Preaching the Gospel and Feeding the Flock

A new StandingWatch program was posted on You Tube and on our Website, www.standingwatch.org titled, “Destruction of US Democracy?” Why are some observers warning about proposed new US laws, including NDAA and SOPA? Would these laws destroy our democratic republic? Are they placing YOU at risk? Are they unconstitutional? Could they be used to persecute the true followers of Christ? Don’t dismiss these valid concerns too quickly! This video will open your eyes! Watch and circulate it before it disappears!

A new German sermon was posted on YouTube, and on our Website, www.aufpostenstehen.de,  titled, “Die Grosse Truebsal, Teil 2” [“The Great Tribulation, Part 2”].

Death Announcement

The following announcement was published in the North County Times on December 11, 2011, pertaining to the death of Rhonda Cagle’s mother, Elizabeth Cagle:

“Elizabeth Cagle, born April 22, 1932, died at her home in Escondido, on Sunday, November 27, 2011 of lung cancer. She resided at the Villa Madeira Senior Park where she was an active member and served as the President of the Board of Directors. She enjoyed gardening and was known as the flower lady to all her neighbors and friends. Elizabeth is survived by her four children; five grandchildren; two great- grandchildren. Memorial Services will be held at the Villa Madeira Club House, 955 Howard Ave., Escondido, Calif. 92029, on January 15, 2012 at 1:00p.m. Norbert Link, minister, will officiate. We would like to thank all of the staff of the Elizabeth Hospice for their help and support.”

What is the time line of the events depicted during the “Day of the Lord”?

In the last two Q&As https://www.eternalgod.org/qa/10927 and https://www.eternalgod.org/qa/10990 on the order of prophetic events, we discussed Christ’s sayings in Matthew 24, showing that prior to His return, there would be religious deception, wars, famine, disease epidemics and pandemics, a Great Tribulation (including a martyrdom of the saints and an European attack on the USA, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the state of Israel), heavenly signs, and a time described as God’s wrath, which will be poured out over this entire world.

We noticed that the Book of Revelation describes the events by comparing them with the opening of seven seals, and we saw that the first six seals depict religious deception, wars, famine, disease epidemics and pandemics, the Great Tribulation and heavenly signs, and that the seventh seal depicts the events which will occur on the Day of the Lord.

The seventh seal consists of seven trumpets. In our last Q&A on the time line of events, we discussed the FIRST SIX TRUMPETS, describing catastrophes caused by an apparent firestorm, a burning meteorite, a fiery comet, further cosmic disturbances, an attack of European forces on Far Eastern nations and a brutal retaliation of those nations against Europe.

In this Q&A, we will begin to discuss the events described by the SEVENTH trumpet. It consists of the SEVEN LAST PLAGUES or the seven bowls of God’s wrath, with which God’s wrath will be completed (compare Revelation 15:1). Revelation 16:1-21 describes these seven last plagues in more detail.

To repeat—as this is vitally important to understand—the SEVENTH SEAL consists of SEVEN TRUMPETS, and the SEVENTH TRUMPET consists of SEVEN PLAGUES. In this Q&A, we will begin to discuss the SEVEN PLAGUES OF THE SEVENTH TRUMPET OF THE SEVENTH SEAL.

Our free booklet, “Is That in the Bible?—The Mysteries of the Book of Revelation”, explains the terrible devastations caused by the seven plagues of the seventh seal. We are citing the following excerpts:

“(7.7.1) The FIRST OF THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES or bowls [of the SEVENTH trumpet] … causes ‘a foul and loathsome sore’ on those who worship the beast and its image, and who have accepted the mark of the beast (Revelation 16:2)…”

Remember that “the beast” is a very charismatic political and military leader, who will work hand in hand with a religious leader, who is also called, “the false prophet.” But the term, “the beast,” can also be a reference to the European power bloc—the final resurrection of the ancient Roman Empire–and the false prophet represents the religious system under his control. It is apparently this religious system, which is meant in Revelation 16:2, in part, with the “image” of the first beast. This religious system is structured and patterned after the first beast—the political and military system. The religious system is also identified in Revelation 17 as the woman riding or influencing the political and military system, showing how both systems “supplement” each other. (For an additional stunning possibility as to what may be meant with the “image” of the beast, please read chapter 14 of our afore-mentioned booklet on the Book of Revelation.)

We also read that the first beast will have a mark—a particular sign of identification—which will be imposed on and accepted by all those who are going to be deceived by Satan to worship the political and religious leaders of the European power bloc, and the entire political and religious system which they will represent (called Babylon in Revelation 17 and 18).

Simply put, the mark of the beast is tantamount to a political and religious philosophy detrimental to the true worship of God. It includes the mandatory and legally enforced celebration of pagan holidays such as Sunday, Christmas and Easter, and the rejection of God’s weekly and annual Holy Days, including the weekly Saturday-Sabbath and, for instance, the Feast of Tabernacles. It also includes human and ungodly ideas such as fighting in war or supporting and embracing a religion which preaches a false Jesus or a false gospel.

Please note the following additional excerpts from our afore-mentioned booklet:

“(7.7.2) The SECOND OF THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES… causes every living creature in the sea to die (Revelation 16:3).”

Remember that during the time of the second trumpet, one-third of all sea creatures will die (Revelation 8:8–9). Now we read that when the second plague of the seventh trumpet of the seventh seal is poured out, ALL sea creatures will die! No animal in our oceans will survive.

To continue:

“(7.7.3) The THIRD OF THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES… causes the sweet water supply to become ‘blood’—that is, undrinkable (Revelation 16:4–7).”

Returning to the time of the third trumpet of the seventh seal, one-third of all the sweet drinking water was poisoned (Revelation 8:10–11), causing the death of one-third of the animals living in sweet water. Now, we are told that at the time of the third plague of the seventh trumpet of the seventh seal, all the sweet water in the rivers and springs will become blood, apparently causing the death of all sweet-water animals. This seems to indicate that no animal living in our rivers and springs will survive.

Let us proceed with quoting further comments from our afore-mentioned booklet:

“(7.7.4) The FOURTH OF THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES… brings about increased solar radiation, which horribly scorches mankind. Despite this punishment from God for their sins, man will not repent, but rather will blaspheme God (Revelation 16:8–9).

“(7.7.5) The FIFTH OF THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES… causes total darkness to cover the Headquarters of the beast—again, people will blaspheme God and will refuse to repent even then (Revelation 16:10–11).

“ (7.7.6) The SIXTH OF THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES… will dry up the waters of the ‘great river Euphrates’ (Revelation 16:12) to enable the ‘kings from the east’ to advance to the place of ‘Armageddon’ (Revelation 16:16) to ‘gather’ there in preparation for ‘the battle of that great day of God Almighty’ (Revelation 16:14, 16).”

At the time of the sixth plague of the seventh trumpet of the seventh seal, we are again introduced to the kings from the east.

To appreciate the full scope and involvement of the kings of the east in the end time, let us return briefly to the fifth and sixth trumpets of the seventh seal.

We will recall that the fifth and sixth trumpets of the seventh seal depict a cruel and horrible war between the kings from the east and Europe. That war ensued after the four angels who are “bound” at the great river Euphrates were “released” (Revelation 9:14). At that time, we don’t read that the river was drying up—only, that the kings of the east were allowed to attack Europe and other nations, including countries in the Middle East.

Let us focus a little bit more on the fact that at the time of the sixth trumpet, the kings from the east will attack European and non-European countries, including the Middle East. Remember that their attacks will cause the death of the THIRD of mankind, and that the beast and the false prophet will apparently reside by then, at least at times, in Jerusalem (compare Daniel 11:45; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; Revelation 11:7-8). In addition, some of the beast’s armies will have conquered Jerusalem and will be stationed there. Recall what we said in our last Q&A on the time line of prophesied occurrences, when discussing the events of the Great Tribulation [depicted by the fifth seal]:

“Other passages tell us that a military political leader of Europe, called the beast, will invade the Middle East and conquer Jerusalem, and his forces will, at the same time, successfully attack the USA and Great Britain—apparently using nuclear weapons, as all the big cities of the USA and the UK will be destroyed or laid waste in this war (compare Ezekiel 6:6…). We are told in Hosea 5:5, in the Authorized Version, that ‘Israel and Ephraim’ will ‘fall in their iniquity’ and that ‘Judah also shall fall with them.’ This is an end-time prophecy, which still needs to be fulfilled. In the past, Israel and Judah ‘fell’ at different times, but never together or at the same time. The Tanakh says: ‘Israel’s pride shall be humbled before his very eyes, As Israel and Ephraim fall because of their sin (And Judah falls with them).”

In passing, the defeat of modern Israel and Judah will have continuing effects. Their downfall is not limited to just the time when the Great Tribulation begins. We read in Jeremiah 30:7 that the Day of the Lord [depicted by the seventh seal] is “great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, But he shall be saved out of it.” Jacob or Israel will be led into captivity and will be suffering greatly from the hands of their captors—including during the Day of the Lord, the time of the seventh seal—until Jesus Christ will free them from captivity AFTER His Second Coming.

Returning to the end-time beast and modern Babylon, Revelation 16:10-11 shows us that even shortly after the time of the retaliatory brutal attack of the Asiatic hordes [depicted by the sixth trumpet of the seventh seal], the “throne of the beast” will still be in Europe. Daniel 11:44-45 merely tells us that after he has conquered the Middle East [during the Great Tribulation of the fifth seal], and after his attack on the Far East [depicted by the fifth trumpet of the seventh seal], the beast or “king of the North” shall “plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain,” i.e., in Jerusalem. But the planting of TENTS indicates a temporary dwelling and not a permanent or exclusive place of residence, reminding us of events during World War II when Adolf Hitler had several places in different areas where he would reside from time to time. On occasion, all these places would be called “headquarters,” including “Wolfsschanze” in East Prussia/Poland (where Claus von Stauffenberg tried to kill Hitler); “Wehrwolf” in the Ukraine; “Felsennest” in Muenstereifel, Germany; Berghof and Eagle’s Nest in Obersalzburg, Austria; and the “Fuehrerbunker” in Berlin, where he committed suicide.

Returning now to the time of the sixth plague of the seventh trumpet, we are re-introduced to the kings from the east, and we are told that they are now preparing to strike a final blow in an effort to win the war. They will be crossing the dried-up river Euphrates to move their armies and equipment to a place called “Armageddon,” to assemble there with the apparent desire to advance towards Jerusalem to defeat the beast (who will by that time be in Jerusalem) and to wipe out his European armies which have conquered the Middle East and are mainly stationed in Jerusalem.

But the kings from the east will suddenly feel threatened by another “enemy,” and being influenced by Satan and his demonic powers, they will combine their forces with the kings of the whole world (including the beast power) to attempt to defeat that common foe. That foe is none other than the returning Jesus Christ and His angelic armies in heaven (We are reminded that due to a common foe—Jesus Christ—Pilate and Herod became friends, even though they had been enemies before, Luke 23:12).

Continuing with quoting from our afore-mentioned booklet:

“These kings from the east, as well as all of the other kings of the earth, will be influenced by Satan and the demonically possessed beast and the false prophet (Revelation 16:13–14). All of them will gather at ‘Armageddon’ or the ‘hill of Megiddo’ (‘har’ meaning ‘hill’ in Hebrew), about 55 miles or 90 kilometers north of Jerusalem, and about 15 miles or 25 kilometers inland from the Mediterranean Sea.

“Megiddo is a huge mound with a commanding view of the long and fertile valley of Jezreel—an ideal place for armies gathering there. Then, they will converge from there on Jerusalem to fight the returning Christ. We don’t read that there will be a battle at Armageddon—the battle will be fought farther south in the valley of Jehoshaphat, which is called today the ‘Kidron Valley’ bordering Jerusalem on the east.”

In fact, that battle is described in the nineteenth chapter of the book of Revelation, which pictures the return of Jesus Christ. But before this battle unfolds, other important events will take place at the time when the seventh plague of the seventh or last trumpet is being poured out.

This last plague and other events, which will begin to occur prior to the battle in the Kidron Valley, will be discussed in detail in a subsequent Q&A.

Lead Writer: Norbert Link

True Freedom

by

We have no doubt heard it loftily said that “…you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” We are accustomed to believing that we are free – and we are in many ways unconstrained to do what we want, but does this make us really free?

We are free to make choices, but not all choices make us free. There is one Way that does, and many others that do not. Of course it is God’s Way that truly frees us, and Satan’s that truly enslaves us.

When we follow the path that the devil has enticingly put before us, it seems pleasant for a time – this is how he sells the lies that he is pawning. In the end, whether we know it or not, there are dire consequences for choosing these falsehoods. They lead to sorrow, pain, damage, destruction and ultimately in all cases to death. His ultimate goal is to thwart the plan of God any way that he can, and he will stop at nothing to frame his lies as truth.

It is God’s truth and only His Way that can free us from the penalties of sin that we can become bound by in both the short and long term. This is how we are truly made free! We have the opportunity to reap the benefits of this now, as well as qualify to be a part of the Kingdom and the Family of God later.

If we weigh our actions against the commands of the Bible and choose wisely, not only will we be free from sin, but we will be free to enjoy the fruits and blessings that come with doing what is right. Then we can truly stand in the liberty by which Christ can and does make us free (Galatians 5:1).

Preaching the Gospel and Feeding the Flock

The Feast of Tabernacles in 2012 will be observed again in California and North Wales. We will be meeting at the same locations as we did in 2011. New contracts with the Hilton Garden Inn at Pismo Beach and the Quay Hotel at Deganwy have been signed. For information about the Feast site in North Wales, please contact Brian Gale. Insofar as the Feast site in California is concerned, please do NOT make any individual reservations with the hotel at this point, until further notice. If you are interested in attending in California, please contact Norbert or Johanna Link.

A new member letter has been written and posted on the Web. Hard copies will be sent out on Friday. In the letter, Norbert Link describes in detail the incredible devastation which is prophesied to engulf this earth, and our responsibility in ensuring that there will be survivors.

A new StandingWatch program was posted on YouTube and on our Web site (www.standingwatch.org), titled, “War Between Britain and Europe.” Germany must lead. Germany is master of Europe. Britain infuriates Europe. Death to England. Britain stands alone. The birth of a two-speed Europe. What do all these newspaper and magazine headlines mean? And is it mere coincidence that 27 members of the EU agreed to a new pact, without Britain, exactly 20 years to the day after the drafting of the Maastricht treaty of 12 EU member states, including Britain, that led to the creation of the euro?

Norbert Link’s video-recorded sermon, “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Part 1,” was posted on YouTube and on our website (www.eternalgod.org). What are the signs of the end? What does the Olivet Prophecy teach us? What do the seven seals in the book of Revelation mean? What do the four horsemen of the Apocalypse describe? In this first sermon of this new series, we will focus on the white horse. Does it picture the victory of true Christianity, as most think? Or does it show something which is quite different?

A new German sermon was posted on YouTube and our website (www.aufpostenstehen.de),  titled, “Die Grosse Truebsal” (”The Great Tribulation”).

A new German AufPostenStehen program was posted on YouTube and our website (www.aufpostenstehen.de), titled, “Europas Kampf mit England” (“Europe’s Fight With England”).

As was announced before, contracts for a new weekly radio broadcast have been signed, initially for a test run of six months. Set forth below is a list of the radio stations, locations and times. On an average, the programs will be about 13-14 minutes in length. The first program will be airing on Sunday, January 1, 2012. It will discuss the four horsemen of the Apocalypse.

KWDF   Alexandria, Louisiana   10:30-10:45AM   Sunday   (1.25 million potential audience)
 
KLNG    Omaha, Nebraska   1:15-1:30PM   Saturday   (1.5 million potential audience)
 
WFAM   Augusta, Georgia   10:00-10:15AM   Saturday   (550,000 potential audience)
 
WBXR   Huntsville, Alabama   11:00-11-15AM   Saturday   (1 million potential audience)
 
WLMR   Chattanooga, Tennessee   6:00-6:15PM   Wednesday   (475,000 potential audience)
 
WSKY   Asheville, North Carolina   5:00-5:15PM   Tuesday   (450,000 potential audience)
 
WIJD   Mobile, Alabama   5:30-5:45PM   Saturday   (550,000 potential audience)
 
WNVY   Pensacola, Florida   5:45-6:00PM   Monday   (480,000 potential audience)
 
WCPC   Tupelo, Mississippi   5:30-5:45PM   Monday   (687,000 potential audience)
 
KXKS   Albuquerque, New Mexico   6:15-6:30PM   Friday   (885,000 potential audience)

Death Announcement

Herbert Horne died on Monday, December 5, 2011.  He had been a baptized member of the Global Church of God in the UK since the 1990’s, having previously been a member of the Worldwide Church of God. He was originally taken into the Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham on September 27 and transferred to another hospital in Nottingham a few weeks later, where he died.   He was in his 92nd year.
 
He had been a Japanese Prisoner of War in the Second World War and suffered torture and damage which stayed with him until the end of his life.  He didn’t complain – and he regularly said that he kept faith with God when he discussed the downward spiral of British society and the ever-increasing world problems.   He lived on his own after his wife died several years ago, and he was capable of looking after himself until he was taken into the  hospital.
 
He is survived by his son Anthony and his wife Lesley, and by his son Geoffrey and his wife Pat, plus their children and grandchildren.  He was buried next to his wife, Doris. He was a man of faith and is now awaiting the resurrection which he was looking forward to.

Of Good Courage

On December 17, 2011, Eric Rank will give the sermon, titled, “Of Good Courage.”

The services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org (12:30 pm Pacific Time; 1:30 pm Mountain Time; 2:30 pm Central Time; 3:30 pm Eastern Time). Just click on Connect to Live Stream.

Preaching the Gospel and Feeding the Flock

A new StandingWatch program was posted on YouTube and on our Web site (www.standingwatch.org), titled, “Israel’s Fight for Survival.” Is this world becoming more dangerous, as some news analysts claim? Consider these questions: Will Israel attack Iran? Is Israel responsible for two explosions at a nuclear power plant and a military base in Iran? Did Iranian authorities instigate the storming of the British embassy in Tehran? How will Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists act towards Israel? How will Europe respond?

A new German sermon was posted on YouTube, titled, “Die Vier Reiter der Apokalypse” (“The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”).

Not Alone

by Gilbert DeVaux
 
I have been told that it must be hard to live alone. My response is that I am not alone, since I have a Comforter. If asked, I tell them that Christ lives in me, and His Word, the Bible, comforts me. Most ask no further questions. That saddens me; however, I know they will in due time have their opportunity to understand.
 
Back to “living alone,” it is only getting harder because my body is failing. I pray for endurance, and it is given to me. I receive love and kindness from the brethren at church, and also from those who live a distance from me, so I don’t feel cut off or alone.
 
I am able to read God’s Word, where I find hope for the future, knowing that God keeps His promise to give me a new body and a never-ending life.
 
So I am not alone. Before my calling I thought that I was; however, I know now that I was never alone, but that the Eternal was always there, and that I was part of His Great Master Plan of salvation for all of mankind.

Does your church have a prophet of God who interprets the passages in the Scriptures the way God intended them to be interpreted?

The New Testament of the Bible does speak about the office of prophet as being a part of the spiritual order designated by God for leadership in the Church:
 
“And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:28).
 
We also find that Jesus Christ, Who is the Head of the Church (compare Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18), selects people to serve in capacities including that of prophets:
 
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:11-16).
 
Following the establishment of the Church of God in 31 AD, ample evidence is given that there were prophets whom God chose for special revelation of His Will.

One such example is found in reference to the immediate troubles Paul was about to face upon his going to Jerusalem:
 
“And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, ‘Thus says the Holy Spirit, “So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles”’” (Acts 21:10-11).

It is noteworthy that Agabus was conveying a revelation given to him through God’s Holy Spirit [which is the power of God]—something that did occur as shown in subsequent chapters in the Book of Acts. Agabus was also used to “foretell” an approaching disaster:
 
“And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 11:27-30).
 
Barnabas and Saul were named as being among those who were called as “prophets and teachers,” yet God chose them for additional responsibilities within His Church—that is, to become ordained as apostles (compare Acts 14:14). Still, we clearly read:
 
”Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said [God’s Spirit inspired them], ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away” (Acts 13:1-3).
 
Note that Barnabas and Paul were selected for a particular work—or function—within the Church. Paul was chosen to be the apostle to the Gentiles (compare Romans 11:13), and we see that he, like the rest of the apostles and ministers of God, preached the message of the gospel. In that process, the individuals hearing the Truth of God were challenged to prove it—based on the written Word of God:
 
“Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men” (Acts 17:10-12).
 
It not only falls to those hearing what is preached [including messages on prophecy] to prove its veracity, but the true ministry of God must, likewise, “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). God’s ministry should abstain from preaching highly speculative prophetic scenarios, which cannot be proven from Scripture.

Paul strictly cautioned Timothy: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16).
 
We also find this cautionary instruction from Paul regarding Timothy’s ministerial responsibility:
 
“But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:13-17).
 
From this and many other Scriptures, God reveals that understanding of His written Word takes place on both an individual level through reading and hearing as well as through instruction from the faithful ministry of God (compare Romans 10:14-17). Christ’s Spirit in converted Christians is “the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). At the same time, it is also true that God gives some of His disciples a greater degree of prophetic understanding than He may bestow on others (1 Corinthians 12:10).
 
When considering how God has established the conduct and oversight of His Church, the main responsibility for the true teaching of His Word falls to the ministry—as noted in previously quoted verses. This does not preclude that ministers with the rank and function of prophet may arise within the Church of God through whom God reveals His Will; however, the New Testament examples show that these circumstances both were not and never will be in contradiction to the revealed Word of God!
 
In fact, the great danger is that false prophets will arise with the objective of deceiving God’s people (compare Matthew 7:15; 24:11, 24; 1 John 4:1). Peter specifically addresses this fact:
 
“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1).
 
When Jesus Christ asked the question of his disciples, “‘But who do you say that I am?’” (Matthew 16:15), carefully note what follows:
 
“Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven’” (Matthew 16:16-17).
 
We know from the Bible that God will select “two witnesses” who will “prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days” (compare Revelation 11:1-13, especially verse 3). We also know that during this same time, a false prophet of immense demonically inspired power will emerge who will oppose God and His servants and who will deceive the whole world—even claiming that he is God (compare Revelation 13; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12).
 
Even now, “destructive heresies” arise in which deceivers claim great titles for themselves—who make merchandise of the people of God; however, we have this assurance from God:
 
“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20). Also note this statement:
 
“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3).
 
For those who are willing to persevere in faithfully and zealously obeying God, true understanding of His Word is promised (compare Psalm 111:10).
 
Following the pattern established by the first generation of the Church of God and found written in the Bible, our organizations, including the Church of the Eternal God in the USA; the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship in Canada; and the Global Church of God in the United Kingdom, continue to seek God’s guidance and inspiration through the gift of His Holy Spirit and under the watchful care of Jesus Christ, the true Head of the Body and the One seated at the right hand of God (compare Acts 2:33; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 12:2).

We do not claim that there are presently any ministers in our organizations who have been ordained by God to the rank and function of apostle or prophet; nor do we believe that God has given anyone else outside our organizations such ranks and functions. When God chooses to set aside some of His ministers for such responsibilities (as He will, for instance, in regard to the two witnesses), the fruit of such persons will make this fact abundantly clear to those in God’s Church. For instance, God manifested and revealed without doubt the apostleship of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, the late human leader of the former Worldwide Church of God, who died in 1986. Today, even though some claim godly approval for stating that they are apostles and/or prophets, it is our judgment that their claims are false, as in our opinion, they have not manifested the signs of an apostle or prophet in their lives.

Lead Writers: Dave Harris and Norbert Link

©2024 Church of the Eternal God