Church of God?

Three relatively recent news posts on the presidential/vice-presidential candidates would be:

• Might Sarah Palin Fulfill Prophecy?
• Barack Obama is Not the Antichrist
• John McCain Picks a Woman for VP

Flag of the European Union

COGwriter

In its latest update (see News of the Living Church of God ), LCG closed with the following statements:

Bible prophecy indicates that a Beast power will rise in Europe, yet Europe has had great difficulty uniting, as do iron and clay (Daniel 2:33-35). Will God use pressure from Russia to aid in the creation of a stronger, more unified Europe?

Notice also a related news item:

Russia, China, and India (and other nations) are emerging as major players on the world scene (for more information, see Why Are Russia, China, and India Getting Together?).  Now, perhaps I should mention that although I have not been to Brazil (nor Russia nor China for that matter), I believe that because of religious and cultural ties, it along with the other nations in South America will align themselves with Europe and NOT the Asia powers.

However, in the short run, there will likely be increased military and economic cooperation between the USA and Europe.  Yet, I believe that Europe will take advantage of American technology and American cooperation to prepare itself to become independent of it (for some information on the economic side, please see the news item A Combined EU & North American Trade Block Coming?).

Ultimately I believe that the military ramifications of European fears and pride will cause it to launch a surprise attack against the United States, once it (Europe) is ready.  But since they are not nearly ready yet, it will take at least several years before this will occur.  But, according to Bible prophecy, it will come to pass.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans and others (who were not even on the same continent). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
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”?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for China? Is it a “King of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia?
India, Its Biblical Past and Future: Any Witness? The Bible discusses the origins of those of Indian heritage and discusses some of the witness to them and part of its prophesied future.
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?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it. Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?

COGwriter

What do you know about the sect of the Nazarenes?

According to the fourth century Catholic historian Eusebius, during the first century,

James, the first that had obtained the episcopal seat in Jerusalem after the ascension of our Saviour…But the people of the church in Jerusalem had been commanded by a revelation, vouchsafed to approved men there before the war, to leave the city and to dwell in a certain town of Perea called Pella.[i]

The faithful who claimed to have fled Jerusalem for Pella were called Nazarenes. This may be because Jesus Himself was prophesied to be called by that name:

Jesus…He shall be called a Nazarene (Matthew 2:1,23).

Seventeen times the Bible (NKJV) uses the expression “Jesus of Nazareth”, probably because Jesus used to live there (Matthew 2:23). The New Testament uses the expression Nazareth, Nazarene, or Nazarene thirty-one times.

Theological scholar James Tabor wrote about some definitions of Nazarene (other than “one from Nazareth” or “separatist/consecrated”):

The Jesus movement was from early on referred to as the “Nazarenes,” which roughly translates as the “the Messianists” or the people of the “Branch”.[ii]

The Protestant historian Philip Schaff noted:

A portion of the Jewish Christians, however, adhered even after the destruction of Jerusalem, to the national customs of their fathers, and propagated themselves in some churches of Syria down to the end of the fourth century, under the name of Nazarenes; a name perhaps originally given in contempt by the Jews to all Christians as followers of Jesus of Nazareth. They united the observance of the Mosaic ritual law with their belief in the Messiahship and divinity of Jesus, used the Gospel of Matthew in Hebrew, deeply mourned the unbelief of their brethren, and hoped for their future conversion in a body and for a millennial reign of Christ on the earth. But they indulged no antipathy to the apostle Paul…They were, therefore, not heretics, but stunted separatist Christians; they stopped at the obsolete position of a narrow and anxious Jewish Christianity, and shrank to an insignificant sect. Jerome says of them, that, wishing to be Jews and Christians alike, they were neither one nor the other.[iii]

So there were Christians with Jewish practices that were sometimes called Nazarenes that historians teach claimed to have originated from the original Jerusalem church. And they were different from the more narrow “Jewish Christianity” according to a Protestant scholar—but shrank into being considered to be an insignificant sect.

They were also not popular with the Jews in the first few centuries A.D. The Book of Acts records the following about the Apostle Paul from Jewish authorities:

For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes (Acts 24:5).

Thus, originally the term Nazarenes appears to be applied to all Christians, and not some small part of it, as it is being applied to those that agree with the Apostle Paul.

But apparently some Jews felt that the Christians were a bit secretive according to Harve Lewis:

The title Nazarene was given by the Jews to those strange people outside their own religion that seemed to belong to some type of secret sect…[iv]

Notice how badly some Jews felt about Nazarenes according to a fourth century writing by the Catholic historian Epiphanius:

For not only do the Jewish children cherish hatred against them but the people stand up in the morning, at noon, and in the evening…Three times per day they say: ‘May God curse the Nazarenes.’[v]

The Nazarenes ended up in “synagogues of the East” according to the Catholic priest Jerome.[vi] The “Nazarenes” referred to essentially ended up dwelling in Syria, Asia Minor, and Armenia (while others were in other lands).

The fourth century Catholic historian Epiphanius wrote of this group from the time of 69/70 A.D. until his day, and he starts out with an interesting admission:

All Christians were called Nazarenes once…They were so-called followers of the apostles…they dedicate themselves to the law…However, everyone called the Christians Nazarenes as I said before. This appears from the accusation against Paul…[Acts 24:5]…

For they use not only the New Testament but also the Old…For they also accept the resurrection of the dead and that everything has origin in God…Only in this respect they differ from the Jews and Christians: with the Jews they do not agree because of their belief in Christ, with the Christians because they are trained in the Law, in circumcision, the Sabbath and the other things…

This heresy of the Nazarenes exists in Beroea in the neighborhood of Coele Syria and the Decapolis in the region of Pella and in Basanitis in the so-called Kokabe, Chochabe in Hebrew. For from there it took its beginning after the exodus from Jerusalem and to go away since it would undergo a siege. Because of this advice they lived in Perea after having moved to that place as I said. There the Nazarene heresy had its beginning. [vii]

So Epiphanius states that the remnant who fled to Pella from Jerusalem, while professing Christ, believed the entire Bible, kept the Sabbath, and had other practices that he considered to be Jewish. Hence, here is a historical admission that the original church did keep the Sabbath and that for several centuries were often referred to as Nazarenes. But instead of embracing original Christianity, Epiphanius teaches that it was an early “heresy”.

Modern scholars, like Larry Hurtado, have realized the Christians who claimed to be Nazarene including most considered to be proto-orthodox” held a binitarian view of the Godhead:

…”Nazarene” Christianity, had a view of Jesus fully compatible with the beliefs favored by the proto-orthodox (indeed, they could be considered part of the circles that made up proto-orthodox Christianity of the time). Pritz contended that this Nazarene Christianity was the dominant form of Christianity in the first and second centuries…the devotional stance toward Jesus that characterized most of the Jewish Christians of the first and second centuries seems to have been congruent with proto-orthodox devotion to Jesus…the proto-orthodox “binitarian” pattern of devotion…[viii]

In a binitarian view of the Godhead, the one God Family began with two (for more information, please see the article Binitarian View: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning). Binitarians believe that the Father is God and Jesus (the Son, also called the Word) is God, and that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. This Godhead, according to the Bible (cf. Romans 8:29; Ephesians 3:15), is a family that others can some day be born into.

Scholar Ray Pritz noted:

The Nazarenes were distinct from the Ebionites and prior to them. In fact, we have found that it is possible that there was a split in Nazarene ranks around the turn of the first century. This split was either over a matter of christological doctrine or over leadership of the community. Out of this split came the Ebionites, who can scarcely be separated from the Nazarenes on the basis of geography, but who can be easily distinguished from the standpoint of Christology.[ix]

It should be also noted that in early Jerusalem, there were apparently two groups professing Christ. One that the Apostle Paul referred to as “the circumcision” (Titus 1:10) (often known as early Ebionites) was not truly faithful, while the other group was composed of true and faithful Jewish Christians (also called Nazarenes, but later also sometimes called Ebionites).

Now while most people understand that the early Christians were called Nazarenes, most simply do not realize that the Nazarenes had Judaeo-Christian practices that dated from the original apostles that they never changed.

This is the major difference between the Living Church of God and those who call themselves Catholics, Orthodox, or Protestant–those groups simply no longer hold to many of the early documentable beliefs of the original Christian church.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Should Christians be Nazarenes today? What were the practices of the Nazarenes.
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
Apostolic Succession What really happened? Did structure and beliefs change? Are many of the widely-held current understandings of this even possible? Did you know that Catholic scholars really do not believe that several of the claimed “apostolic sees” of the Orthodox have apostolic succession–despite the fact that the current pontiff himself seems to wish to ignore this view?  Is there actually a true church that has ties to any of the apostles that is not part of the Catholic or Orthodox churches?  Read this article if you truly are interested in the truth on this matter!
Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. ArmstrongThis 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 Living Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living 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.
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Living Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Similarities and Differences Between the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Living Church of God Both groups claim to represent the original Christian faith.  Do you know much about them? Both groups have some interesting similarities, but many major differences. Would you like information on how to deal with Jehovah’s Witnesses?
SDA/LCG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666The Living Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White.
Five Dissimilarities Between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Living Church of God The Living Church of God is not related to the Mormons and this article explains five differences.
Being Separate: What Did Herbert W. Armstrong and the Bible Teach About Where Not to Fellowship? Some believe that it is acceptable to attend groups called COG, but who are not actually. What did Herbert W. Armstrong and the Bible teach about this.

Jerusalem

COGwriter

LCG reported the following news item:

The Dutch intelligence service just called off an operation aimed at sabotaging Iran’s weapons industry, due to an impending U.S. attack on “the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, according to a report in the country’s De Telegraaf newspaper on Friday…” The impending air-strike on Iran was to be carried out by unmanned aircraft “within weeks.” Jerusalem is also planning for an independent air strike (Jerusalem Post, September 1, 2008).

“Should Israel or the United States attack Iran, it would be the start of another World War,” an Iranian general warned on Saturday. Jordan’s King Abdullah warned, “any military action against Tehran will have serious consequences on all of the Middle East, and the states in the region will be forced to deal with the situation” (Jerusalem Post, August 31, 2008). Iran’s allies, Syria and the Lebanese Hezbollah have apparently stockpiled thousands of rockets for retaliation purposes (DEBKA, August 31, 2008). God prophesied through Isaiah that Damascus would “cease from being a city” and would become “a ruinous heap” (Isaiah 17:1)—powerful words for a city which many consider to be one of the oldest “continuously inhabited” cities on earth. As we see powerful Middle Eastern events continue, it will be interesting, yet sobering, to see how God uses nations to fulfill His end-time prophecies.

While Iran is NOT the future King of the South, Iran may be sidelined before the end.  And while an attack against Iran will NOT be the end (the Great Tribulation cannot begin prior to 2012), it should set the stage for the rise of the King of the South.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

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 Arab World In the Bible, 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?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans (the Hindus may have some predictions for the next decade as well). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?

Pope Benedictus XVI

COGwriter

The following news item was of interest:

As we in the Living Church of God have long taught, Europe will embrace some form of Catholicism before the end.

It appears that both the pope and the French president are trying to set the stage for that now (though it may take some time for it to come to pass).

Currently the French president is also the “president of the North” in the Union for the Mediterranean (please see Deal Leading to Psalm 83?).

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation discusses the largest church since the second/third century, which in a real sense is the eighth church mentioned in the Book of Revelation (it also endorses “eighth day” worship).  Who is the Beast?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living 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.
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 members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.

6.7 Earthquake in Northridge California Destroyed the Above Building of Kaiser Permanente. Earthquakes are one of the signs pointing to Jesus return (Matthew 24:3-8), but will there be a pre-tribulation “rapture”?

COGwriter

In UCG’s latest issue of World News & Prophecy is the following:

The Rapture—A Popular but False Doctrine!

The rapture, often called “the blessed hope,” is sadly more hoax than hope, even though the man who started it had no intention of deceiving anyone. You need to know what the Bible actually says!

by Cecil E. Maranville

The rapture is widely taught and believed in Christianity today. Popular books and movies spin themes around this doctrine that essentially teaches Christ will come back twice, first coming only into the atmosphere to snatch believers away to heaven for several years; then actually returning to set foot on the earth.

We live in a time when most are content to get their knowledge of religion secondhand, preferably through dramatic presentations, including stage, screen and novels.

But you cannot afford to neglect your personal responsibility to prove the truth!

Those willing to take a careful look at the Bible will see that the rapture theory doesn’t stand up to the scrutiny of God’s Word…

Flawed foundation

The word rapture comes from the Latin rapere, meaning, “to seize” or “to abduct.” It is translated from the Greek word that is rendered “caught up” in English Bibles today.

All advocates of the rapture agree that the main argument is based on 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Here the argument stands or falls.

First, look at verse 17 in the New King James Version: “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

The Greek verb for “caught up” is harpagesometha. Does it convey the sense of an abduction here? No, “[it] combines the ideas of force and suddenness seen in the irresistible power of God” (Leon Morris, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Revised Edition, 1984, p. 94).

Why would Paul use such a strong word? Let’s allow the Bible to speak for itself. The context of the subject begins in verse 13 and concludes in verse 11 of the next chapter. Paul wrote this section of the letter in answer to concerns of the local Christians.

As you read verse 13, you discover that Christians in Thessalonica were grieving over the unexpected deaths of members of their congregation.

Albert Barnes comments: “There seems some reason to suppose…that some of them believed that, though those who were dead would indeed rise again, yet it would be long after those who were living when the Lord Jesus would return had been taken to glory, and would always be in a condition inferior to them” ( Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, notes on 1 Thessalonians 4:13).

Paul wrote that they should not grieve over this: “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus [believers who had died]” (verse 14).

Was he responding to a worry about whether Christ would rescue believers from the Great Tribulation? No, nothing is said of this.

Nor is there anything in these verses that intimates Christ making a swooping pass by the earth to snatch off a few people to take them to heaven. These verses refer only to the doctrine of the second coming, at which time Jesus sets foot on the earth.

Perhaps I should add that while a majority of American evangelicals believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, the vast majority of Catholics, Orthodox, Lutherans, and many other Protestants do not.

And of course, the Living Church of God does not either.  We believe that the Bible is clear that their is a place of protection during the Great Tribulation, but it is on earth and limited to Philadelphia Christians (cf. Revelation 3:7-10).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected?What does the Bible really teach? Who really is left behind?
Laodicean Warning for God’s People Is there really a place of safety? Do God’s people need to be warned? Warned for what?