Thursday, March 30, 2006

European AntiChrist?

AntiZionists are against the return of King Messiah, because King Messiah, the "Son of Man" is King of the Jews, first and foremost and King of Israel secondly. King Messiah, contrary to antiZionist, antiChrist "Christians," will restore Jerusalem to Jewish control - liberating it from the fascist EU occupation.

AntiZionists, professing Christians often, are against King Messiah because as the I AM, He prophesied the return of REAL JEWS to the real Jewish homeland that such "Christian" rebels refuse to submit to although it's clearly in the Scriptures. They'd rather nurse their irrational hatred, bogus racial claims and hysterical allegations about Khazars against Judah (God calls them Jews, we should submit Father knows best) than uphold God's Law and Prophets that foretold Judah would serve as the pioneer tribe, leading the way for the other tribes to follow. Such anti-Zionists are against GOD for opposing His Word and His Will concerning the restoration of legitimate Jews to the Jewish homeland.

Jerusalem's Fall, Division and Liberation

The diplomatic politician, statesman, turned Beast rules before King Messiah, the King of the Jews, the King of Israel, returns from Heaven. It is such a European wannabe divine emperor who will mislead professing Christians and New Agers and Eastern devotees to think he is "God" when he makes such blasphemous claims in the holy Temple, polluting it and bringing divine judgment on himself and numbering his days for trespassing, overstepping his bounds.

Jews aren't the ones who believe a man can be God. It is the synagogue of Satan, the false Christians who profess to be spiritual Jews, "Christians" who believe such things. (Yeshua is the only One who was both human and divine through His mother and His Father and will return from Heaven in full view of all mankind - not from some secret chamber, cave or other earthly place).

The legitimate Jews in Israel, in Jerusalem, will be prepared to meet our God and receive our King by the Two Witnesses, for Yeshua said He would not return to His Jewish brethren and Jerusalem until they had a change of heart: "... for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'" (Matthew 23:39).

The Jews are back in Jerusalem, and before King Messiah returns they will have the prophesied change of heart (Zechariah 12:10-14), while too many professing "Christians" will fall for the so-called AntiChrist and fight against the return of the REAL JESUS from Heaven who will defend the Jews.

David Ben-Ariel is a Christian-Zionist writer and author of Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall. With a focus on the Middle East and Jerusalem, his analytical articles help others improve their understanding of that troubled region. Check out Beyond Babylon.

Monday, March 27, 2006

Accusations

"All have fallen short of the glory of God..." and those who smugly feel they're less deserving of the death penalty for breaking the letter and spirit of the law daily compared to others only compound their sins.

The alleged incest is a murderous UNPROVEN charge (character assassination) that those who are hateful against Herbert Armstrong for exposing their proven spiritual adultery (flirting with foreign gods and pagan holidays pretending to be Christian) like to spread like so much manure that stinks to high heaven. Shame on them.

15 Accusations and Truthful Responses about Herbert W. Armstrong

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Europe awaits its leader

Europe Misses the Mark - Will It Return as the Sign of the Cross?
By David Ben-Ariel

Europe needs a figurehead and symbols to rally around. Will the pope soon present them with both?

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Beyond Babylon is a sign

What's next for the Church of God? Malachi's Message has served its purpose. (A book written by Gerald Flurry, pastor general of the Philadelphia Church of God). Those who have ears to hear have listened to what God's Spirit has had to say to God's Church. It's now time to move on.

God's Work must go forward. The only work that's left to do now is focus on the NATIONAL LEVEL. We must get out God's ultimatum and fast! Europe is on the rise and Jerusalem is getting international attention (Zech. 14:2). Soon God's two witnesses will rise and shine in a world of darkness (Isa. 60:1-2). God's about to restore His lamp to the Middle East! (Rev. 11:3; 1 Kgs. 11:36; Amos 9:11; Zech. 12:8).

By Gerald Flurry's own admission, Malachi's Message has nothing to say about nations. That's proper, because it was basically his commission to focus in on the Church. Does Mystery of the Ages warn the world? (Herbert W. Armstrong's crown work). How can it when it doesn't even include the words Germany, Beast or Europe in its index? Mystery of the Ages is undoubtedly the most important book written since the Bible to preach the gospel around the world. But doesn't Gerald Flurry understand that's already been accomplished? BEEN THERE, DONE THAT.

God's Work must go forward, not backwards. It's true that we must always preach the gospel, but now it's time to emphasize a WARNING MESSAGE. The Church has been warned. The world hasn't. We must warn them like they've never been warned before!

There is only one book on earth today (other than the Bible) that clearly warns THE GERMANS ARE COMING! Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall is a hard-hitting book that details the events concerning the rise of the prophetic Beast in Europe, the fall of our Israelite countries, the Two Witnesses, and lets you know why it all has to happen. If you haven't already read it, check it out for yourself! It's available for free online.

Malachi's Message is the Little Book to God's Church today. Beyond Babylon is the Little Book with a big impact, destined to become a NATIONAL DEBATE and an INTERNATIONAL CONTROVERSY. It must reach "the largest audience possible". There exists a Little Book for God's Church and there's a Little Book for the nations. This follows the biblical principle of duality. I hope and pray God's People perceive this to be true, even if their leadership remains too proud and stubborn to see (Ga. 2:9; Rev. 11:8).

After prayer, years ago, God promised that His GREAT INSPIRATION would result in a GREAT PUBLICATION (Prov. 1:23; Ps. 68:11). Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall showcases those precious truths to the world (Isa. 45:3). I realize the two witnesses are considered controversial figures (Rev. 11:10; Jer. 15:10), but they must boldly declare God's judgments (Micah 3:8). After all, it's the LORD'S CONTROVERSY (Micah 6:1- 2). The wise will hear this INTERNATIONAL THUNDER and take shelter (Rev. 10; Prov. 27:12).

God's message will roar from Jerusalem, and both the heavens and the Earth will tremble at His Word (Joel 3:16). Herbert Armstrong said when God's time comes, the plain truth about traditional Christianity would drop like a BOMBSHELL (USBIP). God's Time has come! Beyond Babylon explodes that "news bomb" with FULL FORCE! There's no holding back. (During my interrogation by Israeli Secret Service agents, I told them my book is the only explosives I'm involved with).

Gerald Flurry recognizes the need to offer something to the general public, other than the meaty booklets about prophecy that basically preach to the converted. That's good and right. But which book would God have us publish? Beyond Babylon fulfills the need to proclaim the gospel while emphasizing a warning to the world; it includes the truth about our Israelite identity and responsibility; about God's Sabbath and Holy Days versus Satan's Sunday and pagan holidays; about Israel's demise and Europe's rise - these are foundational truths. But Beyond Babylon builds upon that sure foundation by pointing out that it's the pope, the false prophet, who presents Europe's imminent leader as the Savior of "Christian Western Civilization"; he'll perform miracles in his presence urging Europe to remodel themselves after the "Holy Roman Empire" (Rev. 13:14). Together they'll create a counterfeit Kingdom of God.

Beyond Babylon also explains - FOR THE FIRST TIME - why there are two witnesses, what their mission and purpose is, why they're stationed in Jerusalem and how they fulfill the Elijah role.

PCG minister Wayne Turgeon, during our wonderful correspondence (before PCG minister Dennis Leap turned him against me), wrote concerning my book: "It's certainly not my place to determine if what you believe God has shown you is true or not, but would you mind presenting Mr. Flurry with an abbreviated version of what you feel is inspired...". What does he mean it's not his place to determine whether Beyond Babylon is true or not? Whose place is it? How did he determine if Malachi's Message was true or not? Are we to rely on men to make up our minds for us? What if he had gone to Joseph Tkach for his approval of Gerald Flurry's work?

We must trust in God's Spirit of truth and judge everything by God's Word. Every Church member must prove to themselves, prayerfully before God, whether Beyond Babylon is biblical (1 John 2:27). Those who exercise this spiritual responsibility will come to understand what's next in God's Plan.

Beyond Babylon's sudden appearance should serve as a SIGN, an indication of where we are now in prophecy (John 12:20-23). Soon God will remove the mountain of opposition that blocks my return to Zion and I'll continue to build upon the foundation that God has laid in Jerusalem the last time I was there (Zech. 4:7-8). From here on out it's FAST FORWARD!

Monday, March 13, 2006

Jerusalem's Fall, Division and Liberation

Gerald Flurry and the Philadephia Trumpet magazine (sponsored by the Philadelphia Church of God) offer an invaluable service to mankind with articles of insight and understanding based upon Bible prophecy.

I respect the Philadephia Trumpet magazine's contribution to God's Work, even though they refuse to send it to me since I am a former member of the PCG even though I've probably promoted it more than any of their evangelists. For the record, I am an e-vangelist - not a televangelist - as the vast majority of my God-given Work is on the computer, sending emails and writing articles that appear all over the world of the internet.

I give credit where credit is due, so help me God. However, everybody makes mistakes. We all have our blind spots and that's perfectly understandable. Perhaps God permits some mistakes to observe how we respond to constructive criticism, whether we're willing to grow, and to remind us to forever be diligent that what we teach is in accordance with His Word and that all truth belongs to God - not to any one man, group or organization (1 Corinthians 4:4-7), even if they think they're rich and have need of nothing (Revelation 3:17).

Are we set in our ways or do we maintain the childlike attitude, humility and willingness to change whenever necessary, as we experienced with our "first love" and initial conversion? What is inexcusable is when mistakes are clearly pointed out, beyond any shadow of a doubt, and we prefer traditional darkness rather than walk in our new light of understanding (John 3:19-21). Why remain a slave to idolatrous tradition when the plain truth can set you free?

Gerald Flurry confused Mount Hermon with Mount Carmel on several occasions, so I wrote him and kindly pointed it out. He admitted in a letter to me that he had confused the two. (That's when I was still an official member of the PCG and contact was possible, as far as they're concerned). I knew Flurry had made a mistake since I was blessed to have lived next to both mountains: I lived next to Mount Carmel when I was a volunteer at Kibbutz Ramat Yohanan, and I lived next to the snow-covered Mt. Hermon at Kibbutz Dan during Operation Desert Storm, as I mention in From Toledo to Jerusalem.

I used to cringe when I would read the Philadelphia Trumpet magazine and find references to "Palestine," knowing that such a Satan-inspired term was used by the pagan Romans to spite the Jews after defeating and dispersing them, renaming the holy land after Israel's anicent enemies, the Philistines.

"Palestine" reflects the dark mind that would erase the name of our father Israel off the map (Psalms 83:4), as the wicked Iranian leader has recently called for, and the use of "Palestine" is totally unscriptural! We ought to call the Promised Land of Israel what God in His Bible has clearly named it: Israel - not Ishmael, not Philistine. How simple. All the more when you understand how politicized the usage of "Palestine" has become, aiding and abetting the sworn enemies of our Jewish brethren when we don't refer to the Jewish homeland as Israel.

I wrote Gerald Flurry, his son Stephen Flurry and others to protest using the accursed "Palestine" rather than Israel, and it appears to have registered with them for awhile, thank God, and then they reverted to their bad habit. I haven't noticed lately whether or not they still use the wrong word for the Jewish homeland. I hope not. Regardless, it is Israel and God forbid it ever become "Palestine!"

Gerald Flurry's most recent article on Jerusalem repeats his false teaching that the "Palestinians" will conquer East Jerusalem, followed by Europe control of all Jerusalem.

Here are a few excerpts:

From the Editor: Jerusalem Is About to Be Cut in Half


The Zechariah 14 Prophecy

"For I [Jesus Christ] will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city" (Zechariah 14:2). Note the big overview Zechariah gives us. There are three phases to this crisis. Zechariah starts at the Second Coming of Christ, the third phase, and works his way backward chronologically."

Christ is not working backwards, but Flurry has got it backwards! Zechariah 14 clearly states international opposition against Jewish sovereignty over Jerusalem, leading to the European Union seizing the whole city - "THE CITY shall be taken" - and following that, undoubtedly trying to appease the Arabs, the European Union forcibly divides Jerusalem.

Other prophecies reveal that Jerusalem will suffer under the EU jackboot for 3 1/2 years. When the "time of the Gentiles" is up, King Messiah will return from Heaven (in full view of all mankind) and liberate Jerusalem and fight against our enemies. This is the BIBLICAL ORDER OF JERUSALEM'S FALL, DIVISION AND LIBERATION.

Continue with Flurry's article:
"The verse starts with Christ conquering the European and Asian powers who are gathered together for battle. Then there is a semicolon, which means all these events in verse 2 are linked and closely associated."

The verse doesn't start with the European and Asian powers gathered for "Armageddon," that comes later. It starts with international opposition to Jewish sovereignty over Jerusalem, led by fascist Europe under the evil influence of the bloody Roman Catholic Church that has its evil eye on Jerusalem.

"The first semicolon introduces the second phase of this violent time. The city shall be taken, houses rifled and women ravished. This is when the king of the north (Europe) conquers the whole city of Jerusalem (also America and Britain), shortly after he conquers the king of the south (Daniel 11:40-41)."

There are no semicolons in Hebrew. Europe will strike terror into the Muslim world with a swift victory against them, a lightning strike that will go to their head, and then Europe will brutally betray and seize all of Jerusalem, divide it, and occupy Jerusalem.

The final revival of the Roman Empire will remain stationed in the Holy Land, headquarters Jerusalem, until the King of the Jews, the King of Israel, returns to reign, deposes Europe's wannabe divine emperor (and his religious promoter) who have trespassed upon the Temple Mount and polluted the Temple. Yeshua will liberate His City, the City of the Great King, and administer world justice from the throne of King David.

"The Palestinians will take half of Jerusalem. They say even now that a Palestinian state must include East Jerusalem, which already is comprised mostly of Palestinians, and the Temple Mount. They want Jerusalem, with the Temple Mount, as their capital. If they take the Temple Mount, you could see that act quickly provoking more war. The Temple Mount is holy to three great religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity. It is the Jews' holiest site. The Arabs consider it their second- or third-holiest site. Christians, especially Roman Catholics, put more emphasis on the whole city. (Remember the Crusades?)"

The "Palestinians" are in no position whatsoever to take anything. Everything they have the Israelis have foolishly surrendered to them. It is because the Arabs demand East Jerusalem (actually they want all of Jerusalem) that Europe will seize Jerusalem and rip Israel's heart in two, while keeping the Temple Mount (with its imminent Third Temple) for themselves.

"The Palestinians could--and, I believe, will--conquer the Temple Mount and refuse access to anybody else. "

The Temple Mount is the third most holy spot for Muslims, following Mecca and Medina, since legend has it Mohammad ascended to Heaven from that sacred site, although the Koran does not mention Jerusalem even once, although it's mentioned over 600 times in the Hebrew Bible.

Satan knows the importance of Jerusalem even if some professing Christians and Jews have forgotten it, which is why Satan has stirred up the Nazi-Muslims to covet the Temple Mount and pollute it with their foreign objects that must soon be removed - either by an Act of God (earthquake) or responsible Israeli action - restoring the Temple Mount as the Temple Mount. Appropriately, the Temple Mount Faithful and the Temple Institute are educating folks in Israel and around the world, both Jews, Israelites and Gentiles, preparing for that glorious day.

The Nazi-Muslim's already occupy the Temple Mount! They've illegally denied the religious rights of Christians and Jews since 1967. That's when Moshe Dayan (cursed in Jewish history for such a sin that stinks to High Heaven) despised God and Judaism's holiest site - the Temple Mount - and surrendered it to the shocked Muslim authorities after it had been miraculously liberated during the Six Day War.

I was unjustly deported from Israel for highlighting the plight of the Temple Mount under Nazi-Muslim occupation - in various articles read throughout Israel (and since throughout the world). The Israeli authorities shamefully look the other way daily as the Muslims flout Israeli law that supposedly guarantees "freedom of access" to religious sites.

Even though the British "ordained" Chief Rabbinate forbids those who listen to them (they have no legal authority regarding the Temple Mount) from entering the Temple Mount compound, more educated and faithful Jews know there are "permitted places" they can make holy pilgrimage to without sinning. The Temple Institute and others arrange such holy tours for those Jews who want to properly visit the Temple Mount according to halacha (Jewish law).

Why should anybody listen to the religious prostitutes of the Chief Rabbinate, paid for and in service to the state, especially when Chief Rabbi Yonah Metzger just invited the Dalai Lama to help him create a UN of religions in Jerusalem? What an invitation for disaster! What spiritual blindness or colloboration with the dark forces that are intent on wresting Jerusalem from the Jews.

Thankfully, God commands Israel to build His Santuary, a House of Prayer for All Peoples, based upon His Word and Will that will soon be fulfilled.

David Ben-Ariel is a Christian-Zionist writer in Ohio and author of Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall. With a focus on the Middle East and Jerusalem, his analytical articles help others improve their understanding of that troubled region. Check out Beyond Babylon.

Did Herbert Armstrong Ever Observe Pentecost on Sivan 6?

I'm completely convinced that Sivan 6 is the correct date for the proper observance of Shavuot/Pentecost. The early Church, following the converted Pharisee Paul as he faithfully followed Yeshua, would have certainly kept Sivan 6 and would have never fallen for the blind error of the Sadducees!

God help us all to get back to the truth once delivered. God help us to restore the right knowledge of the proper dates for Passover and Pentecost as preserved by God's servants, the Jews, and faithful members of God's Church.

Did Herbert Armstrong Ever Observe Pentecost on Sivan 6?

In the early years of his ministry, and the beginning of the Radio Church of God, Herbert Armstrong observed Pentecost on the same day as modern rabbinic Judaism -- that is, from 1934, when he first began observing the annual holy days, until at least 1936 -- three years. Here are the documented facts. Was Herbert W. Armstrong right, originally, but then fell into error? And why did he change the date for Pentecost again in 1974, but not return to the Sivan 6 date? Here's the fascinating, mind-boggling story!

William F. Dankenbring

When did Herbert W. Armstrong and his wife originally observe Pentecost? Believe it or not, the answer is -- Sivan 6 -- the same date as the modern Jews!

This fact is documented by Raymond C. Cole, former evangelist of the Worldwide Church of God, and son of the Coles who were old time Church members in Oregon. Raymond Cole, who left Worldwide in the early 1970's to form a different Church, called Church of God, The Eternal, gave a sermon and mentioned this amazing fact, on Pentecost (as he kept it), May 19, 1975, at Florence, Oregon. His sermon became the basis of an article written by Richard C. Nickels.

Richard Nickels was a member of the Worldwide Church of God, who left with Raymond Cole when he bolted in the 70's. Nickels became a member of Raymond Cole's church, but left it later. A student of church history, he has written an interesting book called History of the Seventh Day Church of God. In the article on Pentecost put together by Nickels, based on Raymond Cole's sermon, Nickels wrote:

"There were several years in which Mr. Armstrong was following the rabbinic custom of Sivan 6, which meant that it could fall at various times, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday or Friday. Now it did so happen that Sivan 6 fell on a Sunday on one or two years during the time when Mr. Armstrong accepted the modern Jewish rabbinical date for Pentecost. This is what confuses some . . . .

"Converted and called in 1927, Mr. Armstrong was ordained to the ministry in 1931. He began keeping the holy days with others in 1934. Truth was revealed to him, as he had said, one doctrine at a time. A calendar was published in 1937 showing Pentecost corresponding to the JEWISH DATE OF SIVAN 6. But it must have been that very year that Monday observance was begun. For a diary of an early church member, Mrs. Lorinda (Stoneberg) Le Bleu (baptized in 1936 by Mr.Armstrong), shows that she did keep Pentecost on a Monday in the year 1937, 1940, 1941 and following. . . ."

Nickels/Cole point out that in 1939 the Jewish date for Pentecost and the Monday date calculated using the Sadduccean method were five days apart, and that in 1939 Mrs. Le Bleu's diary shows a meeting on Monday, May 29, indicating that by that year Herbert Armstrong had definitely switched to a Monday Pentecost. Cole continues:

"1939 is a key year. The Jewish Pentecost and the true [sic] Pentecost were five days apart. Mrs. Le Bleu's diary records a meeting on Monday, May 29, 1939 at Wilma Christenson's home. Definite proof that at least by 1939, Mr. Armstrong had been shown the validity [sic] of a Monday Pentecost rather than the commonly accepted Jewish Sivan 6-7. According to the diary, 1937 was the first 'Monday' year.

"That leaves the years 1934, 1935, and 1936 under the Sivan 6 observance. According to the table . . . 1934 was the only year in which Sivan 6 fell on a Sunday. In 1935 the Jews' Pentecost fell on a Friday, and in 1936 it fell on a Wednesday.

"According to an article published in early 1940, 'How to Figure Passover,' Mr. Armstrong had printed a calendar in 1937 showing the Holy Day dates for several years in advance. June 12, 1940 was the date projected in the 1937 calendar as Pentecost. This was Sivan 6 of that year, which fell on a Wednesday. The 1940 article corrected [sic] the date to Monday, June 17. Mrs. Le Bleu's diary records that the Eugene church observed Pentecost of 1940 on Monday, June 17 at Hendricks Park, with about fifty members present" (emphasis mine).

It should be very clear from this passage that originally Herbert and Loma D. Armstrong observed Pentecost WITH THE JEWS, ON SIVAN 6! There is no question about it. But apparently, the last time they observed Pentecost on this date was 1936, after which they changed to a Monday Pentecost. For several years, after studying the holy days, Herbert Armstrong was originally convinced of the correctness of the Jewish date! Why did he change by 1937? Why was 1936 evidently the last time he observed Pentecost on the right day?

No one really knows, but several possibilities suggest themselves. We know that SIN cuts us off from God, and causes Him to punish us. The prophet Isaiah declared, "But your iniquities have SEPARATED you from your God; your SINS have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear" (Isa.59:2). It was about this same time that Herbert Armstrong began thinking that World War II would end in Armageddon, and that Mussolini was the "Beast" of Revelation and the final "head" of the resurrected "Roman Empire." His prophetic preachings of this time, until the end of World War II, were way off base, showing that God had allowed him to stumble into error and confusion. It was also about this time that serious personal problems and family trouble occurred in his marriage. All the evidence points to the conclusion that during those years, to use Mr. Armstrong's own words, he was "very far from God."

Somehow, also, about 1936-37 Herbert Armstrong became convinced that the Sadducees, who do not even believe in a resurrection, in angels or spirits, or an afterlife (Acts 23:8), were correct in counting Pentecost from the weekly Sabbath during the days of Unleavened Bread. Personal study showed him that the priestly Sadducees had observed a Sunday Pentecost. "At this point," says the Worldwide Church of God "Pentecost Study Material," published in 1974, "he discarded the Jewish practice and established Monday as the proper day."

Herbert Armstrong followed the Sadducees in counting from the weekly Sabbath, but he concluded they were wrong in the method of counting they used -- so in counting "from" the day after the sabbath, which he assumed to be Sunday, he began his count with Monday!

Obviously, Herbert Armstrong himself later admitted, de facto, that God did not "reveal" to him that Pentecost was on Monday -- because he himself changed it to Sunday in 1974, after new research and information was doggedly brought to his attention by Raymond F. McNair, information and research done by Ernest Martin. This information related only to the "process of counting." The Church undertook a comprehensive study into this question, and Herbert Armstrong became convinced, after talking with a translator of the American Revised Bible, and a Jewish scholar, and friend of his, that indeed he had been misinformed and mistaken all those years. For 35 years, then, the Church had "counted" WRONG!

But in 1974, no attempt was made to question the date from which the count to Pentecost is begun!

In fact, when the research was being done in 1974, according to the voluminous (77 pages plus) "Pentecost Study Material" published by the Worldwide Church of God, a strange thing happened. Herbert Armstrong telephoned Mrs. Ravid, the wife of the Israeli Ambassador, long distance in Israel, and asked her how the Jews count. She taught Hebrew at Hebrew University. She read the Hebrew of Leviticus 23:15 and said that Shavuot (Pentecost) would be counted beginning with Sunday, that Sunday is the day number one in the count to 50. The "Pentecost Study Paper" continues:

"A few hours later, a slightly horrified Mrs. Ravid called Mr. Armstrong to explain that she had made a TERRIBLE MISTAKE! Thinking perhaps she had found evidence for exclusive counting after all, we awaited her explanation, hearts pounding. 'I don't understand how I could have missed it,' she said apologetically; 'Shavuot is NOT COUNTED FROM THE WEEKLY SABBATH, IT MUST BE COUNTED FROM NISAN 15 (the first high day of Unleavened Bread)'" (emphasis mine).

Thus the truth about Pentecost was once again presented to the Church, through Mrs. Ravid, in 1974! Unfortunately, the question of WHEN to count FROM was not even under consideration at that time! The question of what day to count from was not the real issue of the great Pentecost debate and controversy which swirled around the Church in 1974. Her emphatic words fell on deaf ears. Rather, the only real issue in 1974 was the issue of how to count!

The Worldwide Church of God believed, at that time, and still does, that the Jewish tradition that Pentecost was to be counted from the annual Sabbath was wrong, and that the Sadduccean method of counting from the weekly Sabbath was to be followed. Therefore, poor Mrs. Ravid's comments fell on deaf ears. Nobody paid any attention to her. But everybody breathed a sigh of relief that she corroborated the inclusive counting methodology!

Nevertheless, the truth is plain. Pentecost should be observed on the same day the Jews observe it -- Sivan 6 -- just as Herbert Armstrong ORIGINALLY kept it! [Emphasis mine] Despite all the argument to the contrary, the truth will win out. Error cannot and will not prevail forever. Jesus Christ said, "You shall know the TRUTH, and the truth shall make you FREE" (John 8:32).

Monday, March 06, 2006

The Good News of the Kingdom of God under attack by false brethren

It was prophesied some would fall away from the true Gospel of the Kingdom of God, which is the God Kingdom-Family that we may enter – being born again – at the resurrection. And that some of those deceived or deceiving folks would be manipulated by the insanely jealous Satan to try and cause stumblingblocks before those who remain faithful.

Thankfully, some of us hold on to our God-given crowns for dear life and know that despite distractions, by the grace of our Father God we are truly God-Beings in the Making!

Reflect also upon How Adam & Eve Reflect God’s Kingdom.

These two witnesses, these two articles of faith, can refresh the glorious GOOD NEWS of God’s Kingdom in our daily renewed minds, and rebuke the encroaching darkness that overtakes those who aren’t always on their guard against the wiles of the devil.

“Greater is He who is in you, than he that is in the world.”

Encouragement from Australia!

From: Deirdre Heitmeyer
To: davidbenariel
Sent: 3/6/06
Subject: greetings

Dear David,

Firstly I wish to thank you for your tireless effort in your postings. I first heard Herbert W. Armstrong many years ago whilst I was travelling in the US. I lost heart after HWA passed away and also lost track. Long story..... However I'm back on track. I think that The Lord did not forget me.

However I read with interest your comments re the Philadelphia Church of God. I wished to begin tithing and thought I would send my money to them as they distribute HWA's material and broadcast warnings re the future.

After reading your postings re the PCOG I ended up sending last months tithes to the Raymond McNair and the Church of God-21st Century.
I had thought PCOG worked here in Australia and wanted to promote work here in this country.

I know that you must be busy and I have prayed for an answer as I could never find your email address, then today there it was.
I will pray that you continue to warn the world, and that noone will try and stop you.

Kindest regards,
Deirdre Heitmeyer

Deirdre Heitmeyer
Lecturer, School of Aboriginal Studies
The University of Newcastle
**********************

From: DAVID BEN ARIEL
To: Deirdre Heitmeyer
Sent: 3/5/06 11:16:58 PM
Subject: RE: greetings

Thank you so much Deirdre for recognizing and appreciating my postings. That means the world to me and is a God-send. I really do ask God for such encouragement to know all is not in vain and He gives it to me. So THANK YOU. : - )

My many postings are exhausting, God knows! And some of the people are so wicked and hateful, if I dare say, but why should I be surprised? The challenge is to always pray before getting online and hoping to respond as God would have me to with different strokes for different folks. Then there's a glimmer of light, like you, who shines through and makes it all worthwhile.

As for the PCG and the others, I just hope and pray we all love and obey God and be humble as children and eager to learn and walk in the light as it's given, just like our first love and first calling.

I grow frustrated with the ministers because, as far as I'm concerned, unemployed but employed full time on the computer, offering my book for free but also hoping somebody buys it, they have so much money and yet the world doesn't really know anything about us! That's a crying shame! Could you imagine if I suddenly had a fraction of what Flurry has? The world would know our message beyond any shadow of a doubt, and yes, they would hate us and we would get persecuted and they would bring judgment upon themselves. But I do what I can with what I have: a computer, a Bible and a willingness to reach out to the GENERAL PUBLIC -- not just a converted audience or early Sunday morning limited crowd.

Please pray that God bless my efforts on the behalf of His Kingdom, and that I can roar like a lion of God! (Ariel is God's Lion). I'm curious how you first read anything I wrote. Had I contacted you? Sorry, but I contact so many. Or did you hear or see about my postings or articles somewhere?

Thank you so much for writing, and blessed be God you're back on track (I was off track for some years too, but we have a most merciful and loving God),

Your brother,
David Ben-Ariel
*******************

Sister Dierdre from the Land Down Under (may God bless me to visit it someday) let me know she first came across my work when she did a google search for Herbert W. Armstrong. That's very good to know. I'm honored to be associated with God's apostle, Herbert W. Armstrong.

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Easter is a pagan abomination!

Like dumb sheep to the slaughter, most of mankind continues to blindly follow pagan traditions, rather than obey God's clear commands (Mark 7:7). Has it ever occurred to those stuffing their faces with Easter ham that Jesus would puke at the thought? Neither Jesus or Peter, James or John ever ate forbidden foods. They wouldn't feel too comfortable at plenty of people's dinner tables.

Even the early Gentile converts to Jewish Christianity respected the biblical dietary laws (Acts 15:20), understanding that not all foods are sanctioned by the Creator in the Holy Scriptures (I Timothy 4:5).

When John the Baptist recognized Jesus as our Passover sacrifice, he declared: "Behold the Lamb of God" (John 1:29). He didn't say, "Here comes the Easter Bunny!" Again, like the Easter ham, the Easter rabbit is also rejected in the Bible as an abomination (Leviticus 11:6-7).

The very name of Easter exposes itself as a heathen festival, although it's cloaked as "Christian." Easter/Ishtar/Astarte is the Babylonian spring goddess our British-Israelite forefathers foolishly worshipped. Hence the fertility symbols of rabbits and eggs.

God isn't fooled by such baptized paganism, such whitewashed heathen customs (Deuteronomy 12:30). He commands us to commemorate Jesus' death every Passover and recognize His atoning work of redemption as our resurrected High Priest in Heaven, unleavening our lives of sin (I Corinthians 5:7-8). The early Church followed Jesus' Jewish example for several hundred years until Gentile opposition (from false converts) threatened them with a death sentence if they didn't bow before Easter observances (the Quarto-Deciman controversy)!

A growing number now know, understand and believe the biblical account that we're to observe Passover and that Jesus was resurrected before sunrise Sunday, "when it was yet dark" (John 10:1). Others prefer to reject this light of understanding to remain in their traditional darkness and die in their sins (John 3:19).

Thankfully, every generation has those chosen few who are willing to "earnestly contend for the faith once delivered" (Jude 3). Hopefully, this will cause you to question your beliefs and provide some "kosher" food for thought!

David Ben-Ariel is a Christian-Zionist writer in Ohio and author of Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall.

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Heaven, Jerry Falwell and Israel

Jerry Falwell is great for being so pro-Israel, recognizing it as the Promised Land of Israel, but he foolishly rejects our Hebrew roots - the Anglo-Saxons and white peoples of Northwestern - and our biblical responsibilities, prefering idolatrous traditions that the real Yeshua would spurn.

I encourage Jerry Falwell to see that no many is worthy to be called reverend (how come he missed this reading the Bible?) and ask him why he doesn't believe Yeshua's clear teaching and statement: "The meek shall inherit the EARTH."

May Jerry Falwell humble himself, pray and open up his Bible and prepare to learn the plain truth of it for the first time, and may he permit these articles to encourage him to do just that, so help him God:

The Plain Truth About the "Lost Ten Tribes" and Why You Need to Know!

The REAL JESUS Can't Return Until...

God-Beings in the Making!