Monday, November 30, 2009

Herbert W. Armstrong was ahead of his time!


I'm often accosted by some who mindlessly cut and paste a list of Herbert W. Armstrong's "failed prophecies."

I respond Herbert Armstrong was ahead of his time and served as an early warning system. What follows is one of these many exchanges:

...is it really enough to dismiss this written record as "being ahead of his time?"

Yes. Why don't you just be honest and admit you hate Herbert W. Armstrong because he spoke the plain truth that CANNOT be refuted? that your traditional Churchianity is merely baptized paganism the Bible condemns as part of Mystery Babylon? For exposing your SUNday as a pagan counterfeit of the biblical Sabbath; your pagan holidays you've sought with your replacement theology to replace the biblical festivals; that sheeple like you bleat they're born again and don't have a clue what they're talking about, since we're born again at the Resurrection only; that God is not the sadist traditional Christians make Him out to be; that the meek inherit the Earth -- not float off to Heaven; that you're not an immortal soul, eternal life is a gift from God; the wicked will be destroyed, ashes under our feet; we can become literal God-beings, members of the Kingdom-Family of God?

Why don't you just confess and forsake your sins of murderous hatred against HWA for slaughtering your "sacred cow" and exposing it as religious bull from Babylon?

Haven't I refuted Herbert Armstrong by showing his timing was off?

No. The apostle Paul also thought Christ would return in his lifetime. He was ahead of his time, as he, like Herbert W. Armstrong, later realized.

The enemies of God and Herbert W. Armstrong can't refute the plain truth of the Bible that anybody can read and see for themselves. That's why they have such a murderous hatred against Christ in him, just like the "religious" violently opposed Jesus for standing up for the TRUTH over their tradition.

May such misguided folks repent of their mob mentality against God's servants, and learn to go against popular error instead and start teaching the plain truth of the Bible (that contradicts their present idolatrous traditions). Otherwise they'll die in their sins and traditional darkness (John 15:22).

...by what criteria did he speak truth?

Mr. Armstrong spoke the plain truth by the criteria of the Bible that counterfeit Christianity has rejected for their own traditions. The Bereans were noble for checking out what Paul said compared to THE BIBLE - not compared to their traditions (Acts 17:11).

...are you denying he said the things I posted?

I said Herbert Armstrong was ahead of his time. The PRINCIPLES of prophecy he spoke of remain absolutely true: a final revival of the unholy Roman Empire is prophesied and the EU is forging ahead with that Frankenstein Monster now.

I'm stating categorically that what you've thrown up against Herbert Armstrong is a DIVERSIONARY TACTIC, a dishonest attempt to discredit him, since you can't refute the black and white of the Bible he taught on the plain points I've made and you know it. Who do you think you're fooling by such pretense? God? Man? Why play your foolish games?

Proof that you're offering lame excuses is because every one of your popular traditional ministers or groups have taught and said worse things that, unlike HWA, aren't even true according to biblical prophecy, such as Russia attacking America (when Mr. Armstrong alone warned it will ultimately be a German-led Europe that attacks us that even some Protestants now agree is true) and yet we never see you get all hot and bothered about them or post against them or call them false prophets. Why your glaring double standard? Perhaps you're too blind to see it yourself, but now that it's been brought to your attention, prayerfully think about it and see this is the plain truth.

"For exposing your SUNday as a pagan counterfeit of the biblical Sabbath; your pagan holidays you've sought with your replacement theology to replace the biblical festivals" --

I believe Judaizers were addressed by Paul, not by me.

According to your vain traditions and popular error, Paul would be a Judaizer since he kept and taught the biblical Sabbath and festivals, just like Jesus did and will command all nations to keep when He returns and reigns in Jerusalem.

Are you in denial of this plain truth? It says Christ will command both Jews, Israelites and Gentiles, all nations, to keep the Feast of Tabernacles -- not pagan Xmas or Easter (should tell you a lot right there!)- when He reigns from Jerusalem with the glorified Saints, then brilliant God-Beings. Is Jesus a Judaizer? Rather, your kind are Roman wolves in sheep's clothing with your replacement theology, seeking to demonically replace the Sabbath with pagan Sunday, the biblical festivals with your hollow days of pagan origins that GOD HATES, and you do many other similar things with your idolatrous and tinsel traditions.

"...that God is not the sadist traditional Christians make Him out to be; that the meek inherit the Earth - not float off to Heaven;" -- who said anything about floating off? I have specifically said our hope is in the new earth.

Thankfully, you're correct about the New Earth, but your traditional Churchianity teaches folks go to "heaven or hell" when they die, which is a RELIGIOUS LIE. And I see you still misrepresent God as a sadist rather than a loving God who puts the wicked out of their misery, who mercifully destroys them completely in the Lake of Fire and lets them return to dust while the rest become divine.

"that you're not an immortal soul, eternal life is a gift from God;" -- Yes, a gift already given to all.

Another RELIGIOUS LIE. Why don't you believe the clear teachings of the Scripture rather than Catholic-Babylonian doctrines of demons? Satan said, "You shall surely not die." In other words, you're an immortal soul! Yet God's Word says the soul that sins it shall die, and Revelation speaks of the second death (from which there is never a resurrection), and Jesus spoke about destroying both body and soul in "Hell fire." Why don't you believe Him? God isn't the sadist you counterfeit Christians with your serpentine ministers make Him out to be.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not PERISH (death), but (on the other hand) have everlasting life."

Life or death - those are the only two choices. Not life and life. And who would consider it a gift if they had eternal life in torment? You're not even being logical or biblical. "The wages of sin is DEATH, but the gift of God is eternal life" (Romans 6:23). Life or death, plain and simple. And "no murderer has eternal life dwelling in him" (1 John 3:15).

"the wicked will be destroyed, ashes under our feet; we can become literal God-beings, members of the Kingdom-Family of God? Why don't you just confess and forsake your sins of murderous hatred against HWA for slaughtering your "sacred cow" and exposing it as religious bull from Babylon?" --

I don't believe you ever answered as to why HWA was lying to you about the Greek language, his sole basis for his beliefs; that it does not concern you......

Why are you still wrestling dishonestly, desperately, with YOUR straw man? I've clearly shown how biblical it is to know and believe and teach we're to become literal God-Beings and I don't need to know Greek to read it in the Bible and believe the simplicity that is in Christ.

Why are you so dishonest and trying to squirm around clear statements like "flesh and blood does NOT inherit the Kingdom of God," and "we shall see Him as He is for we shall be like Him," and even as we've born the human image of Adam, so we'll bear the divine image of Christ, the FIRSTBORN OF MANY BRETHREN.

Why don't you believe those clear Scriptures that you're afraid to address and go off on your little tangents, dishonestly? Why don't you let the Truth set you free from your lying traditions? Why resist the Holy Spirit of truth? You should praise God for exposing such darkness to you and be glad to forsake the Babylon you're in enslaved within.

Regardless, it's your choice: you can become dust or divine, have eternal life or eternal death. But, like God, I encourage you to CHOOSE LIFE.

 


Herbert W. Armstrong Was Ahead of His Time!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Jerusalem project to clean up 'Solomonic' wall

November 19, 2009
EDMOND—Brent Nagtegaal, instructor of archeology at Herbert W. Armstrong College, and Harley Breth, student body class president, will transfer to Jerusalem for a six-week project in late November. Under the supervision of Dr. Eilat Mazar, they will clean up the area around a wall from the period of the First Temple and do some excavation as well.

The wall is probably part of a “Solomonic” gate complex from the First Temple period originally excavated by Sir Charles Warren in the 1860s. Sir Warren excavated the outside of the gate complex. In 1986, Dr. Eilat Mazar discovered the inside of the gate complex, a rectangular stone complex measuring over 2,000 square feet. Previous to the discovery of this water gate, there was little archaeological evidence to corroborate the biblical references to the Davidic dynasty. Dr. Mazar’s excavation, though, was never completely finished, and she will now return with support from the college to clean up the area and complete the excavation.

This project has a smaller scale than previous phases of the dig and Mr. Nagtegaal will assist Dr. Mazar directly. They will work in the area south of the Temple Mount known as the Ophel, where Dr. Mazar’s grandfather, Benjamin Mazar, led the Ambassador College-assisted excavation. It is about 400 feet north of the City of David excavation of King David’s palace. Mr. Nagtegaal was a volunteer on phase two and three of Dr. Mazar’s dig, and served as supervisor of area G for the last half of the third phase.

http://www.pcog.org/article.php?articleid=94

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May God bless these young men as they work in Jerusalem with our Jewish brethren, an opportunity of a lifetime!

I am a Christian Zionist

Jews and Christian Zionists

Herbert W. Armstrong and the Worldwide Church of God Mentioned in Israeli Newspaper

Israel Work History (Worldwide Church of God)

Conflict in Jerusalem

Liberty Bell Park, Jerusalem, Israel


Rabbi misinformed about Herbert W. Armstrong

British-Israel!

Herbert Armstrong Got the Word Out About British-Israel!

Herbert W. Armstrong, author of The United States and Britain in Prophecy, did not claim the British-Israel truth was some special "divine revelation" to him, but Mr. Armstrong acknowledged how he was surprised at the amount of information on this subject in his local library in Oregon and how he GLEANED from it and presented it to us on a silver platter. Some of us appreciate that fact and focus on the message - not on the messengers.

Some pitiful, petty, nit-picking, easily distracted souls either accuse Herbert W. Armstrong of plagiarism, or of not giving credit to men like J. H. Allen or G. G. Rupert.

I've posted information on Judah's Scepter and Joseph's Birthright by John Harden Allen on my many blogs. We wouldn't even know about Mr. J. H. Allen if it weren't for Herbert Armstrong, would we? You would think he could have at least acknowledged a few of the British-Israel giants, but he didn't and life goes on and the truth gets out. Blessed be the God of Israel for restoring our identity to us!

I remember borrowing Judah's Sceptre and Joseph's Birthright from Carl Fields, a local elder in the Worldwide Church of God congregation in Toledo, Ohio, at one of our regular Bible studies held in the science auditorium of a high school. He didn't hand it to me in a brown paper bag, meet me privately in the parking lot, but handed it to me in public. We knew about Mr. Allen - who didn't? And those who did read his book were even more grateful afterwards for how Mr. Armstrong waded through many such works and presented it in a more clear and concise manner, blessed by his background in journalism. Even A.N. Dugger, the prominent Church of God, Seventh Day, editor of The Bible Advocate whom Mr. Armstrong knew and corresponded with acknowledged: "I have seen no work near its equal in clearness and completeness. You surely are right, and while I cannot use it in the paper at the present you may be assured that your labor has surely not been in vane [sic.]."

Mr. Armstrong was the one God used - not Allen or Rupert - to restore the identity doctrine to God's Church in a way that no others had. I trust Allen and Rupert (and many others they learned from) would praise God that Mr. Armstrong was able to get the word out! Folks who rightly focus on the message, who recognize the plain truth about British-Israel belongs to God and not to any man or organization, are grateful to God for using Mr. Armstrong mightily to share this truth with MILLIONS worldwide!

A History and Comparison of the Various Editions of The United States and Britain in Prophecy
By Herbert W. Armstrong (1892-1986)

The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy (United Church of God)

The United States and Britain in Prophecy (Philadelphia Church of God)

The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy (Living Church of God)

United States in Prophecy! (David Ben-Ariel)

Friday, November 27, 2009

Where is God's True Church Today? by Raymond F. McNair

Where Is God’s True Church Today?

Why are there now over 300 “Churches of God,” all of which sprang from the WCG? Is there only ONE TRUE CHURCH?

by Raymond F. McNair

Is God’s Church today one single, unified Church of God, or are God’s people scattered among many Churches of God? Why do we see so many commandment-keeping “Churches of God” in the world today? Didn’t Christ say He would establish “one Church”—“one Body”? How is it then, there are now many independently organized Churches of God—most of whom claim to “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12)?

Some Brethren Have Become “Confused”!

Recently, brethren from the Los Angeles area came to San Diego to pay me a visit, and to discuss a number of doctrinal questions. One of them asked me, “Why are there so many ‘Churches of God’ in America today?” He simply couldn’t understand how there could be so many “splinter groups,” all professing to obey God. Jesus spoke of His Church as “My Church”—not “My Churches” (Matt. 16:18). The Apostle Paul repeatedly says God’s Church is “ONE BODY” (1 Cor. 12 & Eph. 4)!

This personal friend realized that members of Christ’s spiritual “Body” are scattered through many “Churches of God.” Nonetheless, he repeatedly asked why Christ’s Church is “so divided.” After I explained the answer, he understood. I told him it is impossible for the true “Church of God” to be divided! God’s Church” is not, and never has been, a “corporate organization,” as in the U.S. and other parts of the world.

I told my friend he could only understand the answer to his question—if he accepts the biblical truth that God’s “true Church” is a “SPIRITUAL ORGANISM”—not a humanly organized “church,” incorporated under the laws of man. In early N.T. times, the ministry didn’t incorporate, as we do today. The true “Church of God” is a spiritual organism, which God calls “the Body of Christ” (1 Cor. 12:27). That “Body” is not, and never can be, divided, because it is the “Body of Christ,” and His “Body” cannot be severed into many parts, any more than a human body can be cut into separate parts, and still survive. Jesus said God’s “Church” cannot die, or be destroyed. He said “the gates of Hades” can never prevail against God’s Church (Matt. 16:18). After I explained these points to this Church member, he finally understood that God’s true Church is a spiritual organism, not a humanly devised “corporation,” and no man can “divide” or “destroy” that Church. Can anyone divide or destroy that which God Himself has established?

We must keep these facts in mind as we witness an ever-proliferating number of corporate “Churches of God” springing up in the U.S., Canada, and other parts of the world! Does this mean it is wrong for mortal men to incorporate a church under the laws of a particular state or country in which they live? Not at all! It is wiser to use this human crutch (a “corporation”), in order to avoid problems, which arise when men establish an “un-incorporated” church, and later realize there are certain legal problems which they encounter by not being properly incorporated under man’s laws, thereby submitting to Caesar (Rom. 13:1-7)!

What Constitutes the True “Church of God”?

Many have been confused regarding what constitutes the “Church of God.” Why such confusion? Is it because they have never diligently studied the Word of God to see what the Bible says? What, according to God’s Word, comprises God’s true Church? Is His Church made up of any “group of men” who may associate themselves together and incorporate under the laws of men—even though they may not believe or obey God’s Word? Let us examine the Word of God to see what really comprises the Church which Christ founded. Jesus said, “I will build MY CHURCH, and the gates of hell [Gk. Hades] shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). Do we believe Christ’s words? Or do we believe His Church can be swallowed up in the grave and pass into oblivion?

Jesus did not tell His apostles what the name of His Church would be, although just before His death, He asked the Father to, “Keep through thine own name those whom thou has given Me, that they may be one, as we are” (John 17:11). Christ’s disciples were later called “Christians” (Acts 11:26). Both Father and Son are called “God.” Did God keep Christ’s disciples, the Christians, in the Father’s name, the name of “God”? He certainly did, by calling His Church “the Church of God.”

The “Church of God” Mentioned 12 Times

After the N.T. Church was established on the Day of Pentecost in 31 A.D., it was called the “CHURCH OF GOD.” The name “Church of God” is mentioned in the following nine N.T. scriptures: Paul told the Ephesian elders to “feed the CHURCH OF GOD” (Acts 20:28). Later, he twice mentioned “the CHURCH OF GOD which was at Corinth” (1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1). Furthermore, Paul told the Saints at Corinth to “Give none offence…to the CHURCH OF GOD” (1 Cor. 10:32), and then admonished them not to “Despise…the CHURCH OF GOD” (11:22). Later in this epistle, he explained that he had “persecuted the CHURCH OF GOD” (15:9). He also told the Saints in Galatia that he “persecuted the CHURCH OF GOD” (Gal. 1:13). Paul felt it necessary to instruct Timothy on how the brethren should “behave…in the HOUSE OF GOD, which is the CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD” (1 Tim. 3:15).

The “CHURCHES OF GOD” are mentioned in three verses in the N.T. After mentioning abuses in partaking of the “bread and wine” at the Passover service, Paul said, “…We have no such custom, neither the CHURCHES OF GOD” (1 Cor.11:16). He told the brethren in Thessalonica, “For ye, brethren, became followers of the CHURCHES OF GOD…in Judaea” (1 Thess. 2:14). He told them, “We ourselves glory in you in the CHURCHES OF GOD” (2 Thess. 1:4). Altogether, the “Church[es] of God” are mentioned 12 times!

In Romans 16:16, Paul refers to God’s Churches in these words: “The CHURCHES OF CHRIST salute you.” Since Jesus Christ is the “Head” of the CHURCHES OF GOD, those churches can also be called “Churches of Christ.”

Although the proper name for God’s Church is “CHURCH OF GOD,” this does not mean that all churches, which appropriate this name, are necessarily true Churches of God! In order to qualify, its members must believe in God the Father and His son (as our Savior). They must believe in and live by every Word of God, and obey His laws, including the Ten Commandments. This also entails keeping the fourth commandment, which mandates observing the seventh day as the Sabbath (Matt. 19:16-22). The N.T. makes it clear that every true Christian must also obey Christ’s command to be baptized (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38-39). Further, every true believer should annually commemorate the death of his Savior, by observing, on the 14th of Abib, the Passover symbols of bread and wine, as a memorial of Christ’s sacrifice for the sins of all mankind (John 6:53-58; Luke 22:13-20).

How Does One Become a Member of the Church of God?

Since God’s Word reveals that the Church is a SPIRITUAL ORGANISM, not a social club, or a “worldly corporation”—and since no one can decide to “join” himself to His Church, in an attempt to make himself a true member of the “Church of God—how then can one become a bona fide member of the “Church of God,” which, spiritually speaking, is the Body of Christ? In this world, humans can decide to join most any “church” of their choice, and by conforming to certain standards, or beliefs, they can then become full-fledged members of that church. But it is impossible for any person to join himself spiritually to the true “Church of God”!

Now let’s examine the Scriptures to see how one becomes a member of the “Church of God.” The Apostle Peter put it this way: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts. 2:38-39). In the N.T., water baptism is always by total immersion, and should never be by sprinkling or pouring.

Two important scriptures clearly explain how one becomes a member of the “Church of God”: Paul says, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into ONE BODY, whether…Jews or Gentiles…and have been all made to drink into one spirit” (1 Co. 12:13). He also states, Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His” (Rom. 8:9-11). Further, this same apostle says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (v. 14). One can only be put into the Church of God, through repentance, baptism, and laying on of hands, to receive God’s Holy Spirit. When one receives God’s Spirit, subsequent to baptism, he is thereby put into the spiritual Body of Christ, the true” Church of God.”

Scattering of God’s Sheep Foretold

Many former WCG members have been appalled at the “scattering” of God’s people, in the wake of the death of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong in January 1986. But many have failed to understand that this “scattering” was prophesied long ago. The Prophet Daniel spoke of a “time of trouble,” at the “time of the end when many shall run to and fro [when] God shall have accomplished to SCATTER THE POWER of the HOLY PEOPLE” (Dan. 12:1-7).

But who are the “HOLY PEOPLE”? This end-time prophecy has a dual application: 1) The “holy people” can refer to the “people of Israel,” the physical descendants of the ancient patriarch Israel. 2) It can also apply to God’s Church, “the Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16). The national scattering of physical Israel will occur during the Great Tribulation. However, much of the prophesied scattering of God’s Church has already occurred, in large measure, following the death of Mr. Armstrong. It is similar to what occurred at the time of Christ’s death when the scripture was fulfilled which said, “I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered abroad” (Mark 14:27; cf. Zech. 12:7). Jesus Christ is called “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11), and “Chief Shepherd” (1 Pet. 5:3).

While alive, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, a faithful end-time shepherd, held most of “God’s flock” together, but when he was “smitten” by death in January 1986, this opened the way for God’s end-time “flock” to become scattered. Jeremiah predicted this scattering (Jer. 23:1-4), as did the Prophet Ezekiel. (Ezek. 34:1-12). A careful reading warns us that the ministers would do the scattering. Paul showed that certain ministers would also be guilty of later scattering God’s people (Acts 20:17-20, 27-35). Sadly, the ministers, who should feed and protect the “sheep of God,” are often guilty of scattering those same sheep! Some have been guilty of ruling over God’s people “with force and cruelty” (Ezek. 34:4, 22)!

Ways in Which Some Ministers Have Been Abusive

I would strongly encourage God’s people to appreciate and assist those FAITHFUL MINISTERS who have steadfastly maintained the true doctrines, and have ruled over the “flock” with genuine concern, patience, and Christ-like love! During the past ten or twenty years, I have received many reports from faithful brethren giving accounts of a lack of ministerial concern for, and abuse of, some of “God’s sheep” by abusive “shepherds.”. Jesus Christ spoke of such “evil servants” who would abuse their “fellow servants” (Matt. 24:48-51)! God’s Word says, “Woe to the worthless shepherd, who leaves the flock…” (Zech. 11:17). Many of God’s ministers, including some top leaders, have abandoned their ministry, taking their hand off the “ministerial plow” and going back into the world to pursue carnal interests (Matt. 9:36-38)!

Here are some of the problems these “worthless shepherds” have shown by not caring for the “flocks” under their supervision: some ministers have deceived and betrayed their congregation by abandoning the Truth for false doctrines. Others have been partial and have shown favoritism toward certain members, while neglecting others in their congregation, such as the needy, distraught, lonely, the widows and fatherless etc. Still others have been arrogant and high-handed in ruling, while some went further by ruling harshly. Some resorted to politicking, and “working the angles.” Finally, some forsook the biblical pattern of hierarchical church government, in favor of a “democracy of the ministry”! I hasten to add that, Jesus Christ did not establish any ecclesiastical “offices” in the “Church of God” which would make any church official into a “Moses” figure, or a “Pope” figure. Christ ordained that there should be no autocratic, dictatorial form of church government in the N. T. “Churches of God” (cf. Matt. 20:20-28; Acts 2:42; 8:14).

We Ministers Must “Pull up Our Socks”!

Where is God’s true Church today? It has been splintered and scattered, resulting in hundreds of small Churches of God.” The Church which Jesus said He would build is not to be found today in one single “church.” Instead, true members of the Body of Christ are now found in many “Church of God” fellowships, scattered across the entire globe. Let us tear down some of the barriers between brother and brother, and between the various “Churches of God”! Instead of putting up barriers, let us build bridges. Instead of criticism and condemnation, let us seek peace and reconciliation among all the scattered members of the “Body of Christ,” now found in various “splinter groups”!

It is not too late for uncaring “shepherds” to repent, and make amends, by re-dedicating their lives to genuine service of the brethren, rather than looking out primarily for their own selfish interests! “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ…” (Phil. 2:4-5)!

Jesus Christ revealed that His Church would never become a big, powerful, politically-connected Church, which would try to influence this world’s leaders. God’s ministers were never intended to dabble in politics, or tell “Caesar” how to run his government! Rather, God’s Church would always remain a “little flock” (Luke. 12:32). God’s ministry should devote themselves, single-mindedly, toward looking after, comforting, caring for and encouraging “God’s sheep.” We are to be primarily concerned with the spiritual and physical welfare of our congregations, rather than becoming needlessly entangled in this world’s enticing temptations, and its political machinations!

I urge all of us ministers to look into the mirror of God’s Word, to see where we may have failed (Jas. 1:23-25)! No one is perfect, but we ministers have been given an awesome calling and responsibility, which God intends that we not neglect. Some of the examples of ministerial neglect and abuse of God’s people are inexcusable! There must be a dramatic change. May our Merciful Father, and His Son Jesus Christ, forgive us and inspire each of us ministers to re-dedicate our lives, as living sacrifices. Let us be vigilant in caring for, protecting, defending and encouraging God’s people in every way possible!

If we truly love, and diligently serve God’s sheep, they will be content, secure, spiritually productive and much happier—and our reward in God’s Kingdom will be much greater, when we stand before our Creator at His return. Christ promises us, “Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Rev. 22:12).

At that time, the overcomers will assist Jesus Christ in shouldering the heavy responsibility of restoring good government to all the nations. Unto the overcomers Christ promises, “And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron” (Rev. 2:26-27). At that time, good government will be established over all nations: “For unto a child is born, unto us a SON is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder…. [This] Prince of Peace” will rule the entire earth…. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end...” (Isa. 9:6-7)!

A PERSONAL NOTE. Here is a brief note regarding my varied experiences in the Work of God during the past 55 years. Most of you will have become familiar with my articles in various Church publications (the Good News, Plain Truth, Tomorrow’s World, etc), and more recently in articles which were published in other “Church of God” publications. I have served for nearly 50 years as a writer and editor.

My appointment to serve on the WCG Doctrinal Teams. Mr. H.W. Armstrong appointed me to serve under him over the Headquarters Doctrinal Team in 1974, knowing that I would not introduce “liberal” doctrines into God’s Church. After Mr. Armstrong’s decease, the Pastor General who succeeded Mr. him appointed me to be over the Doctrinal Team in Pasadena; but shortly afterward, my wife and I were sent to the South Pacific to head the Work of God in New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, etc. Since I would not endorse the strange doctrines then being seriously considered at our Pasadena Headquarters, my continued presence would have been a big obstacle in the eyes of those who planned to make sweeping doctrinal changes in the WCG.

My ordination as an Evangelist in the WCG. Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong ordained me as an Evangelist—over 51 years ago. During those 51 eventful years I served as the pastor of 14 churches in the U.S., Britain and New Zealand, and in 1954-1955, I founded the Chicago Church of God, the first WCG Church east of the Mississippi River. I also served as Director of the Work of God in Britain (1958-1973).

Appointed Deputy Chancellor of Ambassador Colleges in England, and Pasadena, CA. In 1960, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong appointed me Deputy Chancellor of Ambassador College, near London. Later, in 1978, Mr. Armstrong asked me to serve as Deputy Chancellor of Ambassador College in Pasadena, California—in order to help him put Ambassador College back on track. I continued serving God’s Work in that position for nearly ten years—until 2 years after Mr. Armstrong’s death in 1986. I was gratified to hear him say, before his decease, that he was very pleased to see Ambassador College back on track. I always counted it a great honor and a fantastic privilege to work with God’s end-time Apostle for over 36 years, from the time I entered Ambassador College in 1948, until his death in 1986—approximately 36 years.

I was privileged to conduct many baptismal tours while serving in the Worldwide Church of God. In the summer of 1949, Mr. Armstrong sent Raymond Cole and me on the first student-led, nation-wide baptismal tour, during which time we baptized about 125 brethren. In the following years, I conducted seven more baptismal tours in the U.S. and Canada before being sent to London, England in 1958 to take charge of God’s Work in Britain, where I continued to serve the Work of Jesus Christ during the next 15 years. After arriving in London, England, I conducted several baptismal tours in the British Isles, and was later sent to Southern Africa with another minister to baptize a number of people in Northern and Southern Rhodesia, and in South Africa.

Copyright 2005 Raymond F. McNair. All Rights Reserved.

http://cog21.org/j3.htm

Berlin's Poison-Pen Letter (German diplomatic arm-twisting of Hungary)

Newsletter 2009/11/25 - Berlin's Poison-Pen Letter

BUDAPEST/BERLIN (Own report) - The Hungarian media reacted with estrangement to Germany and eight other western nations' diplomatic arm-twisting of Hungary. Through their embassies, the nine countries admonished Budapest with a public protest note, following Hungarian measures against West European and US companies operating in Hungary. A water company lost its lucrative franchise in a southern Hungarian city, because of overpricing and suspicion of irregularities while the German chaired European Bank for Reconstruction and Development along with a US company had to give up the radio frequencies of their stations to their rivals. The protest note was considered a very "unusual step and a venturous interference," an affront, to which the prime minister gave an immediate public response. He said he would take into consideration the objections of the West Europeans and Americans. This procedure shows clearly, to what extent Hungary has become economically dependent, above all, on Berlin. The mere threat of a withdrawal of investments is enough to force Budapest to enact new legislation.

more
http://www.german-foreign-policy.com/en/fulltext/56301

PCG Doesn't Practice What It Preaches!

God’s Sacred Calendar (Part Two)
November 20, 2009 | From theTrumpet.com

A closer look at some of the rules of the Hebrew calendar. This is where most of the controversy arises over the calendar. By Stephen Flurry and Mark Nash
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It is true God has preserved His sacred calendar and holy days, and the correct dates to observe them, through THE JEWS. Yet the Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) and others continue in the proud and stubborn, idolatrous traditions of men and reject the correct Jewish dates for Passover and Pentecost, condemning themselves. Would to God folks would repent and let the truth set them free! Would to God they would practice what they preach and submit to the God-given authority of the Jews on these sacred matters!

Passover and Pentecost Differences Settled!
The correct dates to observe God's holy days should not be a Church of God issue, having been settled by God thousands of years ago and preserved throughout the ages by faithful Jews.

The Oracles of God
God's empowered the Jews - despite themselves - to preserve His Word. They are the only people on Earth that God has blessed and ordained to fulfill such a calling! God will not retract His Word or renege on this gift and responsibility that He's graciously bestowed upon Judah.

The Pharisees
Who isn't aware of the sins of the Pharisees? Especially the Accuser of the Brethren? But does that mean the truths they teach, even if they don't live them, are no longer true?

The Passover Memorial
When did God decree that Jesus could declare "it is finished" and die on the stake? Why at the very same time that THE JEWS were sacrificing their Passover lambs at the Temple! The Jews had always killed the Passover lambs during the final hours of the 14th. It was towards the end of the 14th, not at the beginning of the 14th, that the Passover lambs were killed.


Raymond McNair Rejects God's government


Did Herbert Armstrong Ever Observe Pentecost on Sivan 6?

Fuzzy Thinking Christians

Jew hatred in the Church of God

What's New in Europe?

Open Europe press summary: 27 November 2009

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Well spoken from a Righteous Gentile!

Re: The English-Speaking Nations of White Israelites
Kwame Guy writes:
I guess it depends on your definition of Racist. By dictionary definition we are all Racist, bigotry is a different matter. I find the perceived fear of being called a racist among white people, because of PC, is a bit of a cop-out for not taking responsibility for the blessings that you refer too.

I applaud you for speaking out, since most minorities will tell you, all PC aside: when whites prosper, we all prosper. When whites move up, we all have an opportunity to progress. However, when whites, panic, turn from God, practice bigotry and greed, then the effects on the rest of the races is always negative. PC was created by whites to excuse themselves from speaking the Plain Truth and shirking their responsibility to God and the rest of the Races. So by all means take pride in your Race and do everything you can to fulfill your God-given responsibility.
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Amen brother! Well-spoken from a righteous Gentile.

Kwame, God bless you for your humble attitude and honest observations that are a blessing to see and know and sets an example for others to follow and gives us all something to think about.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Good News / Bad News

The Bible is good news/bad news, just like the Ezekiel Warning Message with the hope of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God that will become increasingly personal and relevant to British Israelites and Jews specifically since the King of the Jews, the King of Israel, for the sake of His ethnic elect (beloved for the fathers' Abraham, Isaac and Jacob's sakes) will intervene and prevent the utter destruction of Jacob-Israel and the world will be spared because of it.

Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall... Europe's rise - bad news! Europe's fall - good news!

Today the European Beast is taking shape and form before us, while the American, British and Jewish peoples continue their nosedive to oblivion. Both of these intertwined events were clearly prophesied (Lev. 26; Deut. 28). And it's only with our God-given understanding of biblical prophecy that we can see where these trends are rapidly heading.

Both the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation reveal a Gentile confederation of nations to emerge upon the world scene just before Messiah comes, wrecking havoc upon Israel and opposing the Heavenly Army (Dan.7; Rev. 13; 17).

The Church of God Must Warn the World!

We're in the Times of the Gentiles!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

JUDAH'S SCEPTRE AND JOSEPH'S BIRTHRIGHT

JUDAH'S SCEPTRE

AND JOSEPH'S BIRTHRIGHT


An Analysis of the Prophecies of the Scriptures in regard to the Royal Family of Judah and the Many Nations of Israel, the Lost Ten Tribes

Table of Contents

By J. H. ALLEN

Originally published, 1902. Nineteenth Edition. Re-typeset, A.D. 2000

A notable and immensely significant sign of the times is the revival of interest in Old Testament prophecy that is beginning to be strongly felt in Anglo-Saxon countries. This book presents facts and considerations which every­one must sometime take into account, for they are des­tined to become important factors in world affairs.

A reviewer in the Baptist Messenger says, "This is one of the most interesting volumes we have read in many a day and we confess that the arguments produced by Mr. Allen seem to be unanswerable. It is more thrilling than Western fiction. The description of the scarlet thread, the royal remnant, and the part played by Jeremiah in the preservation of the ruler for David's throne, will cause you to lose sleep rather than go to bed without knowing the outcome."

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface

Photos and Illustrations

PART FIRST

The Birthright; Or, The Promise Of Many Nations To Abraham

I. Judah's Sceptre and Joseph's Birthright

II. Race Versus Grace

III. The Sceptre and The Birthright

IV. Jacob's Seed Divided Into Two Kingdoms

V. All Israelites Are Not Jews

VI. The Broken Brotherhood

VII. Ephraim-Samaria -- Israel's Idolatry

VIII. Samaria-Israel Cast Out And Cast Off

IX. The Jews Go To Babylon And Return

X. Joseph-Israel Lost

XI. Joseph-Israel -- (Continued)

PART SECOND

The Sceptre;

Or, The Promise Of A Per­petuated House, Throne, And Kingdom To David

I. The Sceptre And The Davidic Covenant

II. Jeremiah's Call And Commission

III. The Tearing Down And Rooting Out

IV. Vindication Of The Personal Promises Of Jere­miah

V. A Royal Remnant That Escapes

VI. The Prince Of The Scarlet Thread

VII. The "Prince Of The Scarlet Thread" And "The Royal Remnant" United

PART THIRD

The Veil Lifted From Abrahamic Nations

I. Lost Israel And The First Overturn Located

II. Jacob's Pillow-Pillar Stone

III. The Other Overturns

IV. Dan --The Serpent's Trail

V. Israel In The Isles

VI. A Few More Identities

VII. A Study In "Scarlet"

VIII. Egypt-Israelitish And Anglo-Saxon Emblems

IX. The Two-Fold Aspect Of Prophetic Israel

X. The Coming Exodus

Appendix

Saturday, November 21, 2009

The Plain Truth About the Lost Ten Tribes

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

The United Kingdom of Israel split in two during the reign of Solomon's son, Rehoboam. The Northern Kingdom of Israel was composed of 10 tribes, headed by the tribe of Joseph, in their new capital called Samaria. The Southern Kingdom of Judah continued to rule from Jerusalem, with the Royal House of David presiding over them. Both sinned against the God of Israel and were patiently warned by the prophets, but Northern Israel fell first and was deported by the Assyrians approximately 130 years before Judah was conquered by the Babylonians and the Temple destroyed (2 Kings 17).

After 70 years, a small number of Jews returned and restored Jerusalem and built the Temple. The Jews had been deported to Babylon and were from the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The Northern Israelites had been taken captive earlier to other areas (2 Kgs. 17:6) and have never returned.

If you check the records of those who returned from the Babylonian exile it becomes clear that basically it was only those from the Southern tribes of Benjamin, Levi and Judah. There are a few exceptions to this rule, certain individuals from Ephraim and Manasseh and undoubtedly some of the other tribes who joined with Judah (1 Chronicles 9:3). Some carelessly assume that just because those who returned are all sometimes referred to as sons or children of Israel that it means they were from the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

However, Jacob-Israel had twelve sons who were the patriarchs of the twelve tribes. Every Jew is an Israelite, an ethnic descendant of Jacob-Israel, but not every Israelite is a Jew! The Northern Kingdom of Israel, as a whole, remain in exile as the "Lost Ten Tribes."

It is historically and biblically important to make this distinction between Jews and Israelites and to be careful not to blur their identities (Ezek. 44:23). After all, God has devoted four books of the Bible to do just that!

But did God intend for Northern Israel to remain lost? Since we acted like pagan Gentiles God let us lose our spiritual minds and think we're Gentiles, but was the punishment for our religious sins supposed to last forever? Didn't God promise that He would preserve Israel's unique identity even though they were scattered throughout and among many nations? Clearly God has never lost sight of who the "Lost Tribes" really are and where they're located today: "For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the House of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth" (Amos 9:9).

If God's aware of a sparrow's condition, certainly He's more concerned with collective Israel's affairs, especially since we're beloved for the fathers' (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) sakes. Yet we see grief-stricken Israel feeling helpless and hopeless, dead to history, cut off from their roots, having given up any hope of being restored to national life, being reassured by God Almighty that He will restore their physical identity!

Once God begins the healing process, the life-giving spirit of reconciliation between Judah and Israel will result in our restoration as a United Kingdom, One Nation under God! God will restore us to our ancient homeland and revive the Davidic monarchy to rule with but under Messiah. God's Sanctuary will again be found in Jerusalem, and shine as a sign to the whole world, since He'll return home with the exiles (Ezek. 36).

Israel was only to remain lost until just before Messiah comes. That's when we would begin to fulfill our tribal destinies as prophesied by Jacob and Moses (Gen. 49; Deut. 33). The sons of Joseph, the Anglo-Saxons, have fulfilled the prophecies like no other "claimants" to Israel's inheritance can: Manasseh has become the single great nation of the United States, and his brother Ephraim has become the British Commonwealth of Nations (Gen. 48:19), as clearly brought out in The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy, influenced by Herbert W. Armstrong, one of the greatest proponents of this biblical truth.

After our prophesied 2520 years of exile, Israel began to grow and multiply and be blessed around 1800-1803. A Jewish Homeland reveals how our Jewish brethren also came into their own after the time of their punishment came to a close, and boldly declared their statehood in 1948, holding the Promised Land in trust for all Twelve Tribes (Rom. 3:2).

Joseph and Judah are the top two leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel. It was around the ordained time that God began to bestow Joseph's Birthright that He began to restore Israel's identity among both the Anglo-Saxons and Jews (I Chron. 5:2). Some have embraced this wonderful truth and consequently have drawn closer to each other as brethren, but others have foolishly allowed Satan to create enmity and alienate us. Soon such "sibling rivalry" will be a thing of the past (Isa. 11:13).

Some rabbis/ministers have stubbornly refused to search for the "Lost Ten Tribes" and have left them to wander in their pagan Gentile ways and days! GOD HOLDS MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT HELPING TO RESTORE ISRAEL'S ROOTS AND RESPONSIBILITY! (Ezek. 34:4). He'll personally cut them off from the pulpit and strip them of their duties! They've proven themselves unworthy of shepherding God's people Israel and have forfeited their future as leaders.(Ezek. 34:10; Matt. 12:30). Nevertheless, God has raised up others to accomplish this urgent "search and rescue" mission (Ezek. 34:16).

Surely God wouldn't leave His Church in the dark about Israel's identity, especially since the Gospel should go first to Israelites and then to Gentiles. And the Gospel is ONE BIG PROPHECY!

Thankfully, there are a growing number of groups and organizations, books and articles, both Christian and Jewish, that are assisting this GREAT WORK OF ISRAELITE IDENTIFICATION. They are helping to proclaim: "I am Joseph your brother" (Gen. 45:4). The Jerusalem-based Brit-Am Israel organization (founded by the Israeli Orthodox Jew Yair Davidiy) is a pioneer among our Jewish brethren.

God reveals our Israelite identity and expects us to help restore our brethren to their biblical senses (Isa. 42:22; 51:1-2). Those ministers who fail to respond to God's call to search and rescue Israel have robbed them of a right relationship with God and our forefathers, substituting pagan hollow days for God's holy days (Isa. 63:16; Hos. 5:7; Malachi 4:4-6). They've stubbornly put their idolatrous traditions above God's commands, preferring doctrinal darkness and captivity over Messiah's spiritual light and freedom.

Nevertheless, a number have been called from the womb to help restore Israel's identity and religion (Isa. 49:5-6), blasting Babylon and clearing away the stumbling blocks of religious confusion (Isa. 57:14; 58:1, 12). Even if our people as a whole reject the plain truth for popular error (2 Chron. 30:5-11), a precious few will always respond to God's call to forsake Babylon (traditional Christianity/Jewish myths) and return to our biblical roots and responsibility (I Kgs. 18:21, 36-37; Rev. 18:4).

It's vital to know who Israel is so they can return to the biblical faith once delivered. Why? To enable them to be spared from "the Time of Jacob's Trouble," the "Great Tribulation" that is prophesied to fall especially hard upon our heads. God expects us to work together to remember our Hebrew roots and responsibility, and to lead and direct our Israelite nations in the right direction (Jer. 31:21).

In order to warn Israel about the many prophecies that preview our coming captivity (due to our idolatry and immorality), it was first necessary for God to restore our identity. God has now restored our identity, He's again warning our nations, and it's up to us what will happen next.
May we take God's Word to heart, return to the God of our fathers, and have hope: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (2 Chron. 7:14).


David Ben-Ariel is a Christian-Zionist writer and author of Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall. Visit the Ten Tribes blog of David Ben-Ariel.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Sabbath blessing and relief

Re: Random Thoughts
Friday, November 20, 2009
It’s been one of those weeks. People who don’t know the Sabbath might look forward to their weekends, but I honestly believe only a few of them can really relate to the relief of coming to the end of a really hectic week. A relief because in just over 24 hours, I will be with God’s people again, worshiping and putting most everyday concerns out of my mind. When you don’t know God, it’s hard to relate to the blessing that is the Sabbath.

Read more...

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Perhaps you would find Origins of Life by Gerald Schroeder a fascinating read this Sabbath. The Torah-observant Jew and MIT scientist helps to reveal how our Great Creator God had "wisdom" inherent in His Creation from the beginning to know which way to go and what to do, etc.

Shabbat Shalom/Sabbath peace,

David Ben-Ariel

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Ron Ardis (CGF)

Religious Bluster from Ron Ardis (CGF)

It's disgusting how so many of the Sabbath-keeping Church of God groups have to try to prove to their sheeple they're the "one true Church of God" and have a flood of "new truth" to sweep them all away. They all abuse the same Scriptures to build themselves up on their wrong foundation and go off on tangents, driven by their vain imaginations (like 2 Peter 3:18), whether it's Ron Ardis' error about the Day of the LORD (YHVH), Flurry's folly, Ron Weinland's stupor, David Pack's blasphemy (he blathers he'll teach the Two Witnesses and the Scripture shows they're in the spirit of Elijah who stands before the LORD (YHVH) of all the Earth and are anointed by Him - not by any man!), ad nauseum.

(read more ...)

David Pack and the Restored Church of God


I'm aware of David Pack, Pastor General of the Restored Church of God. I also remember clearly how he didn't even know me when he was with the Global Church of God (that I visited once) but said most people who change their names are off-the-wall (something to that effect) and felt I should take my former name of David Hoover back and should seriously consider it as he contacted his superiors (they must have told him to back off as he never brought it up again).

After I thought and prayed about it - rejecting David Ben-Ariel for David Hoover as David Pack sternly suggested - I rejected the notion and questioned how anybody inspired by the Holy Spirit would make such a demand, as I honestly consider David Ben-Ariel my God-given Name, as I've written.

I also remember clearly how David Pack said to me, when I was being honest about my past, troublesome times when I was backslidden in some areas, that he thought I was never converted! Unlike Jesus who offers constructive criticism, who encourages you with the good and calls upon you to change for the better and overcome the bad, all David Pack did was tear down and seek to destroy! That was not the Holy Spirit of God working through him. The Holy Spirit of God inspires us: Don't give up! and overcome in Christ daily!

Before this experience, David Pack had come at my request and visited with me and several other friends who had gathered to hear what he had to say in Toledo, Ohio. We were invited to the one service of his we attended in Ohio. He brought a box of materials the Worldwide Church of God no longer printed to make a statement. We all felt Gerald Flurry had already made that statement and was the first to do so, even though we hadn't yet attended with the Philadelphia Church of God in Akron, Ohio.

When four of us visited with the Global Church of God, my friend Carl gave him a copy of his booklet against abortion and I gave him one of my booklets (either God and the Gays - the first of its kind in the Church of God, or "Religion in America - the REAL Danger" now incorporated into Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall) he acted very interested, but later told me he never met a more proud person than Carl! Carl didn't appear proud at all and was merely happy to do whatever he could to help expose and end the evil of abortion.

When David Pack said something to the effect that the Global Church of God was not for me, I asked him why he invited me then and he then acknowledged he only invited me along with the others because he felt they were good candidates for membership. In other words, he was being deceitful. Since then I've heard horrible stories about his pack of lies and hope it's not true but suspect that it is, due to my own eye-opening experience with him.

I trust there are true Church of God members among the Restored Church of God flock, as with the other groups of scattered brethren, and I hope God spares them from such wolves and that they maintain, first and foremost, a personal relationship with the Shepherd of our souls, and not trust in any man for salvation.

I've seen some of the attractive literature the Restored Church of God offers, but it's more important how we treat one another than merely offer glossy material. I hope David Pack has repented of his sins that God may restore him and help him heal those whom he's sickened and be reconciled with both God and man.


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 the Beyond Babylon blog.

Kingdom of God-Beings to Rule Earth from Jerusalem!

Kingdom of God-Beings to Rule Earth from Jerusalem!
By David Ben-Ariel


John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Yahshua ascended to Heaven from the Mount of Olives and He will return to the Mount of Olives and liberate Jerusalem and reign from there with His glorified saints!

Acts 1:9-12
Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.

This agrees with Zechariah 14:3-4
3 Then the LORD will go forth
And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle.
4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,
Which faces Jerusalem on the east.

Yahshua has gone to Heaven and is preparing for the coming Kingdom of God, making room for us (converted Christians then transformed) in His Administration, preparing our positions and government seats in the Kingdom-Family of God, and will then return and receive us to Himself, sharing His glory and power and honor with us from Jerusalem, the seat of God's government, the Throne of David, the Throne of the LORD:

John 17:24
Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Yahshua will return and reign in Jerusalem, but the King of KINGS and Lord of LORDS will not rule alone! The apostles have been promised leading positions in God's Kingdom over the Twelve Tribes of Israel:

Matthew 19:28
So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory [in Jerusalem], you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
But Christ will also gladly share power with us in the Kingdom of God, so we may rule with but under Him, as He rules with but under the Father (who is all in all):

2 Timothy 2:12
If we endure, We shall also reign with Him.

Revelation 3:21
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Revelation 5:10
And have made them kings and priests to our God; And they shall reign on the EARTH.”

Revelation 20:4-6
...And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

The Royal Family of God-Beings, the immortal Kingdom of God, will soon administer the government of God over all the Earth and later throughout the Universe!

Daniel 7:27
Then the kingdom and dominion,
And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven,
Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High.
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’

God's servant Herbert W. Armstrong was the first to bring these brilliant Scriptures to my attention and I read them for myself in the Bible and was amazed that it's right there before us - if we'll only open our eyes to see and believe and gladly receive it! AWESOME!

David Ben-Ariel, a Christian-Zionist writer and author of Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall, shares a special focus on the Middle East, reflected in hard-hitting articles that help others improve their understanding of that troubled region. Check out Beyond Babylon.

PCG (Philadelphia Church of God)

Philadelphia Church of God Leads the Laodicean Era (Part 1)
When Gerald Flurry wasn't anything in his own sight or mind God used him and now, unfortunately, it appears to have gone to his head, all the new revelation (simply a deeper understanding of some things), and he forgets that all truth is from and belongs to GOD and that God can use a donkey to deliver it (1 Cor. 4:7). Gerald Flurry has become so swollen in his own imagination that he fails to see that he is the leader of LAODICEA! He knows what warning God is giving the Laodiceans, of which he is chief! He had better heed his own words...

Philadelphia Church of God Leads Laodicean Era (Conclusion)
"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... as I highly doubt that he would have time to read your whole book."

Stephen Flurry and The Philadelphia Church of God
Stephen Flurry, son of Gerald Flurry, pastor general of the Philadelphia Church of God (based in Edmond, Oklahoma), has published a book that Amazon sells, Raising the Ruins: The Fight to Revive the Legacy of Herbert W. Armstrong.

The Work of God Must Go Forward!
The Work of God 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).

PCG: Carrying on Business as Usual
If you truly saw what is coming on this Earth, and had a vision of tomorrow, you would know that the Gathering Storm darkens as you sip champagne and boast that you're rich and in need of nothing, woefully ignorant that the Two Witnesses will soon be wearing sackcloth and fasting, not wining and dining at black tie dinners!

The Church of God Must Warn the World!
We know that certain prophecies were not to be fulfilled until these "last days." Therefore their sealed messages weren't to break their silence until the appointed time (Dan. 12:9). With the advent of the nuclear age, we've been living, for the first time in history, with the weapons of mass destruction that can erase all life from off planet Earth! (Matt. 24:21-22).

Politics in the Church of God Hinders Progress
Gerald Flurry refused to go forward with Beyond Babylon and fell backwards, treading old ground and is now going in circles, business as usual, as Europe rises and Judah and Israel have yet to be warned.

Worldwide Church Of God All Over Again?
Let’s see to it that Philadelphia Church of God (Judah) doesn’t go the way of the Worldwide Church of God (Israel). These biblical principles still apply: don’t put undue trust in men; work out your own salvation, it’s not a group affair; beware the scholarly approach that demands you rely on men - not God’s Spirit or personal Bible study.

The Watchmen
"I have set Watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem"God has called us to do a Work! Anyone can and should do good works in private, but God has called us collectively to COME OUT OF THE CLOSET and deliver His Message! We're to help save individuals and nations from the coming Holocaust!

Fox 25 Special Report on Philadelphia Church of God

Gerald Flurry

Philadelphia Church of God minister's review of Beyond Babylon

The Philadephia Church of God & David Ben-Ariel

I'm not a terrorist
Is David Ben-Ariel a terrorist? Did he try to blow up the mosques in Israel? Is that why he was deported from Israel? Or is he simply somebody who has been targeted for exposing the German-Vatican plot against Jerusalem and highlighting the Nazi Muslim occupation of the Temple Mount?

God-given love for Jews (mentions my volunteer service on 8 kibbutzim throughout Israel)

Gerald Flurry's Outrageous Attack Against David Ben-Ariel

Is David Ben-Ariel a Terrorist? (Apparently Gerald Flurry and Stephen Flurry would mislead you to believe so!)

The Temple Mount Faithful is not a terrorist organization! (Although Gerald Flurry and Stephen Flurry strongly insinuate it is, to their shame)

A little known blogger

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Mystery of Israel, Chapter 5 of Mystery of the Ages

Mystery of the Ages[PDF]
by Herbert W. Armstrong

Chapter 5
Mystery of Israel

Did it ever strike you as most unusual that the Great God should have raised up the ancient nation Israel to be his chosen people?

Consider these seemingly paradoxical facts:

God says he is not a respecter of persons. Is he, then, a respecter of nations? Does he have a favorite?

Did you ever realize that God denied his chosen people salvation—save only their prophets? That the chosen nation was given only material and national promises—that God’s Holy Spirit was inaccessible to them?

Did it ever occur to you that the Holy Bible is the book of and concerning only that one people Israel? And that other nations are mentioned only if and as they came into contact with Israel?

And here’s another shocker!—almost totally unrealized today by Christianity—even by Judaism and not recorded or understood by historians! The northern kingdom of Israel was not Jewish! The first place in the Bible where the word Jews occurs is in II Kings chapter 16 and verse 6, where the nation Israel was at war, in an alliance with Syria, against the Jews!

The truly amazing truth about Israel is a mystery totally unknown by any religion—by Christianity—by even Judaism!

It is indeed true that the nation Israel was God’s chosen people. But understand: They were not chosen as “teacher’s pet” nor for special favors. They were chosen for a special purpose preparatory to the ultimate establishment of the kingdom of God!

It is an intriguing story! The answer to this chapter title, “Mystery of Israel,” has great significance in God’s purpose for all peoples! One cannot understand the real purpose and incredible potential of man without this vital knowledge.

Supreme Master Plan

The Creator God is reproducing himself in and through man! God’s ultimate transcendent purpose is breathtaking beyond words. The establishment of the ancient nation Israel is an integral part of the supreme master plan.

Seven generations after the Flood, the Eternal found a man who would obey him. His name was Abram. He lived in Haran, in Mesopotamia. This man was to become a type of God the Father. It was from him that the nation Israel descended. Through this nation God raised up his prophets, and in due time God’s own Son, Jesus Christ.

Man of Destiny

Abram, as he was originally named, was not seeking God. But God chose to call and test Abram. This ancient patriarch, later in Scripture, is called the father of the faithful. God was calling him for a very special purpose. That purpose was not to “give him salvation” or “get him into heaven.” God was calling him because he had seen in this man the potentialities of obedience to God and of leadership. God was calling him to be prepared for special service and ultimately high position in the kingdom of God—the coming world tomorrow. I quote now from a book I wrote more than 50 years ago, The United States and Britain in Prophecy, commencing with page 16:

To this man, Abram, God commanded: “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: and I will make of thee a great nation” (Gen. 12:1-2).

Here was a command, which was a condition and a promise, provided the condition of obedience was met.

And so now, as God had started the whole world with one man, he started his own peculiar nation in the world from one single man—Abraham. As the world, which has strayed far from God and the blessings of God’s worship and rule, was started with one man who rebelled against God and rejected his rule, so God’s own flesh-born nation, from which is to be reborn the kingdom of God, was started with one man who obeyed God without question, and accepted his divine rule.

Did Abram stop to argue and reason? Did he say: “Let’s reason this out a bit first; here I am in Babylon, in the very center of all this world’s commerce, society and gaiety. Why can’t you just as well give me this promise right here, where everything is pleasant and alluring? Why must I leave all this and go over to that uncivilized land?”

Did Abram quibble, resist, argue, rebel?

He certainly did not!

The inspired Scripture account states simply: “So Abram departed.” There was no arguing with God. There was no human reasoning that God was all wrong. There were no foolish questions: “Why must I leave here?” “Can’t I do as I please?” There was no stopping to say, “Well, here’s the way I look at it.”

”Abram departed.” Just plain, unquestioned obedience!

Here again we see the principle of duality. Abram was in the very center of this world’s developing civilization. Remember, it was a world held captive—a world developing on Satan’s pattern. God had chosen Abram to become the patriarch of his nation Israel, the congregation or Church of the Old Testament. The principle of duality is interwoven all through the workings of God in fulfilling this great purpose through humanity on earth. There was the physical congregation of Israel under the Old Testament and the spiritual Church of God under the New Testament. The word church as originally written in the Greek of the New Testament was ekklesia, which means called-out-ones.

As Israel of the Old Testament was the physical forerunner and type of the Church of the New Testament so God now called out the progenitor of the nation Israel from Satan’s world. Abraham later regarded himself as a stranger, a sojourner and a pilgrim in the earth. This was not his world: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country [a different civilization]. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (Heb. 11:13-16). Seeking a better country, a heavenly country, which will be the kingdom of God filling the earth.

And God established this man [Abram], whose name he later changed to Abraham, as the father of his nation, Israel! To Abraham and his descendants were all the promises of God made. And we must become like Abraham, and through Christ, one of his children, if we are to inherit the promise of eternal life in God’s kingdom.

Of his peculiar flesh-born nation, Israel, the Eternal said: “This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise” (Isa. 43:21). That prophecy shall yet—and soon—be fulfilled!

Dual Promises to Abraham

Few have realized it, but a duality runs all the way through the plan of God in working out his purpose here below.

There was the first Adam, material and carnal; and there is Christ, the second Adam, spiritual and divine. There was the Old Covenant, purely material and temporal; and there is the New Covenant, spiritual and eternal. God made man mortal, physical, of the dust of the ground and of the human kingdom; but through Christ he may be begotten of God to become immortal, spiritual, and of the kingdom of God.

And in like manner there were two phases to the promises God made to Abraham—the one purely material and national; the other spiritual and individual. The spiritual promise of the Messiah, and of salvation through him, is well known by the most superficial Bible students. They know that God gave the spiritual promise to Abraham of Christ to be born as Abraham’s descendant—and that salvation comes to us through Christ. But—and this will sound unbelievable, yet it is true—almost no one knows what that salvation is; what are the promises of salvation we may receive through Christ; how we may receive them, or when—incredible though that sounds! But that truth belongs in another chapter.

What is essential to the theme of this chapter is the fact that God also made another entirely different, most amazing national and material promise to Abraham which has been almost entirely overlooked.

Notice now again how God first called Abram, and the twofold nature of his promises: “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: and I will make of thee a great nation. . . . and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 12:1-3).

Notice the twofold promise: 1) “I will make of thee a great nation”—the national, material promise that his flesh-born children should become a great nation—a promise of race; 2) “. . . and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed”—the spiritual promise of grace. This same promise is repeated in Genesis 22:18: “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” This particular “one seed” refers to Christ, as plainly affirmed in Galatians 3:8, 16.

Right here is where those who profess to be “Christians”—and their teachers—have fallen into error and scriptural blindness. They have failed to notice the twofold promise God made to Abraham. They recognize the messianic promise of spiritual salvation through the “one seed”—Christ. They sing the hymn Standing on the Promises—falsely supposing the promises to be going to heaven at death.

This is a pivotal point. This is the point where professing “Christians” and their teachers jump the track of truth. This is the point where they switch off the track that would lead them to the missing master key to the prophecies. They miss the fact that God gave Abraham promises of physical race as well as spiritual grace.

But the plain fact that the “great nation” promise refers alone to race—not the “one seed” of Galatians 3:16, who was Jesus Christ the son of Abraham and the Son of God, but to the plural, multiple seed of natural fleshly birth—is made certain by God’s repetition of his promise in greater detail later.

Israel to Become Many Nations

Notice carefully! Understand these promises!

”And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. . . . thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee” (Gen. 17:1-5).

Notice, the promise is now conditional upon Abraham’s obedience and perfect living. Notice, the “great nation” now becomes many nations—more than one nation. This cannot refer to the “one seed,” Christ. The following verses prove that.

”And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings [more than one] shall come out of thee” (verse 6). Notice, these nations and kings shall come out of Abraham—physical generation—multiple seed, in addition to the one descendant through whom scattered individuals may become Abraham’s children by spiritual begettal through Christ (Gal. 3:29). The scattered, individual Christians do not form nations. The Church, it is true, is spoken of as “a royal priesthood, an holy nation” (I Peter 2:9), but Christ’s Church is not divided into “many nations.” This is speaking of race, not grace.

”And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations . . .” (Gen. 17:7) The “seed” is plural—“in their generations.” “And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan [Palestine], for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God” (verse 8).

Notice, the land—material possession—is promised to the plural seed, of whom he is “their,” not “his,” God. The plural pronoun “their” is used again in verse 9: “and thy seed after thee in their generations.”

But now examine this promise carefully!

The future of great nations rests on the promises the eternal Creator made to Abraham. The only hope of life after death for anyone—regardless of race, color or creed—is dependent on the spiritual phase of these promises to Abraham—the promise of grace through the “one seed”—Christ the Messiah!

How Much Land—What Size Nations?

These are not casual, incidental, unimportant promises. These are basic—the foundation for the establishment of the greatest world powers; the basis for any personal salvation spiritually; for any hope of eternal life for humans. These are stupendous promises. The future of mankind is based, by the Creator God, on them.

Jesus Christ came “to confirm the promises made unto the fathers” (Rom. 15:8)—Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. These same promises were repromised to Isaac, Abraham’s son, and to Jacob, the son of Isaac.

After 430 years, God raised up his nation Israel—descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whose name God changed to Israel.

To lead these people out of Egyptian slavery and to the Promised Land, God called Moses. Moses was not seeking God. But God had caused Moses to be trained specifically for this commission by having him reared as a prince in the palace of the Egyptian pharaoh. So now again, after Moses had been specially trained for leadership, God called him out of the world to lead the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob out of Egyptian slavery.

Racial Intermarriage Forbidden

So now again we come to the question, Why did God raise up this special Hebrew nation as “the chosen people”? Why, when God never made accessible to them his Holy Spirit?

One point to notice here. The probability is that these people were all—or nearly all—of the white racial strain, unchanged since creation.

After Jacob and his sons and families had come into Egypt at Joseph’s behest, they were kept in the locale of Goshen—geographically separated from the Egyptians, marrying among themselves.

In this connection, go back momentarily to Abraham. He prevented his son Isaac from inter-marrying among the dark Canaanites then in the land.

He sent his chief servant to his own family and racial people to find a wife for Isaac. Abraham said, “. . . thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell” (Gen. 24:3).

The next generation, Jacob married Leah and Rachel, daughters of Laban, nephew of Abraham, who lived in the land of Haran, brother of Abraham. The whole community of Haran, where Laban lived, was of the same family ancestry as Abraham.

Jacob had six sons by Leah, two from Rachel—all of the same original racial stock, and two each from the maids of Rachel and Leah—12 in all. Even the maids of Leah and Rachel undoubtedly were of pure Hebrew stock. These 12 became the progenitors of the 12 tribes of the nation Israel.

But God specially prepared from birth and called Moses, with Aaron his brother to assist as his spokesman. (Moses stuttered.)

In the plagues God caused against Egypt, God was turning the Egyptian gods and objects of worship against them to show them that these were not gods. Even the plagues were sent in love for the Egyptians.

The final plague followed the sacrifice of the Passover on the 14th day of the first month of God’s sacred calendar—starting in the spring. The Israelites went out of Egypt during the night part of the 15th. They reached the Red Sea. But pharaoh had meanwhile changed his mind and, with his army, pursued them.

The children of Israel had reached the Red Sea, and they were stopped as if dead. There was no bridge. It was too far to swim, with their women and children. Behind them pharaoh’s army was in hot pursuit. There was nothing they could do. They were stopped—helpless! At that point they had to rely on God!

In Egypt God had caused their release from slavery by a series of supernatural plagues. Now God caused the waters of the Red Sea to roll back to form a watery wall on either side, with a wide path on the dry sea floor between.

The Israelites walked on through. On the opposite side they looked back and saw the Egyptians entering the seafloor path. When the Egyptians were all within the seawall passage, God allowed the waters to flow back, drowning the Egyptian army.

Broken Promises

In due time the Israelites pitched tents at the foot of Mount Sinai.

God did not make them his nation, under his theocratic rule, without their consent.

Through Moses, God put to them his proposition. If they would obey his laws of his government, he would prosper them, and make them the wealthiest and most powerful of nations.

Yet God’s birthright promises were of a national and material nature—no spiritual salvation.

The people agreed. Thus they became God’s chosen nation. But why?

This we know: God’s purpose for them had a definite relation to preparing for the ultimate KINGDOM OF GOD—when the government of God would be reestablished over all the earth, and spiritual salvation would be offered to all!

Undoubtedly, one reason was to preserve the original physical racial strain. But there was much more.

Nations had developed knowledge. Mankind was limited, after Adam’s rebellion, to the acquisition of physical and material knowledge.

But, like educated men and scientists today, they were saying, “Give us sufficient knowledge, and we will solve all problems and eradicate all evils—we will create utopia!”

Up to that time, mankind had been denied spiritual knowledge and fulfillment from God. God now decided to give them knowledge of his law—his kind of government—his way of life! He was going to prove to the world that without his Holy Spirit their minds were incapable of receiving and utilizing such knowledge of the true ways of life. He was going to demonstrate to them that the mind of man, with its one spirit, and without the addition of God’s Holy Spirit, could not have spiritual discernment—could not solve human problems, could not cure the evils that were besetting humanity. The nation Israel would be his guinea pig to demonstrate that fact. God had chosen a nation of almost perfect original strain in its generations—its ancestry. Also they had the quality heredity of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel).

So God entered into a covenant with them, making them his nation. It also represented a marriage covenant, with Israel the wife, promising obedience to her husband—God. It was the physical type of the yet-to-come spiritual New Covenant.

And what did it prove?

Israel’s Heredity and Environment

Here was a people of almost clear racial strain, and the God believing heredity of Abraham, Isaac and Israel. Two requisites make a human whatever he becomes in life: heredity and environment. Heredity involves what has been inherited by birth in such areas as health, intelligence and character tendencies. Environment includes all external influences and self-determined motivations—whether good or evil.

Heredity—if of good and high quality—may start one off at an advantage. An inspiring environment, uplifting influences and right self-motivation may further improvement. Such environment may turn one of inferior heredity into a real success in life.

But a discouraging environment, evil influences and misguided self-motivation may turn one of excellent heredity into failure and an evil nature.

God started his chosen nation off—even though brought out of slavery—with all the natural advantages of a superior heredity. God pulled them out of slavery and gave them a new and fresh start. One might say they had everything God-given going for them.

But now why? Why did God so prepare and raise up this nation Israel?

Consider why God created mankind in the first place! God is reproducing himself through man! He is creating in man God’s own perfect holy and righteous spiritual character! And that, in turn, is purposed to restore the government of God over all the earth. And, further, to create billions of God beings to finish the creation of the vast unfinished universe! And, beyond that?

Ah! God has not as yet revealed what he purposes beyond that!

Everything God has done, since the creation of the first humans, has been another progressive step in God’s overall supreme purpose!

Type of the Kingdom of God

The immediate purpose, so far in the history of mankind, is to prepare for the kingdom of God, which will restore the government of God earth wide!

The kingdom of God is the actual begotten and born family of God, which will first actually appear by a resurrection and instantaneous translation at Christ’s Second Coming! And by begotten and born sons of God, emphatically I do not mean those deceived into the current “born-again” teaching—that anyone who “professes to receive Christ” is already, in this present human life, “born again.” That is a paramount deception by which Satan the devil has deceived those (the many in a so-called “Christianity”) who have “accepted” a false conversion. They may be well meaning—but nevertheless deceived! And of course a deceived person does not know he is deceived—he may be wholly sincere!

But now think! HOW does the Old Testament nation Israel play a part in progressively preparing for the kingdom of God?

Government in the Kingdom of God

First, Abraham was a man of very outstanding qualifying abilities. Undoubtedly he, with his sons Isaac and Israel, shall, in the resurrection and kingdom of God, occupy a position next under Christ himself. The kingdom of God will be a spiritual kingdom including both Church and State—earth wide. These, as a team, probably will be next in line of authority under Christ—and over both church and state.

Of the nation Israel, Moses, whom God raised up as their leader and lawgiver (though God the Father is the original real Lawgiver) in all probability will be under the Abraham-Isaac-Jacob team, but head over the national governments of the world during the coming millennium. And probably Joshua, who succeeded Moses, will be Moses’ assistant in that office of worldwide national governments.

What of the nation Israel as a whole?

They, despite their favorable heredity, failed utterly to qualify. When God put the proposal of their formation as his nation before them, they replied, “All that the Lord hath spoken we will do” (Ex. 19:8). But they utterly broke their word and rebelled.

They were in a “husband-and-wife” relation with the Lord God. But the Lord said later of them: “Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord” (Jer. 3:20).

The nation Israel under Moses was one race—very little interracial marriage had marred their racial nationality.

The Promised Land was then called Canaan. Canaanites, racially dark, had settled in the land. But God had given this land to the racial descendants of Abraham by promise! It did not belong to the Canaanites or other races settled there.

When God moved his two million-plus Israelites in there, he commanded them through Moses:

”When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan; then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images . . . and ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it . . . . But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell” (Num. 33:51-53, 55).

Racially—Nationally—Religiously Separate

It’s time we understand this!

This nation Israel was God’s nation. But they were a physical, not a spiritual nation. Yet God gave them his Church, as well as national government and religion. God intended to keep them physically separate from other nations—both nationally (racially) and religiously.

For them to intermarry with other races would result in two things: It would interbreed them into other races, and mix them into other idolatrous religions!

The Israelites did not obey God!

Much later, after the captivities of both Israel and Judah, God sent a colony of Jews from the Judahite slave population in Babylon back to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel as governor of the colony, to build the second Temple.

Among this colony were the prophets Ezra and Nehemiah. Against God’s command, the people of the colony began to intermarry with Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites and other races, “so that the holy seed [racially pure, for they had not the Holy Spirit] have mingled themselves with the people of those lands . . .” (Ezra 9:2).

The prophet Ezra was angry! He stood up before the congregation and said: “Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. Now therefore . . . separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives” (Ezra 10:10-11).

Jesus Christ was born of the tribe of Judah, and it was necessary that he be of the original pure racial strain, even as Noah was.

But—nevertheless, the Old Covenant with Israel at Sinai was a type and forerunner of the New Covenant. It will be made with the New Testament Church, which is the spiritual Israel and Judah (Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:6, 10).

Meanwhile, an individual few in Old Testament Israel did obey God and by becoming God’s prophets, they became part of the very foundation of the New Testament Church of God. The Church is built on the solid foundation of the prophets (Old Testament) and apostles (New Testament), Jesus Christ himself being “the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:20).

Among them, Elijah probably will be head, under Christ and Abraham-Isaac-Israel, over the Church, worldwide. John the Baptist may be under Elijah. There are indications that the prophet Daniel will be head over all gentile nations, and under Moses and Christ.

Fulfilling Their Role Despite Themselves

But in what manner did the ancient nation Israel play a part in preparation for the kingdom of God?

I have already mentioned how the intellectuals and scholarly of this world feel that, given sufficient knowledge, human carnal man could solve all problems.

God let many generations of ancient Israel and Judah prove by hundreds of years of human experience, that the best of humanity, without God’s Holy Spirit cannot solve human problems and evils!

I have spoken, during the past 20 years, to many heads of governments over Europe, Asia, Africa, South America. In China, I believe the Communist heads of government believe that communism, once it gains control of the earth, will solve all problems and evils. But many kings, emperors, presidents and prime ministers I have conferred privately with now realize the problems are beyond human ability to solve. And this I said plainly to many leaders of the People’s Republic of China.

The problems and evils are of a spiritual nature. And a carnal mind without God’s Spirit cannot come to grips with spiritual problems.

The many decades and centuries of ancient Israel proved that! Until Israel, God withheld knowledge of the right ways of human living from mankind. To Israel God gave his statutes and judgments, as well as his spiritual law. But these perfect laws did not, without God’s Holy Spirit, solve the nation’s problems!

God could say: “I am God. Take my word for it.” But God gave proof, through Israel, that without the Holy Spirit, man is helpless! They even had God to appeal to. But they did not have his Spirit within them.

Let this point be emphasized. When the first man, Adam, rejected the tree of life, and took to himself the knowledge of good and evil, he limited his power and ability to do good to the level of his human spirit. There is good as well as evil in human nature. Good is a spiritual attribute, not a physical or material action. Had Adam taken of the tree of life, the Holy Spirit of God would have entered him and joined with his spirit, uniting him with God as a son of God. The Holy Spirit meant more than spiritual knowledge of good. Not the hearers of the law (good) but the doers of the law are justified (Rom. 2:13). Love is the fulfilling of the law, but not human love. It requires the “love of God . . . shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy [Spirit]” (Rom. 5:5).

God revealed his law to the nation Israel. One of the purposes of this nation was to prove by human experience that man without the Spirit of God within him cannot be righteous.

So, at this point, let us cover a brief synopsis of the actual history of the nation, and of the gentile nations of the world.

A most important declaration and promise was given to the people of Israel, as recorded in Leviticus 26. Again I quote from my book The United States and Britain in Prophecy, starting page 110:

The Pivotal Prophecy

In this central prophecy, God reaffirmed the birthright promise—but with conditions—for those of Moses’ day! The birthright tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh were then with the other tribes—as one nation. Obedience to God’s laws would bring the vast national wealth and blessings of the birthright not only to Ephraim and Manasseh, but the whole nation would automatically have shared them at that time.

Notice carefully that two of the Ten Commandments are mentioned for emphasis. These were the main test commandments! They were the test of obedience, and of faith in and loyalty to God. God said: “Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image . . . to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God. Ye shall keep my sabbaths . . .” (verses 1-2).

There was a condition—a great big “if”—to their receiving actual fulfillment of this stupendous birthright promise in their time! God said: “If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase . . .” (verses 3-4). All wealth comes out of the ground. They would enjoy bumper crops the year round, one harvest on the heels of another. Verse 6: “And I will give peace in the land . . . and none shall make you afraid . . . neither shall the sword [of war] go through your land.” What a blessing! What nation enjoys continuous peace, without fear of invasion?

Of course, in this world, every nation has enemies. What if enemy nations attacked? Verses 7-8: “And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight. . . .”

Since many nations in this world always have been aggressors, Israel would have been attacked. A nation with the military superiority to defeat all attackers would soon become the dominant, most powerful nation on earth—especially with resources and great wealth from the ground. Verse 9: “For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.”

The Great Big If

But here comes the alternative—IF the conditions are not met: “. . . if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments . . . I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague [fever], that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart [RSV: waste the eyes and cause life to pine away]: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you . . .” (verses 14-17). They would be invaded, conquered, become once again slaves—as they had been in Egypt before God freed them.

The Seven Prophetic Times

Now continue in Leviticus 26: “And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins” (verse 18). . . .

Now when we come to the expression “then I will punish you seven times more for your sins” in Leviticus 26, it is evident both by its manner of wording in the sentence and by the fact of actual fulfillment that it was speaking of a duration of seven prophetic “times,” or years. And on this “year-for-a-day principle,” it becomes seven 360-day years—a total of 2,520 days. And when each day is a year of punishment . . . the punishment becomes the withdrawing of and withholding the promised blessings for 2,520 years! For that is precisely what did happen!

That national punishment—the withholding of the birthright promises of national prosperity and dominance, applied only to the House of Israel headed by the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.

How these promises were actually fulfilled at the precise time of 1800 to 1804 is one of the most amazing fulfillments of prophecy in the Bible and in the history of mankind. This fulfillment, step by step, is vividly revealed in our free book The United States and Britain in Prophecy.

This nation Israel promised to obey God. But they never did. Even while Moses was with the Eternal atop Mount Sinai receiving further instructions, the people melted and fashioned a golden calf to worship instead of the Eternal God. Because of their grumbling, their lack of faith and their disobedience, God did not allow them to enter the Promised Land for 40 years.

At the end of the 40 years Moses died. The Israelites were led across the Jordan River into the Promised Land under Joshua. During Joshua’s life they obeyed God more or less but not fully. After Joshua died, every man did what seemed right in his own mind. These people through disobedience to God would fall captive to surrounding kings. Then they would cry out to the Eternal and he would send a leader to free them. Again and again this process was repeated.

Israel Demanded Human King

After some generations God gave them a prophet to lead and rule them, the prophet Samuel. But in due time the people demanded a human king to rule them, as other nations were ruled. God said to Samuel it was not him that they rejected, but God. Samuel had ruled only as God’s servant and actually it had been God’s divine rule.

God gave them what they wanted, King Saul, a tall and towering leader. But Saul disobeyed God and the Eternal replaced him with King David. David personally was not without sin, but each time he repented and turned from each sin. David became “a man after God’s own heart.” He wrote a most important book in the Bible, the book of Psalms. God made an unconditional and unbreakable covenant with David, assuring that his dynasty, ruling over Israelites, would continue unbroken forever. Finally, in God’s due time, that throne will be taken over by Jesus Christ, at his Second Coming to earth.

Israel Split into Two Nations

David’s son Solomon became the wisest man who ever lived (except Christ). But he taxed the people very heavily, and when he died his son Rehoboam became king. The people sent a delegation with an ultimatum to Rehoboam. If he would reduce their taxes, they would serve him. If not, they would reject him as king. On the advice of the younger men among his councilors, Rehoboam told the people he would lay even heavier taxes on them.

Thereupon the people decided against the royal house of David. They named as king, Jeroboam, who had occupied the office we would today call prime minister, under King Solomon. Since Rehoboam was seated on the throne in Jerusalem, the people of Israel chose a new capital some distance north of Jerusalem. (Under a later king, Omri, they built a new northern capital at Samaria.)

Thereupon the tribes of Judah and Benjamin decided to remain loyal to Rehoboam. This brought about a secession of the rebellious tribes from Israel, and they became the nation of Judah.

Upon ascending the throne, Jeroboam deposed the Levites from the office of priesthood because he feared they might turn the hearts of the people back to Rehoboam and thereby he would lose his new throne. He also changed the holy festivals of the seventh month to the eighth month. There is strong indication that he also changed the seventh day Sabbath to Sunday, the first day of the week. The Sabbath had been made an everlasting covenant by God between him and Israel, by which they would be identified from all other people (Ex. 31:12-18) as God’s nation Israel and by which they would be brought into weekly remembrance that the Eternal was their creator. For in six days God renewed or re-created the earth and creation is the proof of God.

The Ten Lost Tribes

Thus the people of Israel became known as the ten lost tribes. They had lost the covenant sign identifying them as Israel. They had lost the knowledge of God their creator. They soon lost even the Hebrew language.

During the time of 19 kings and seven dynasties, the 10-tribed kingdom of Israel continued in sin, rejecting the pleadings of prophets God sent to them. In a siege of war, about 721 to 718 b.c., the House of Israel was conquered by Assyria. They were moved from their homes, farms and villages and transported as a captive people to Assyria on the southern shores of the Caspian Sea.

From there, within a hundred years, they migrated northwest and became known as the Lost Ten Tribes.

The world has never known what became of them. The world in general, mistakenly, has considered that all Israelites were Jews. But in the Bible, the term Jew applied only to the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi. The Levites had joined the kingdom of Judah when they were expelled by Jeroboam.

The 2,520 Years Punishment

Dating from the captivity of Israel—721 to 718 b.c.—that nation entered its 2,520 years of punishment as foretold in Leviticus 26. During this time the promises made to Abraham of national wealth, prosperity and dominance were withheld from them. This duration carried to the years 1800-1804 when national supremacy and economic dominance was to become theirs. This had to be, because God had promised it unconditionally to Abraham.

How they finally, beginning the year a.d. 1800, regained the national dominance and wealth God had unconditionally promised Abraham is recorded in the book The United States and Britain in Prophecy.

Meanwhile, the Jews of the kingdom of Judah were conquered and removed from their land by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon about 585 b.c.

Among the Jewish captives taken to Babylon was a brilliant young man, Daniel, a prophet who wrote the book under his name in the Bible.

God used the prophet Daniel as a go-between between the Eternal and King Nebuchadnezzar.

This great gentile king had organized the world’s first empire uniting several nations under one government. God used Daniel to make known to the Babylonian king that the Creator God ruled over the whole earth, and that Nebuchadnezzar held his throne only by God’s will. Actually, God was giving this gentile king opportunity to come under God’s rule and have the consequent blessings of God.

The prophecy of Daniel chapter 2 pictured a stupendous image, representing Nebuchadnezzar’s Chaldean Empire, to be followed by the Persian Empire, and then, in turn, the Greco-Macedonian Empire, the Roman Empire, and the entire system of human governments to be destroyed and replaced by the kingdom of God headed by Christ as King of kings ruling all the earth.

The Gentile World Government

The prophecies of Daniel 7, and of Revelation 13 and 17 foretell the same thing.

Of course, although Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the existence of God, he never obeyed.

Meanwhile, God kept hands off of the other peoples of the world.

The Persian Empire succeeded Nebuchadnezzar’s Chaldean Empire. Seventy years after the captivity of Judah and destruction of Solomon’s Temple God put it in the mind of King Cyrus of Persia to send a colony of captive Jews back to Jerusalem to build a second Temple.

This colony was headed by Zerubbabel as governor. The prophets Ezra and Nehemiah also joined this colony in Jerusalem. Zerubbabel built the second Temple, to which Jesus came some 500 years later. The Romans had come into power before the birth of Jesus. Just prior to the birth of Jesus, King Herod, who ruled over Jews and served the Romans, had remodeled and enlarged the Temple.

This colony of Jews sent back to Jerusalem some 500 years before Christ had expanded over the area of Judea. None of the kingdom of Israel had gone back to Jerusalem in this colony. They had migrated west by northwest and lost their Hebrew language, and even the knowledge of their identity. The world has called them the Lost Ten Tribes. More of them later.

It was during this 500 years that God sent so-called minor prophets to the Jews in Judea. Also it was during this period that the Jewish rabbis altered points in the religion started through Moses into the Judaism religion among Jews in the lifetime of Jesus. The stage was set for his appearing.

Now let us return to the 10-tribed kingdom of Israel. As stated above, they had, before the captivity of Judah, migrated west by northwest. The Assyrians settled in central Europe, and the Germans, undoubtedly, are, in part, the descendants of the ancient Assyrians.

However the so-called Lost Ten Tribes—the kingdom of Israel—continued into western Europe and Britain. We cannot be positive in respect to the various tribal identities today, but probably France or at least the northern French are the tribe of Reuben. Ephraim and Manasseh journeyed on into the British Isles. They became a colonizing people, and according to prophecy they were to lose their first colony.

Name “Israel” Given to Joseph’s Sons

The dying Jacob, who had been renamed Israel, conferred the birthright blessing on Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob, now renamed Israel, though blind so he could not see the lads before him, crossed his hands, “and Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn. And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, the Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth” (Gen. 48:14-16).

Continuing from The United States and Britain in Prophecy:

Let who grow into this promised multitude? Let whose descendants become that numerous seed, which shall number into billions? Not Judah, the father of the Jews—note it!—but Ephraim and Manasseh! Why have the eyes and understanding of church leaders and Bible students been blinded to this plain fact of Scripture?

Notice, Israel did not confer this blessing on just one, but on both—“Bless the lads,” he said. This blessing went upon them jointly. “Let my name be named on them” was part of this blessing. His name was Israel. Hence, it was the descendants of these lads, not the descendants of Judah, or the Jews, who were named Israel. How clear it is that the name Israel was to be indelibly stamped on Ephraim and Manasseh!

A shocking fact—and yet plainly proved, right before your eyes! And remember, this scripture needs no “interpretation” or “special meaning” or “hidden symbolism” for you to understand! Here is the plain, simple statement that Jacob’s name, which was changed to Israel, would become the very possession and property—the label on the peoples of Ephraim and Manasseh!

Who, then, according to your Bible, is the real Israel (racially and nationally) of today?

Ephraim and Manasseh!

Ephraim and Manasseh together received the right to the name Israel. It was to become the national name of their descendants. And their descendants were never Jews! Fix this fact firmly in your mind!

Thus it is that many of the prophecies about “Israel” or “Jacob” do not refer to Jews or to any of the nations that are today the descendants of the other tribes of Israel. Mark that well! Few, indeed, are the clergymen, theologians, or professed Bible scholars who know that today. Many refuse to know it!

Together the descendants of these two lads, Ephraim and Manasseh, were to grow into the promised multitude—the nation and company of nations. These national blessings are poured upon them jointly. These are the collective blessings which the lads together received—but not the other tribes!

Jacob Crosses Hands

But at this juncture, Joseph noticed that Jacob’s right hand was not resting upon the head of the firstborn. He endeavored to remove it.

”Not so, my father,” said Joseph, “for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head. And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he [Manasseh] also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude [or, company] of nations. And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh” (Gen. 48:18-20). Here the promises are no longer collective, possessed jointly. Jacob now was prophesying as to the blessings of each, individually.

Promised Blessings to Britain and the United States

Remember, if ancient Israel obeyed God in the land (Sabbath breaking and idolatry were specifically mentioned in Leviticus 26), they would, in the ancient days of Moses, Joshua and up to the time of their captivity about 721-718 b.c., have inherited the national and material blessings of the birthright promise God made to Abraham. But, remember, if they did not obey, these promises would be denied for a duration of 2,520 years—that is, until a.d. 1800.

So it now becomes plain and clear that after the 2,520 years, beginning a.d. 1800 it was the descendants of Joseph, subdivided into two nations descended from Ephraim and Manasseh, who were to become the wealthiest and most powerful nations on earth.

The United States Is Manasseh

From the prophetic blessings passed on by the dying Jacob, it is apparent that Ephraim and Manasseh were in a large measure to inherit the birthright jointly; to remain together for a long time, finally separating.

In Genesis 48 Jacob first passed the birthright on to the two sons of Joseph jointly, speaking of them both together. Then, finally, he spoke of them separately—Manasseh was to become the single great nation; Ephraim, the company of nations.

And in his prophecy for these latter days Jacob said, “Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall” (Gen. 49:22). In other words, Joseph—Ephraim and Manasseh jointly and together—was to be a colonizing people in this latter day, their colonies branching out from the British Isles around the earth.

Together Ephraim and Manasseh grew into a multitude, then separated, according to Jacob’s prophetic blessing of Genesis 48. Our people have fulfilled this prophecy.

But how can the U.S.A. be Manasseh when a large part of the population have come from many nations besides England? The answer is this: A large part of Manasseh remained with Ephraim until the separation of New England. But our forefathers were to be sifted through many nations, as corn through a sieve, yet not a grain to fall to the earth or be lost (Amos 9:9). The people did filter through many nations. Ephraim and much of Manasseh finally emigrated to England together, but many others of Manasseh who had filtered into and through other nations did not leave them until they came, as immigrants, to the United States after the New England colony had become the separate nation. This does not mean that all foreigners who have emigrated to America are of the stock of Manasseh, but undoubtedly many are. Israel, however, always did absorb gentiles, who became Israelites through living in Israel’s land and intermarrying.

The U.S. has become known as the “melting pot” of the world. Instead of refuting a Manasseh ancestry, this fact actually confirms it. The proof that the U.S. is Manasseh is overwhelming. Manasseh was to separate from Ephraim and become the greatest, wealthiest single nation of earth’s history. America alone has fulfilled this prophecy. Manasseh was in fact a thirteenth tribe. There were twelve original tribes. Joseph was one of these twelve. But when Joseph divided into two tribes and Manasseh separated into an independent nation, it became a thirteenth tribe

Could it be mere coincidence that it started, as a nation, with thirteen colonies?

But what about the other tribes of the so-called Lost Ten Tribes? While the birthright was Joseph’s, and its blessings have come to the British Commonwealth of nations and the United States of America, yet the other eight tribes of Israel were also God’s chosen people. They, too, have been blessed with a good measure of material prosperity—but not the dominance of the birthright.

We lack space for a detailed explanation of the specific identity of all of these other tribes in the nations of our twentieth century. Suffice it to say here that there is ample evidence that these other eight tribes have descended into such northwestern European nations as Holland, Belgium, Denmark, northern France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway. The people of Iceland are also of Viking stock. The political boundaries of Europe, as they exist today, do not necessarily show lines of division between descendants of these original tribes of Israel.

Prophecy for United States and Britain for Now

Just as God has bestowed on us such material blessings as never before came to any nations, now to correct us so we may enjoy such blessings, he is going to bring upon our peoples such national disaster as has never before struck any nation! Many prophecies describe this!

An important additional proof of modern Israel’s identity is found in a fantastic, detailed and most specific prophecy found in Micah 5:7-15. It is speaking specifically about the “remnant” of Israel—modern Israel today—wherever it is. It describes the wealth, the beneficent dominance among nations, and then the coming downfall of the American and British Commonwealth peoples in detail!

Notice: “And the remnant of Jacob [not Jews] shall be in the midst of many people [nations] as a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men” (verse 7). Remember that dew and showers are absolutely necessary to agricultural productivity and are a symbol of national blessing and wealth from God.

Continue: “And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver” (verse 8).

Again, this symbolism describes the last generation of Israel as a great power—as a lion among the other nations of the earth.

”Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off” (verse 9) or defeated. They were defeated from the beginning of God’s birthright blessing on America and Britain starting about 1803, through the First World War, the Second World War, until the turning point of the Korean War at the end of 1950.

Since that time, however, these blessings are surely being taken away—and neither America nor Britain has come out on top in any major conflict since that time!

So this prophecy shows that at the very time we were receiving God’s blessings, we were a tremendous blessing to the other nations of the earth—for it is our peoples who have rescued the other nations of the world time and again through the Marshall Plan, the Point Four program, the Alliance for Progress, the hundreds of millions of bushels of wheat for starving nations.

The Hoover Program saved up vast food supplies after World War I. It saved millions in other nations from starvation!

Anciently Joseph saved up the wheat and food and made it available to others. Modern Joseph did also. BUT—we are stiff-necked and rebellious toward God and his law, while our ancient forefather Joseph served and obeyed God with a whole heart.

It is our peoples who have been like a “lion” among the other nations of the earth—preserving in two great world wars the peace of the world and stability for all human life on this planet!

Sudden Destruction

Yet, in this detailed prophecy, God says: “And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that I will cut off thy horses” [“war-horses,” Moffatt translation]—tanks, ships, rockets—“out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots: and I will cut off the cities [by hydrogen bombs?] of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds” (verses 10-11). (Notice, all the strong-holds.)

God says he will do this! God determines the outcome of wars (Ps. 33:10-19).

How plain can you get? Here God identifies the great peoples of the earth who are the most wealthy and beneficent, the most powerful—yet at the very time their power reaches its zenith, he suddenly “breaks” the pride of their power (see Leviticus 26:19), cuts off their implements of war and destroys their cities! Why?

Because, as the prophet continues to explain, we have too much “witchcraft” and too many “soothsayers” (astrology) and false ministers in our lands who refuse to preach with authority the commandments and ways of the living God!

In America, we print on our money “In God We Trust.” But instead we rely on foreign allies and our own human ingenuity, not in God.

Stealing from God

God has a financial law for our nations. He says 10 percent of the increase, or gross income of each one of us, belongs to God for his purposes and his work.

In Malachi 3:8-10: “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

After the year 1800 we prospered because of Abraham’s obedience and God’s unbreakable promises to him. But now having received such individual and national prosperity, we sin by stealing from God. That has brought our nations under a curse. We have won our last war. Nothing but troubles now lie ahead until we repent.

God’s tithe is holy to him (Lev. 27:30). God’s Sabbath, the seventh day of every week, is holy to him. Yet we have put no difference between the holy and the profane (Ezek. 22:26).

Giving Sin Public Acceptance

We commit individual and national sins and give such sinning public acceptance.

Very early in 1927, when I was in my first biblical studies, leading to my conversion, my wife and I often visited various churches. I was searching for the truth. One Sunday morning we attended a church service at a leading downtown Baptist church in Portland, Oregon. They were announcing the conclusion of a contest at which a very handsome new Bible was awarded to the winner. The contest question had been, “What is the most universal sin?” The winning answer was “Ingratitude.”

Assuredly that is a very prevalent sin. Another very prevalent sin, and one of the oldest, is the misuse of sexuality. Indeed, prostitution is often spoken of as “the world’s oldest profession.”

Satan has seized on this sin to make it far more universal than is generally realized. Satan, himself, has no sex. He is resentful of the fact God has endowed humans with sex. Therefore, Satan sways humanity into making sexual sins one of the most universal and destructive.

During most of the so-called “church age” in Roman Catholic teaching, and in England and the United States since the Victorian age, sex was a virtually forbidden topic of conversation, seldom mentioned. Satan made sure sex was considered as “shameful” and so evil it was not talked about. About the turn of the century, Sigmund Freud, founder of psychoanalysis, changed all of that. Up until World War I it was illegal in the U.S. to publish, sell, or even loan a book containing sex knowledge. After World War I the legal barriers on the imparting of sex information toppled. An avalanche of books, pamphlets, newspaper articles descended on the public. Yet in all this the most vitally needed dimension of knowledge was missing.

The Missing Dimension in Sex

The author’s book The Missing Dimension in Sex is offered, gratis, upon request.

It provides this missing dimension of knowledge.

Beginning the middle of the twentieth century, the catch phrase “the new morality” was completely changing public attitudes. Today sexuality is openly discussed in the public media, especially in television, turning promiscuous sex into public acceptance. Today it may be questioned whether as many as 2 percent of young brides go to the altar as virgins. Marriage for much of society is on the way out. In some areas divorces virtually equal marriages. Family life is being broken down though the family is a basic building block of any stable civilization.

More and more, children are not wanted. Abortion is fast gaining public acceptance.

God created sex, not only to keep humanity alive, but to bring delectable, joyfully pleasurable happiness in pure and wholesome love between husband and wife, and as a means of binding tightly together a happily married couple. But under modern attitudes, the cord supposedly tying a husband and wife tightly together is proving to be the cord that cuts the marriage in two.

It’s time you knew the truth about the missing dimension in sex. It is set forth frankly, fearlessly, rationally and spiritually, as well as physically, in our book mentioned above.

God condemns homosexuality. He destroyed the whole populations of Sodom and Gomorrah for this sin. It is condemned in the first chapter of Romans, saying no such person can enter the kingdom of God. Then we try to change the ugly, reproachful name homosexual, and call those who practice it “gays.” The public media and the public in general are coming to make this perversion acceptable by calling it “sexual preference.” We are becoming nations of drunkards and thousands are being killed on our highways by drunken drivers. Yet excessive drinking of alcohol is encouraged through millions of dollars of advertising on TV commercials.

We inflict on ourselves through sin, such diseases as alcoholism, AIDS, herpes and other venereal diseases, and then try to prevent the penalty of those sins by medical and scientific studies to produce cures that will allow the sins to continue.

Now continue the prophecy in Micah 5. Therefore, God will punish and destroy usunless we repent—just before and leading up to the utter destruction to come “upon the heathen” (verse 15), which will take place at the very end of this age and at the second return of Jesus Christ as King of kings!

There is no other people that even remotely fulfills this great prophecy! But the American and British peoples fulfill it precisely!

As the “pride of our power” continues to be broken, as the British gradually lose their foreign sea gates and possessions around the earth, as America signs away ownership of the Panama Canal—control over this vital sea gate—as the gold supply drains away, and weather upsets increase, this focal prophecy alone represents giant proof as to where the modern “remnant” of the peoples of Israel resides today!

Punishment on All Nations!

It will now be made plain—from God’s own warning prophecies—that this greatest multiplied intensity of corrective punishment will fall on Britain and America—including British peoples in Commonwealth countries. And it will strike them down first!

But they are not the only nations to suffer corrective disaster. God is Creator of all other nations, too! God is concerned about the people and races we have called “heathen.” They, too, are human. They, too, are made in God’s own likeness, with the potential of being molded into God’s spiritual and character image! God sent the apostle Paul to gentile nations!

All mankind has rebelled against, rejected, and turned from God and his ways! There can never be peace on earth until all nations will have been turned to God and his ways, ruled by his supreme government!

All mankind, right now, is caught in the vortex of the swiftly accelerating crisis marking the utter destruction of this world’s man-built, Satan-inspired civilization.

Through Jeremiah God says: “A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh”—how? Right now the World Tomorrow program carries his peaceful pleading worldwide, but the world, except for scattered individuals, does not heed this kind of “pleading.” The next words tell how God is now about to plead: “. . . he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord. . . . Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth” (Jer. 25:31-32).

God will use a United Europe to punish Britain-America. Then he will use the Communist hordes to wipe out the Roman Europe.

We are entering a time of world trouble—utter world chaos! There is war, strife, violence in Asia, Africa, South America, Central America, Ireland, the Middle East—as well as Europe and North America. The population explosion is a worldwide threat to human existence. Crime, violence, sickness, disease, inequality, poverty, filth, squalor, degeneration, suffering—these infest all nations!

But, as salvation is given first to Israel, so is corrective punishment!

Our Great Tribulation

Notice Jeremiah’s prophecy:

”For thus saith the Lord; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble . . .” (Jer. 30:5-7).

Remember—in passing on the birthright to the two sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen. 48:16), Jacob said, “Let my name be named on them”—on Ephraim and Manasseh—who today are Britain and America. This tells on whom this most terrible of national calamities is to fall—on Britain and America!

But now when is it to fall? Do not assume this is referring to anything that did happen to ancient Israel. Read right on—see when this prophecy is to be fulfilled!

Continue in Jeremiah 30:7: “. . . it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” (After he has learned his lesson IN it!) Continuing from RSV, “And it shall come to pass in that day, says the Lord of hosts, that I will break the yoke from off their neck [yoke of slavery], and I will burst their bonds, and strangers shall no more make servants of them. But they shall serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.” (David, at the time of the resurrection—at the very time of Christ’s coming!)

So the time is just prior to Christ’s coming—coming to liberate our peoples—even as Moses liberated ancient Israel from Egyptian slavery.

Jesus Foretold It!

Other prophecies speak of this same time of national calamity greater than any before. The pivotal New Testament prophecy is that of Jesus on the Mount of Olives—recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21.

The apostles had asked Jesus privately when his Second Coming would occur—and the end of this world and the beginning of the happy world tomorrow. Jesus said the sign by which we might know when this is very near would be that his original gospel of the kingdom of God would be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations (Matt. 24:14). But what else—just before his coming?

Jesus continued: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved [alive]: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Matt. 24:2l-22).

Here is described the greatest time of trouble—tribulation—in all history, or ever to be. Jeremiah described it as “Jacob’s trouble,” so great “that none is like it.”

Daniel described the same most severe trouble of all history. Speaking of a time now in our immediate future, Daniel foretold: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince [archangel] which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time” (Dan. 12:1).

The same most intense punishment on Britain and America. And when? Continue, same verse, “. . . and at that time thy people shall be delivered [from this enslaved trouble], every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep [are dead] in the dust of the earth shall awake [resurrection], some to everlasting life . . .” (verses 1-2).

The time is just before the resurrection of the just, at Christ’s coming. Christ’s Second Coming will end this world’s civilization and start the wonderful peaceful, happy world tomorrow.