Archive for May, 2011

Catholic Report on Fatima Book

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011


A photostatic copy of a page from Ilustração Portugueza, October 29, 1917

COGWriter

Today the pro-Roman Catholic news agency Zenit reported the following:

New Book Presents Fatima to Another Generation

Father Apostoli Discusses the Significance of Mary’s Apparitions
By Traci Osuna

YONKERS, New York, MAY 31, 2011 (Zenit.org).- There’s a lot to the story of Fatima that many Catholics don’t know, according to the author of a new book on the 1917 miracle.

In “Fatima For Today: The Urgent Marian Message of Hope,” (Ignatius Press), Father Andrew Apostoli brings the story of Fatima to a new generation.

“[Catholics] are learning a lot that they didn’t know about Fatima,” says Father Apostoli told ZENIT. “A lot of good Catholics probably have a general idea … the rough lines of it and some details, but there’s a lot to the story.”

I would not call this book truly “new” as I pre-ordered it and got my copy in December 2010.  But since I was in Fatima on Sunday, let me state that Priest Apostoli doesn’t really know the truth about Fatima.

A careful review of even early Catholic investigative writings document that what was seen there in 1917 was not possibly Mary of the Bible.  And the official position of the Vatican is that no one needs to believe the “messages” purportedly given there.

Anyway, I plan to write more about this in the future as I am currently working on a book related to Fatima.  But for now, let me say that in the 58 icon shops I checked outSunday (May 29, 2011) that sold statues allegedly of “Mary”, that not one of the statues I saw looked like what the children who claimed to see the “Lady of the apparitions” initially described the “Lady” as looking like.

For more information on Fatima and other mystic Catholic claims, please check out the following:

Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What happened at Fatima? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers?
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.

Russia and Obama on US Military

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

COGwriter

In today’s commentary, LCG’s Adam West had the following:

The Russia Today news agency reports a boom underway in the iron market! Business is prospering for the defense contracting industry as a whole. Iraq, Afghanistan and the more than 1,000 United States military bases worldwide provide a ready stream of business for these contractors. During a career-day expo held in Charlottesville, Virginia, one interviewee stated, “I am a pacifist, but sometimes war is necessary.” Is war really necessary?

There is a staggering 100,000 defense contractors serving the U.S. war machine. Michael O’Brien, author of America’s Failure in Iraq, stated, “When Dwight Eisenhower talked about the military-industrial complex in 1961, we’re there now.” In Eisenhower’s address, given just three days before the end of his Presidential term, he stated:

“A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction…

“Until the latest of our world conflicts, the United States had no armaments industry. American makers of plowshares could, with time and as required, make swords as well. But now we can no longer risk emergency improvisation of national defense; we have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions….

“This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience… We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.

“In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence…by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist…”

The power wielded by the military-industrial complex can be seen in a U.S. national debt that has spiraled out of control, fueled by the desire to protect national borders (with varying degrees of success or seriousness) and to wage protracted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Russia Today report also stated that, without the military-industrial complex, the unemployment rate in the U.S. would soar to 11.5 percent, leading them to conclude that—facing those odds—the military-industrial complex seems to be our best defense.

The Eternal God, however, has a different take on the matter. Scripture warns us: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 16:25). Considering the grand success of the burgeoning military establishment, can anyone reasonably dispute the Bible’s words on this matter?

The prophet Isaiah revealed: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God… for your hands are defiled with blood…  no one calls for justice, nor does any plead for truth… their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood… wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace” (Isaiah 59:1-8).

Jesus Christ showed plainly the attitude a Christian should have regarding military service and war. “But I say to you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also” (Luke 6:27-29).  Read more

Yes, the USA’s power and economy are highly based on its military sales and projection of its military power for war.

Interestingly, US President Obama has tried to tie the military in with a call of a prophet:

Arlington, VA (AP) — President Barack Obama says America’s fallen heroes answered a call like that heard by the biblical prophet Isaiah.

In a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Obama noted that when God asked who would go forth to do His work, Isaiah said: “Here I am. Send me.”  http://www.wltx.com/news/national/article/138547/142/Obama-Cites-Biblical-Examples-at-Arlington-Cemetery

US President Obama has taken a different view of Isaiah than we in the Living Church of God have.

While all who have studied early Christian history recognize that the faithful would not participate in war, most who now profess Christ seem to have taken a different approach.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare? Here are current and historical perspectives on a matter which show the beliefs of the true church on military participation. Is war proper for Christians?
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?
Prophecies of Barack Obama?
This article has eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. It includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? This is the longest and most complete article at the COGwriter website on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States
Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled since he is to be the USA president?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
Does God Have a 6,000/7,000 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? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2018 or 2019?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2011, 2012, or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? 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? How might Barack Obama be involved in 2012?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This link also has YouTube videos. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, world events have aligned with at least 14-15 predictions in the book (including some related to Barak Obama ) and many more will to come to pass.
2012 y el surgimiento de la secta secreta 2012 libro del Dr. Thiel en Español.
2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Edition) 2012 Buch von Dr. Thiel in deutscher Sprache.
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel em Português. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 14 já começaram a acontecer.

Great Tribulation: Time of the Gentiles

Monday, May 30th, 2011


Dr. Douglas Winnail

COGwriter

The Great Tribulation coincides with the final time of the Gentiles.

When it starts it will not be a good time for the USA or its Anglo-Allies (see also Anglo – America in Prophecy) as the final “time of the Gentiles” means that the time of the dominance of the Anglo-Israel descended nations ends.

Notice what happens during the “great tribulation” according to Jesus:

22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together (Matthew 24:22-28).

The Great Tribulation will initially mainly be directed to those who are descended from Jacob/Israel:

6 Ask now, and see,
Whether a man is ever in labor with child?
So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins
Like a woman in labor,
And all faces turned pale?
7 Alas! For that day is great,
So that none is like it;
And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble,
But he shall be saved out of it. (Jeremiah 30:6-7)

25… Gentiles, who do not know You…they have eaten up Jacob, Devoured him and consumed him,
And made his dwelling place desolate. (Jeremiah 10:25)

23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Luke 21:23-24)

2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. (Revelation 11:2)

Notice that Jeremiah, Jesus (whose words are recorded in Luke), and John (who penned Revelation) are talking about the same time. Also notice that “it is the time of Jacob’s trouble” and that the “Gentiles” are dominating. This means those that are descended from Israel or have the name of Jacob (cf. Genesis 48:14-16) will be mainly be trampled. One of the peoples that God says He will use to punish the descendants of Israel, Assyria (Isaiah 10:5-11), are a Gentile people–they will normally lead during the time of the Gentiles. The time of Gentile domination is prophesied (Ezekiel 30:1-3; Jeremiah 10:25; Luke 21:23-24; Revelation 11:2).

LCG’s Dr. D. Winnail wrote the following:

The Bible makes several references to the “times of the Gentiles” that reveal specific details about this period. Jesus said that just before His return, armies would surround Jerusalem and that the city would be “trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:20–24). Jesus did not pull this idea out of thin air. He was referring to a prophecy made 600 years earlier by Ezekiel, who wrote that “the day of the Lord is near; it will be a day of clouds [a foreboding period], the time of the Gentiles” (Ezekiel 30:1–4). Ezekiel links the time of the Gentiles with key events at the end of the age—a time when God dramatically intervenes in world history. The prophet Joel uses the same ominous language to describe severe drought, famine and war associated with the “day of the Lord” at the end of the age (Joel 2–3). In the Bible, the “times of the Gentiles” are clearly associated with the period just before the return of Jesus Christ.

The Apostle John states that Gentile powers will gain control of the city of Jerusalem, including the precincts around the temple, for 42 months (three-and-a-half years) just before Christ’s return (Revelation 11:2). Zechariah is even more specific with his prediction: “Behold the day of the Lord is coming… I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken… Half of the city shall go into captivity” (Zechariah 14:1–4). This prophecy implies that when the Gentiles gain control of Jerusalem, the Jewish half of the population will be taken into captivity. This is to occur during the time of the Gentiles—just before Christ’s return.

Jesus mentions another specific event that will occur during this time. He warned that, “when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place… then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (Matthew 24:15–16). According to Daniel, an evil end-time Gentile ruler (the king of the north) will make an agreement with Jews of Jerusalem to allow sacrifices to begin, but after three-and-a-half years he will break that agreement (Daniel 9:27). He will then set up an image that will defile the holy place (Daniel 11:31; 12:11). This will be a specific sign that Christ’s return is imminent. It will occur during the “time of the Gentiles”—when Gentiles gain control of Jerusalem…

But what will this coming “time of the Gentiles” be like, and how will it affect the world? Jesus said that the end of the age will be an increasingly violent, calamitous and chaotic time (Matthew 24:1–8). The Apostle Paul states that “in the last days perilous times will come” characterized by selfishness, greed, self-gratification and brutality (2 Timothy 3:1–5). Modern secular scholars are voicing the same concerns! Huntington comments on the emerging Gentile-dominated world, noting that “a world without U.S. primacy will be a world with more violence and disorder and less democracy and economic growth” (The Grand Chessboard, Brzezinski, p. 31). Regarding the global breakdown of law and order, increasing violence, anarchy and precipitous decline in morals, Huntington states, “On a worldwide basis Civilization seems… to be yielding to barbarism, generating the image of an unprecedented phenomenon, a global Dark Ages, possibly descending on humanity” (The Clash of Civilizations, p. 321). These are not the alarmist cries of a religious fanatic, but of a Harvard scholar and recognized authority on world affairs. His words echo Bible prophecies about “the times of the Gentiles”—that are a sign that Christ’s return is near. We need to watch, because these prophecies are coming alive today! (Winnail D. Times of the Gentiles. Tomorrow’s World, Jan-Feb 2005)

The Great Tribulation itself is further described in Revelation 6:9-11 (the fifth seal, that seems to occur because the faithful church has suffered martyrdom), Lamentations, Daniel, and other parts of the Bible.

LCG also published:

Be Prepared! We are living in an increasingly uncertain world today with unstable economies, job insecurity, dramatic weather changes, storms, floods, droughts, threats of earthquakes and terrorist activities. Because of our modern dependence on technology (electricity for cooking, heating and cooling, transportation and food delivery systems, community water supplies, etc.), all these events can bring serious disruptions to normal and necessary activities of daily life. The potential for disruption in the supply of basic necessities points to the need to plan ahead to meet unexpected emergencies. This is reflected in the Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared! This same advice is found in the Scriptures. Solomon advised “Ponder the path of your feet”—think about where you are going and how you are going to get there (Proverbs 4:26). Solomon also observed “A prudent man foresees evil [danger] and hides himself [takes refuge], but the simple [naïve] pass on and are punished [face consequences]” (Proverbs 22:3; 27:12). God’s Church has long encouraged members to prepare for unexpected emergences—keep an extra supply of bottled water, a stock of non-perishable food items, extra vitamins, first aid supplies, extra batteries for flashlights and a battery-powered radio, some matches and candles, and a camp cooking stove or heating device—things that may be needed if normal public services are disrupted. While God’s people will look to God for their ultimate protection, we also need to do our part to be prepared!

The Bible is clear that Christians should take steps to be prepared both physically and spiritually.  The Great Tribulation is coming and the recent moves by Russia, China, India, Brazil, and Europe suggest that the final time of the Gentiles is close to being at hand.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2011, 2012, or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What do economists and the Bible teach about gold? Gold and silver may drop in value. Inflation/deflation? What do Christians need to know about gold?
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.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.

Bible Millionaire Now Has Over 1,000 Questions

Monday, May 30th, 2011

Game Seat

By COGWriter

A very popular link at the COGwriter website is to the Who Wants to be a Biblical Millionaire? quiz, developed by Michael Thiel.

It is an interesting game and Michael is always adding more questions to it. The game now has over 1,000 different questions. Think of it as an entertaining way to assist your doctrinal memory.

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:

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

I believe that the quizzes and animations help reach a wider audience than just the doctrinal and news articles here.

The Bible teaches that there is a “time for every purpose under heaven” (Eccl 3:1). Hence, there are new items, games, and other materials than simply doctrinal and prophetic ones at the www.cogwriter.com website.

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.  Now with over 1,000 questions to help challenge and build your knowledge of the Bible.
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.

Plain Truth About Gold (II)

Sunday, May 29th, 2011

COGwriter

Gold has been over USD$1400-1500 per ounce for much of the past several months.

Notice that similar to many modern economists, in 1981 a Plain Truth reporter recognized that gold was historically used as money, that paper money ultimately will fail, and that the USA dollar would not stay on top (bolding within any paragraph, as opposed to subheadings, mine):

ON AUGUST 15, 1971, President Nixon dropped a bombshell that rocked the entire world financial system to its foundations. By executive decree, he cut the dollar loose from , gold. He invited foreign banks, governments and private markets to “float” the dollar’s value. No longer would the dollar be redeemable in gold by foreign governments as previously nor would gold be tied to its former price of U.S. $35 per ounce.

Look at what has happened since. The price of the precious metal skyrocketed…

Why Gold?

What does uncertainty in the world’s financial system portend for the future?…

Gold has been the most sought after form of money for thousands of years. By universally accepted definition, money is anything that serves as a store of value and as a medium of exchange. Historically: gold has fit that description better than anything else. Because it is relatively scarce, virtually indestructible and possesses a wide range of artistic and functional uses, gold became the standard in most economies. It was easily coined, highly portable and universally recognized for its value. Even though the supply of gold is limited, demand for the metal seems to be infinite.

Commodities such as food crops or industrial output can have price swings based on demand, weather, poor economic policies or disasters. · None of these affects the total supply of gold. It maintains its value in relation to other commodities regardless. Thus it has acted as a financial constraint and stabilizing factor . People trust gold because it has been an instrument of monetary discipline and a standard of measure by which to measure other commodities. Gold acts as a check on governments and politicians.

Paper money came into use because it was more convenient to use than gold. However, historically the amount of paper money in circulation was tied to the amount of gold a nation possessed. When people knew that gold backed up their currency, they trusted their money. But even though people may trust gold, they don’t necessarily trust their leaders. In the words of George Bernard Shaw: “The most important thing about money is to maintain its stability …. With paper money this stability has to be maintained by the government. With a gold currency, it tends to maintain itself. .. . You have to choose as a voter between trusting the natural stability of gold and the natural stability of the honesty and intelligence of the members of the government. And, with due respect for these gentlemen, I advise you, as long as the capitalist system lasts, to vote for gold.”

The goal of every political leader is to remain in power. In a democracy, he must retain his popularity to be reelected. Extravagant social welfare schemes and public works help to perpetuate the government’s power, even though the country may not be able to afford the expense. If a political leader can get rid of the gold standard, then there is no restraint on the amount of paper money the government can print. The deficit between collected taxes and government spending can be made up through printing extra money. But the effect of these shortsighted policies soon becomes apparent. More and more paper money chases the available goods and services-the result is inflation . Witness the situation in the · United States today. Since 1971 the dollar has had no relationship to gold. Multibillion dollar deficits in government spending have been covered by printing extra dollars. Because the dollar is not convertible to gold, there is no check on government spending and the citizens suffer from consequent inflation.

Inflation becomes a vicious circle with everyone eventually losing. As Voltaire concluded, “All paper eventually returns to its intrinsic value-zero.” In 1871 the British economist David Ricardo noted, “Experience has shown that neither a state nor a bank ever had the unrestricted power of issuing paper money without abusing that power.”

The United States, blessed with staggering · wealth, vast natural resources, and phenomenal industrial and agricultural output, is in a serious financial situation. It makes no sense- except for the fact that national leaders were quite prepared to dilute the value of the nation ‘s money supply. The decision defrauded the citizens by stealing the purchasing power of wages and savings. This sinister aspect of inflation was explained by the British economist John Maynard Keynes in 1919: “By a continuing process of inflation, governments can secretly and unobserved, confiscate an important part of the wealth of their citizens.” Mr. Keynes himself advocated this form of government policy.

But as people begin to experience inflation and see their wealth quickly disappearing, they try to protect themselves through investing and speculating in more stable commodities, including gold. Speculation in gold is a symptom, and a warning, of a distorted government-ravished economy. It is a sign of loss of trust and faith by men in their own system and political leaders.

Ideally, the best world monetary system would involve one world government, with one national treasury, one currency and one monetary system. The questions of gold currency exchange and balances (overvalued, undervalued or ” floating”) would be largely irrelevant.

But such a world government today is out of the question. Who would decide the power structure in such a man-devised world government? Leaders and nations each jealously guard their power and sovereignty. But a supreme world government is prophesied in the pages of your Bible, and in the very near future. Yet this world government will not come about through the efforts of man, but in spite of him. It will have to be established by the Creator God. And be based upon his law of love, the Ten Commandments. More than 2,500 years ago, the prophet Daniel, in captivity in Babylon, interpreted a vision of King Nebuchadnezzar, which outlined the rule of men up until the “last days.” “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Daniel 2:44) . This supreme event in world history is as sure as the rising of the sun!

At that time there will be one · supreme world government: “And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one” (Zechariah 14:9) . No longer wi II people be ruled over by power-hungry mortal and very human political leaders. Nor will the citizens of this divine Kingdom live in grinding poverty as the majority of people do today. “For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for stones iron : I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness” (Isaiah 60: 17) . What a change from today’s world! True freedom, prosperity for all people, with justice pervading everywhere.

Then-Gold’s True Value

In spite of its luster and its important stabilizing role in the world’s financial system, gold is just a yellow metal. Its only monetary significance is what man attributes to it. When the Spaniards arrived in the New World, they found the native Indians placed little value in the metal because of its relative abundance. In some of the islands of the South Seas, sharks teeth served just as adequately as the medium of exchange. Gold has no intrinsic value, only what men think it’s worth.

At the close of this age, when men will be face to face with the threat of annihilation, gold will become worthless in men’s eyes. It will be enough just to be able to survive. The prophet Ezekiel wrote, “They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed : their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord … ” (Ezekiel 7: 19)- the time when an angry God must step in to save mankind from itself.

God’s judgment against the sins of this modern day and age will begin by giving man unrestrained opportunity to use the evil inventions of his mind. Man has always used the weapons he has invented. So we read in Zephaniah 1: 13, 17- ·18: “Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses; but not inhabit them, and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord: and, their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath: But the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.”

Only when gold becomes worthless in human eyes will men realize that “riches profit not in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death” (Proverbs. 11 :4). What God wants is the building of true character-“that the trial of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 1:7).

(Curry J. How Gold, Inflation and Government Impact You. Plain Truth magazine. April 1981, pp. 9-11)

Sadly, governments including the one in the USA (which has the highest total debt of any nation on the planet) and the UK (which has one of the highest per capita debts of any nation on the planet) continue to produce paper currencies without gold or other hard goods to back them up. Ultimately, this will result in massive inflation and devaluation of various currencies. While the world economy has been in a deflationary cycle for a while, the reality is that the USA (at least) has greatly increased debt to try to stave off deflation (and except for the housing market, has succeeded with this objective to a great degree–it also likely helped prevent a more total collapse of the housing market, though that still may happen as interest rates go up).

While inflation ultimately will hit the US dollar to a major degree, when is a major concern. Some economists in the USA are expecting deflation, which MIGHT mean that gold could drop dramatically.

Yet, once interest rates go up, countries like the USA will be in impossible situations and the value of their currencies will likely drop compared to the price of gold. Gold is often purchased because of fears, including governmental ones.

Now it is also true that you cannot eat gold. And although it is used in electronics, its “intrinsic value” is limited to what people decide. This lack of value as a food or truly necessary item makes gold subject to high fluctuations in value. But paper money has little intrinsic value either (you can burn it, which is part of why it has some little value–very little).

All of this has been happening. As the USA continues to increase its debt, the value of the dollar will ultimately drop even more. This does not mean that gold will not drop in value (it goes up and down all the time). But unless there is national repentance across the USA, the USA dollar will ultimately be worth less than the cotton it is printed on. Gold, on the other hand, seems to be prophesied to retain value past that time (cf. Daniel 11:43; Revelation 18).

For additional information, check out the following article:

The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What do economists and the Bible teach about gold? Gold and silver may drop in value. Inflation/deflation? What do Christians need to know about gold?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch 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?

LCG: Homosexuals Gaining Ground

Sunday, May 29th, 2011


The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

COGwriter

In its latest TW News & Prophecy, Living Church of God reported the following:

The EU’s high court has ruled that homosexuals living in “civil partnerships” must experience the same pension rights as those living in heterosexual marriages (euobserver.com, May 10, 2011). When the French Secretary of State for Health commented that homosexuals are a “high risk group” for HIV/AIDS, her statistically accurate comments resulted in calls for her resignation, noting that she was “stigmatizing” homosexuals (Lefigaro.fr, May 4, 2011).As the U.S. Presbyterian Church struck down the requirement for its clergy to live in a state of “fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness” (onenewsnow.com, May 11, 2011), the U.S. Navy announced that chaplains would now perform same sex marriages–a ruling that was later put on hold (Foxnews.com, May 11, 2011). We are witnessing churches and governments supporting and welcoming behaviors that were once considered perverted and sinful!

Biblical instructions and God’s sanctified marriage covenant between one man and one woman are coming under increasing fire, exactly as God prophesied! “… In the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers… without self-control… despisers of good… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:1-4).

God speed the day when Christ returns to set things aright (Acts 3:19-21)!

If you …would like to begin receiving your own copy click here to sign up for free.

Notice what happened there between three thousand and four thousand years ago:

24 Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. 25 So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. (Genesis 19:24-25)

And why did it happen?

7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7)

Why mention this in the 21st century? Because God turned:

6…the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6,
NKJV)

Thus, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah were to serve as an example to those who would live as they did.

Of course, not everyone in Sodom and Gomorrah were homosexuals as those that strictly practice that could not reproduce. Yet, notice that the destruction that hit their cities destroyed all that were there and notice that something like this is to happen again according to Jesus:

26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. (Luke 17:26-29)

The EU can pretend that increasing “homosexual rights” is acceptable, but the Bible suggests otherwise.

Homosexual acts are clearly prohibited in the Bible:

22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.  (Leviticus 18:22)

13 If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. (Leviticus 20:13)

The following passage, written nearly two thousand years ago, essentially predicts resurgences of homosexuality and explains why this happens:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

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

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

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:18-32)

Many of those in the top governmental positions in the West do not wish to retain the word of God in their knowledge and endorse evolution instead of creation as the origin of life, so it is little wonder that increasing societal acceptance of homosexuality is occurring. Also notice that God warned that many would “also approve of those who practice” various forms of sin. This is what more and more government leaders are doing.

Also, one more peace of history.  The Apostle Paul shows that even if someone had been homosexual, they could come to Christ and be washed and changed:

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

While certain “gay groups” act like people cannot change, the Bible takes a very different view–a view that should be taught in schools and by government officials.

Keeping the Ten Commandments reflects love. Breaking them and/or condoning those that do is evil. This should be clear to those who believe the God of the Bible.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments? This article quotes what Jesus actually said about them (His words are in red).
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command?
Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church
Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.
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.
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?

Armadillo Eating a Factor in Leprosy

Sunday, May 29th, 2011


Nine-banded Armadillo

COGwriter

Notice what seems to be causing leprosy in the American South:

Eating armadillos blamed for leprosy in the South
Disease likely spreads when people handle, eat the animals, which carry bacteria for disfiguring disease
Associated Press

With some genetic sleuthing, scientists have fingered a likely culprit in the spread of leprosy in the southern United States: the nine-banded armadillo.DNA tests show a match in the leprosy strain between some patients and these prehistoric-looking critters — a connection scientists had suspected but until now couldn’t pin down.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42788111/ns/health-infectious_diseases/

It is not just armadillos that are problems.  Unclean animals, specifically pigs, have been called “flu factories” (see Pigs are Flu Factories).

Relatively soon, serious pestilences are prophesied as we are prophetically at/near the point Jesus called “the beginning of sorrows”–which includes pestilences (Matthew 24:7-8). Whether or how biblically unclean animals may be involved is not mentioned in scripture.

If humans quit eating unclean animals, various health problems would probably go away. But since many still do, it is possible that they may a role in fulfilling aspects of end-time Bible prophecy.

FWIW, there is no scripture in the Bible that shows that any one called of God in either the Old or New Testaments ever ate any unclean animal. Some may be surprised to hear that.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2011, 2012, or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What is the “beginning of sorrows”? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
The New Testament Church and Unclean Meats Are foods considered to have been unclean in the Old Testament considered to be food in the New Testament? This article discusses this from the perspective of the New Testament. It also has a list of clean and unclean animals. It also answers the question, is pork healthy or is pork dangerous?

LCG: Deadly Tornadoes Continue

Saturday, May 28th, 2011


Oklahoma Tornado

COGwriter

In its latest TW News & Prophecy, LCG reported:

April witnessed tornados wreaking havoc in Alabama and the Carolinas. On Sunday night, May 22, a major tornado devastated Joplin, Missouri. The 200-mile-per-hour winds destroyed an estimated 2,000 buildings. More than 125 people lost their lives and more than 230 people are still reported missing (Wall Street Journal Online, May 26, 2011). The Joplin tornado was the deadliest tornado in the U.S. since 1947 (irishweatheronline.com, May 25, 2011).Tuesday night, more tornados ripped through Kansas, Arkansas and Oklahoma (Associated Press, May 25, 2011). The storms also dropped devastating hail the size of baseballs and softballs in the region surrounding Dallas, Texas (myfoxc.com, May 25, 2011). These storms appeared as the Mississippi River is flooding and Texas is experiencing major drought.

Bible prophecies have long warned that if the Israelite-descended nations turn away from God and refuse to obey His laws, that God will “break the pride” of their power, and make their “heavens like iron” and earth like bronze (Leviticus 26:19). The term “make heavens like iron,” when examined in the original Hebrew, indicates that the heavens will become like an “iron tool,” or a tool of harshness and oppression. In these recent storms, the heavens have surely become tools of harshness and oppression as they rain down destructive hail and powerfully destructive winds and water.

These ancient prophecies are certainly coming alive today! For more information on this sobering topic, please review our booklet, Who Controls the Weather?

I read that in Dr. R.C. Meredith’s home town of Joplin, MO over 130 have been confirmed as dedd from tornadoes.  According to Mr. Karl Beyersdorfer, the LCG pastor in the area, brethren in the affected congregations (Joplin, Harrison, and Springfield) are all well with no injuries that he’s aware of. He also said the devastation from this tornado was like nothing he had ever seen.

Weather problems and disasters were something that Jesus warned about.

8 … And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)

We may be at this prophetic point as all the earthquakes and other weather problems that have happened in the past year or so could be considered as “troubles”.

Weather related issues should serve as a wake-up call that the world can change very quickly and that the time to repent is now:

30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead. (Acts 17:30-31)

There are troubles and repentance is needed. 

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
Read the Bible Christians should read and study the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2011, 2012, or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? What is “the beginning of sorrows”? Have we begun or are we about ready for “the beginning of sorrows” to begin.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? 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? How might Barack Obama be involved in 2012?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This link also has YouTube videos. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, world events have aligned with at least 14 predictions in the book and many more will to come to pass.
2012 y el surgimiento de la secta secreta 2012 libro del Dr. Thiel en Español.
2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Edition) 2012 Buch von Dr. Thiel in deutscher Sprache.
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel em Português. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 14 já começaram a acontecer.

Where Did God Come From?

Saturday, May 28th, 2011

COGwriter

Throughout the ages people have wondered where things came from. Furthermore, they have wondered where God the Father came from. What about Jesus? The Bible itself gives some insight into this, although everyone will not necessarily be satisfied with the answers that it provides.

In The Beginning

Most in Western cultures are familiar with the first book of the Bible and how it begins:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” (Genesis 1:1,26. NKJV throughout unless otherwise specified).

While that beginning describes the beginning of the physical creation, including humans, it says nothing where God came from, other than the fact that the Godhead already existed before the physical creation.

Did you know that another beginning is mentioned in the Bible? Notice the following:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:1-3,14).

Notice that the Bible clearly teaches that everything was made through the Word (Jesus) and that otherwise nothing was made and that the Word was in the beginning with God the Father. This is teaching that the Jesus and His Father always existed and were not created.

The Creation is Physical, God is Spirit

Jesus taught:

God is Spirit (John 4:24).

Paul was inspired to write that humans have a natural carnal body now, but will have an immortal spiritual body later:

But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body. All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fish, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed– in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:38-53).

Thus, once we are raised in the resurrection, this change will allow us to be like God as God the Father and God the Son are already immortal:

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever (1 Timothy 1:17).

Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power (1 Timothy 6:14-16).

One of the reasons that we human cannot understand the beginning of the Godhead is because we are not yet immortal (a related article of possible interest may be Did Early Christians Believe that Humans Possessed Immortality?).  Yet, God always existed.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge.
Where Did God Come From? Any ideas? And how has God been able to exist? Who is God?  Although it starts out like this post, it has much more information than is in the news post here.
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.
Deification: Did the Early Church Teach That Christians Would Become God? What does the Bible teach? Is deification only a weird or cultic idea?

Birthdays and God’s Church

Friday, May 27th, 2011

History of Early  Christianity

COGwriter

The current edition of the Living Church News has an article titled Birthdays and God’s Church by Rod McNair, that states:

Should Christians celebrate birthdays? What does the Church teach on this topic? What does your Bible say? It is a fact of life that everyone grows older, and on one day a year we are considered a year older than the day before. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging the passage of time, as another year of life goes by. We know, for example, that Moses certainly knew his birthdate…

Moses simply acknowledged his age. By contrast, many in the world today have grown used to the idea that their day of birth is an occasion on which friends, family members and coworkers are expected to lavish them with attention, gifts and revelry. What can we learn from Scripture about observing birthdays? Jesus Christ did not mark the anniversary of His birth, nor did He make reference to it in any such fashion. Nor did any of the Apostles so much as even mention Christ’s birth date or their own…

Does the book of Job indicate that Job’s sons observed their birthdays? Some point to this verse to support that idea: “And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day” (Job 1:4). Is “his appointed day” a vague reference to a birthday? Scripture does not say. However, we should also note that, if this is a “birthday” example, it is not entirely positive regarding the idea of birthday celebrations— we see that Job offered sacrifi ces afterward, on the assumption that his sons may have “sinned and cursed God in their hearts” while feasting (v. 5)…

But even some casual observers have noticed that the early Church taught against participation in such birthday celebrations as are so common in our world today. As writer Norm Schneider points out: “During the Christian era, the early followers of Christ didn’t believe in celebrating birthdays, preferring—as was the case in earlier eras—of honoring one’s death. Their belief was that only in death was there true deliverance worthy of honoring one’s ‘death day’ [a reference to Ecclesiastes 7:1, where Solomon asserts that the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth]. They also believed that Egyptian and Greek birthday celebrations were pagan festivals and should not be duplicated” (“The Strange Origins of Our Modern Birthday Customs,” August 13, 2008, www.associatedcontent.com).

Schneider goes on to observe that by “the fourth century, Christians—having generally agreed on the date of Christ’s birth—began celebrating the event, ergo Christmas.” Indeed, the observance of Christmas and the celebration of birthdays went hand in hand as the vast majority of professing Christians fell into apostasy. Today, billions of people who call themselves “Christians” are keeping Christmas to have, in effect, a sort of “birthday party for Christ.” However, when we read what Scripture tells us about the young Jesus Christ, we find no precedent for such celebration. What do we find? When they saw the young Jesus, the wise men from the East “fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11). This was a momentous event, but it was not a birthday party—these were prominent men coming to visit the King. The custom of bringing a gift when coming before a king is still in practice today…

Accordingly, God does not want His people to become involved in worldly practices that lead to the destruction of character. Worldly birthday festivities, under the guise of a “party spirit,” are often focused on greed—the desire for gifts and attention—as well as on vanity, selfishness and a wrong spirit of competition. Such attitudes are inappropriate for Christians as part of any celebration, not just birthday celebrations! God makes it plain that Christians are not to take part in “lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3). We know from Scripture that covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5)…

A balanced perspective on this issue can be found in an example cited by our Presiding Evangelist, Dr. Roderick C. Meredith in the January-February 2011 Ministerial Bulletin: “…we also know that Mr. Armstrong gave his mother a dozen red roses on her birthdays, occasionally, and sometimes took her out for a nice dinner at the restaurant simply to honor her on such an occasion. It was not a ‘birthday party’ with candles, exchanging of presents and so forth. It was simply noting that God had given her another year of life and encouraging her and honoring her in that way. Often, we have stated that our own people may have a special meal prepared by the mother in the home for a child on his or her birthday and express thanks that our child has had another year of life” (p. 2). Certainly, it can be appropriate for parents to reminisce with their children about past joys and challenges of a child’s life, as well as future plans and goals, when the child grows a year older.

As for his own example, Dr. Meredith mentioned in his July 21, 2008 sermon, titled “Building Faith and Courage,” that he had just turned 78 years of age, but without a birthday party. On the other hand, as noted above, he has acknowledged that it can indeed be appropriate for families to acknowledge a child’s growth and development on a birth date, just as it can be worthwhile to honor an elderly person at a milestone in his or her life—in a Christian spirit of true love and respect, without getting caught up in the spirit of carnal celebrations that often go far beyond what is appropriate.

Originally, even as more and more Gentiles began to profess Christ (so much so that they outnumbered those of Jewish heritage that did), the early Gentile leaders also did not endorse the celebration of birthdays. No early church writer endorsed the observance of birthdays by Christians, nor are they ever listed in the early observances of the Christian church.

Therefore, the celebration of birthdays, was clearly not part of:

… the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).

No early religious/church writing from the second century that I have seen (and I have read most that are available) seems to endorse (or even suggest) the celebration of birthdays by any who professed Christ.  Actually, the only comments I tended to find showed that such observances were condemned (as late as the late third century).

There is no biblical, nor historical, evidence that early Gentile converts to true Christianity observed birthdays.

Since early Christian did not celebrate birthdays, should you?

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations?
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity?
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?