A PLANET IN DISTRESS

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”(Matt 24:6-8).

How much difference can five years make in the life of a planet? In the case of this planet, they make an enormous difference. What happened on the earth since we published the first edition of The Christian Herald can only be described in catastrophic terms.

The earthquakes have increased in frequency and devastation; the weather has become more unpredictable and more virulent around the world; the environment is reeling from the stress of population explosion; disease epidemics are out of control in many parts of the world; and the greenhouse gases are already warming the planet.

At the national and international level, genocidal wars raging out of control from Africa to the Balkans, and from the Indian subcontinent to the former Soviet empire. The United Nations, with which rested the hope of mankind for a better world, has proven that it cannot take care of itself, let alone of the affairs of the world.

Never in the history of the world has humanity faced so many dangers from so many quarters, yet never has there been more ignorance about the real solutions to the world’s problems. In 1992, in our No 2 edition of The Christian Herald, we wrote:

“What were considered alarmist predictions a few decades ago, not only have been fulfilled, but exceeded many times over. We are now learning about world problems which only a few years ago were unheard of. A decade ago no one knew about AIDS. Half a decade ago there was no talk about the thinning of the ozone layer. These problems alone pose catastrophic dangers. AIDS is threatening to destroy the regenerating power of many nations. The thinning of the ozone layer is posing a threat to the vegetation and the microscopic marine organisms - the very support of life on earth - in addition to whatever harm they may do directly to human beings.

In February this year, scientists raised the alarm when they discovered that the depletion of the ozone layer is much worse than previously thought. ‘New findings of ozone depletion were so alarming, the scientists said, that they decided to release them before completion of the data analysis in late March.’ ‘Everybody should be alarmed about this,’ said Michael Kurylo, a research manager at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ‘We’re seeing conditions primed for ozone destruction. It’s in a far worse way than we thought.’” (Sydney Morning Herald, Feb. 5, 1992).

Compare this with the following statement made only three years later in Australia’s national newspaper:

“If we are to keep the wolf of famine from the world’s door, a new food source must be found. Slashed nets, captured ships, loaded guns and international charges of piracy on the high sees - these are the alarm warnings of the latest world conflict, the battle over the Earth’s dwindling fish stocks. Fish wars like the recent row between Canada and Spain are likely to escalate. Australia has so far clashed with five nations over fishing and our waters face an annual invasion by 500 foreign vessels. The oceans, once deemed inexhaustible, are approaching their limits. Thirty years ago, the World Food Congress in Rome issued a grave warning about the capacity of humanity to feed its growing population. The outcome - the “green revolution” - changed the face of global agriculture.

But 25 years on, the food machine has run down. More people are impoverished and malnourished, and more children are dying than at any time in history. The world faces a potential food crisis greater than envisaged in 1966. The reason is that international political support for raising food output has waned. No where is the crisis more acute than in the seas: two-thirds of the great fisheries are in trouble. Despite a trebling in the number of fishing boats, the global catch has stagnated. Yet fish are the primary source of animal protein for half the world’s population. The poor half.. . The goal of the international agricultural research centers is not to provide aid, but to give people the technologies to fed themselves. Only that can avert a never-ending sequence of crises. The big question vexing many researchers and food planners is: where is the next great leap in food output to come from? The earth is running out of arable land and fresh water to grow more crops and livestock.” (The Australian, May 23, 1995).

Julian Cribb, the author of this article, went on to suggest that large scale fish farming on coastal areas may be the solution to feeding the world’s population, but he acknowledged that this could create yet more problems. The fish farms could “pollute the coastal waters where fish breed or make poor people the economic losers”.

When the alarm bells were first heard about the depletion of the ozone layer and the danger coming from warming of the planet, a number of scientists raised their voices in protest saying that the earth is not warming, but cooling, and that, in any case, this is a natural phenomenon no different than the periodic “ice age” cycles the earth has experienced in the past.

They were wrong; deadly wrong. There is nothing natural about what is happening in the world at present. It is all man-made, it is universal, and it is irreversible. Only God can stop the world from annihilation now, but He will not do it until humanity has learned its lesson to the full. It is a lesson humanity did not need to learn if only the first humans obeyed God’s instruction and revelation. But they wanted to experiment and find out the truth for themselves. That started humanity on its current road to oblivion. For six thousand years, human beings have been searching for truth, peace and prosperity, yet all they achieved is universal deception, never ending wars and widespread poverty. Time magazine wrote:

“CAN JUSTICE EVER BE DONE?” “Around the world, the horrors of history continue to haunt the present and act as an engine driving modern politics. Is forgetting possible? The sins of the fathers beget wrath in the sons. Down the generations, blood exacts blood. During the Second World War, Serbian Chetniks allied with Fascist Italy carried out systematic raids across the river Drina to murder Bosnian Muslims. Guerilla propaganda painted the Slavic Muslims as hated Turks, who had ruled the Balkans for 500 years... Fifty years later, the Drina bridges again served as makeshift Golgothas of ‘ethnic cleansing’ by guerilla Serbs. Vesegrad’s Hasija Kesner, 24, described how she and 10 other Muslims were led to a bridge in May of 1992. Her cousin Hamet, 50, was tortured and beheaded. One Serb ‘took the head as if it were a ball, and kicked it with his foot,’ she recalled. ‘The head flew down into the Drina. The killer went off into fits of laughter as he watched the blood drip from his knife.’ “This is the stuff nightmares are made of. More to the point, the nightmares repeat themselves for one overriding reason: because the hideous sins of the past were never properly addressed...” “Civilization is not supposed to work this way, but all too often it does. Around the world, horrors of history continue to haunt the present and act as an implacable engine driving modern politics. From the streets of Buenos Aires to archives in Berlin, from the highlands of Ethiopia to the hills of El Salvador and paddy fields of Bangladesh, demands to redress injustices of yesteryear - or sometimes yesterday - bedevil public life still. Victims of oppression in one time communist regimes struggle to cope with ruthless social engineers who continue to live among them. Many Asians still burn with rage today over atrocities committed by imperial Japan two generations ago and longer. Everywhere, scarred societies strive for an elusive balance...” “Although a balancing of moral accounts so far has eluded long-suffering Cambodia, where the 1975-79 Khmer Rouge reign of horror resulted in at least 1 million deaths, more recent orgies of epic bloodshed both in Bosnia and in Rwanda have been appalling enough to prompt the establishment of special UN-sponsored international tribunals in the Hague...”

“Whether these Nurenberg-like proceedings will achieve a semblance of their aims is open to question. International courts are not above politics. Because France had helped prop up the old Hutu-led regime in Rwanda - where wholesale massacres last year killed more than 500,000 people, most of them minority Tutsi - Paris has been lukewarm in its support of the UN panel. On the other hand, critics of the Ethiopian trials have charged the Tigrean-dominated government with singling out the country’s traditionally dominant Amhara people for revenge and ‘victor’s justice.’ “What seems beyond doubt, though, is that unsettled and unforgotten grievances do not simply go away. They rankle, divide and remain nearly impossible to put to rest. Amnesties can help wipe the slate clean, but more times than not the blood stains, like those on Lady Macbeth’s hands, cannot be so easily scrubbed into invincibility. Says Mariano Grondona, a prominent Argentine law professor: ‘It’s like a person with a childhood trauma. It reappears as nightmares and neuroses until he brings it out in the open and looks at it. That is the therapeutic quality of truth.’” (Time, May 22, 1995).

It is as if this passage has been taken from the Bible. Indeed, there is no more therapeutic quality than truth (and repentance), yet fewer things are more lacking in the world today than truth (and repentance).

“Your word is truth” said Jesus Christ referring to the Word of God - the Bible. Yet, this is the most maligned book in the world today. Why? Why has the academic establishment the world over targeted this book? What does it contain that makes them rage with fury when it is mentioned in their forums? Why are those scientists who are turning back to the truths of the Bible being ostracized from their midst? What does the Bible contain that your leaders do not want you to know about it?

You will be surprised and gladdened to know the whole truth. So stay tune and prepare yourself for what could be the revelation of your life.

THE TRINITY - RESTORING THE TRUTH

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”(John 8:32)

One of the most important biblical concepts, which has been a topic of debate among theologians for nearly two Millennia, is again the focus of major controversy. In the last few years, a number of books, booklets and articles have appeared on the market, mainly from the Churches of God, which claim to “prove” that the view held by traditional Christianity (Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Churches) about the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - is wrong, that the correct view is Father and Son only. A Duality, in other words, rather than a Trinity.

This controversy can be summarized by the way in which each camp has defined the Holy Spirit. Traditional churches have been speaking of hypostases - a triune God of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, or three distinct individuals sharing a “community of substance” - three in one and one in three - “unseparated, uncreated and ungenerated”.

The Churches of God, on the other hand, have rejected this explanation on the pretext that not even its proponents understand it, let alone the average person. But they resolved this mystery by doing to the Holy Spirit what they have done to the soul long ago - they dispensed with them both.

It is a well known fact that the Churches of God resolve difficult theological concepts by ignoring, discarding or giving them an interpretation which has little or nothing to do with the Bible. Unless they have changed again - they have the habit of changing their doctrines often and unexpectedly, and incorporating other people’s ideas without due recognition - they hold the view that human beings have no soul, that their bodies are their “living souls”, that the Holy Spirit is not a distinct personality within the Trinity, but an undefined “force”, “power” or “will” emanating from the mind of God which He uses to carry out His purpose.

If they are right, it means that there are people who are soul-less and Spirit-less creatures - walking corpses - a frightening prospect. They may well be right for Jesus Christ did say that there are people who appear to be alive but who are in fact dead.

“Then another of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’

But Jesus said to him, ‘Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’'' (Matt 8:21-22).

Since the Churches of God still believe in the resurrection, we would like to ask them what is it that survives the body after death that could be resurrected if there is no soul apart from the body? We would also like to know if they have ever read or heard of these Scriptures:

“Then [Elijah] cried out to the LORD and said, ‘O LORD my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?’ And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the LORD and said, ‘O LORD my God, I pray, let this child's soul come back to him.’ Then the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived.”

(I King 17:20-22).

“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

(Matt 10:28).

Should they say that they know these Scriptures well, we won’t ask them to explain them to us. We know perfectly well that they are capable of explaining everything - in their own peculiar way.

There are many examples in the Bible which indicate that the soul and the body are different entities, but these should be enough to show that the Churches of God do not let facts get in the way of their preconceived ideas. The fact is, with all the fanfare about their new theology, they have not been able to produce a single biblical example to substantiate it. This is not unexpected, for the Scriptures never portray God as having anything coming out of, or sitting on, His head except a crown. If what they say is true, the Holy Spirit is invisible not only to human beings, but to angels and heavenly personalities too.

The examples they give indicate that they have confused the Holy Spirit’s personal characteristics with His manifestations. In the Bible, He has manifested Himself as a dove, a breeze, a human being, etc., but that did not prevent Jesus Christ and His Apostles speaking of Him in personal terms. Their theology says more about their knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures than what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit.

“CALLED AND CHOSEN”

Unlike other religions, Christianity operates on two levels. First, people are called to repentance and given a chance to change their way of life, then they are judged and, according to their achievements, are granted a place in the Kingdom of God. Those who refuse to repent and continue to live in sin are disposed of in a great lake of fire at the judgment time. This is what Jesus Christ meant when He said, “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt. 20:16; 22:14). We are all called to repentance once, then wait in hope and expectation that at the judgment time we will also be chosen. The calling comes before repentance and the choosing after judgment.

Persistent effort in overcoming one’s own weaknesses, prayer, study of the Scriptures, meditation on the law of God, understanding God’s plan for mankind in general and for oneself in particular and, ultimately, spiritual union with God, are absolutely necessary if one is to be granted eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

No one is assured of salvation simply by being a member of one church or another. A church can facilitate one’s spiritual growth, but can never vouch for one’s salvation. No one knows what is in the heart of man except God. That is why no one can be said to be “called and chosen” while still in this world. Except, that is, if one is a member of the modern day Churches of God.

Not long ago, Garner Ted Armstrong, the most prominent leader in the Churches of God, told his followers that those who have given “cheerful generous support” to his church are “called and chosen”. (The International News, Vol. XIII, No. 1, Summer 1992, p.1). Thus, he is now able to play God to his followers.

They no longer need to worry about tribulations and perseverance, about developing character, hope and faith, or about waiting to be resurrected and judged by God - they are already “called and chosen” now.

Like the Pope, who plays the role of God to his followers by promising them a place in “heaven” after death, Garner Ted Armstrong is now able to guarantee a place in the Kingdom of Heaven for his followers too. And, as one might have expected, all leaders in the Churches of God have followed suit. All their followers are “called and chosen”. Which explains why, in spite of their horrendous burdens, most are fiercely loyal to their leaders. Wouldn’t you give everything if one “guaranteed” you eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven?

The ecumenical spirit of the world has well and truly caught up with the Churches of God too. All that remains for them now is to sanctify the dead and their conversion is complete. Some people are already doing it. For them, Herbert W. Armstrong, the founder of modern day Churches of God, could do no wrong. He is their saint and savior, he brought them to the knowledge of the “truth” and, like his son, he “called and chose” them.

About two and a half decades ago, I too was among the lucky “called and chosen” ones, but I blew my chance when I questioned some of their doctrines and practices. That is a no, no. You cannot question the ministers of the “Government of God” and still be among their privileged followers.

For their own private reasons, the leaders in the Churches of God believe that they are the “Government of God” on earth. Which, presumably, gives them the right to take on the prerogatives of God. Yet, while they have no compunction about playing the role of God to their followers, they fiercely deny them the right to be called the children of God.

Since all Governments need income to remain in power, the “Governments of God” have imposed on their subjects the ancient Israelite taxation system known as the tithing principle. This on top of their normal obligations to the “Governments of men” of the countries in which they happen to live. This is what we mean by “horrendous burdens” on their followers.

There never was a “Government of God” on this earth and never will be until Jesus Christ returns to establish His rulership over the whole world. Such claims are as spurious as the tithing system they have imposed on the New Testament Churches.

It was the Catholic Church which popularized the idea that God has a government on earth and an all powerful, “infallible” leader. Their example proved too powerful and tempting for the Worldwide Church of God, and so they adopted it as the model for their hierarchical ministry. Herbert W. Armstrong even assumed the prerogatives and infallibility of the Pope. No one dared to tell him that he was wrong in anything he did or said. No one, that is, except this writer.

When I perceived that he was wasting the church money on expensive and inappropriate gifts for the world leaders, I sent him a letter suggesting that it would be more appropriate for him to take along a Bible and preach from it to those leaders. Not long after that, at their first opportunity, they disfellowshipped me. What happened with the WCG afterwards can only be described as an unmitigated disaster. The church simply began falling apart.

They did not take note of what happened to ancient Israel when its leaders committed iniquity by condemning an innocent man. Because they had the numbers they thought that “might is right”. So much so that when Pilate washed his hands and said he could find no fault in Jesus Christ, they cried out defiantly: “His blood be on us and on our children” (Matt 27:25). His blood was on them and is on their children to this day, and will remain so until they get on their knees in heartfelt repentance and acknowledge their error. Then, and only then, will His blood cease to be on them and on their children, and their sin will be atoned for.

As a result of the sin of their leaders, God nullified the covenant He had with the entire nation of Israel. He did the same when the leaders of the Churches of God committed iniquity in His name. One cannot break the law of God with impunity and still retain the guidance, inspiration and protection of the Holy Spirit. Now the wheel of fortune is turning again, and those who were once outcasts are about to be grafted in and become leaders in God’s congregations once more.

When the leaders of the WCG disfellowshipped innocent people from the church, they did not realize that in so doing they put themselves out of the Church of God. But since “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28), their lawlessness worked out to the advantage of their victims. These days, whatever truth and new insights are revealed, it always comes out through people who were once members of the Churches of God.

IN THE NAME OF. . .THE HOLY SPIRIT

OR OF A “SPIRITUAL PRESENCE”

One of the “luminaries” in the Church of God, International, Vance Stinson, wrote in his recently published booklet “God is Not a Trinity!” that:

“Trinitarians argue that the phrase “in the name of...the Holy Spirit” proves that the Spirit is a Person (hypostasis) just as the Father and the Son are Persons (hypostases), and that “He” is one of three “personal distinctions” within God...”

“In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus spoke of the work His disciples were to accomplish on this earth, and of His involvement in that work. He mentioned the Holy Spirit because the Spirit is His (and the Father’s - John 14:23) spiritual presence - the ever-present power, or authority, by which His disciples were to preach the gospel and baptize repentant believers. It is the means through which the disciples experience the presence of God as they go about doing His work. In effect, Jesus said, “The Father has given me all authority in heaven and on earth; therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in recognition of the authority of the Father, who is in heaven, and of the Son, who is in heaven, and of the Holy Spirit, which is my spiritual presence with you as you do the work I have given you to do on this earth...” “If we restrict the definition of the Holy Spirit to “force” or “power,” then we might have difficulty in explaining why Scripture speaks of the Spirit as having attributes associated with personality. But once we understand that Scripture presents the Holy Spirit as the power of God as well as the spiritual presence of God in the minds of His people and in the natural world, no such difficulty exists.” (pp. 39, 40, 42).

There is no fear in these people that they will incur the wrath of God for twisting the Scripture and for contradicting the very words of Jesus Christ. This is what Matthew 28:18-20 says:

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” (Matt. 28:18-20).

And this is what He said about those who dare to modify the Scriptures:

“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Rev 22:18-19).

They not only added to the Scriptures, but put words in the mouth of Jesus Christ which entirely changed the sense of what He said. Vance Stinson quoted John 14:23 as saying that “the Spirit is His (and the Father’s...) spiritual presence on this earth”. We have become used with these people misquoting the Scriptures to “prove” their ill conceived ideas, so we were not surprised to find that they did it again. This is what John 14:23 says:

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.’”

No such words or attributes in this verse, yet they made it the pivot of their theology. Every single biblical example they give to justify their denial of the Trinity and personality of the Holy Spirit, is either a misquotation or an outright modification of the Scriptures. Jesus Christ said that:

“Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matt 12:31-32).

People cannot commit blasphemy against an object or an abstract entity. The reason the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven is that those who offend Him cannot be “born again” and cannot grow spiritually. But the Churches of God do not worry about being “born again” for they tell their members that they will be “born again” when they are resurrected into the Kingdom of God, again a contradiction of the words of Jesus Christ: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'' (John 3:3). People have to be “born again” first, before they can “see” the Kingdom of God. After being “born again”, they begin a life of overcoming the many trials and tribulations needed for the development of right character, essential for a place in the Kingdom of God:

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

Those who wait for the resurrection to be “born again” will never make it into the Kingdom of God. They will be resurrected not to eternal life in the Kingdom of God, but to eternal damnation in the lake of fire.

The Churches of God have confused being “born again” with being resurrected. To be “born again” means to repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Spirit and begin a new life. This is what Jesus Christ meant when He promised His disciples the “Helper” ( John 14:2), and when He told them to go out into the world and baptize people in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. But since the Churches of God deny that the Holy Spirit has a name, they have to deny that the purpose of baptism is to be “born again” and receive the Holy Spirit. It is only with the help of the Holy Spirit that people can develop the right character and grow to true spiritual maturity.

Being immersed into a watery grave at baptism represents a symbolic death of the old self and the birth of a new person. After repentance and baptism, people receive the Holy Spirit and are confirmed into the Church of God by the laying on of hands. From then on, they no longer belong to themselves, but to Christ. They become His representatives, His witnesses on earth and are expected to behave accordingly.

Who can baptize you? Those whom you believe to be the servants of Christ and have the Holy Spirit. Those who deny the name and personality of the Holy Spirit cannot have the Holy Spirit, therefore should not be in the business of preaching and baptizing people. For them this is indeed a “business” since they are also the ones who extract a heavy price from those who become victims of their preaching. Is a previous baptism valid? You have to decide that for yourself. If in doubt, you may need to be baptized again. The Holy Spirit does not create doubt, but confidence and understanding. When you are baptized, you receive the spirit of the church into which you are baptized. That is why being baptized into a church which does not have the Holy Spirit cannot be regarded as adequate. God knows, there are many of these churches around.

What if the minister who baptized you has fallen away? You are not responsible for the actions of your minister after he baptized you. His falling away does not affect you. What you need to understand is that your membership into the Church of God is in heaven not on earth. Once you receive the Holy Spirit, your name is written in God’s Book of Life.

“Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.''

(Luke 10:20).

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev 20:11-15).

When you are baptized and your name is written in God’s Book of Life, you take a great responsibility upon yourself. You are then embarking on the struggle of your life, the struggle for salvation. There can be no turning back and no second chance if you do so. There are powerful forces against you, some visible some invisible, but if you bear in mind that “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (I Jn. 4:4), you never need to worry about the outcome of your battle.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Eph. 6:10-13).

“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” (Rev 3:5).

Apostle Paul said that it is possible for people to quench the Spirit.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(1Thes. 5:16-23).

(Notice how he, like Jesus Christ, made distinction between spirit, soul and body). How can one quench the Spirit? To understand this, consider an analogy with a pregnant woman. She can quench the baby in her womb by not providing proper food for herself and her baby. In like manner, the Holy Spirit - the seed of God in us - can be quenched if we do not feed Him proper food. What is the proper food for the Holy Spirit?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Gal 5:22-26).

These are as much the fruits of the Spirit as are the fruits God expects from us. It is a reciprocating act: God fills our heart with love and the Holy Spirit, and expects from us love and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ received the seed of God - the Holy Spirit - from conception. As He grew, the Holy Spirit grew with Him and in Him until it produced a fully grown Son of God - the very first Son of God. By the time He was baptized by John the Baptist and began His work of ministry, He was full of the Holy Spirit, the mind of God was in Him, He thought like the Father, and His consciousness was the consciousness of the Father.

After He rose to heaven, the Holy Spirit became available to all who follow Him and keep His commandments.

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7). “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever -- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:15-17).

The difference between Jesus Christ and us is that while He had the Holy Spirit from conception, we only receive Him after we are “born again”. The end result is little different for we too become sons of God just like Him.

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (I Jn. 3:1-2).

But the Churches of God deny that we can become sons of God like Jesus Christ, just as they deny that human beings have a soul, can be “born again”, receive the Holy Spirit and become part of the divine Trinity. Yet, while they deny these things, they insist on observing the Old Testament restrictions about food and marriage. They unashamedly disregard the teachings of the Apostles of Jesus Christ.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh -- who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands -- that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (Eph. 2:10-22).

Apostle Paul equated the law of “ordinances” with the enmity characteristic of human nature. By abolishing one, Jesus Christ abolished the power of the other. How did He do it? Through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Those who insist on observing the Old Testament “ordinances”, are ruled not by the Spirit, but by the flesh.

“Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people's sins committed in ignorance; the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. “It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience -- concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. “For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” (Heb. 9:6-15).

Since the law “concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation” was abolished when Christ offered His blood and His body as a sacrifice once and for all, anyone who insists on going back to these “dead works” dishonors His Savior and crucifies Christ again.

“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.”

(Heb. 6:1-6).

During the reign of Herbert W. Armstrong, the Worldwide Church of God used to be identified with one of the seven Churches of God from the book of Revelation - the Philadelphia Church. The passage describing that church speaks of two kinds of people within its ranks: some of little strength who have not denied the name of Christ, and others who claim to be Jews (Christians) but lie and are a synagogue of Satan.

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie-- indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”

(Rev 3:8-10).

The words “I will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world” indicate that this church will be in existence at the end of this age just prior to the return of Jesus Christ. It is then that this “hour of trial” - the great tribulation - will take place, which means that H.W. Armstrong may well have been right. But what neither he nor anyone else have ever explained, is who is who in this church. Who are the people of little strength, who have kept the name of Christ and persevered to the end, and who are those of the synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews but lie? Apostle Paul again:

“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. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”

(II Th 2:1-4).

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Tim 4:1-5).

In the end time, the Churches of God will fall away from the truth of God and be led by a man who acts like God: “speaking lies in hypocrisy” and “forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from foods”. In the Churches of God they are already doing such things: they do not eat “every creature of God”, do not allow interracial marriages, do not believe that the Holy Spirit is a person, do not believe in the Trinity, etc.. They do not believe a lot of things that are in the New Testament, yet they believe that they must circumcise themselves, keep the Old Testament dietary laws, keep themselves racially pure, and persecute those who disagree with them. And still they call themselves Christians. Any wonder that Jesus Christ says they are liars and a synagogue of Satan? In regard to the “son of perdition” who calls himself God, we have proven that this is the leader of the Catholic Church, the man who has appropriated for himself God’s title of “Holy Father” (See the No 3 edition of The Christian Herald ). How then do we explain the fact that there are now two people who play the role of God, two “men of perdition” - one in Rome and one in America? Simple! The Catholic “God” has the preeminence. He has claimed to be “God” from the beginning of history. No one really knows when Pontifex Maximus acquired for Himself the title of “Holy Father”. People have been calling him by that title throughout history without realizing what that meant, or that they were committing blasphemy by doing so. He used to be called “Holy Father” in the time of Jesus Christ too. That is why He admonished His followers never to call anyone on earth father: “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven” (Matt 23:9). But now, in the end time, another “God” arose in the very midst of the Churches of God. The book of Revelation makes it clear how this can be explained:

“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.” (Rev 16:13).

The dragon is Satan, the “beast” refers to the one who has been identified with the “beasts” of Revelation (See the No 4 edition of The Christian Herald), and the false prophet is the one who makes his appearance in the last days in the Churches of God.

THE POWER OF GOD

Since the Churches of God say that the Holy Spirit is the “power of God”, let us see how God exercises His power. A revealing incident occurred in the life of Jesus Christ just prior to His crucifixion:

“Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. But Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?’” (Matt. 26:50-54).

More than twelve legions of angels? Why did He not say, “My Father could use the power of His mind and crash My enemies”? The Father uses His angels to carry out His purpose, not some ethereal mind power.

In the Old Testament times, when the king of Syria was at war with the king of Israel and his troops surrounded the city in which the prophet Elisha lived, this is what happened:

“And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, ‘Alas, my master! What shall we do?’ So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:15-17).

How clear and how wonderful: human beings are surrounded by the angels of God at all times. They protect us, guide us, teach us, communicate with our Father in heaven about our condition, etc. The angels are God’s eyes and ears on the earth. Jesus Christ said that every child has his own angel:

"Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” (Matt 18:10).

Now, what happens to the angels of God when children grow into adulthood, do they abandon them? Of course not! But because people like to exercise their “freedom”, they loose the protection and guidance of God’s angels and expose themselves to the influence of Satan’s angels. We saw earlier how, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12). The Bible gives us the following revealing examples:

“[God] makes His angels spirits, his ministers a flame of fire.” (Ps. 104:4).

“Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me; fight against those who fight against me... Let them be like chaff before the wind, and let the angel of the LORD chase them. Let their way be dark and slippery, and let the angel of the LORD pursue them. For without cause they have hidden their net for me in a pit, which they have dug without cause for my life.” (Ps 35:1-7)

“And of the angels He says: ‘Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire.’

Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:7,14).

It is the “angel of the Lord” who protects God’s people and chases their enemies. The Bible gives us other examples in which God discusses the fate of human beings with His angels (1 Kings 22:16-24; Job 1:6-12). But there are no examples in the Bible which show God using any other power to carry out His purpose. Even the creation of the world was achieved through the agency of His angels:

“Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. ‘Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?’” (Job 38:3-7).

The expressions “the morning stars” and “the sons of God”, in this case, denote God’s angels for there were no human beings in existence then. The angels are as much the sons of God as we are, only on a different plane. Even Satan was called the son of God (Job 1:6-7), and rightly so for he was created by God too. Not as Satan, but as a beautiful and powerful angel - a “covering cherub” in charge of one third of God’s angels. But he rebelled against God and became Satan (Ez. 28:12-19; Rev. 12:4).

God used the power of His mind to devise and plan the creation of the world, just as we humans use the power of our minds to devise and create things. We are, after all, made in the image of God (Churches of God preaching notwithstanding): we have body, heart, mind and will, the same as God has body, heart, mind and will.

"Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever” (1 Sam 2:35).

“Then the LORD said to me, ‘Even if Moses and Samuel stood before Me, My mind would not be favorable toward this people. Cast them out of My sight, and let them go forth’” (Jer. 15:1).

“And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will’” (Acts 13:22).

The will of God is being carried out by the angels at present and it will be carried out by them and us when we are resurrected as God’s children in His Kingdom. At present, God’s angels carry out His will for our benefit. That is why human beings ought to be respectful towards them. Respectful not worshipful. But the Churches of God have excelled themselves again by speaking of God’s angels in terms that we would rather not print. Take note of what God’s angel told Apostle John