The Sermon this weekend will be given by Dave Harris and is entitled “His Fierce Anger.”

The services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org at the appropriate time, just click on “Connect to Live Stream.”

It is hard to gain a sense that what you or I do in the work of God really matters–that we could actually make a real and profound difference.  It is easier to look to the righteous men and women who have their heroic lives recorded in the pages of the Bible.  However, their examples should serve to inspire us.  We have all been called to be those kind of people!
 
Consider that we are the people who have been chosen by God to be examples in this time–without doubt, a time in which, by all measure, some of the most startling and truly awesome events in the great master plan of God will unfold — events which are indeed unfolding — right now — on a daily basis.
 
Are we up to the job?
 
A starting point is to know what this calling means to both ourselves and to God.  God has left very careful instructions for what it is that we should be doing.  The instructions are all clearly outlined in His Word, and He is revealing more to us as He opens our understanding of the Bible–especially in light of the prophetic events now emerging in fulfillment.
 
For each of us, our calling takes on a meaning that transcends simply knowing the truth and being “in” the Church.  God has given each of us responsibilities. We all have to participate in order to fulfill the job God has given to His end-time Church.  We have been placed in the body (Church) by God.  1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”  The verses that follow delineate administrative jobs in the Church. Every member is important — otherwise, God would not have placed the member into Christ’s body. And, every member has a job to do. 1 Corinthians 13 immediately follows revealing the character of Jesus Christ, “…faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest is love.”  (verse 13).
 
Jesus described the greatest kind of love:  “‘Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.’ ” (John 15:13).  Jesus did what ONLY He could do for all of mankind–it was His job.
 
When we read, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10), can we apply it to ourselves–in the Church of God in the here and now?  Certainly, this was the approach of our Savior, and we have other examples.  For instance, the example of the woman who anointed Jesus.  We read in Mark 14:8, ” ‘She has done what she could.’ ”  Then, in verse 9, note the wonderful promise given by Jesus:  ” ‘Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.’ ”  And one more example is that of the widow who placed “two mites” in the treasury of the Temple.  In Luke 21:3-4, “So He said, ‘truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all;  ‘for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.’ ” This widow did all she could to please God.
 
These examples are faith, hope and love in action.  It is the approach we all need right now! 
 
We must never neglect the great importance of prayer and fasting in this regard. Through prayer and fasting, we draw closer to God, and God will reveal to us what He wants us to do, if we really want to know. Notice Luke 2:36-38: “Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Israel.”
 
Anna did all she could do, and in fulfilling her job, God granted her the great joy and fulfillment of seeing Jesus, before she died, and identifying Him to others.
 
A very important lesson was left for us in the healing of Naaman’s leprosy.  Elisha would not even come out of his door but sent a messenger to Naaman.  Naaman became furious, because he was looking for some great sign from Elisha and Elisha’s God.  Verse 13 of 2 Kings 5 shows real wisdom: “and his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, ‘My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it?  How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?’ ”  That is what Naaman did, and he was healed.
 
We have this additional consideration: ” ‘For who has despised the day of small things?’ ”  (Zechariah 4:10).  It is all too human a proclivity to do just that.  But we must not do this!
 
What we can do is to continue in sincere and fervent PRAYER for one another and for the work of God.  To the many among our dedicated members who are doing what they can–EVEN OVER AND ABOVE–we say THANK YOU!
 

VATICAN APPROVAL?

“The Vatican yesterday approved the revised U.S. bishops’ policy to combat sex abuse by the clergy, declaring the need to restore the image of the priesthood in a scandal that has rocked the Roman Catholic Church.” (www.washtimes.com for December 17, 2002).
 
At the heart of Vatican approval were new guarantees first protecting priests in cases of possible molestation.  The above article continues: “Under the revised policy, bishops are compelled to obey local civil law on reporting abuse accusations, but not more than that.” (emphasis added).
 
This carefully phrased document, while addressing molestation as a serious offense, seems more intent on preserving the rights of the Catholic priesthood.  Additionally, the supreme authority of the Catholic Church and application of its standards in matters such as this is the compelling issue for Papal Rome. 
 
ROSARY – TOKEN OF RECONCILIATION?
A leading Protestant theologian, professor Stephan Tobler of the University of Tuebingen, Germany, feels that the rosary may contribute to unity between the two churches, according to Zenit, dated December 12. The pope had earlier expressed, too, that “the rosary can even promote ecumenism.” Prof. Tobler elaborated that the Catholic Church speaks of “the grace Mary gives us when we pray to her,” continuing that the introduction of the rosary “in this way in the dynamic of the God-Trinity” is done in a sensible way, “if it does not detract from looking at Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Father.”
 
These statements are remarkable. First, prayers to Mary are apparently not considered any more as inappropriate. Then, the (wrong) belief in a Trinity is emphasized, by listing Christ first and the Father last. Christ, however, said, that we are to pray to the Father, and that the Father is greater than Christ. The Holy Spirit, since it is not God, but God’s power flowing from God, is not to be prayed to, however.
 
With former differences between the two Christian churches subsiding, we will be seeing soon a full-fledged unification. Those Christian groups who will not participate in such movement will find themselves at the outside, and will become the target of criticism, and more.

ENLARGEMENT OF EU

The Coloradoan reported on 12/14/02: “The European Union invited 10 new members (Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia)  to join it Friday in a historic opening to the former communist east designed to reunite the continent after decades of Cold War division.
 
“The agreement was reached at the end of one of the most significant European meetings in decades. Years of intricate negotiations ended with warm embraces from leaders once separated by the Iron Curtain.”
 
Continuing to quote: ” ‘Europe is spreading its wings in freedom and in prosperity,’ said Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the meeting’s host, who compared the day’s significance to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
 
” ‘Welcome to our new family.  Our new Europe is born,’ said Fogh Rasmussen…”
 
The 10 nations will join the EU on May 1, 2004. According to Der Spiegel, December 13, 2002, Louis Michel, Belgian foreign minister, spoke of a “unification of Europe.”
 
As Zenit reported on December 12, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conference of the European Community sees the enlargement of the EU through the accessions of 10 new member states as the “realization of a hope cherished by the [Catholic] church in terms of reconciliation between East and West.”
 
The big loser was Turkey. Although the United States had tried to pressure Europe to admit Turkey into the EU, the EU refused at this point. The leader of the CSU in Germany, Edmund Stoiber, welcomed this decision (Der Spiegel, December 13), encouraging the German people to continue in their resistance against acceptance of Turkey in the EU. Mr. Stoiber had stated earlier that Turkey is a non-Christian country and should therefore not become a full-fledged member state of a united Christian Europe.
 
Former German Chancellor and current publisher of Die Zeit, Helmut Schmidt (83, SPD), also agreed that Turkey should not become part of the EU. In an interview with Bild, December 16, he stated, “It is so far not a democratic country… The number of Turks [who would migrate to Germany] would double very soon. Ghettos would be the result, as Turks and Kurds don’t understand German values and norms very well.”
 
Regarding the assimilation of 10 new nations, Herr Schmidt stated in Bild: “This is without any doubt a mighty step, which we have envisioned here. But we don’t know yet how these states are to participate in the political decision-making process of the EU. According to current law, we would have a EU-commission with 27 member states. That is not doable. Therefore, the EU must now, very quickly, introduce a totally new system, to be able to act, instead of being buried in a chaos of diverse states and opinions.”
 

ROYAL EUROPE

Most assume today that having Kings and Queens over the modern nations of Europe–as was the case for many centuries–is something in the past.
 
However, that may not be the case!  Royal families who operate as figure-heads or who live in exile are widely admired in many nations which now operate as economic democracies.  A case in point involves the royalty of Italy.  After World War II, the Italians voted to eliminate the monarchy, even barring King Umberto and his male descendants from entering the country.  From www.softcom.net for October 15, 2002, “The exile, applying to male members of the House of Savoy, was enshrined in Italy’s postwar constitution as punishment for the family’s support of dictator Benito Mussolini.”  The headline for this article was “Italy’s royals Cleared for Return.”
 
Other sources report that the 30-year-old son, Emmanuel Filiberto, who was born and reared in Switzerland, has recently signed to do an ad for olive oil in Italy.  Like many other royal families in Europe, there are heirs in waiting among the families who once ruled over their nations. We could mention, as another example, Otto von Hapsburg of Austria and his son. While Otto had abdicated the crown, his son never has done so.
 
Revelation 17:12 talks about “ten kings” that will give their power to the beast — the final and last resurrection of the ancient Roman Empire in Europe. Although this may not have to mean, that ten literal “kings” will rule over modern European nations, under a strong military leader, it might very well mean that.
 

IRAQ

USA Today reported on December 18, that the United States and Britain dismissed the Iraqi weapons report, stating that it is “not acceptable and violates a United Nations resolution that threatens the use of force to disarm the country.” One day earlier, according to a poll published in the Los Angeles Times, more than two-thirds of Americans believe that the Bush administration has failed to make its case that a war against Iraq is justified.

On December 19, according to www.ABCNews.com, “U.N. chief weapons Inspector Hans Blix was delivering his first assessment of Iraq’s arms declaration to the U.N. Security Council today as Pentagon sources told ABCNEWS the U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf had accelerated to the point where the United States would be poised for war by late January.” Blix pointed out that he did not receive “much information about the weapons,” but stated at the same time that “there’s been prompt access to sites all over and there has been a good deal of help on the logistical side,” according to www.ABCNews.com.
 
Der Spiegel stated on December 19 that the rejection of the Iraqi report by the United States included, in effect, an American declaration that they now have a reason, under the U.N. resolution, to go to war against Iraq. The magazine warned that the United States may now begin a propaganda campaign amongst certain allies, including Germany, to gain support for a war against Iraq.
 
During an interview at the “Today” show, on December 19, Richard Holbrooke, former US Ambassador to the UN, stated that the “world is now on the path to war,” and that “we have reached the last off-ramp on the road towards war.”  He warned that we will definitely be at war within the next few months, unless the Iraqi leadership removes Saddam. He also stated that the United States will launch a massive attack against Iraq, if Saddam should choose to use chemical or biological weapons in any way, including against his own people. “This could get very ugly,” Holbrooke said. He also admitted that it “is not that clear yet, what will happen after Saddam is gone.” Holbrooke continued that the American troops are not in place yet, and that support from Turkey and certain Arab nations is needed first. He said that although the weather in January would be optimal for an attack, it could happen earlier or a little later.
 
One result of the current discussion about a war with Iraq is the fall of the U.S. dollar and the climb of the Euro. As Spiegel Online reported on December 17, the Euro is now more valuable than the U.S. Dollar, stating, “The uncertainty in Iraq has consequences for the Dollar. Every indication of an American war against Iraq speaks presently against the U.S. currency.”
 

A: Leviticus 25:1-7 reads:

“(1) And the LORD spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying, (2) ‘Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: “When you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a sabbath to the LORD. (3) Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit; (4) but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the LORD. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard. (5) What grows of its own accord of your harvest you shall not reap, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine, for it is a year of rest for the land. (6) And the sabbath produce of the land shall be food for you: for you, your male and female servants, your hired man, and the stranger who dwells with you, (7) for your livestock and the beasts that are in your land – all its produce shall be for food.”‘”

Many commentaries acknowledge the wisdom contained in these verses to let the land lie fallow every seventh year. The Broadman Bible Commentary states, “…there were also agricultural advantages in leaving a field fallow once in seven years, to alleviate the exhaustion of the soil…” Likewise, the Nelson Study Bible points out, “A sabbath to the LORD is the same phrase used for the weekly Sabbath (23:3). The people rested weekly from their work; the land was to rest every seventh year from its work. The principle of the land needing rest has been rediscovered in recent years and is practiced in various ways by farmers of many nations.”

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown agree, “This year of rest was to invigorate the productive powers of the land, as the weekly Sabbath was a refreshment to men and cattle. It commenced immediately after the feast of ingathering (i.e., feast of tabernacles), and it was calculated to teach the people, in a remarkable way, the reality of the presence and providential power of God.”

But, how are we to understand Leviticus 25: 5-7? Some claim that these verses teach that the owner of the land was in no way permitted to take for himself what grew in the seventh year (compare Broadman). This view has been correctly rejected by most commentaries, as it does not agree with the Biblical text. For instance, the Nelson Study Bible points out:

“Reaping and gathering for storage and selling were not permitted in the Sabbath year. However, harvesting for daily needs was permitted. Since the purpose of these laws was to promote social equality in Israel, anyone, regardless of social standing, was permitted to use anything that grew, wherever it grew. Even the wild beasts of the field are mentioned here, to emphasize that God would provide for every creature. Of course, Israel’s main provision during this time was the bumper crop produced the year before the Sabbath year (vv. 21,22).”

The Soncino Cumash concurs, pointing out, “In this year you must not think of yourself as the sole owner, but others have an equal right to its produce with you. That which grows on its own accord, without any effort on your part, is permitted.”

The Ryrie Study Bible also concurs, “Every seventh year the land was to have a sabbath, a rest. Whatever grew during the year was freely available to all alike (vv. 6-7). It was also a time of special instruction in the Law of God (cf. Deut. 31:10-13).”

So does The New Bible Commentary: Revised:

“In the law of the sabbath rest, the principle is applied to all human beings, whether free or bond, and also to the cattle (Ex. 20:10), to the ox, the ass, or any cattle, as beasts of burden (Dt. 5:14), as well as to the sojourner. Here it is extended to the land. Every seventh year the land is to have a sabbath of solemn rest… from sowing and reaping. The land is to be left untilled and that which grows of itself, called in v. 6 the sabbath of the land (i.e. what the sabbath of the land produces of itself), is to be food for all alike, for the owner and the servant, for the sojourner and the cattle. It is not the product of human industry and it is to be free to all. Furthermore, the promise is given that the yield of the sixth year, being ordered and blessed by God, will be sufficient (vv. 18-22) for this period of rest. It is the law of the manna on a larger scale (Ex. 16:22). This at least suggests that the sabbath increase (vv. 6,7) unlike the gleanings of the ordinary year which were assigned to the widow and orphan, will suffice for the actual needs of everyone (cf. Ex. 16:17f). According to Dt. 31:10 this year is not to be spent in idleness, but to be used for the teaching and training of Israel in the law of God.”

Levitcus 25:1-7 teaches us important lessons, including reliance on God and sharing our goods with others. Food growing by itself during the seventh year could be eaten by everyone. Applying these principles today, this would be like walking through the forest and finding wild berries that grow on their own accord. In some areas of the world, these could be freely plucked and eaten by the one who is hungry.

God warned His people not to neglect to obey His law regarding the land Sabbath. Ancient Israel and Judah refused to carry out God’s command to let the land rest every seventh year. God prophesied that Israel and Judah would go into captivity, if they were not to obey His laws. “Then the land shall enjoy its sabbaths as long as it lies desolate and you are in your enemies’ land; then the land shall rest and enjoy its sabbaths. As long as it lies desolate it shall rest – for the time it did not rest on your sabbaths when you dwelt in it.” (Leviticus 26:34-35).

Because of their disobedience of God’s laws, ancient Israel and Judah actually went into captivity. 2 Chronicles 36:20-21 states, “And those who escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon…, to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate, she kept Sabbath…”

Today, the modern tribes of Israel and Judah do not obey their God, either, including God’s command to grant their land rest every seventh year. The prophecy in Leviticus 26 is dual. As it was fulfilled in the past, so it will be fulfilled again in the future. But, there is good news: Although modern Israel and Judah will have to go again into captivity, God will ultimately free them from it. At that time, the law of the sabbath of the land will be obeyed on a national level. The 50th chapter of Jeremiah speaks about this coming time. It is clearly a prophecy for the future, as verses 4, 5, and 20 show. Jeremiah 50:33-34 contains this promise:

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘The children of Israel were oppressed, Along with the children of Judah; All who took them captive have held them fast; they have refused to let them go. Their Redeemer is strong; The LORD of hosts is His name. He will thoroughly plead their case, That He may give rest to the land, And disquiet the inhabitants of [modern] Babylon.'”

This Sabbath, Norbert Link will continue his series on the Books of the Bible, Part 2.

The services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org at the appropriate time, just click on “Connect to Live Stream.”
 

In a few weeks, the Christian Western world, and even a few other non-Christian countries, will be celebrating Christmas, supposedly observing the birth of Jesus Christ. Those who have looked into the origin of Christmas will tell you that it is rooted in paganism and that Christ was not born on December 25, nor anywhere near that date. Most, however, although they know these well-established facts, will still advocate the observance of Christmas, anyway.

Christ’s own words were, in addressing the ministry, “You shall know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16). This basic principal can also be applied to religious practices. Why use such a criteria?

When Christ spoke these words, He addressed an agrarian society familiar with the growing of plants, trees and gardens. A tree may look healthy and the leaves may look good, but it is only when you taste the fruit — the end product — that you can determine how good the tree really is. Using this method, let’s look at the fruits of Christmas, based upon what we DID observe in years past, and what we WILL experience this year:

We will observe an increase of road checks for people who drink and drive during the holiday season. We will observe an increase in the consumption of alcohol at this time, causing an increase in motor vehicle accidents and deaths.

We will observe an increase of family arguments as a result of over-drinking — with old hurts and offenses coming to the surface.

We will observe people going into debt because of the commercial and social pressure to buy gifts, including expensive gifts they cannot really afford. Others will be disappointed with their gifts; still others will feel they should have gotten more presents.

A recent survey in Canada showed over 50% of nine-year olds, over 40% of ten-year olds, and about 33% of eleven-year olds believe in the myths of Santa Claus. Once they get older and find out the true nature of this invention, is it any wonder that they will not trust those who have been lying to them for over a decade?

After all, the lie of Christmas, Santa Claus, the little Christ Child bringing presents, and all the other accompanying myths had been propagated to them by those they had trusted most – their parents, family and friends (For more information on the subject of Christmas, please read or re-read our free booklet, “Don’t Keep Christmas.”).

The real tragedy of all of this is, that the observance of Christmas with all its paganism attached to it takes away from the worship of the true God. We are never commanded to keep Christmas, and we know for a fact that Christ and the Apostles never kept it. We are admonished not to add to, nor take away from what is commanded by God (Deuteronomy 4:2). Sadly, man has mostly rejected this admonition.

There is a time coming soon when all pagan holidays, including Christmas, will be abolished by the returning Jesus Christ. Then, the world will learn to keep those weekly and annual Holy Days that God established and tells us about in the Bible. Keeping these days will leave no bitter after taste, remorse or guilt. Rather, it will leave one with a sense of joy and true satisfaction, knowing that these days are biblically commanded and sanctioned by ALMIGHTY GOD.
 

NEW VISION OF EU CONSTITUTION

As “Deutsche Welle” reported on December 5, the EU Commission President, Romano Prodi, has laid out his vision for a federalist constitution of the European Union, calling for greater centralization of the power in Brussels. Among the primary proposals is a call for the abolition of the right to veto held by member states. Prodi also rejected calls for a democratically elected European President, as had been recently proposed by Giscard d’Estaing, and instead suggested that the Commission president should be elected by a two-thirds majority in European parliament. He is also calling for the creation of a single, powerful EU foreign minister who would be given more power, telling parliament that “national leaders should act on their commitment to make Europe a superpower.”  “Deutsche Welle” stated that Prodi’s plans will most likely create conflict with Britain, France, and Spain, but will be supported by Germany and many of the smaller EU states. According to EurActiv.com, especially the “idea of concentrating foreign policy issues in the hands of the unelected Commission [through the establishment of a European foreign minister] is appealing to Germany.”
 
Germany and France will present joint proposals on the future of the EU in January of 2003.The new Constitution could be finally approved, according to EurActiv.com, in “December 2003, at the Rome Summit, in time for the planned enlargement in 2004.”
 

INTERVIEW WITH CARDINAL JOSEPH RATZINGER

As we previously announced in these weekly Updates, Pope John Paul II approved the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, formerly called the Inquisition, as the new dean of the College of Cardinals. The election had been carried out by a group of cardinals at the Vatican — those who belong to the Order of Bishops.
 
While in Spain, Ratzinger gave an interview to Zenit on December 1 – 4. We are quoting excerpts from the interview, starting with some very good comments:
 
“Christ is totally different from all the founders of other religions, and he cannot be reduced to a Buddha, a Socrates or a Confucius. He is really the bridge between heaven and earth, the light of truth who has appeared to us…”
 
When asked about the difference between transcendental meditation and Christian meditation [NOTE: You might want to read, in this context, our article on “Biblical Meditation, a Forgotten Art”], he stated:
 
“… transcendental meditation is impersonal and, in this sense, ‘depersonalizing.’ … Man divests himself of his own ‘I.’… Christian meditation, meanwhile, is ‘personalizing’ and opens to a profound union that is born of love and not of the dissolution of the ‘I.'”
 
Ratzinger made also some profound comments about the difficulty to develop a dialogue between science and religion:
 
“One of these academics — he was a specialist in human brain research — said, There are two irreconcilable worlds; on the one hand we have the exact sciences for which, in their field, there is no freedom, there is no presence of the spirit and, on the other hand, I realize that I am a man and that I am free. Therefore, according to him, they are two different worlds — and we do not have the possibility to reconcile these two perceptions of the world. He himself acknowledged that he believed in the two worlds: in science that denies freedom, and in his experience of being a free man. However, we cannot live in this way; it would be permanent schizophrenia.”
 
When asked about the internal problems within the Catholic Church, he first suggested that a campaign is under way against the church, especially in the press of the United States. He said, “One comes to the conclusion that it is intentional, manipulated, that there is a desire to discredit the Church…. In the United States, there is constant news on this topic, but less than 1 % of priests are guilty of acts of this type.”
 
Later, in a different context, he made some interesting observations regarding internal problem solving. We feel that his comments are very valid, if we apply them to the greater Sabbath-keeping Church of God community and to our commission and responsibility towards the world that we live in:
 
“We always work on our internal problems and we do not realize that the world is in need of answers. It does not know how to live. The world’s inability to live properly is seen in drugs, terrorism, etc. Therefore, the world is thirsty for answers — and we remain with our problems. I am convinced that if we go out to meet others, and we present the Gospel to them in an appropriate way [Note: It has to be, of course, the true Gospel of the kingdom of God, that Jesus Christ preached. For more information, read our free booklet on the “Gospel of the Kingdom of God”], even our internal problems will be relativized and resolved. This is a fundamental point: We must make the Gospel accessible to today’s secularized world.”
 
We conclude with some very interesting remarks, judged based on prophecy and the biblical truth. When asked about the future of Europe, he stated:
 
“I am convinced that Europe must not just be something economic [or] political; rather, it is in need of spiritual foundations. It is a historical fact that Europe is Christian, and that it has grown on the foundation of the Christian faith [meaning, of course, the Roman Catholic faith], which continues to be the foundation of the values for this continent [including, of course, the celebration of Sunday, Christmas or Easter, and the rejection of the so-called “Jewish” Sabbath or annual Holy Days], which in turn has influenced other continents… This is why it is imperative that in the future Constitution of Europe mention is made of the Christian foundations of Europe.”
 

U.S.–SLIPPING INTO DISFAVOR

In recent weeks and on the heels of America’s newly implemented doctrine of “first strike,” articles are surfacing depicting a sweeping and vocal disenchantment with things associated with America.  In an article from the Coloradoan dated 12/5/02, the following:  “America’s global image has deteriorated sharply in the past two years, and U.S. citizens’  views on key world issues differ markedly from public attitudes in much of the rest of the world…”
 
The article adds, “Anti-American sentiment in most of the Muslim nations is profound.  But the study revealed growing discontent, especially in the nations that know America best, over the United States’ ideas of democracy, its business practices, its perceived unilateralism and policies that are seen as increasing the global gap between rich and poor.”
 
In an accompanying article, more details of the report made by the Pew Global Attitudes Project appeared:  “But ill will toward the United States also was found in supposedly friendly nations like Canada, Britain and Germany.  ‘The biggest headline is the slipping image of the United States, not simply that we’re not liked in the Muslim world,’ said Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center.”
 
Again from the Coloradoan dated 12/10/02,  the following headline: “Anti-American sentiment a major factor in South Korea election.”
 
The nations of continental Europe are also holding their breath, as President Bush has warned Iraq and other “hostile countries” that the United States is prepared to use “overwhelming force” — including nuclear weapons — in response to any chemical or biological attacks, according to USA Today, dated December 11. The threat was contained in a White House document. It has alarmed European allies and it has increased the fear of many Europeans of an outright nuclear world war ignited by the United States.
 
Bubbling slowly, at first, there is now a kind of spontaneous release of pent up jealousies, fears, and resentments towards many aspects of the world’s only current super power.  As we move closer and closer to the fulfillment of the time of “Jacob’s trouble,”  the American and British nations will become more and more a target for rejection, hatred and violence.  Finally, God WILL allow  the modern nations of the houses of Israel and Judah to reap the whirlwind they have created, and their national sins will be punished.
 

A: Leviticus 19:17 states, “You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.” Other translations render this, “…so that you do not share in his guilt,” or, “participate in his sin.”

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, Commentary on the Whole Bible, ed. 1961, make the following insightful comments regarding this passage:

“Instead of cherishing latent feelings of malice or meditating purposes of revenge against a person who has committed an insult or injury against them, God’s people were taught to remonstrate with the offender and endeavor, by calm and kindly reason, to bring him to a sense of his fault.”

A similar admonition can be found in Jude 20-21: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”

When we perceive that a brother or a sister may be going astray, we might be in a position to help them. We should normally not do so, however, in front of others, but rather, we should speak to them alone (compare Matthew 18:15). At the same time, we ourselves must be “spiritual,” that is, we ourselves must be very close to God, before we can and should offer advice. Notice Galatians 6:1-2:

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

If we “rebuke,” or better, “reason” with a brother or a sister regarding a perceived sin or a trespass, and we are guilty of the same (compare Romans 2:21-23), or of worse things (compare Matthew 7:1-5), our advice will be of no value to our brother or sister. We need to first consider our own spiritual condition very carefully, before we proceed, with humility and gentleness, to give others advice as to how to overcome their sins.

Edwin Pope will be talking about Spiritual Growth in his sermon this Sabbath.

The services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org at the appropriate time, just click on “Connect to Live Stream.”

Last Sabbath, we heard a sermon about lies. It was pointed out that God cannot lie, while Satan is the author of lies. And, that man, in believing and following Satan’s deception, has brought upon himself the penalty of death.
 
We need to meditate about the fact that Satan is extremely and deceptively subtle. Most of the time, he does not confront us with blatant, bold-faced lies. Rather, they are presented to us as a mixture of truth and error.
 
When Satan approached Eve in the garden of Eden, he asked her whether God had said, correctly translated, “You shall not eat of any of the trees of the garden.” Of course, man was allowed to eat from every tree, except one. After this initial subtle approach, Satan tells Eve correctly that it is the potential of man to become God (compare Genesis 3:5). The error mixed with this true statement was Satan’s contention as to how to achieve man’s potential.
 
And so, Satan has twisted God’s truth in many different ways. It is true that the “spirit in man” goes back to God when man dies (Ecclesiastes 12:7). But the spirit in man is not a self-conscious entity that continues to “live” after man’s death. Satan, however, taught man that his “immortal soul” will go back to God, when man dies, continuing to exist on a self-conscious plane.
 
God also reveals that those who were not called in this life will be resurrected as human beings, in a second resurrection, to live again in the flesh (Revelation 20:5, 11-12; Ezekiel 37:1-14). Satan, however, proclaims a wrong teaching of a lengthy cycle of reincarnations, including new lives in the bodies of animals.
 
In Malachi 4:2, Christ is compared with the “Sun of Righteousness.” This is merely an analogy. But Satan caused unsuspecting man to actually worship the “sun,” and to later replace “sun” worship with supposed “Son” worship, while maintaining pagan concepts. That is why Christianity celebrates, allegedly in honor of the Son Jesus Christ, days like Sun-day, Christmas (the birthday of the Sun-god) or Easter (the death and subsequent resurrection of the Sun-god). [For more information about the history of the observance of Sunday, Christmas or Easter, please read or re-read our free booklet, “Don’t Keep Christmas,” as well as “Europe in Prophecy: The Unfolding of End-Time Events.”] 
At the time of Christ’s First Coming, Satan had influenced the Jews to place Moses before Christ, thereby rejecting their Savior (John 1:11; 9:28; compare, too, Acts 6:11). Today, some in the Church have been pursuing the same kind of wrong idolization for Mr. Armstrong. Others reject and bad-mouth Mr. Armstrong, through whom God worked, and fall thereby into the other ditch.
 
It seems that Satan is anxious to present man with some kind of a counterfeit to God’s truth. In doing so, he often incorporates aspects of the truth and mixes them with a lot of error. Man, not firmly grounded in the truth of God, has far too often fallen for the devil’s devices.
 
Satan is still around. He is now busier than ever, knowing that he has a short time (Revelation 12:12). His foremost goal is to destroy the begotten children of God (1 Peter 5:8-9). His tactics and modus operandi have not changed that much. Today, as always, Satan presents a mixture of truth and error to God’s children, so that, if it were possible, even the elect could be deceived (compare Matthew 24:24).
 
How can we protect ourselves from Satan’s evil schemes?
 
We must be close to God, because it is only through His Spirit that we can distinguish truth from error (1 John 4:1-6). We must also embrace and love the truth. Paul tells us that in the end-time, many will fall away from the truth because they did not “receive the love of the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10). In order to have the love of the truth in us, we must be convicted of it. There must be no room for doubt, when it comes to the truth.
 
Sadly, many in the Church have never reached that deep level of conviction. Rather, they have been “like children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.” (Ephesians 4:14).  Many have been those “with itching ears,” heaping up “for themselves teachers,” since they were not any longer able to “endure sound doctrine,” and in doing so, they have turned “their ears away from the truth.” (2 Timothy 4:3). They have become easy victims of Satan the devil, “having been taken captive by him to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:26).
 
Christ has warned all of us to be very careful what we allow to enter into our hearts and minds. A little bit of error is enough to poison the whole being. There cannot be a mixture of truth and error. Satan’s teachings appear sometimes to be “very close” to the truth — but they are never close enough.
 

PRESENT AND FUTUE TORTURE — A CHILLING LOOK

From the nationalpost.com, December 3, 2002, the following accounts from a report entitled “Saddam Hussein: Crimes and Human Rights Abuses,” which was released by Britain in a 23-page document:
 
“‘Fear is Saddam’s chosen method of staying in power,’ it says.”  Continuing, “To back up that claim, the report cites Saddam’s adoption of a series of decrees establishing severe penalties–amputation, branding, cutting off of ears or other forms of mutilation–for criminal offences.

“In mid-2000, Iraq approved amputation of the tongue as a new penalty for slander or abusive remarks about Saddam or his family.  The punishment has been inflicted on political dissidents and broadcast on state television as a warning to the public.

“Reports of women suffering psychological trauma after being raped in police custody are common, it says. ‘Raping female prisoners is part of the regime’s policy.’

“Iraqi officials have also recently taken to beheading women accused of prostitution.  In October, 2000, dozens of women were killed in this way, without recourse to any judicial process.

“Swordsmen, members of a special militia created by Uday Hussein, Saddam’s elder son, carried out the sentences in front of the victims’ homes and frequently in front of their families.”
 
Although this kind of brutality seldom receives the spotlight in our daily news, it is widespread among nations held in the grips of dictatorial powers.  The world’s immediate future portends an even more wide scale application of unspeakable cruelty when the predominant nations of this world are ruled by despots.  We will experience torture to such an extent as previously unknown to mankind (Matthew 24:21). In describing the soon-coming desolation of the city of Jerusalem, Zechariah 14:2 says, “The city shall be taken, The houses rifled, And the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity.”
 
Those of God’s people who will not be protected at a special place on this earth (Revelation 12:13-14), will have to go through the great tribulation of unspeakable torture. Matthew 24:9 speaks of a time in our near future when ” ‘…they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.’ ”  Added to this stark warning is the statement in Revelation 20, verse 4: “…Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the witness to Jesus and for the word of God.” Notice, too, Revelation 6:9-11, “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.”
 
Modern “Babylon the Great” (Revelation 17:5) has been, and is going to be, foremost responsible for the martyrdom of the saints and others. Revelation 17:6 explains, “I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.” We are also told that “in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.” (Revelation 18:24). When the city of modern Babylon, reigning over the kings of the earth (compare Revelation 17:18), has been destroyed by God, a loud voice of a great multitude will be heard, saying, “‘… true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.'”
 
Keep these things in mind and pray even more fervently that we may be accounted worthy to escape all that will surely come to pass (Luke 21:36).
 

CARDINAL JOSEPH RATZINGER–NOW NUMBER TWO IN CHURCH HIERARCHY

 
In a little-publicized move, Pope John Paul II confirmed on November 30 the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (75) as the new Chairman of the body of (five) cardinals at the Vatican. The German Netzeitung commented, “He is now the most likely successor of John Paul II.”
 
Some disagree with this assessment, however. Insiders state that Ratzinger does not have the goal to become the next pope. He knows, according to some “experts,” that the next pope must not be even more conservative than the present one. At the same time, Ratzinger has been described in this way, “No German has influenced the Catholic Church that much since Martin Luther.”
 
Ratzinger recently commented that it might be a “nice token,” if the next pope would be an African. He also stated some time ago that he does not believe that “the Holy Spirit selects the pope — too many proofs to the contrary exist.”
 
The Netzeitung explained that Ratzinger  is now the Number Two within the Catholic hierarchy, pointing out that the particular body of cardinals advises the pope in doctrinal and other matters, and elects his successor after his death, or in case of resignation.
 
The German Cardinal Ratzinger is known for his extremely conservative stance within the Catholic Church. As we mentioned in our last Update of November 29 (under “World News Headlines”), he recently issued a paper stating that the Catholic Church is the only true church, the “mother church,” and that all the Protestant churches are daughters who left the mother in rebellion, and who need to return to, and come under the umbrella, of the mother church (Subsequently, due to sharp protests, the pope was forced to publicly distance himself somewhat from that paper).
 

BURIAL BOX OF JAMES, BROTHER OF JESUS, FOUND?

Biblical Archeology Review reported that “an inscription has been found on an ancient bone box, called an ossuary, that reads, ‘James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus.’… The Aramaic words etched on the box’s side show a cursive form of writing used only from about 10 to 70 AD… The ossuary has been dated to approximately 63 AD… The new find is also significant in that it corroborates the existence of Joseph, Jesus’ father, and James, Jesus’ brother and a leader of the early Christian church in Jerusalem. The family relationships contained on the new find helped experts ascertain that the inscription very likely refers to the Biblical James, brother of Jesus (see, for example, Matthew 13:55-56 and Galatians 1:18-19). Although all three names were common in ancient times, the statistical probability of their appearing in that combination is extremely slim. In addition, the mention of a brother is unusual — indicating that this Jesus must have been a well-known figure. Laboratory tests performed by the Geological Survey of Israel confirm that the box’s limestone comes from the Jerusalem area.”
 
Of course, as Der Spiegel Online reported, there have already been voices questioning the authenticity of the find. The implications would be too severe, otherwise. Bild Online pointed out that this “archeological sensation” would present the “first and earliest proof for the existence of Jesus outside the Bible.” It would also prove that Jesus had brothers and sisters — which is taught by the Bible and most Protestant churches, but which is rejected by the Catholic church, so as to uphold their teaching that Mary remained a virgin throughout her life.
 

The specific term, “Ancient of Days,” is used in Daniel 7:9, 13, and 22. As with the term “Yahweh” (see the Q&A in our Update of November 29), it seems to be referring to both the Father and Jesus Christ.

In Daniel 7:9-14, we read that “thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated…And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion…”

This passage identifies the Ancient of Days as the Father, and the “One like the Son of Man” as Jesus Christ, appearing before the Father in heaven after His resurrection. However, Daniel 7:21-22, when speaking of the “Ancient of Days,” seems to be talking about the returning Christ:

“…and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days CAME, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.”

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, under #6268, defines the word for “Ancient,” “at-teek,” also as “venerable.” The concept of being “ancient of days,” or “venerable,” applies both to the Father and to the Son. Note that Christ is described, in His glorified outward appearance, in the same way as the Father (Compare Daniel 7:9 with Revelation 1:14). Christ said that he who has seen the Son has seen the Father (John 12:45;14:9; compare Colossians 1:15). They are both God; They look alike;They have both lived since eternity; and They will both live forever. Truly, then, the expression “Ancient of Days” would accurately describe what the Father and the Son are.

We read in Psalm 90:1-2,4, “LORD (“Yahweh”), You have been our dwelling place in all generations, Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God… For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it is passed, And like a watch in the night.”

In 2 Peter 3:8, this last passage is quoted, as follows, “But, behold, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” Peter goes on to explain, in verse 9, that the “Lord is not slack concerning His promise [to return to this earth], as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us [especially referring to us Church members], not willing that any [of us] should perish but that all [called by God into His church] should come to repentance.”

Peter applies the term “Lord” in his second letter to Jesus Christ (compare 2 Peter 1:8, 11,14, 16; 2:20; 3:18). In quoting from Psalm 90, he identifies the “LORD” (“Yahweh”) in that passage with Jesus Christ as well. Christ is described in Psalm 90 as God, existing “from everlasting to everlasting.” Paul describes Christ, in Hebrews 13:8, as “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Christ identifies Himself in Revelation 1:8 as “the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End… who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” This same description (“…Who was and is and is to come”) is applied, in Revelation 4:8, to the Father.

God is a Family, totally united in purpose and goal, truly “one.” God consists presently of two Beings, the Father and the Son. They are both God, “venerable,” worthy of worship. They are both called “Yahweh,” existing and having existed for all eternity, and they are apparently also both referred to as “Ancient of Days.”

On this coming Sabbath, Dave Harris will be giving the main message — “No Lie!”

The services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org at the appropriate time, just click on “Connect to Live Stream.”

In organized volleyball there are specific positions that you go to on the court when attacking on offense or defending on the other side of the net. Coach used to say, “A lesser player in the right position is more valuable than a good player in the wrong position”

Solomon and Saul were great men that were caught “out of position” (1Kings 11:4; 1Sam 16:14 ) at different times in their lives. Solomon, as we know, was one of the wisest men of all time and Saul was a strong man and a mighty warrior. Yet, with all of their wisdom and strength, they often “missed the mark”.

That being the case, what chance do we, the weak and foolish of the world, have?

With Satan roaming the earth looking to take advantage of us in any way that he can, we only have one place where we will find safety. That “position” is right on the heels of Christ, our example (1Pet 2:21). Saul and Solomon did not follow Him all the days of their lives and the chinks in their armor were found and were exploited.

Our position should be one of following Christ as He leads us to God the Father. We are to walk with Him daily keeping all the commandments of God. If we do this, we, the weak called of God, can accomplish what the great often did not and make our calling and election sure.
 

PROPHECY IS BEING FULFILLED — A GROWING GULF BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE

We have taught it for so long, that some in the church of God have apparently grown too familiar with it — and they have looked for alternatives. Thinking that they might perhaps have received some kind of special insight, they rejected the prophetic truth, as it had been “delivered to the saints.”
 
What are we talking about?
 
We are discussing here the well-established Biblical teaching that the last resurrection of the Roman Empire — the United States of Europe — will end up on a collision course with the United States! They won’t be friends — and they won’t be part of a big happy family, either. We have known and proclaimed this for decades — but, sadly, some choose to forget.
 
It is remarkable that very recently, historical and political voices have been heard in the United States and elsewhere, pointing out this inevitable outcome. We would like to bring this astonishing development to the attention of our readers.
 
We start with a surprising article in “The Times Digest,” dated November 3, 2002, publishing excerpts from the “New York Times.” On page 8, Thomas L. Friedman writes in “Come to Berlin”:
 
“Where’s the [Berlin] wall? My German friend explained that the only trace left is a cobblestone path that snakes across Berlin, drawing a line in the pavement where the wall once ran. It’s easy to cross that line without even knowing it. And therein lies the core of the crisis between America and Germany today — triggered by Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder’s use of anti-Bush and anti-Iraq-war rhetoric to win re-election, then fueled by a German minister comparing President Bush to Hitler… Would somebody please bring back the Berlin Wall? Since World War II, America and Germany have had many disputes, but always within limits, because both sides saw a dangerous foe on the other side of that wall… But without the wall clearly defining our side and the enemy’s, all sorts of lines are being crossed.”
 
We might note here that the relationship between the United States and Germany, in particular, has not improved. According to Der Spiegel Online, dated November 27, 2002, Donald Rumsfeld still considers the relationship as critical, and even a German participation in a war against Iraq would not eradicate the damage. It seems, however, that Chancellor Schroeder will not change his position in that regard, anyway. Spiegel Online reported on November 27, 2002, that Germany will not permit the United States to use German offensive tanks, presently stationed in Kuwait, in a war against Iraq. Although Germany did grant the U.S. military forces overflight and transit rights, Germany’s refusal regarding its tanks, according to the magazine, “could bring about a new fight between the United States and Germany.”
 
We continue with a thought-provoking article by Charles A. Kupchan, titled, “The End of the West.” This article was published in the November 2002 edition of “The Atlantic.” Mr. Kupchan is Professor at Georgetown University and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. This is what he has to say:
 
“The next clash of civilizations will not be between the West and the rest [of the world] but between the United States and Europe — and Americans [and we might add, far too many in the church of God] remain largely oblivious.”
 
A little later in the article, he writes, “The EU’s annual economic output has reached about $8 trillion, compared with America’s $10 trillion, and the euro will soon threaten the dollar’s global dominance. Europe is strengthening its collective consciousness and character and forging a clearer sense of interests and values that are quite distinct from those of the United States. The EU’s member states are debating the adoption of a Europe-wide constitution…, building armed forces capable of operating independently of the U.S. military, and striving to project a single voice in the diplomatic arena. As the EU fortifies its governmental institutions and takes in new members…, it will become a formidable counterweight to the United States on the world stage. The transatlantic rivalry that has already begun will inevitably intensify… The coming clash between the United States and the European Union will doubtless bear little resemblance to the all-consuming standoff of the Cold War. Although military confrontation remains a remote prospect, however [we might note here that there will be, at the very end, a military confrontation between the United States of Europe and the United States of America], U.S.-E.U. competition will extend far beyond the realm of trade… Washington and Brussels will just as likely lock horns over the Middle East. Europe will resist… U.S. leadership…”
 
Near the end of the 8-page-article, Prof. Kupchan writes, “The consequences of the growing rift between the United States and Europe are only just becoming apparent. The two sharply disagree on the Middle East… History is coming full circle. After breaking away from the British Empire, the United States came together as a unitary federation, emerged as a leading nation, and eventually eclipsed Europe’s Great Powers [Note that this reference to America’s greatness is absolutely prophetic. In Genesis 48:19, we read that Jacob blessed Manasseh, stating that the nation descending from him — the United States of America — would be “great.”]. It is now Europe’s turn to ascend and break away from an America that refuses to surrender its privileges of primacy.”
 
This last statement is prophetic as well. Indeed, Europe will “ascend” one more time. The Bible describes this last resurrection of the ancient Roman Empire this way, “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit [a metaphor for the fact that it had been forgotten in the pages of history] and go to perdition.” (Revelation 17:8). Compare, too, Revelation 11:7 and Revelation 9:1-11. Especially the passage in Revelation 9 shows that the forming United States of Europe will at the very end engage in war with other nations.
 
Prof. Kupchan concludes his article with this dire warning, “Europe will inevitably rise up as America’s principal competitor. Should Washington and Brussels begin to recognize the dangers of the growing gulf between them, they may be able to contain their budding rivalry. Should they fail, however [and the Bible predicts that they will fail, and it also prophecies that Great Britain and the Commonwealth nations will not be a part of the United States of Europe in its final configuration], to prepare for life after Pax Americana, they will ensure that the coming clash of civilizations will not be between the West and the rest [of the world] but within a West divided against itself.”
 
We have also repeatedly pointed out the influential role that the Roman Catholic Church will be playing in regard to the last revival of the ancient Roman Empire — later to be named “Holy Roman Empire,” to designate the Catholic influence and involvement. In a recent article published by “Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Inc.,” Breffni O’Rourke writes, “With the Convention on the Future of Europe now drawing up a constitution for an expended European Union of 25 members, the question arises: how can the Christian heritage of Europe be reflected in this document?… It is in this context that the pope is pressing for the world of the spirit to be recognized in the new constitution… [T]he pontiff said that building a united Europe needs leaders with ‘will and determination, with a desire to build the union on common values, aware of the Christian roots of different peoples which are an inescapable part of European history.'”
 
The article continued that some, such as Professor Hans Kung, a “German-based theologian” and “dissident who has previously clashed with the pope,” disagreed, feeling that the pope “is sending the wrong message. ‘A lot of people have the impression that this pope is precisely promoting a mo
del of Europe which is basically Roman Catholic, which tolerates other [religions], but does not really have a common understanding [with them] and which has not acknowledged the other religions as also true religions.'”
 
Of course, it has not. The official teaching of the Catholic Church, as has been recently reiterated by German Cardinal Ratzinger, is that it is the only true “mother” church, willing to embrace its dissident “daughters” upon repentance and return to the Catholic fold.
 
We pray that those who could know, and who once knew the truth, will embrace the Biblical teaching, as it is so clearly revealed in Scripture. For more information, please read our free booklet, “The Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord,” as well as “Europe in Prophecy: The Unfolding of End-Time Events.”
 

Both are correct.

In most cases, when using the expression, “the LORD” [“Yahweh” in the Hebrew, basically meaning “The Eternal” or “The Everliving One”], the Old Testament refers to the One Who later became known as the Son, Jesus Christ. There are statements, however, which use the expression “Yahweh” for the One Who later became known as “the Father.” This also proves that both the Father and Jesus Christ have always been God beings, and that the Old Testament teaches that there is more than just one God being.

Notice Jeremiah 23:5-6, which uses the term “Yahweh” for both God beings in the same context:

“‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the LORD [Yahweh], ‘That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD [Yahweh] OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.'”

We see, then, that the LORD (Yahweh) will raise a “Branch of righteousness,” to be also called the “LORD” (Yahweh). It is the Father who raises Jesus Christ. Both are called here LORD or Yahweh.

We find a similar statement in Zechariah 4:8-9. We are quoting from the New King James Bible, as it conveys the intended meaning more clearly:

“Moreover the word of the LORD [Yahweh] came to me, saying: ‘The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the LORD [Yahweh] of hosts has sent Me [i.e., Yahweh] to you.'”

We see, here, that the LORD [Yahweh, i.e. Christ] speaks to Zechariah and tells him that He [Christ] was sent by the LORD [Yahweh, i.e., the Father]. In other words, the LORD sends the LORD. The expression “Yahweh” applies to both God beings.

This is not a reference to a human messenger or an angel, conveying the “word of the LORD,” while the LORD is speaking about Himself. Notice that the New King James Bible capitalizes the word “Me” in “…the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.” They convey the intended meaning that the word “Me” refers to one of the two God beings, and not to a human or angelic messenger.

You may also want to check, for further proof, Zechariah 6:12-15, in the New King James Bible. In that passage, the LORD (Yahweh, i.e. the Father) speaks about the LORD (Yahweh, i.e., Jesus Christ), the “MAN whose name is the BRANCH.”

It is true that in most cases, the expression LORD or Yahweh is used for Jesus Christ. Notice, for instance, Hebrews 1:10-12. In that passage, God the Father (vv. 1, 5) says to the Son, Jesus Christ (v. 10): “‘You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth…'” This is a quote from Psalm 102:12-15, speaking about Yahweh. Paul, in the Book of Hebrews, applies this Psalm, and the term LORD or Yahweh, to Jesus Christ.

There are a few statements in the Old Testament, however, which use the expression LORD or Yahweh to describe God the Father. For further evidence, notice Micah 5:2-4, referring to the Father, when using the term, LORD or Yahweh. Notice, too, Psalms 2:2, 7, 11, likewise referring to the Father as the LORD (Yahweh), and to Christ as “His Anointed,” or “My Son.” Finally, notice Psalm 110:1, which is quoted by Christ in Matthew 22:42-45, which also refers to the Father as the “LORD” (Yahweh), while referring to Christ as “Lord” (“adon” in the Hebrew, meaning “Lord, sir, master.”).