Random Articles
Advocate of Socialism says America is too Anti-Social
(Copyright) by Richard Markland (London, Ohio)
Ezekiel’s Timeless Message – What is the Real “Work of the Watchman”?
(Copyright) by Vance A. Stinson (Tyler, Texas) God said to the prophet Ezekiel, “I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore, you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me.” What kind of warning was this? Was it primarily geopolitical in nature? Did it involve dire warnings about coming earthquakes, famines, disease epidemics, floods, droughts, and other disasters? Was it an ancient form of the sensational “headline theology” that is so popular among a large number of evangelical preachers and writers today? What does the watchman’s message have to do with the mission of the New […]
What is “Sucralose”?
by Jeffrey Caldwell (Redwood City, California) Technically, the correct chemical name for “sucralose” — a popular ‘sugar substitute’ – is “1,6-dichloro-1,6-dideoxy-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-4-chloro-4-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranoside” (!) Sucralose is a common ingredient in “light” calorie foods. “Sucralose” is a generic trade name for Splenda*, the artificial sweetener advertised as “made from sugar”. The “ose” ending is standard in chemistry for real sugars, such as sucrose, glucose, or dextrose. But sucralose is actually a sweet-tasting chlorinated hydrocarbon. Sucralose is an official nickname coined to sell the chlorinated hydrocarbon “1,6-dichloro-1,6-dideoxy-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-4-chloro-4-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranoside” as a sugar substitute. Splenda — “1,6-dichloro-1,6-dideoxy-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-4-chloro-4-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranoside” — is indeed made from sugar – by means of a complicated […]
Your Duck is Dead
Sent by Ted & Joanne Saunders (Renton, Washington) A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird’s chest. After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and sadly said, “I’m sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has passed away.” The distressed woman wailed, “Are you sure?” “Yes, I am sure, your duck is dead,” replied the vet. How can you be so sure?” she protested. “I mean you haven’t done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in […]
A “Populist Uprising” is Confronting the Darkness in America
by Eddie Hyatt (Tulsa, Oklahoma) Back in June, I sensed the Holy Spirit saying that “a populist uprising is coming to America.” I had a sense of the meaning of “populist” but decided to look it up since it is not a word I use. I was presently surprised by what I discovered. “Populist” refers to people—to common everyday people. I then knew that “uprising” merely referred to common, everyday people arising, praying, taking a stand, and letting their voices be heard. Since that time, I have seen parents flooding school board meetings to protest the introduction of Critical Race Theory […]
The Feast is Over…Now What?
by Staff (Charlotte, North Carolina) This year the Feast of Tabernacles was a great one—again. We have come home uplifted, encouraged, inspired, and corrected. We are filled with resolve to grow and overcome. We recognized God’s Spirit in both the ministry and the brethren. We heard expounded a great deal of God’s Word, and much of our fellowship centered on spiritual matters. During the Feast, we may even have committed ourselves to certain actions. We only wish everyone in the world could have heard what we heard and experienced what we have just experienced. We wonder how a Feast could be any […]
Obedience is Life
by Alfio La Spina (Sooke British Columbia, Canada) Obedience to the Word of God starts in the heart. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 1:7 (NIV) 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 9:10 (NIV) 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Psalms 111:10 (NIV) 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. The fear of our Lord and God […]
What in the World is Wormwood?
by BibleStudy.org (Farmington, Michigan) What is wormwood? Where is it located in the Bible? What does it mean? How is it related to the prophetic Day of the Lord? Wormwood, in the Old Testament, is derived from a Hebrew word meaning bitterness or to curse (Strong’s Concordance #H3939). It was considered cursed since it was regarded as poisonous. Given that the word is found, in the KJV Bible, seven times in seven verses (Deuteronomy 29:18, Proverbs 5:4, Jeremiah 9:15, 23:15, Lamentations 3:15, 19 and Amos 5:7) it may symbolize complete bitterness or a perfect poison. In the latter regard, it is interesting to note that the […]
Sin is Crouching at the Door
by Alfio La Spina (Victoria British Columbia) 6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:6-7 NIV) We are faced with choices every day whether it be what we think about, say, or do. We get thoughts and many times these thoughts are not good ones, so we are faced with a decision whether to […]
Christmas, is it Scriptural?
by David Klopfenstein (Kendallville, Indiana) WHAT ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL?Since Christmas is one of the most celebrated religious holidays by Christianity today, wouldn’t you think that it must have come from the Bible? Therefore, Christianity should not object to an investigation of this tradition to see whether it is true or not. Many will say: “The birth of Messiah is in the scriptures, so why is there a need for an investigation?” Yes, the birth of Messiah is in the scriptures, and for the message of Messiah’s birth I do rejoice. Paul also rejoiced when the Gospel was preached regardless […]
What is the True Gospel?
by Bill Glover (Eugene, Oregon) Exactly what is the gospel of Jesus Christ? What did He actually teach? Why are there so many different Christian denominations all teaching different gospels about Jesus? We first need to understand the meaning of the word gospel. The literal meaning of the word “gospel” is GOOD TIDINGS or GOOD NEWS or GLAD TIDINGS. The English word comes from the Old English expression “good tidings” or “glad tidings.” Mark 1:14-15 [in the King James translation] states: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God and saying […]
5 Reasons Genesis 3:16 is Not a Model for Christian Marriage
by Eddie Hyatt (Tulsa, Oklahoma) I was driving along listening to a Christian radio station on the car radio. A well-known pastor came on and announced that he would be speaking about God’s plan for marriage. I was shocked to hear him read Genesis 3:16b as his text. This passage, in our English Bible, reads, Your desire shall be for your husband and he shall rule over you (KJV). I could hardly believe what I was hearing. I found myself exclaiming aloud, “No! No! This passage is not about Christian marriage. This passage is describing the distortion of marriage as a result of […]
When You Know Your Pet is Spoiled
(Copyright) by Richard Markland (London, Ohio)
An Orwellian America is Defining the Nation
(Copyright) by Richard Markland For decades Americans have been warned of a time in which George Orwell’s Novel “1984” would become a reality. The American people cannot say they have not been put on notice. Irreplaceable freedoms are being eliminated. The tactics used are invasive, immense in size and scope and without consideration for anyone or anything. The American people should be alarmed by what is taking place but there is not an understanding of what has become a frightening reality. There is a lack of foresight about what the future holds and a careless indifference towards how each and every person […]
Are You Sure Leaven Is Symbolic of Sin?
by John Leitch (Canada) Christ Defines the Meaning of Leaven.This writer finds it strange why people will lock into John’s definition of sin (1 John 3:4) but completely ignore Christ’s definition of leaven (Matt. 16:11-12). Christ’s explanation of leavening in this case is doctrine (Strong’s #1322-didache- meaning instruction or teaching-Matt. 16:11-12. I believe a broader definition of leaven would be “something that causes change by its influence” and teaching is just one way. Teaching can be based on sincerity and truth (God the Father’s leavening) or can be based on deception and untruth (Satan’s leavening). Teaching (or doctrine) in and by […]
The World as We Know It is About to Become History
by David Ben-Ariel (Toledo, Ohio) Those who strongly disagree with the “European Union” forging ahead, the Euro-skeptics, state sovereignty is under attack and that the EU is going backwards, descending into the darkness of fascism, not advancing democratic ideals but sacrificing them with impunity. Rodney Atkinson, author of three books on the subject of Fascist Europe Rising (his most recent), led the charge, sounded the alarm, from a strictly secular point of view that interestingly matched what theologian Herbert W. Armstrong was warning about from a purely biblical perspective: the revival of the unholy Roman Empire is well underway and most […]
Is Disfellowshipping a Christian Practice?
by Arlan Weight (Bismarck, North Dakota) Is disfellowshipping and suspension a Christian practice? If so when should it be done? Who should do it? Can we prove it from the Bible? Is the Bible specific enough for us to know? How does it square with the teaching of Jesus? Have many people become confused? From my first encounter with the Worldwide Church of God in the late 60’s and early 70’s disfellowshipping was a common practice. Not being close enough to issues I never really knew the details of why certain people were put out of the church; I […]
SIGNS OF THE TIMES: Is dissent a thing of the past?
by Curtis Dahlgren (Stephenson, Michigan) The function of liberal Republicans is to shoot the wounded after battle.” Senator Eugene McCarthy BARRY GOLDWATER RECOMMENDED SAWING OFF THE EASTERN SEABOARD. “When the wind is in the East, ’tis neither good for man nor beast,” and here are some quotations from the Ivy League region of the country: “The chief problem of the lower-income farmers is poverty.” Nelson Rockefeller “The streets are safe in Philadelphia; it’s only the people who make them unsafe.” former mayor Frank Rizzo “Marvin never tells a lie if he can give you a misleading statement instead.” friend of […]
Where in Scripture is The Trinity Mentioned?
by Wily Elder (Ocala, Florida) The short answer is: The Trinity is never mentioned in any scriptures. The next question would be: Where is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) mentioned together? Only two places in the Bible do we have this occurrence. One passage is in Matthew 28:19, second to the last verse in the book of Matthew. “Go you therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). This scripture would appear to be an implicit endorsement of the Trinity, the three-in-one […]
Is Calling Someone “Mister” Christian?
by Nathaniel Burson (Big Sandy, Texas) Why does the whole world insist on this custom? Is this the way of showing true respect to an elder? Should YOU use the term “Mr.”? What does your BIBLE say? Christ tells you NOT to be called Master, or Mister. And yet what are we called upon to do, even in the Church of God, dozens, perhaps hundreds, of times a day? Many say, “well, it is just a sign of respect. Children, in particular, should show respect to their elders.” And the Bible FULLY agrees that they should show respect! But HOW does it […]
Major Changes are Necessary if America is to Survive
(Copyright) by Richard Markland (London, Ohio) When looking at society, it is becoming more difficult to not only understand changes taking place, but where changes are headed. To discuss whether the changes are justified or not is a point of contention. Condemnation towards those who are conservative is becoming more widely accepted because society is more liberal and lawless. Conservatism, however, is viewed as the culprit for out-of-control reasoning and resulting behavior in the nation today. How Stable Will America Be If Liberalism Becomes the Overriding New Reality?Liberalism and people who are liberal have been waging a full-scale assault on the nation’s […]