Church of God News

American and British Aircraft Carriers Training Together

COGwriter

While the world markets in the past week or so have been somewhat positive towards the US dollar, what will happen if the USA and Britain continue their patterns of debt accumulation?

In a commentary late last night titled Sudden Destruction, LCG’s Wyatt Ciesielka wrote:

Is it possible that the United States and Britain could become so economically weak that we would no longer be able to afford the military equipment needed for our very defense? Could a time come when our factories are controlled by hostile nations and are used to produce weaponry for our enemies? Would you believe that these prophecies are already starting to come true?…

America became the “Arsenal of Democracy.”

Sadly, a time is prophesied when the USA, Canada, Britain and other long-time allies will no longer be able to answer such a call.  And, that time may be sooner than you realize.

On August 20th, 2008, Britain’s Manchester.com reported, “The Ministry of Defense may be forced to sell some or all of its 88 Eurofighters to other countries like Japan, South Africa or India because of its estimated £2 billion budget deficit.”  Economic weakness precedes military weakness.  Could the very military hardware that Britain can no longer afford be used against it one day?

It is a travesty to see the once mighty United Kingdom unable to afford the advanced, new military hardware it has ordered!  But, is the USA better off?  Will a future President be able to mobilize the “Arsenal of Democracy” to rescue our allies, as Roosevelt once did?

US manufacturers are facing their worst crisis in modern history and – stated bluntly – may not survive.  “The downturn in the American auto industry is rapidly becoming a full-blown fight for survival among Detroit’s big automakers” (New York Times, August 2, 2008).  Ford and General Motors recently reported stunning quarterly losses of $8.7 billion and $15.5 billion respectively.  Ford has already mortgaged almost all of its assets, and GM is burning through its cash reserves at a rate of $1 billion per month! Both manufacturers are closing plants and selling subsidiaries to foreign purchasers.

Unless the US, Britain, and other descendants of ancient Israel repent, Bible prophecy tells us that modern Israel’s strength will fail and we will be faced with “sudden” destruction (Isaiah 30:12-13).  During this time, our allies will forsake us (Jeremiah 30:14) and we will be too economically and militarily weak to withstand aggression.  Could these 88 Eurofighters that Britain can’t afford be used one day against Britain and her allies?  Will we have the military, or the industry to respond?  Will our factories even be US-owned at that time? http://www.lcg.org/cgi-bin/tw/commentary/tw-comm.cgi?category=Commentary1&item=1220508022

Let’s briefly look at Isaiah 30:12-13:

12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel:

“Because you despise this word, And trust in oppression and perversity, And rely on them,  13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you Like a breach ready to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant.

Of course, more and more, the USA is trusting in policies that encourage perversity. While there is oppression in the USA (especially racial), the Hebrew word for it can also be translated “unjust gain”,  This can include not just the historical exploitation of of various peoples, but can probably also include the fact that the US economy for the past few decades has been benefiting from the gains of foreigners loaning money to it.

And as I have reported many times before, Habakkuk 2:7, which is consistent with Isaiah 30:12-13, also teaches what Wyatt Ciesielka  titled as Sudden Destruction:

7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty.

Several documented 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 (the Hindu Indians may have some 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?
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 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?
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?

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Ronald Weinland Says His Books and His Interpretations of the Bible Are What He Wants Potential Supporters to Study. The COGwriter Site Instead Urges Those Interested in Him and End-Time Prophecies to Spend More Time Checking His Writings with the Bible.

COGwriter

While Ronald Weinland has spread a lot of falsehood, perhaps one of the most disturbing from a theological perspective is the following which is part of his explanation of his so-called 38th “truth”.  Without going into all his points, the following is what I wish to focus on:

In order to enter into the God family one must be tried and tested over many years and not just for a mere 3 1/2 years or less.

Based on what?

Has he not read the parable of the workers of the vineyard?  Notice what Jesus Himself taught:

1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ 7 “They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’ 8 “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ 9 “And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ 13 “But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ 16 “So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” (Matthew 20:1-16)

Jesus was clear that salvation was dependent upon God’s calling, not the length of time one was called.

Sadly, Ronald Weinland does not understand the Bible.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up and that the end will come in 2008. Why is he a false prophet? He also has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the Church of God.
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.
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.
Who Are The Two Witnesses? What is their job? What does the Bible reveal? What has the Church of God taught on this subject? Might even Roman Catholic prophecies give some clues here?

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

COGwriter

Christianity Today had the following in an article:

September 2, 2008 8:56PM

Radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt said tonight that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s comments on when life begins signified a turning point for religious voters.

Pelosi said on TV last week that “doctors of the church” have not been able to define when life begins.

What about on the Democrats’ attempts to reach out to religious voters?
I think the Nancy Pelosi’s attempt to distort Roman Catholic Church on Meet the Press led to an avalanche of Roman Catholic bishops and cardinals denouncing her attempt to confuse and mislead mass-attending Catholics. That, in turn, triggered a re-evaluation of the Democratic platform and the story about Sen. Obama’s voting against the born-alive infant protection act got a lot of traction because of Sen. Pelosi. It was a turning point in the religious vote, and I don’t see him making significant in roads whatsoever. The evangelical vote is going to turn out and it’s going to be overwhelmingly for McCain. http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctpolitics/2008/09/talk_show_host.html

The problem is that if “doctors of the Church” means Roman Catholic leaders (which it is supposed to in this context), Nancy Pelosi is quite correct.  While the current Roman Catholic Church has a different opinion, to say that its leaders have had questions about this matter is NOT a distortion.

The truth is that Roman Catholic leaders have endorsed abortion throughout the ages.

Now, as the true Church of God has never done this, as we have always recognized that life begins at conception (please see Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose ).

While Nancy Pelosi cited Augustine and Thomas Aquinas as proof that the Catholics have had questions about when life begins, there were also other Catholic leaders who were unsure.

The Roman Bishop Callistus (as well as later Popes) did allow abortion.

Notice what one Protestant scholar wrote about other Roman Catholic Popes:

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).

Quite similarly notice what one former Roman Catholic priest wrote:

Most Catholics assume that the soul is infused at conception…For fourteen hundred years until the late nineteenth century, all Catholics, including the popes, took it for granted that the soul is not infused at conception…

From the fifth century, the church accepted without question, the primitive embryology of Aristotle. The embryo began as a non-human speck that was progressively animated.

In the fifteenth century, moralists began to ask whether it was not possible in certain circumstances to get rid of the foetus without fault…Some went further. They said it was permissable to save a mother’s life even after the foetus was humanized…

Gregory XIII (1572-85) said it was not homicide to kill an embryo of less than forty days since it was not human…His successor, the tempestuous Sixtus V, who rewrote the Bible, disagreed entirely. In his Bull Effraenatum of 1588, he said all abortions for whatever reason were homicide and were penalized by excommunication reserved to the Holy See. Immediately after Sixtus died, Gregory XIV realized that, in the current state of theological opinion, Sixtus’ view was too severe. In an almost unique decision, he said Sixtus’ censures were to be treated as if he had never issued them (De Rosa, Peter. Vicars of Christ. Poolbeg Press, Dublin, 2000, p.p 374-375).

Although there is no evidence that any Church of God leader endorsed abortion, sadly some affiliated with the Roman Church have.

Thus, while I remain opposed to abortion, to portray Nancy Pelosi’s comments as inaccurate is not right.

The Roman Catholic Church has changed (and often rechanged) many doctrines.

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.
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.

The above poster was produced by the Europeans over a decade ago. It may be of interest to note that the above inverted stars are pentagrams, a satanic symbol. The poster tower was based upon a painting of the Tower of Babel by a European, Pieter Brueghel the Elder, in 1563.

COGwriter

The following news item was of interest:

02.09.2008

Georgia Moves Closer To EU as Russia Welcomes Summit Results

Georgian Premier Lado Gurgenidze thanked the European Union for its support Tuesday and called for closer ties with Brussels. Russian officials on the other hand also seemed pleased with the emergency summit’s outcome.

Apparently deciding that economic sanctions would hurt it more than Russia, plus realizing that it simply does not have the military power, the EU effectively blinked.

Another news item reported:

Last year the Europeans spent about $312 billion, less than half of America’s total outlays, on defense. But much of that money was wasted on large, inefficient conscript forces. EU members have little lift capability. During the Kosovo conflict, European officials admitted that they possessed barely 10 to 15 percent of America’s combat capabilities. http://www.nationalinterest.org/Article.aspx?id=19506

However, I believe that the issue with Georgia and Russia will make the EU realize that it must get the military power it needs.

And the Bible shows that that power will be quite effective:

So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:4)

However, that effectiveness will not last (Daniel 11:44-45).

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?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia?
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?

The Strength of Dollars Have Long Been Part of the “Pride of the Power” of the USA (which will be broken per Leviticus 26:19)

COGwriter

The following news item was of interest:

Notice that the Chinese indicate that the US better clean up its act or its dollar, which it seems to think is a type of junk, will apparently no longer dominate the international markets.

As reported here earlier, the US dollar was so close to collapse this year, the Europeans and Japanese decided that they would intervene TO PREVENT ITS COLLAPSE (please see Europe and Japan Planned on Saving the Dollar), but instead, essentially the Chinese intervened and restored value to the US dollar (see China Supporting the Dollar?).

This situation will NOT continue indefinitely. Our creditors will rise up and it will be over for the USA (see Habbakuk 2:3-8). But not yet.

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?
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?
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?
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?
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?

Sunset in Ia Santorini, May 2007

COGwriter

A few moments ago, CGOM’s James McBride sent out the following “MiniStudy”, which is included in its entirety:

God indeed has glory and true Christians can share in it.

Three articles of possible interest may include:

Deification: Did the Early Church Teach That Christians Would Become God? What does the Bible teach? Is deification only a weird or cultic idea?
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?

Hurricane Gustav

COGwriter

The following news item came from 12 minutes ago:

Whether or not this mean less rain is hard to say, but it may mean less pressure on the levies.

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?