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Songs and Teachings of the Bible
Songs and Teachings of the Bible
A World in Confusion
GREAT DECEPTION WAS PROPHESIED TO OCCUR ON EARTH BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND COMINGS OF JESUS CHRIST
"So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
(Revelation 12:9)
Angel Rebellion
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Two Trees in the Garden
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What is Man?
CHRIST FORETOLD OPPOSITION
In His Olivet prophecy (Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21) Jesus was speaking to His own disciples -- Peter, James, John and Andrew (Mark 13:3-4) -- who would be opposed by powerful leaders from both within and without the Church. Opposition from without would begin immediately after the death of Jesus and the founding of the original Church (book of Acts). Opposition from within would come later (see The Testimonies of Christ, Peter, Paul, Jude and John below).
"Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, 'Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?'
"And Jesus answered and said to them: 'Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name . . ." [claiming to represent Christ, posing as ministers whom He had sent forth (Matthew 7:22-23; Acts 4:18; 5:28, 40-42; 9:27; II Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-15)] "and will deceive many. . . .
"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you," [Matthew 10:1-28] "and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake." [John 7:7; 15:18-27; 16:1-3] "And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
"Therefore, when you see the "abomination of desolation," spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place' (whoever reads, let him understand). . . ."
(Matthew 24:3-5, 9-15)
THE POLLUTED TEMPLE OF FALSE CHRISTIANITY
The "abomination of desolation" referred to by Jesus in the Scripture quoted above, and spoken of by Daniel the prophet, is the polluted temple of false Christianity (Daniel 11:31; I Corinthians 3:16-17; II Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:11; 17:5-6) which became the official religion of the Roman Empire -- the "little horn" attached to the fourth beast of Daniel 7:7-8, 19-26 -- and which has dominated the world between the First and Second Comings of Christ. During the Middle Ages Christian leaders used the "Petrine Doctrine" (based on a misapplication of Matthew 16:18-19 and the theory of "apostolic succession") to replace the Law of God with the doctrines of their own ecumenical councils (Daniel 7:25; 9:4; see also Matthew 15:3, 7-9, 13-14 and Mark 7:6-9, 13).
False Christianity has been called "baptized paganism." It absorbed the culture of the ancient world and transmitted it through the Middle Ages to the modern world. It is compared in Revelation 17 to a "harlot" who rides a "beast" (a church/state conglomerate) because it ruled over the nations and kings of Europe. The true Church is described as a "chaste virgin" (II Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-24; Revelation 12 and 19:7-9) because it remains separate from the politics of this present evil age (II Corinthians 6:14-18; Galatians 1:4; Revelation 18:1-4). False Christianity suffered a Great Schism in 1054 A.D. which mirrored the Eastern and Western divisions of Europe with rival capitals at Constantinople and Rome (Daniel 2:41-43). "Daughter" churches came out of her in protest in the 16th century. These daughters retained the abominations of their mother (Revelation 17:5) by failing to return to the true foundation of the Church -- the actual teachings of Jesus Christ and the original apostles who upheld the Law of God. The Words of Christ Carry Authority -- The Words of The Apostles Carry Authority
False Christianity has been called "baptized paganism." It absorbed the culture of the ancient world and transmitted it through the Middle Ages to the modern world. It is compared in Revelation 17 to a "harlot" who rides a "beast" (a church/state conglomerate) because it ruled over the nations and kings of Europe. The true Church is described as a "chaste virgin" (II Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-24; Revelation 12 and 19:7-9) because it remains separate from the politics of this present evil age (II Corinthians 6:14-18; Galatians 1:4; Revelation 18:1-4). False Christianity suffered a Great Schism in 1054 A.D. which mirrored the Eastern and Western divisions of Europe with rival capitals at Constantinople and Rome (Daniel 2:41-43). "Daughter" churches came out of her in protest in the 16th century. These daughters retained the abominations of their mother (Revelation 17:5) by failing to return to the true foundation of the Church -- the actual teachings of Jesus Christ and the original apostles who upheld the Law of God. The Words of Christ Carry Authority -- The Words of The Apostles Carry Authority
PARALLELS WITH THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD
AFTER THE DEATH OF ITS FOUNDER
AFTER THE DEATH OF ITS FOUNDER
A strange and remarkable parallel to the "harlot/daughter" state of Christianity, which developed after the apostolic era, recurred in modern times when the Worldwide Church of God completely revamped its doctrines and beliefs after the death of its founder, Herbert W. Armstrong. Multiple groups split off from the Worldwide Church of God in protest, claiming to be an extension of it but failing to retain the teachings of its founder and the Government it once espoused. Both of these religious phenomena -- the falling away of 1) mainstream Christianity and 2) the Worldwide Church of God -- paralleled ancient Israel's turning away from the one true Creator God (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:1-3; Revelation 14:6-7) and yielding to the demon-gods worshiped by the Gentiles (Jeremiah 2:11; Deuteronomy 32:16-18; Psalm 106:35-38; I Corinthians 10:20-21; 12:2; Revelation 9:20). They also paralleled the fall of Adam, Eve and mankind in general on the First Millennial Day of human history. The First Millennial Day
Mr. Armstrong, who put the Worldwide Church of God back on track in 1978, stated that the line of demarcation between the true Church and false Christianity is the matter of obedience to the Law of God. The twin subjects of "law" and "grace" go together because only those who obey the Law can be under grace (Romans 2:13-15; 3:24; 6:1-2, 14-15; 7:7, 12, 22; Hebrews 8:10-12; 10:16-17). Those who practice sin habitually (Hebrews 10:26; Romans 2:25-29; I John 3:4-9) are under the penalty of the Law because "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23; 1:32). The Basic Questions
The true Church understands the answer to the sin question (it knows what sin is). The Church has an obedient attitude toward God, not a liberal or defiant one (Matthew 18:1-4; Romans 8:5-9; Ephesians 5:22-24). The definition and parameters of sin are determined by God alone (James 4:12) and are placed into the Church by Christ through His chosen apostles, never by a vote of the ministers. Mr. Armstrong made these things clear when he put the Church back on track. And Now Christ Sets Church Back on Track Doctrinally!
Mr. Armstrong, who put the Worldwide Church of God back on track in 1978, stated that the line of demarcation between the true Church and false Christianity is the matter of obedience to the Law of God. The twin subjects of "law" and "grace" go together because only those who obey the Law can be under grace (Romans 2:13-15; 3:24; 6:1-2, 14-15; 7:7, 12, 22; Hebrews 8:10-12; 10:16-17). Those who practice sin habitually (Hebrews 10:26; Romans 2:25-29; I John 3:4-9) are under the penalty of the Law because "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23; 1:32). The Basic Questions
The true Church understands the answer to the sin question (it knows what sin is). The Church has an obedient attitude toward God, not a liberal or defiant one (Matthew 18:1-4; Romans 8:5-9; Ephesians 5:22-24). The definition and parameters of sin are determined by God alone (James 4:12) and are placed into the Church by Christ through His chosen apostles, never by a vote of the ministers. Mr. Armstrong made these things clear when he put the Church back on track. And Now Christ Sets Church Back on Track Doctrinally!
"The Old Testament sacrificial laws and ceremonial rituals were a mere temporary substitute for Christ and the Holy Spirit. When the reality came, the substitute was ended -- but the basic SPIRITUAL LAW -- the law of LOVE, codified in the Ten Commandments -- continued. But the CHURCH was required, having the Holy Spriit, to obey them not merely according to the strictness of the letter but according to the spirit -- or principal, or obvious intent of the law (II Cor. 3:6)."
-- Herbert W. Armstrong, The Incredible Human Potential
(Chapter IX, "Why the Church?,"
section "Now WHY the Church? Its Purpose")
"God’s LAW is stated in the one word, LOVE. The word LOVE is a PRINCIPLE, and in principle it is opposite to the word LUST. It is LOVE toward others. First of all, LOVE toward God, in love, worship and obedience. Secondly it is love toward other humans. It cannot be vanity, because vanity is toward self and puts SELF before God.
"Love toward and worship of God in itself is the PRINCIPLE of humility, not self-glory or vanity or coveting. It is love toward neighbor in the spirit of outgoing CONCERN for neighbor's welfare and good – of cooperation, serving, helping, sharing. It also may be love toward self in the sense or principle of concern for the physical and mental and spiritual welfare of the body and mind, which is the temple of God’s Holy Spirit.
"YOU CAN APPLY THAT PRINCIPLE TO ANY QUESTION OF HUMAN CONDUCT. It is the real answer to the SIN question." -- SATAN HASN'T GIVEN UP ON MAKEUP
"The spiritual law of God is a general principle, which, in its spirit, covers EVERY act. God intends for us today to apply the principle to every act. It is summed up in Ecclesiastes 12:13: 'Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.'
"The law of God is a WAY OF LIFE. It is all-encompassing, IN PRINCIPLE -- that is, according to its spirit. It is an attitude.
"It may be summed up in ONE WORD: LOVE. That one word is a principle of life. It is the way of OUTFLOWING love toward God and man. It is the way of GIVE, instead of GET.
"It is then magnified into the two great laws -- love toward GOD and love toward neighbor. In turn this is magnified into 10 general principles -- the first four of the Ten Commandments express the principle of love toward GOD, the last six the principle of love toward man.
"We are commanded to love God more than self -- with all our hearts. We are told to love neighbor as, or equal to, ourselves." -- What is a Liberal?
"This world started in SIN. Sin is the transgression of the law, and the law is God’s spiritual law. It is summed up in the one word, LOVE.
"It is expanded into the great commandments, love to GOD, and love to neighbor. These in turn were expanded into the Ten Commandments – the first four expressing the principle of love toward God, the last six the principle of love toward neighbor.
"Jesus magnified the law – expanded it further, in principle. Under the Old Testament, a man had not committed adultery until the actual literal act. But in the New, Jesus said a man who even lusted after a woman had committed adultery in his heart!
"In II Corinthians 3:6, it is written that we must obey the law according to the SPIRIT– that is, the principle or intent of the law not according to the specific letter.
"Today, I’m afraid, some look at SIN through Old Testament eyes. Unless there is a literal, specific, 'Thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt NOT,' then they say, 'Isn’t it OK?'
"If you look at it that way, you really mean that you want to do Satan’s way, and follow the world – that you only want to follow God’s way so far as you are compelled." -- SATAN HASN'T GIVEN UP ON MAKEUP
"Remember, an executive administrator DOES NOT SET POLICY OR PROCEDURES OR DOCTRINES. He administers--he carries out and directs--what has been already set from above.
"Even in this world, in the United States the President does NOT MAKE THE LAWS. He administers the policies as functions authorized by Congress--enforces the laws made by Congress. Administrators are set in the Church merely to supervise, direct, execute the policies, procedures, doctrines assigned to them from above."
-- Mystery of the Ages
(Chapter 6, "Mystery of the Church,"
section "One Church with One Government")
PAUL'S WARNING
The Apostle Paul forewarned the Church of coming great deception when he, alluding to the "little horn" of Daniel 7, declared,
"Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come." [The Millennium of Revelation 20:1-6 has not yet occurred!] The Seventh Millennial Day
"Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away" [greek: apostasia - total desertion of one's professed principles, faith, or party] "comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition," [in Daniel 7 the "little horn" has eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words] "who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God," [in the NT the Church is the temple of God] "showing himself that he is God" [acting as if he had supreme authority]. . . .
"The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
(II Thessalonians 2:1-4, 9-12)
The great apostasy of which Paul wrote was, in principle, exactly like what happened in the garden of Eden at the outset of human history. God had spoken to Adam and Eve first, but they rejected what God taught them and chose to follow Satan instead. As a result, they and their descendants lost contact with God and came under the sway of Satan the devil (Genesis 3:22-24; II Corinthians 4:3-4; I John 5:19). The First Millennial Day
Four thousand years later God sent Jesus Christ into the world to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15). Like Adam and Eve, the world has rejected Christ's Message (John 1:10-11; 3:19-21; I John 2:15-17). Therefore God has allowed Satan to further deceive the world between Christ's First and Second Comings. Satan's present evil world (Galatians 1:4) -- "Great Babylon" -- has been built on a foundation of sand and is destined to crumble and fall (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49; Revelation 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2-3, 21).
The book of Revelation depicts God the Father seated on His throne in heaven, with a book in His right hand. The book was sealed with seven seals. The seals represented history between Christ's First and Second Comings. The first four seals (commonly called "the four horsemen of the apocalypse") portrayed curses which would come upon the world because of humanity's disobedience to God's Laws (Isaiah 24:5-6, Deuteronomy 28:2, 15.) The first seal (Revelation 6:1-2) signified great religious deception -- the "strong delusion" and "lie" of which Paul wrote in II Thessalonians 2:11, quoted above. The polluted temple of false Christianity grew to become the world's largest religion. The second seal (Revelation 6:3-4) represented war. When another major religion appeared on the world scene, competing with Christianity for dominion over the earth, war was the inevitable result. The Crusades of the Middle Ages were a fulfillment of the second seal. Religious confusion breeds world chaos. The third and fourth seals represented the great famines and pestilences which occurred during the Middle Ages (e.g., "the Black Death").
With regard to the religious confusion extant in the world today, the Bible explains that it has not been God's purpose to call all of humanity to salvation before the coming Millennium, but that He intends to have "mercy on all" (Romans 11:32) after the Millennium, on The Last Great Day of His Master Plan (John 6:44-45; Romans 9:6-21; I Corinthians 15:20-23; Revelation 20:4-6, 12). Most human beings who have lived and died from Adam and Eve until now have been neither eternally saved nor eternally lost. Doctrine Four -- God's Plan of Salvation for Mankind -- Risen From the Dead
In the World Tomorrow "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9). Meanwhile, religious deception fills the world today. Jesus warned His followers to beware of such deception in His Olivet prophecy (Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21). The Seventh Millennial Day -- The Mountain Song
In preparation for the coming age, both 1) the world and 2) the true Church will be refined as necessary during the Great Tribulation. The two witnesses will be used by Christ to help Him accomplish this Great Purpose (Ezekiel 9:4-6; 14:22-23; Zephaniah 3:11-13; Zechariah 4:1-3, 11-14; 13:8-9; Malachi 3:3; 4:4-6; Matthew 24:21; Revelation 3:10, 18; 11:1-4). The Days of Trumpets and Atonement
God is a loving Father (Ephesians 3:14-15; 4:6; I John 4:8) who wants His sons and daughters to obey Him for their own good (Deuteronomy 5:29). He is a wise Parent who disciplines His children in order to help them overcome their faults and build godly character (Deuteronomy 8:5; 30:15-20; Proverbs 3:11-12; Jeremiah 17:10; Hebrews 12:5-11; I Peter 1:14-16; II Peter 2:4; Revelation 2:23; 3:19; 21:5-8).
Four thousand years later God sent Jesus Christ into the world to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15). Like Adam and Eve, the world has rejected Christ's Message (John 1:10-11; 3:19-21; I John 2:15-17). Therefore God has allowed Satan to further deceive the world between Christ's First and Second Comings. Satan's present evil world (Galatians 1:4) -- "Great Babylon" -- has been built on a foundation of sand and is destined to crumble and fall (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49; Revelation 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2-3, 21).
The book of Revelation depicts God the Father seated on His throne in heaven, with a book in His right hand. The book was sealed with seven seals. The seals represented history between Christ's First and Second Comings. The first four seals (commonly called "the four horsemen of the apocalypse") portrayed curses which would come upon the world because of humanity's disobedience to God's Laws (Isaiah 24:5-6, Deuteronomy 28:2, 15.) The first seal (Revelation 6:1-2) signified great religious deception -- the "strong delusion" and "lie" of which Paul wrote in II Thessalonians 2:11, quoted above. The polluted temple of false Christianity grew to become the world's largest religion. The second seal (Revelation 6:3-4) represented war. When another major religion appeared on the world scene, competing with Christianity for dominion over the earth, war was the inevitable result. The Crusades of the Middle Ages were a fulfillment of the second seal. Religious confusion breeds world chaos. The third and fourth seals represented the great famines and pestilences which occurred during the Middle Ages (e.g., "the Black Death").
With regard to the religious confusion extant in the world today, the Bible explains that it has not been God's purpose to call all of humanity to salvation before the coming Millennium, but that He intends to have "mercy on all" (Romans 11:32) after the Millennium, on The Last Great Day of His Master Plan (John 6:44-45; Romans 9:6-21; I Corinthians 15:20-23; Revelation 20:4-6, 12). Most human beings who have lived and died from Adam and Eve until now have been neither eternally saved nor eternally lost. Doctrine Four -- God's Plan of Salvation for Mankind -- Risen From the Dead
In the World Tomorrow "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9). Meanwhile, religious deception fills the world today. Jesus warned His followers to beware of such deception in His Olivet prophecy (Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21). The Seventh Millennial Day -- The Mountain Song
In preparation for the coming age, both 1) the world and 2) the true Church will be refined as necessary during the Great Tribulation. The two witnesses will be used by Christ to help Him accomplish this Great Purpose (Ezekiel 9:4-6; 14:22-23; Zephaniah 3:11-13; Zechariah 4:1-3, 11-14; 13:8-9; Malachi 3:3; 4:4-6; Matthew 24:21; Revelation 3:10, 18; 11:1-4). The Days of Trumpets and Atonement
God is a loving Father (Ephesians 3:14-15; 4:6; I John 4:8) who wants His sons and daughters to obey Him for their own good (Deuteronomy 5:29). He is a wise Parent who disciplines His children in order to help them overcome their faults and build godly character (Deuteronomy 8:5; 30:15-20; Proverbs 3:11-12; Jeremiah 17:10; Hebrews 12:5-11; I Peter 1:14-16; II Peter 2:4; Revelation 2:23; 3:19; 21:5-8).
THE TESTIMONIES OF CHRIST, PETER, PAUL, JUDE AND JOHN
Opposition began during the first century A.D.
Opposition began during the first century A.D.
"And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
(Revelation 12:17)
WHAT CHRIST SAID
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' "
(Matthew 7:13-23)
After Jesus had cast a demon out of a person, and the Pharisees accused Him of doing so by the power of Satan (Matthew 12:22-29), Jesus made the following statement:
"When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation."
(Matthew 12:43-45; see also Luke 11:14-26, 29-32, 50-51)
Jesus was illustrating what would happen to the world after his generation rejected the Word of God. God sent a "threefold witness" into the world through 1) John the baptist, 2) Jesus Christ and 3) the original apostles (I John 5:8; John 5:31-36). They proclaimed God's truth openly and publicly during the first century A.D. (Mark 16:15-20; Luke 16:16; John 4:34-38; Isaiah 65:1-2; Romans 10:14-21; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2:3-4). However, that generation rejected the witness God sent, which resulted in Satan being able to deceive the world to an even greater extent than he had already been doing since the time of Adam and Eve.
WHAT PETER SAID
The Apostle Peter, aware that he would die before the Second Coming of Christ (John 21:18-23; II Peter 3), warned the Church of the great apostasy to come in his last letter:
"For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease. . . .
" . . . 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. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words. . . ."
(II Peter 1:12-15; 2:1-3)
Peter went on to say that these false teachers "despise authority" and "are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries" (verse 10). They would reject the authority of Christ's apostles who represented God's Government over the Church (I Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11). They would promise the brethren "liberty" (verse 19) while they themselves "turn from the holy commandment delivered to them" (verse 21). They would "twist" the meaning of Paul's writings and the rest of Scripture (3:16). The Apostles Upheld the Law of God -- Recent History of the Philadelphia Era of the Worldwide Church of God
That is why Peter urged the brethren always to remember the Message of 1) the Old Testament prophets and 2) the New Testament apostles of Jesus Christ:
"Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle, (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior. . . ."
(II Peter 3:1-2)
WHAT PAUL SAID
"For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears."
(Acts 20:29-31)
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise masterbuilder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. . . .
"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are."
(I Corinthians 3:10, 16-17)
"But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted -- you may well put up with it! . . .
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works."
(II Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-15)
"I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed."
(Galatians 1:6-9)
The Apostle Paul knew that his own martyrdom was imminent as he wrote his last letter to the young evangelist Timothy, his dearly beloved "son in the faith" (I Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 2:19-22; I Timothy 1:2; II Timothy 1:2; 2:1). Paul exhorted Timothy to carry on the vital work of proclaiming the true Gospel which he had taught him:
"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.
"I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
(II Timothy 3:13-17; 4:1-7)
WHAT JUDE SAID
The Apostle Jude (half-brother of Jesus, brother of the Apostle James and one of the twelve original apostles) also wrote to the Church during the first century A.D. He made it clear that the great apostasy which Jesus, Peter and Paul foretold had already begun:
"Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. . . .
"These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit."
(Jude 3-4, 16-19)
The Apostle Jude warned of those "who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:4). The Scriptures are filled with similar warnings against antinomianism:
an·ti·no·mi·an
\an-ti-ˈnō-mē-ən\
noun
- 1: one who holds that under the gospel dispensation of grace the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation.
"ANOMIA" (greek) -- iniquity, lawlessness
"Sin is anomia" (I John 3:4)
"Depart from me, you who practice anomia." (Matthew 7:23)
"The Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and all who practice anomia." (Matthew 13:41)
"You outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and anomia." (Matthew 23:28)
"And because anomia shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." (Matthew 24:12)
"But unto the Son He says, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You love righteousness, and hate anomia. . . ." (Hebrews 1:8-9)
"He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (I John 2:4)
WHAT JOHN SAID
The Apostle John lived into the 90s A.D. and -- having outlived the other apostles -- was used by Christ in an extraordinary way to put the finishing touches on the Bible (John 21:20-24; Revelation 1:1-3, 9-11, 17-19) and to admonish true Christians not to depart from the original teachings of Jesus and the apostles, which had been taught from the beginning:
"Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. . . .
"Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father."
(I John 2:18-19, 24)
The words quoted above, written by the Apostle John in the 90s A.D. long after all of the other original apostles, including Paul, had died -- "Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father" -- demonstrate clearly that, contrary to the thinking of liberal theologians today, the Apostle Paul never changed the teachings of Jesus and the other original apostles. The Apostles Upheld the Law of God
In Revelation 12 the Apostle John received a vision concerning a very special woman who represented the one true Church (Genesis 3:15; Romans 16:20). John rejoiced to find her and her children keeping God's commandments until the end of the age. He wrote a letter -- II John -- to encourage her, and to remind her always to be on guard against Satan's deception and opposition (see Revelation 12:12-17 and Ephesians 6:10-18). Recent History of the Philadelphia Era of the Worldwide Church of God
The letter of II John was intended for all true Christians throughout the Church Age:
In Revelation 12 the Apostle John received a vision concerning a very special woman who represented the one true Church (Genesis 3:15; Romans 16:20). John rejoiced to find her and her children keeping God's commandments until the end of the age. He wrote a letter -- II John -- to encourage her, and to remind her always to be on guard against Satan's deception and opposition (see Revelation 12:12-17 and Ephesians 6:10-18). Recent History of the Philadelphia Era of the Worldwide Church of God
The letter of II John was intended for all true Christians throughout the Church Age:
"The Elder,
"To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever. . . .
"I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. . . .
"Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ" [i.e., what Christ actually taught] "does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.
"Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
"The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen"
(II John 1-2, 4-6, 9-13)
We look forward to meeting the Apostle John and our brethren from previous generations when we are all gathered together at the Second Coming of Christ (I Thessalonians 4:15-17; II Thessalonians 2:1; Hebrews 12:23). At that time, God's spiritual "temple" shall be assembled and completed. It will consist of all the "living stones" prepared by Christ throughout human history, from righteous Abel to the two witnesses (II Samuel 7:13; Haggai 2:9; Zechariah 4:9; 6:12-13; John 14:2-3; I Corinthians 3:16; II Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 3:6; I Peter 2:4-10; Revelation 3:12; 21:3). This is the "temple" to which Christ shall come at His return (Malachi 3:1). It will be totally free from pollution, corruption and abomination (Ezekiel 8:6; 43:12; Malachi 3:2-5; Matthew 21:12-13; John 2:13-17). God's Temple
The Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:30-32; Revelation 19:7-9) consists of all the Saints from every age who will be gathered together and made immortal at the Second Coming of Christ -- one body with many members (I Corinthians 12:12-14; 15:50-55; I Thessalonians 4:15-18; II Thessalonians 2:1-2; Hebrews 12:22-24).
She includes the Old Testament Prophets and the New Testament Apostles who wrote the Bible (Luke 13:28; Ephesians 2:19-22), and has been commissioned by Christ to deliver God's Message to the world before the end of the age (Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20; Revelation 10:5-11).
-- Teachings of the Bible
John also wrote the following encouraging words to all true Christians:
"We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. 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."
(I John 5:19-20)
EARLY CHURCH HISTORY
Within the Apostle John's lifetime true members of the true Church were being cast out of the organized body by corrupt governing officials:
"I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church."
(III John 9-10)
Jesus said to the early Church,
"I know . . . that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars. . . ."
(Revelation 2:2)
After the apostolic period an "age of shadows" hangs over church history like a veil. When the curtain lifts about a century later, a vastly different form of Christianity appears which goes on to dominate the world. (One is reminded of a magician who covers an object on a table with a dark cloth, says "hocus-pocus," lifts the veil and reveals an entirely different object in its place!)
"For fifty or sixty years after the death of St. Peter and St. Paul, the history of the church is a blank."
-- Jesse Lyman Hurlbut, The Story of the Christian Church
"The remaining thirty years of the first century are involved in mysterious darkness, illuminated only by the writings of John. This is a period of church history about which we know least and would like to know most."
-- Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church
"The scanty and suspicious materials of ecclesiastical history seldom enable us to dispel the dark cloud that hangs over the first age of the church. . . .
"Christianity offered itself to the world, armed with the strength of the Mosaic law, and delivered from the weight of its fetters. . . .
"The divine authority of Moses and the prophets was admitted, and even established, as the firmest basis of Christianity. . . .
"The first fifteen bishops of Jerusalem were all circumcised Jews, and the congregation over which they presided united the law of Moses" [Sabbath and Holy Day observance] "with the doctrine of Christ. . . . The Jewish converts . . . who had laid the foundation of the church, soon found themselves overwhelmed by the increasing multitudes that from all the various religions of polytheism enlisted under the banner of Christ. . . .
"At Marcus' persuasion" [the first Gentile bishop of Jerusalem] "the most considerable part of the congregation renounced the Mosaic law, in the practice of which they had preserved above a century. . . . They cemented their union with the catholic church. The crimes of heresy and schism were imputed to the obscure remnant . . . which refused to accompany their Latin bishop". . . .
"In a few years . . . it became a matter of doubt and controversy whether a man who sincerely acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, but who still continued to observe the law of Moses, could possibly hope for salvation. . . . An eternal bar of separation was fixed between the disciples of Moses and those of Christ. . . . Some traces of that obscure sect may be discovered as late as the fourth century. . . .
"In the primitive church . . . it was universally believed that the end of the world, and the kingdom of heaven, were at hand . . . and to those who understood in their literal sense the discourses of Christ Himself were obliged to expect the second and glorious coming of the Son of Man in the clouds before that generation was totally extinguished. . . ." [II Peter 3 refutes this.]
"The ancient and popular doctrine of the millennium was intimately connected with the second coming of Christ. As the works of creation had been finished in six days, their duration in their present state, according to a tradition which was attributed to the prophet Elijah, was fixed to six thousand years. By the same analogy it was inferred that this long period of labor and contention, which was now almost elapsed, would be succeeded by a joyful Sabbath of a thousand years, and that Christ, with the triumphant band of the saints and the elect who had escaped death, or who had been miraculously revived, would reign upon earth till the time appointed for the last and general resurrection. . . .
"The assurance of such a millennium . . . appears to have been the reigning sentiment of orthodox believers, and must have contributed to a very considerable degree to the progress of the Christian faith. But when the edifice of the church was almost completed, the temporary support was laid aside. The doctrine of Christ's reign upon earth was at first treated as a profound allegory, was considered by degrees as a doubtful and useless opinion, and was at length rejected as the absurd invention of heresy and fanaticism."
-- Edward Gibbon, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Chapter 15
"And that's how Christianity lost the Gospel!," declared Herbert W. Armstrong in response to what Edward Gibbon wrote above. God used Mr. Armstrong to proclaim the true Gospel -- The Good News of the World Tomorrow -- openly and publicly for over 50 years, from 1934 to 1986. This was the first time this had been done in 18½ centuries, since the days of Jesus and the original apostles (Mark 1:1, 14-15; 16:15, 20; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 2:3-5). Herbert W. Armstrong Radio Broadcasts and Articles -- HWA on 19-Year Time Cycles
TRUE AND FALSE CHRISTIANITY
True Christianity was built on the foundation of Jesus Christ and the original apostles, all of whom proclaimed the same, identical Gospel message (Matthew 7:24-29; Ephesians 2:20-22; I Corinthians 3:10-16; Galatians 1:8-9). Peter, James and John preached primarily to Jewish audiences, while Paul preached mainly to Gentiles (Matthew 10:5-6; Galatians 2:7-9). The early Church was completely Jewish; Jesus, all of the original apostles and their first converts were Jews (Acts 2-9). Jesus was the acknowledged Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8; Mark 2:28). Fourteen Reasons Why Everyone Should Keep the Seventh-Day Sabbath
The first Gentiles were called approximately 40 A.D. (Acts 10). God never intended the Church to become divided into separate "Jewish" and "Gentile" factions, because a house divided against itself cannot stand (Matthew 12:25; I Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:1-4; 12:25; Galatians 3:28-29). There is only one true God and one true religion -- the Church of God led by Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:4-6, 15-16; 5:23; Colossians 2:9, 19). In today's world, the true Church is the only place on earth where the Government of God functions. The Bible is the Foundation of the Church
The first Gentiles were called approximately 40 A.D. (Acts 10). God never intended the Church to become divided into separate "Jewish" and "Gentile" factions, because a house divided against itself cannot stand (Matthew 12:25; I Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:1-4; 12:25; Galatians 3:28-29). There is only one true God and one true religion -- the Church of God led by Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:4-6, 15-16; 5:23; Colossians 2:9, 19). In today's world, the true Church is the only place on earth where the Government of God functions. The Bible is the Foundation of the Church
" . . . there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him."
(Romans 10:12)
Paul represented the same Government of God on earth which Jesus, Peter, James and John represented (I Corinthians 9:20-23). All of Christ’s apostles proclaimed the Law of God (I Corinthians 7:19; Romans 2:23-29; I John 2:3-6). The true Church obeyed God's commandments faithfully (Revelation 12:17; 14:12). The Apostles Upheld the Law of God
God's people, called by Jesus a "little flock" (Luke 12:32), have often been heavily opposed and persecuted (Hebrews 11:35-40; Daniel 11:32-35, book of I Peter). No "smooth sailing" was ever prophesied for the true Church in this age (Revelation 6:9-11; 12:13-17; 17:6; 18:24), but Jesus said that "the gates of hell" would not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). God's truth was passed on from generation to generation (John 17:14-19).
God's people, called by Jesus a "little flock" (Luke 12:32), have often been heavily opposed and persecuted (Hebrews 11:35-40; Daniel 11:32-35, book of I Peter). No "smooth sailing" was ever prophesied for the true Church in this age (Revelation 6:9-11; 12:13-17; 17:6; 18:24), but Jesus said that "the gates of hell" would not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). God's truth was passed on from generation to generation (John 17:14-19).
"The true Christians, who alone comprised the true Church, were being put out of the visible, organized congregations. . . .
"But that did not mean the scattered individuals were not part of the Church. They were the Church because they were joined to Christ through the Holy Spirit. Those who drove them out became the false church -- the church of the god of this world -- 'the synagogue of Satan.'
"But Jesus promised to be with the faithful remnant of His Church to the end of the age -- to guide His people into truth."
-- Herman L. Hoeh, A True History of the True Church
"The number of Christians continued to grow and may have increased to about 100,000. But then persecution began, just as Jesus had prophesied (John 15:20). Persecution first came from the Jews, then later the Romans and false brethren (Acts 20:29-30; III John 9-10). It was some decades later that these false brethren outnumbered the true.
"Most congregations were eventually taken over by men who attempted to combine Christ's teachings with traditional customs, compromising the truth by attaching Christian-sounding names to pagan ideas. Satan, the god of this world, was deceiving many with a counterfeit, falsely labeled Christianity.
"True Christians remained a small minority probably never more than about 100,000 -- fleeing to new areas when persecution became too intense."
-- Pentecost
After the apostolic period, mainstream Christianity did become divided into "Jewish" and "Gentile" factions. The Gentile faction claimed that Paul was its "special apostle," twisted his writings along with the rest of Scripture (II Peter 3:14-18), abandoned the clear teachings of Jesus, Peter, James and John with regard to the Law of God, and in so doing departed from the true foundation of Christianity. (It has been said that what is obscure in the Bible should be interpreted by what is clear, not vice versa.)
False Christianity is what remained after the true Saints were put out of the organized body and had to flee for their lives (Revelation 12:6, 14). The true members of the true Church were branded as "heretics" and had to go underground. Such Scriptures as Daniel 7:21, 11:33 and Revelation 13:7 prophesied that powerful forces would make war against the true Church and dominate the world.
The book of Revelation describes an "image of the beast" which had "two horns like a lamb" but "spoke like a dragon." This image represented the false Christianity which became the official religion of the Roman Empire -- the counterpart of Nebuchadnezzar's golden image which once had been the official religion of the Babylonian Empire. Everyone in Babylon had been commanded to worship Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, or be put to death (Daniel 3).
False Christianity is what remained after the true Saints were put out of the organized body and had to flee for their lives (Revelation 12:6, 14). The true members of the true Church were branded as "heretics" and had to go underground. Such Scriptures as Daniel 7:21, 11:33 and Revelation 13:7 prophesied that powerful forces would make war against the true Church and dominate the world.
The book of Revelation describes an "image of the beast" which had "two horns like a lamb" but "spoke like a dragon." This image represented the false Christianity which became the official religion of the Roman Empire -- the counterpart of Nebuchadnezzar's golden image which once had been the official religion of the Babylonian Empire. Everyone in Babylon had been commanded to worship Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, or be put to death (Daniel 3).
"Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. . . .
"He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed."
(Revelation 13:11, 15)
The Council of Laodicea outlawed seventh-day Sabbath observance within the Roman Empire, and enforced Sunday-keeping in its place:
"Christians must not judaize by resting on the Sabbath, but must work on that day, rather, honoring the Lord's day" [Sunday]. "But if any shall be found to be judaizers, let them be anathema from Christ."
--Council of Laodicea, A.D. 365
That is why Herbert W. Armstrong wrote,
"The MARK of the BEAST . . . it is here, NOW!"
--Herbert W. Armstrong, Who or What is the Prophetic Beast?
The death penalty was inflicted upon anyone who would not adhere to the dictates of the Roman Empire's official religion:
"Heretics of every sort were forbidden to assemble and their churches were confiscated. . . . Half a century later, in 438, Theodosius II issued the Theodosian Code which inflicted the penalty of death on those who denied" [the decrees of the ecumenical councils]. . . .
--Roland H. Bainton, Christendom
For a thousand years during the Middle Ages false Christianity (the "harlot" of Revelation 17) "rode the beast" (the so-called "Holy Roman Empire") and dominated the world:
"The most important single element in the history of Western civilization is Christianity . . . as the one official state-supported religion of the ancient world. . . . the historic role of Christianity in its first seven centuries was to absorb many of the" [pagan] "elements of antique civilization and to transmit them to the Middle Ages. . . .
"Christmas and Halloween . . . originated in pre-Christian pagan rites. By the time of Gregory the Great it had become an official policy, in his words, 'not to interfere with any traditional belief or religious observance of the heathen which can be harmonized with Christianity.' "
--Robert S. Hoyt, Europe in the Middle Ages
"During the Middle Ages there was only one Church in Western Europe, the universal Catholic Church of Rome headed by the Pope. Christians who did not adhere to Rome were regarded as heretics and they were persecuted, while outsiders, like the Jews, suffered other severe disadvantages. Since the sixteenth century, however, there have been many Christian churches in Europe and the areas influenced by Western culture. Thus today we rarely speak of the Church.
"For a thousand years the Church was the most important institution in Western Europe. All Christians whether emperor or lowly serf were subject to it throughout their lives. Shortly after birth godparents were chosen for a child and he was baptized. During his early years the child was brought to church and instructed in religion. At about twelve years of age he was confirmed, and throughout his life as a Christian he was expected to confess his sins to a priest. The Christian was also to repent of his sins and do penance imposed upon him by the Church through its clergy. He was expected to take Holy Communion; this, according to theologians, was necessary if he was to be in a state of grace. When a Christian was upon his deathbed, he was supposed to receive 'last rites' from a priest so that his journey toward salvation would be eased. In order to be married Christians had to have a priest perform the ceremony, and the 'engagement' preceding the marriage had to be announced in church. When a Christian made his will, or for that matter participated in any act which required an oath, the Church became involved.
"The role played by the Church in religious matters was overshadowed by its role in medieval society in general. In some localities of Western Europe the Church was the largest landholder or landowner, and in other areas it was only one of the more prominent landed elements. Thus, the Church not only commanded huge economic resources through its control of land but also controlled the lives of thousands of economic dependents (serfs) who dwelled on its estates. As the lords of huge landed estates Church officials or their representatives administered seigneurial justice. That is, the Church controlled secular courts on the lands it held. It also collected taxes, mustered armed forces, and carried out many other functions usually associated in modern times with secular governments.
"On the 'international' level the Church, directed by the Pope at Rome, wielded immense power. Popes humbled emperors such as Henry IV, who begged for absolution at Canosa. They initiated and organized major military enterprises such as the Crusades. They deposed kings and tried to establish the Papacy as the feudal overlord of Europe. Through the use of interdicts, excommunications, and the threat of such actions, the Church brought countless numbers of secular magnates to heel. By utilizing its immense economic resources it toppled governments, financed armies, supported banking ventures, and cared for the sick, widows, and orphans."
--Bernard S. Bachrach, The Medieval Church, Success or Failure?
In the ancient world God raised up one single nation -- Israel -- to be His chosen people. He wanted them to shine as a light to the rest of the world (Deuteronomy 7:6; Amos 3:2; Ezekiel 5:5). God commanded Israel not to worship the gods of other nations (Exodus 20:1-6; Deuteronomy 12:1-4, 29-32; I Kings 9:6-9) because Satan the devil was the god of those nations (Deuteronomy 32:16-17; Psalm 106:35-38; I Corinthians 10:19-22; Acts 17:16-31; John 4:22). False Christianity transmitted Satan's ancient paganism through the Middle Ages to today's modern world. The Third Millennial Day
The "beast" -- the resurrected Roman Empire -- is destined to fall at the Second Coming of Christ (Daniel 2; 7; Revelation 13:1-2; 14:6-13; 16:19; 17:7-14; 18:1-4; 19:19-20) along with the "harlot" who rides it -- its official state-supported religion (Revelation 17-18).
The "beast" -- the resurrected Roman Empire -- is destined to fall at the Second Coming of Christ (Daniel 2; 7; Revelation 13:1-2; 14:6-13; 16:19; 17:7-14; 18:1-4; 19:19-20) along with the "harlot" who rides it -- its official state-supported religion (Revelation 17-18).
GOD'S PURPOSE IS TO PREPARE THE SAINTS FOR ETERNITY
Why has God permitted Satan to deceive the world between Christ's First and Second Comings and to oppose the true Church so vehemently? Why does God allow His people to experience such heavy trials? The answer is that trials help the Saints to develop character (James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3-4). All whom the Father has called during this age (John 6:44; Romans 8:30) will have become thoroughly trained and tested before being installed into the important governmental positions prepared for them in the Kingdom of God (John 14:2-3; Revelation 2:26-27; 3:12; 20:6). Christ wants to be certain they will not make the same mistake the demons made when they followed Lucifer (Satan) into rebellion against God. Lucifer had once administered God's Government over those angels. The First Millennial Day -- Doctrine Three -- The Basic Questions
During my senior year at Ambassador College (1975-1976) I became aware that most of the faculty and Theology Department had turned against the teachings of its founder, Herbert W. Armstrong. They had absorbed what Mr. Armstrong later described as "the deadly leaven of higher education" and "liberalism." During that year I said to my wife, "I think God is teaching us there is a time NOT to follow our church leaders! If we had been created as angels and assigned to Lucifer, then -- if we blindly followed our leader -- we would have become demons!" My Story -- Introduction to the Book of Doctrines
In the Battle of the Universe (a test of wills to see who would rule over whom), Jesus Christ resisted, rejected and overcame Satan the devil (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13; Mark 1:12-13). The Church must follow her Husband's example (Revelation 3:21; I John 2:6; 3:8-10; Ephesians 6:10-18; Hebrews 4:14-16). She is His betrothed wife; He wants to help her develop His mind and character. The Sixth Millennial Day -- Battle of the Universe
During my senior year at Ambassador College (1975-1976) I became aware that most of the faculty and Theology Department had turned against the teachings of its founder, Herbert W. Armstrong. They had absorbed what Mr. Armstrong later described as "the deadly leaven of higher education" and "liberalism." During that year I said to my wife, "I think God is teaching us there is a time NOT to follow our church leaders! If we had been created as angels and assigned to Lucifer, then -- if we blindly followed our leader -- we would have become demons!" My Story -- Introduction to the Book of Doctrines
In the Battle of the Universe (a test of wills to see who would rule over whom), Jesus Christ resisted, rejected and overcame Satan the devil (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13; Mark 1:12-13). The Church must follow her Husband's example (Revelation 3:21; I John 2:6; 3:8-10; Ephesians 6:10-18; Hebrews 4:14-16). She is His betrothed wife; He wants to help her develop His mind and character. The Sixth Millennial Day -- Battle of the Universe
"Then Jesus said to him, 'Away with you, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve." ' "
(Matthew 4:10)
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES
"You shall have no other gods before Me."
(Exodus 20:3)
"You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons."
(I Corinthians 10:21)
"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
" 'I will dwell in them
And walk among them,
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.'
"Therefore, 'Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.'
'I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.' "
(II Corinthians 6:14-18)
"Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. . . .
"They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me."
(John 15:20-21; 16:2-3)
"Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time."
(Daniel 11:32-35)
" . . . it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: 'A dog returns to his own vomit,' and 'a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.' "
(II Peter 2:21-22)
" . . . if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries."
(Hebrews 10:26-27)
ADVICE TO MINISTERS
From The Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong:
From The Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong:
"If MEN pay us a salary . . . we have now learned we must preach only what MEN order us to preach. If we are to WORK FOR GOD we must look to God as our EMPLOYER, AND TRUST HIM TO SUPPLY OUR EVERY MATERIAL NEED. And then . . . if we fail to serve Him as He commands, He will stop our income. . . .
" . . . as long as I was EMPLOYED by men who were over me, and who had proved to be susceptible of being influenced and swayed by false ministers, into acting contrary to God's Word, I was not yet free to RELY ON GOD ALONE, and to be completely FAITHFUL to His Word!
"The living Christ simply could not start opening the doors for HIS WORK, until I was free to RELY SOLELY ON HIM!
"I was now FREE! This final crucial test had proved that I would be FAITHFUL to God and His Word, even at the cost of giving up everything! . . .
"I know of evangelists who probably are sincere in supposing they are serving God -- and who would like to be free to proclaim many truths they now hold back. They reason something like this: 'If I go farther, and preach those things, I'll lose all my support. I'd be cut off from the ministry altogether. Then I could preach NOTHING. Better serve God by preaching as much of the Biblical truth as possible, than to be prevented from preaching anything.'
"They are relying on the financial support of MEN, or of organizations of men. Anyone in that predicament is the SERVANT OF MEN, and NOT OF GOD, whether he realizes it or not."
-- The Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong
Chapter 30, "The World Tomorrow Broadcast Begins"
Sections "The Double Cross" and "The Crucial Test"
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The book of Revelation depicts two women who represent two vastly different churches (chapters 12 and 17). One is "the Bride of Christ" (Revelation 19:7-9; Ephesians 5:22-32) who keeps God's commandments (Revelation 12:17; 14:12; 22:14). The other is a great "harlot" who, along with her daughter churches is used by Satan to deceive the world (Revelation 17:1-6; 18:2, 23). One is the true Church, persecuted; the other is a great false church. Satan hates the true Church and deceives the whole world (Revelation 12:9-17). Christ Upheld the Law of God
But there is good news: God promised Abraham that He would prepare 1) nations, and 2) kings (Genesis 17:6) for the World Tomorrow (Hebrews 2:5; 4:4-11; 6:12-15; 11:8-16; 12:22-23; 13:14). The nations will consist of those human beings who survive the Great Tribulation and become the first human generation of the World Tomorrow. They will have been prepared to submit to the loving but powerful Government of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 2:2-4, 10-12; 9:6-7; 10:20-23; 19:23-25; 60:19-22; 65:8-25; Jeremiah 23:3-8; 50:20; Zephaniah 3:11-13; Zechariah 13:8-9; 14:9, 16; Revelation 7:13-17; 11:15; 19:15; 21:24-26). The kings will be the Saints who are given immortality at the Second Coming of Christ and will help Christ govern the nations of the World Tomorrow (I Corinthians 6:2-3; 15:50-54; Revelation 1:6; 2:26-27; 5:10; 20:4-6). The Third Millennial Day -- The Seventh Millennial Day
But there is good news: God promised Abraham that He would prepare 1) nations, and 2) kings (Genesis 17:6) for the World Tomorrow (Hebrews 2:5; 4:4-11; 6:12-15; 11:8-16; 12:22-23; 13:14). The nations will consist of those human beings who survive the Great Tribulation and become the first human generation of the World Tomorrow. They will have been prepared to submit to the loving but powerful Government of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 2:2-4, 10-12; 9:6-7; 10:20-23; 19:23-25; 60:19-22; 65:8-25; Jeremiah 23:3-8; 50:20; Zephaniah 3:11-13; Zechariah 13:8-9; 14:9, 16; Revelation 7:13-17; 11:15; 19:15; 21:24-26). The kings will be the Saints who are given immortality at the Second Coming of Christ and will help Christ govern the nations of the World Tomorrow (I Corinthians 6:2-3; 15:50-54; Revelation 1:6; 2:26-27; 5:10; 20:4-6). The Third Millennial Day -- The Seventh Millennial Day
The Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:30-32; Revelation 19:7-9) consists of all the Saints from every age who will be gathered together and made immortal at the Second Coming of Christ -- one body with many members (I Corinthians 12:12-14; 15:50-55; I Thessalonians 4:15-18; II Thessalonians 2:1-2; Hebrews 12:22-24).
She includes the Old Testament Prophets and the New Testament Apostles who wrote the Bible (Luke 13:28; Ephesians 2:19-22), and has been commissioned by Christ to deliver God's Message to the world before the end of the age (Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20; Revelation 10:5-11).
-- Teachings of the Bible
What is the True Religion?