Thursday, December 19, 2013
National Convention Honduras 2013 The Church of God
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
The Prayer
“Watch
and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but
the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
Prayer is
communication with God. The Creator of the world is not an impersonal God but
is One who is willing to listen to men. His laws are the expression of His own
will in providence and preservation. You can act according to the counsel of
His will thus changing your way of acting. His words should influence your
feelings, will and intellect. Your prayers and God’s responses to them are
included in His plan from the beginning of creation.
Prayer comes from
the human heart in anguished cries to God and, when sincere, will gain the full
support of God. The prayer of the wicked is an abomination before the Lord
(Prov.15:29; 28:29). Those who practice sin cannot approach God. The attitude
of rebellion against divine authority should be deposed and then forgiveness
sought.
Prayer (communion
of the children of God with their Father) includes worship, thanksgiving,
confession, and petition as Nehemiah and Daniel did (Neh. 1:4-11; Dan. 9:3-19).
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6, 7). This is how the people of God have prayed
through the ages.
Prayer is the
outpouring of the heart to the Creator. He responds by blessings. “And the
LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou
hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put
my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there
perpetually” (1 Kings 9:3).
“Ask,
and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened
unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and
to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if
his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give
him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things
to them that ask him? (Matt. 7:7-11).
James, citing an
historical example, says “…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much.” (James 5:16). And Christ says to His disciples, “And
whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be
glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). Convinced that only God knows what will
be the last consequences, good or bad, for an answer to prayer, the believer
accepts the yes or no answer from the Lord.
The apostle John,
addressing Christians said, “And this is the confidence that we have in him,
that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us” (1 John
5:14). In some cases, the failure to grant our requests is often the greatest
blessing. Whoever prays with the right attitude trusts entirely the wisdom of
the Lord.
The believer should
be aware that he is calling on a Holy God. He is the one who has purified us
from our sins by His blood and made us kings and priests. Prayer is addressed
to the triune God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each of the three persons of the
Trinity is invoked in the apostolic benediction. “The grace of the Lord
Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with
you all. Amen” (2 Cor. 13:14).
In tribulations we
must pray with faith and not lose our faith. Remember Stephen suffered martyrdom
rather than lose his faith (Acts 7:59, 60). The apostle Paul never stopped
praying and saying thank you, even if he did not receive a reply. “For this
thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said
unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in
weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the
power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:8, 9).
Prayer is offered
to God by the Spirit! Only He knows what we need to ask to stay in line of the
divine will of God. “But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with
patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we
know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession
for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts
knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the
saints according to the will of God” (Rom. 8:25-27).
Prayer formed in us
will certainly be granted provided that nothing in our thoughts and behavior
come to hinder our prayers. “I will therefore that men pray every where,
lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1 Tim. 2:8). “Likewise,
ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the
wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of
life; that your prayers be not hindered” (1 Peter 3:7).
Christians are
called to a life of prayer. The apostle Paul exhorts: “Praying always with
all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Eph. 6:18).
by Minister Noe A. Solis
THE SIMPLICITY OF CHRISTMAS
by R.O. Covey,
published in the White Wing Messenger, December 15, 1973
As I was reading some Christmas
articles by Hal Borland, author of Sundial of the Seasons, I was struck
by the following statement: “Not the least of the wonders we commemorate this
week was the simplicity surrounding the Birth itself.”
How very true! And if we hold
strictly to the commemoration of those events, our so-called Christmas
celebrations will be noted for the same simplicity. But it will hardly be so.
The world has just about taken matters over in that respect; and, all too often,
Christians take up the world’s pattern, making a virtual confusion complex out
of the whole thing. Perhaps the term “holiday festivities” is a better
description; yet, since the word “holiday” is derived from “holy day,” it is
still quite presumptuous to associate much of today’s revelry with Christmas, if
we truly mean that it is being done in honor of Jesus the Christ.
In the Bible proper, it does not
take many passages to tell the Christmas story. The world wasn’t in on it. They
knew nothing of what was going on. In fact, it is amazing how few godly people
were permitted to share the blessed event. And whatever fervor those few may
have exhibited at the time seems short-lived, unless we turn to our
imaginations for more.
Luke goes into some detail, and Matthew
considerably less. What there is to read is glorious beyond words, but we must
agree that the simplicity of it all was striking. Of course, the visitation of
the angels and the guiding star were heavenly spectacles to be wondered at. But
the “fanfare” was almost nil.
The settings for the scenes were
simple and unembellished—a Judean hillside where sheep and shepherds were the
everyday “cast of characters”—a manger in a stable in the backgrounds, and in
one of the smaller villages—“the house” where the Wise Men paid their visit,
undoubtedly sometime later. The swaddling clothes, the hay-mattressed
manger-bassinette, and the sacrifice offering of “a pair of turtledoves, or
two young pigeons” (Lev. 12:8), acceptable to God because they were not
able to bring a lamb, all added to the sublime simplicity—God condescending to
become flesh for a time and to dwell among men.
Many have felt that the true
spirit of Christmas is almost totally lost in the mountains of religious
tradition and heathen customs—and the mingling of the two. Poets and essayists,
who apparently know little about the Bible narrative, write things altogether
unscriptural and present them as truth. Thousands read them and believe them,
never thinking to check them against the written Word of God. And people who
have every reason to know better are often heard to misconstrue certain phases
of the birth of our Saviour.
Over and over we read of the
shepherds following the star; or both the shepherds and the Wise Men being
guided by the same star. We read of the angels singing their “Glory to God in
the highest” over the manger instead of to the shepherds on the hills of Judea.
Again and again we read of the Wise Men arriving in Bethlehem on the night of
Jesus’ birth, and while the shepherds were still there; but there is really
nothing to indicate that this was the case.
All sorts of imaginary happenings
have been set forth as being authentic, seemingly to increase the awesomeness and
the mystery surrounding the already beautiful story. The fabricated legend of
Saint Nicholas has encompassed the world, under one name or another, and is
loudly proclaimed as “harmless” even by thousands of Christians who allot him
more glamour than the Christ Child. Reindeer; fireplaces with stockings hanging
by them; wreaths fashioned from pine and holly, fruit, birds, or any sort of
gloss and glitter; Christmas feasts; Christmas brandy; Christmas trees and
candles everywhere—all of these, and many, many more, have become indelibly
imprinted among the things which are supposed to represent Christmas, the
birthday of earth and heaven’s King. In fact, it is very difficult to find
(even in many Christian homes) even a trace of the real Christmas story among
all the array of other things.
The laughter and merrymaking passed
off as legitimate celebration grows louder and more boisterous year by year. It
is as though the world were trying to out-shout itself. And, God forbid, but it
seems that the children of God feel that they must drown out the worldly din
with an even louder one. While we would not condemn an honest hearted try, we
have to wonder if, in times like these, it might not be better to “strike a
lower key”—one that would be ear-catching for its reverent simplicity and
“unlikeness” with the world.
After all, there is something to
be said for the admonition, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will
be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psa. 46:10).
Remember, when Elijah couldn’t hear or recognize God in the “great and
strong wind,” the “earthquake,” and the “fire,” God spoke to
him in “a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11, 12).
Many people in this world are
being driven to mental breakdowns—some of their own even call it “noise
pollution.” Now, hold your peace! No sane mortal will ever tell the Church of
God to quit shouting and rejoicing—that is, in the Spirit of God. Spirit-filled
people are always going to be too full to remain quiet. But if the world is
going to monopolize “every key but the low one,” we may have to get the
Christmas message through on a different level.
Songs like Silent Night and
The Night Was Still are among the immortals of inspiration. They
bespeak the simplicity of the first Christmas night. They still bring
worshipful tears to our eyes and catch us up above the cheap, commercial glitter
of this world’s traditional, superficial Christmas. Even that blessed carol, Hark!
The Herald Angels Sing, says much to us before we get beyond its title.
“Hark!” Be still and listen! Let the angels sing! “Hark!” Give heed to the
message they bring. “Hark!” Be still, and let God have a word!
Another writer enhances Hal
Borland’s thought with another. Wilferd A. Peterson speaks of the “inside of
Christmas.” He presents it as a sort of challenging exploration, made necessary
by the more “visible outside of Christmas.” He says, “And when we get inside of
Christmas, Christmas will get inside of us.” If it isn’t there—well—it just
isn’t Christmas.
Message Thanksgiving on to God by Hannah Solis
Bishop Herman Ard at the Ministers Convention 2013
Christmas
by AJ Tomlinson
Many Christmas stories have been told, but there are
none so interesting and thrilling as the one told about the birth of Jesus and
the circumstances that led up to it. To read the Bible story concerning this
wonderful child and the place of His birth is interesting to anyone merely as
a story, but to those who have an experience through Christ this story becomes
intensely interesting…
Next to the shepherds were Simeon and Anna, two devout
and intelligent students of the Scriptures. They lived close to the Lord and
were looking for the Messiah. They knew Him as soon as they saw Him. The
Spirit of prophecy fell upon them and they uttered wonderful words concerning
His mission in the world. The aged Simeon had received a secret promise from
the Lord that he should not die till he had seen the Messiah. When he had seen
Him he was ready to die.
Until You’ve Known the Love of God
Until You’ve
Known the Love of God
Until you’ve known the loving hand that reaches down to a fallen man
And lifts him up from out of sin where he has trod;
Until you’ve known just how it feels to know that God is really real;
Then you’ve known nothing until you’ve known the love of God.
The
verses of the song say that if you could own all the world and its money, build
castles tall enough to reach the sky; if you could in your lifetime know
everyone and call them all by name—if you’ve not come face to face with Jesus
and His saving grace, then you’ve known nothing until you’ve known the love of
God.
The
love of God is supreme, far above the greatest love exhibited by mortal man,
and this love is seen throughout the Bible, page after page from cover to
cover. We find its greatest expression in the New Testament, as Emmanuel (God
with us) is manifested in the flesh through Jesus Christ. He came to teach the
pure doctrine of God, set His Church in order, and die on the cross as “the
Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” that our sins could be forgiven
and our hearts could be delivered from the sinful nature that we were all born
with. God’s love changes our eternal destiny from torment in the flames of hell
to that happy and holy place called heaven. How thankful we should be for the
loving hand “that reaches down to fallen man and lifts him up from out of sin
where he has trod.”
The
commonly called “Easter” season reminds us of the awful sufferings of our
Savior on the Cross, and of His ultimate triumph over the grave. We know
Christ’s sufferings brought about our salvation and for this we are thankful
beyond words. Still it is heartbreaking to imagine the cross, and see the Lamb
of God there in anguish of soul and body, with his blood pouring forth from
many wounds. What an enormous price was paid for our sins that day! We prefer
to quickly move on to the empty grave and rejoice in knowing that because He
lives, we who trust in Him shall also live forevermore.
Those
who looked on that scene and knew who Jesus was must have been overwhelmed.
This was the Son of God. Simeon, that devout man who looked for the consolation
of Israel, would proclaim a few days later, “For mine eyes have seen thy
salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to
lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:30-32).
The greatest gift ever given was given to all mankind on the day Jesus was
born.
Last
year American Atheists placed their “Christmas” message on a billboard in New
York’s Times Square. It said, “Keep the Merry (with a picture of Santa Claus)
and dump the myth (with a picture of a statue depicting Jesus).” Unbelievers
have no reservations about mocking Christ and Christianity. Another billboard
showed the manger scene and said, “You KNOW it’s a Myth. This Season, Celebrate
Reason.” We pray that God will somehow reach many of these deceived people
and awaken them to the fact that there is a God and that He did indeed send His
Son into the world on a mission to save their souls.
In
the face of such bold attacks on the biblical message of Christmas, it behooves
us to stand strong for the truth. It begins by making our own salvation sure,
and then displaying the love of God to all men. Our verbal testimony is of no
value without godly lives to support it. We have a great advantage in the
battle against atheism. We have the truth of God’s Word and we have the Spirit
of God working with us. He convicts sinners, even atheists, working in the
inner man of the heart to convince them that “God so loved the world, that
he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
For hate is strong and mocks the song,
of peace on earth,
good will to men.
Yet
Jesus proclaimed to those who believe in Him, “Peace I leave with you, my
peace I give unto you...” (John 14:27). Jesus is the Prince of Peace and
gives a deep settled peace to those who love and serve Him.
One
hundred fifty years have passed since Longfellow wrote the lyrics to his now
famous song, and the truth of its lyrics still moves our hearts today.
Longfellow wrote his poem during the American Civil War and his words manifest
the sense of despair he felt as he witnessed the horrors of that war. Yet it
seems that an unseen hand nudged him into another realm, the realm of God’s
peace, and he wrote:
Then
pealed the bells
more
loud and deep:
God
is not dead,
nor
doth he sleep;
The
wrong shall fail,
the
right prevail,
With
peace on earth, good will to men.”
The
message in Longfellow’s song stands true today. Tragedies constantly bombard
our doorsteps, yet there is an echo ringing through the air. Can you hear it,
dear saint? It comes forth as strong today as it did when the holy angels
proclaimed it on the night of Christ’s birth. The wrong shall fail, the right
prevail, for the God we serve cannot be overthrown—not by the unbelief of the
strongest atheists, not by the mightiest armies of the world, not by the rulers
of the darkness of this world. No, when the dust has settled after the final
hour of this last great conflict, that child born in the manger will rule the
world in a 1,000 year reign of peace and love. We will then experience the
fullness of “peace on earth, good will toward men.”
Since the day of Christ’s birth the
love of God has been spreading to the ends of the earth, embracing many souls
and guiding them from earth to heaven. Had not the love of God come into the
world through His Son, the world would no doubt have self-destructed long ago.
It is His love that stays the hand of evil and keeps it from unleashing its
full destructive powers upon mankind. As Christmas approaches this year, the
ungodly will continue to reject and mock both the holiday and the holy child we
glorify and worship. To them we can only proclaim, “You’ve known nothing until
you’ve known the love of God.”
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Friday, November 15, 2013
Bishop Herman Ard at The Church of God in Oxnard
Greetings from the Bishops and Ministers TCOG Oxnard
Thursday, October 31, 2013
World Missions March in Oxnard October 2013
http://www.youtube.com/v/A_fo3Qq0aF4?version=3&autohide=1&feature=share&autohide=1&autoplay=1&showinfo=1&attribution_tag=gi76Wb6Bj6msD5YXz-splA
World Missions Campaign in Oxnard October 2013
http://www.youtube.com/v/Q_Cu6Iq5IN0?version=3&autohide=1&autoplay=1&showinfo=1&attribution_tag=THS4lqE3KtWsLjf8qKAeCg&feature=share&autohide=1
Monday, October 28, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Reachihng Our Potential
Reaching Our Potential
Dustin T.
Hays, General VLB Coordinator
“Within the breasts of the people of this generation dormantly lies
possibilities which, if not discovered, brought forth, and utilized, will rob
mankind of much good… Latent powers are now lying dormant, unused and unknown
in the bosoms and within the reach of many, many today. Within the grain of
wheat is a germ of life, fraught with great possibilities for the sustenance of
man… I just feel so with many young lives of today. With proper environments
and under certain conditions, those latent powers will spring into use, and not
only surprise friends and acquaintances, but will in many instances surprise
even the persons themselves, because of the successes and exploits wrought…
This world must be evangelized. “This gospel of the kingdom [power] must be
preached in all the world” in our day. We must not shift this responsibility to
a future generation as all other generations have done. There is enough latent
power now in men and women; if brought into use, to evangelize this world in
five years… There are possibilities in our young men and young women…if it were
not quenched and locked down by worldly environments…to fire this world with a
fear of God and His power, as Samson's foxes fired the corn fields of the
Philistines… Oh, for a million men and women to burst forth, with such holy
ambition, with every unused power in full use, like mad-men to strike terror
and fear to all the half hearted religionists of the day!... Oh, glorious
achievement! Oh, magazine of power! Oh, humility and love! Oh, great arm of the
Lord! We bid you welcome to step in and take control and begin to perform the
exploits due to our generation… Look out, beloved, we may linger here on the
border land one day or an hour too long and be put to shame, and thus lose the
better things that are promised us, and the incoming generation gain the land
we might have enjoyed, if we had only pressed over at the proper time… Who will
be a Caleb and still the people and say to them, “We are fully able, let us go
up at once and possess the land!” Who will listen at, and obey the voice of our
Captain and press on until you are filled with all the fullness of God? You
dare not tarry on the threshold; you must either push on inside or be roughly
thrust backward… Who will make the sacrifice and go forth to conquer or die on
the field to get this gospel of the kingdom to every creature under heaven in
this generation? Will you? Will you? Is the responsibility too great? Is the
cross too heavy to bear? Are home and friends too dear and comfortable for you
to make the sacrifice?”
“I press toward the mark for
the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many
as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God
shall reveal even this unto you” (Phil. 3:14, 15). “The ‘But Ye’ Generation”
will be a generation that has this mindset. Too many have adopted the idea that
perfection is too far away and cannot be attained in their lifetime so they
have stopped pursuing it. The generation to reach it will be the generation
that recognizes that there is great potential and power inside of them and all
they need to do is unleash that power and allow God to do in their lives what
He wants to do. Are there currently things in our lives that hinder us from
fulfilling these lofty goals? In too many cases the answer is probably yes, but
they are not things that are so powerful that we cannot overcome if we will
press toward perfection.
Have you allowed God to reveal
to you where in your thinking that you are not pressing toward perfection? We
ought to ask ourselves often, “Is the path that I am currently on going to take
me to perfection?” If you were to honestly ask yourself that question right now
what would your answer be? What have you been spending your time doing? Are
those things bringing you closer to God or taking you further away from Him? I
do not believe that there is room for any middle ground. There are no “neutral”
things; they either draw us closer to perfection or push us further away from
it. Jesus ad-dressed the thought of spiritual neutrality when He said: “He that
is not with me is against me…” (Matt. 12:30; see also Luke 16:13). Be careful
of the pursuits, interests and people in your life that seem to be spiritually
neutral, for these are never what they seem. A snake lying in the grass may
seem to be neutral until you get close enough to it that you are within its
striking range. The venomous strike of a snake is not neutral and neither are
the things in our lives that seem harmless yet do not serve to help us in our
walk with the Lord.
As the spirit was in Brother
Tomlinson, so it is in me that I AM NOT SATISFIED TO ALLOW ANOTH-ER GENERATION
TO REACH THE PLACES THAT GOD HAS INTENDED FOR MY GENERATION! And I am convinced
that we can get there! Will you come with me?
A. J. Tomlinson, former
General Overseer of The Church of God, wrote the previous words in the book The
Last Great Conflict with most of the thoughts coming from the chapter entitled
“Latent Powers.” Brother Tomlinson felt there were hidden abilities and
strengths that, if tapped into, would bring the work to a quick close in his
day. He noticed the potential and put the responsibility upon the young
generation of his day. How true this still is today!
Among the youth of The Church
of God today are young men and women who are sold out to God, who love the
Truth, who love holiness and who live lives of prayer. Young men and women that
are well capable of crossing the border from where we have existed for too long
into the fullness of God’s power and might in the Church. Young men and women
who are ready to lead the charge into perfection, not because we are any better
than the generations prior to us but because we have tasted what they have and
want more, more until we receive all of God. Will God return for His bride
during this generation? Only He knows the answer to that question but we can
certainly reach and operate in the glorious state that the Church is prophesied
to reach in this generation and blaze a trail into the current unknown for the
coming generations to follow.
WHEN DID I SIN?
WHEN
DID I SIN?
The sin problem is
ever before all humanity. It is a constant concern
to both the saved and the unsaved, because sin separates man from
God and eliminates him from eternal life in heaven. Unforgiven
sin keeps the individual alienated from God and all the benefits of
His grace. "All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin
not unto death" (1 john 5:1 7); "...the
soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel18:4);
"...sin is the
transgression of the law [of
God]"
(1 John 3:4).
Before an evil temptation, slip, impulse becomes sin
it must progress further than its very introduction into the mind. It can be
stopped there and go no further. It can be rejected, dismissed, put out with no
harm done to the soul or heart. However, if that evil intent is entertained in
the mind/heart, and a determination is made in favor of it; when it "hath
conceived," then, and only then, will God impute it as sin. It can be
avoided. It can be rejected. It does not have to result in sin or transgression
and spiritual death.
It is possible to live without sin. In fact, if one
expects to go to heaven, he must. "Whosoever
abideth in him sinneth not..." (1 John 3:6); "He that committeth sin is of the devil..."
(v. 8). One cannot be long to God and to the devil at the same time. ''...these things write I unto you, that ye sin
not" (2:1). The inference here is that you don't have to sin. "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit
sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of
God" (3:9). That is, when he allows himself to sin by allowing an evil
intent to "conceive" in his heart and be overcome by the devil.
Those who advocate the heresy that one cannot live
without sin disregard the fact that the sin principle (Adamic nature) is
crucified in the heart by sanctification. Before sanctification, the believer,
when he is tempted, must choose not to sin, because the sin principle is still
in the heart, but after sanctification if the believer sins he must choose to
do so, because there is nothing in his heart to consent to transgression against
God. The choice can be made against any evil intent. It can be eliminated
before it results in sin and the heart remains clean and justified before God.
If one should allow himself to be overcome-consent to evil principle there is a
remedy: "...if any man sin, we have
an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: ... he is the
propitiation for our sins..." (1 John 2:1, 2).
Those who advocate unavoidable sinning are wrong,
wrong, wrong. Taking this line of heresy leads one into an irresponsible
attitude toward sin. To them, sinning is imperative, so one can indulge the
tendencies to transgression and charge it to the account of Christ with no
decision to reject it and prevent it from being conceived in the heart. How
subtle! How diabolical! Many souls who otherwise would have repented of their
sins and been saved will be lost because they were encouraged to be
"sinning" Christians. Think on these things.Monday, September 30, 2013
The Pre-Arise, Shine Era - TCOG
The Pre-Arise, Shine Era
A single event in history is much like a penthouse at the top of a sky-scraper. Both are separate units in themselves but neither can exist without many previous levels of development. The exquisite penthouse, the pride of the entire building, can not become a reality until many under-lying stories precede it. All significant historical events, like the penthouse, are in themselves a product of past experience.
So it is with the significant day of June 13, 1903. On that historical day, the previous levels of development had run their course and the time had come for the fulfillment of one of the most important events of the last days Church of God. Before prophecy could become a reality, the groundwork of the upcoming predicted event first had to occur.
It is in this light that a historical account of what has become known as the "Christian Union" and the "Holiness Church at Camp Creek" can be justified in the historicity of the Church of God. They are not the predicted event itself but they are the necessary "stories of history" for the "penthouse." Because of the importance' of knowing the background of the "arise, shine" of the last days Church of God, they are included in the history of the Body of Christ.
Reference "HISTORY Y POITY" Revised 1985. Copy rights 1977 by the White Wing House Publishing Cleveland, Tennessee, U.S.A.
A single event in history is much like a penthouse at the top of a sky-scraper. Both are separate units in themselves but neither can exist without many previous levels of development. The exquisite penthouse, the pride of the entire building, can not become a reality until many under-lying stories precede it. All significant historical events, like the penthouse, are in themselves a product of past experience.
So it is with the significant day of June 13, 1903. On that historical day, the previous levels of development had run their course and the time had come for the fulfillment of one of the most important events of the last days Church of God. Before prophecy could become a reality, the groundwork of the upcoming predicted event first had to occur.
It is in this light that a historical account of what has become known as the "Christian Union" and the "Holiness Church at Camp Creek" can be justified in the historicity of the Church of God. They are not the predicted event itself but they are the necessary "stories of history" for the "penthouse." Because of the importance' of knowing the background of the "arise, shine" of the last days Church of God, they are included in the history of the Body of Christ.
Reference "HISTORY Y POITY" Revised 1985. Copy rights 1977 by the White Wing House Publishing Cleveland, Tennessee, U.S.A.
THE COVENANT - TCOG
THE COVENANT
Jeremiah 31:31-33 Exodus 19:5
“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people." Jeremiah 31:31-33.
Exodus 19:5 "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:"
What does Covenant means?
According to the English-speaking encyclopedic dictionary says: Covenant, an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do something specified.
There is no doubt that when we talk about this issue, we realize that God has always liked to get along with humans through covenants (agreements). In a pact or agreement should be two or more parties. In this case there are two entities: God and man.
In a pact or agreement there are duties or obligations on one hand and on the other hand if it complies with the duties and obligations there is profit, result, for having fulfilled the duties and obligations. So for a covenant to be effective, must comply with the clauses that are in the contract (the duties and obligations) and the clauses that are in our favor will be fulfilled to the letter. Adam in their covenant had the obligation not to take the tree of good and evil and then receive the benefit of living in the most beautiful garden known as the paradise of God. The covenant with Abraham was to follow the Lord out of their land and leaving his family and then receive the blessing of God. Abraham complied with this covenant and God blessed him.
One thing that is difficult to understand is that when man makes a pact or covenant with God is linked or attached to God through the covenant. For this reason the apostle Paul makes the comparison of the Marriage Covenant (union of Man and Woman) with respect to Christ and the church in Ephesians 5:28-32. This was a prophetic fulfillment of Isaiah 62: 1-5; V. 1"For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." This was true when it came salvation in Jesus Christ. After the Lord Jesus Christ, the prophets stopped there were no more prophets of rank or appointment as the Lord Jesus says in Matthew 11:11-13. Matthew v.11 " that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist "V.13"For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John" Obviously the law was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24 and Romans 10:4). Isaiah 62: 2 says, "The nations will see your righteousness, and all thy kings your glory ... "If we go back to Isaiah 62:1. we see that the prophet spoke to Zion (the prophetic name of his people) but in this verse 2 says "thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name." The mouth of the Lord on earth was the Lord Jesus Juan 1:1 says "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." No doubt that Christ was the mouth of God here on earth, John 12:49 and 50 says: “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak" In Matthew 16:18 is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 62:2 "... thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name." In Matthew 16:18 is putting his name when he said "My Church."
In these same verses from Matthew 16: 18 and 19, there are three things that the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 62:1-5
1. Would build "His Church." He bought it so it is of Him (1 Peter 1:18 and 19 and 1 Corinthians 6:20)
2. We put a new name.
3. Peter receive the keys of the kingdom and would link (join) that enter into the kingdom. To enter the kingdom is entered through the New Birth and is to be added through the Covenant.
Let me explain a bit more than this because the prophecy of Isaiah 62:1-5 speaks:
1. The end of no more prophets to Christ (Matthew 11:13). No more Law and Prophets as being and the Lord Jesus Christ came the grace, Isaiah 62:1
2. People would look at the Lord's righteousness and salvation at the same time, Isaiah 62:2.
3. I would put a new name that the mouth of the Lord would appoint, Isaiah 62:2B.
4. That Zion (the church) would never be helpless but to be called Hephzibah (my delight is in it) and Beulah (married).
5. That their land would be "Married" Isaiah 62:4 B. No doubt the symbolism of land is the people. In this verse refers literally to the ground. Marriage is the joining between 2 people as Paul said in Ephesians 5:22-32. We can talk literally of the marriage covenant between men and women to explain the union between Christ and the church.
6. Isaiah 62:5 tells us what kind of joint or ligament would Zion (the Church). How serious the union or ligament "As a young man marries a virgin (Union) to marry your children (those born again John 3:3). According to the fulfillment of this prophecy born (children) would have to be "united, married, linked, added" (Isaiah 62:5 and Ephesians 5:30-32).
7. In Matthew 16:19 the Lord Jesus Christ says "And you give the keys of the kingdom of heaven (new birth) and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven (the Covenant).
What we see here? It is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 62:1-5, the Lord Jesus not only organized his church (Mark 3:13, 14), but gave Peter the keys of the kingdom, salvation, new birth (Matthew 16: 16-19). In addition we are talking about linking them, add them, join them as Isaiah 62:5 said "For as a young man marrieth (Covenant) a virgin, so shall thy sons marry (Unite, Add, Linked) thee (Zion): and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride (with the Covenant, together, we’re the wife of the Lord), so shall thy God rejoice over thee” (Isaiah 62:5). "
In the days of Pentecost Peter used the keys of the kingdom with the power of the Holy Spirit. Three thousand were saved, but read as a historian Luke says in Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ (New Birth) for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:41 says, "Then those who gladly received his word (saved), they were baptized (born again children;) and were added to them that day about three thousand souls." Here are 2 things I want to note. A historian or writer writes what he sees so Lucas was looking at something, remember that God liked ceremonies. Lucas saw that they were baptized and were added in response to what the Lord Jesus Christ said to Peter, using the keys of the kingdom and put them into the kingdom (baptism) but also add them according to the text of Matthew 16:19 and said the Lord Jesus Christ in response to what the prophet Isaiah said in chapter 62:5. Now Lucas as a writer, historian, tells what he sees. Obviously, a writer, historian writes what he sees and he is seeing that those who were saved were baptized and were also added (to them) as three thousand people. In support of this assertion see in 2 Corintios11: 2 Paul says the church "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you (together, married, added) to one husband (Christ), that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ”
When someone is saved it needs to be added to the Body of Christ (the Church) as the word of God says. The Kingdom (salvation) is entered through the New Birth and the Church (The Body of Christ) is coming through the Covenant.
As for discipline in the Church and its members (which were added through the covenant).
Matthew 18:15-18 confirms that an additive is a member of the church because here in these verses concerning discipline in the church body if the member fails to be disciplined and if not then it will be up in isolation from the body as required Matthew 18:15-18"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee (the body), go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. V.16. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. V.17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican (a sinner). V.18. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth (covenant), shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Delink of membership)." In Matthew 18:19 and 20 says the Lord Jesus,"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven" If we follow a sequence of Matthew 18:18 which speaks of releasing the member, no connection to the idea because the Lord says, "Again" means they have already talked about this meeting but in Matthew 18:20 says that "... where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name ... "When we go to the counsel of the apostle Paul to the Church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 5:1-4 where the Apostle exhorts the church to decouple a member who is in fornication . Paul advised in 1 Corinthians 5:4 "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (as advised Christ in Matthew 18:20),Gather yourselves together, you and my spirit, with the power (authority) of our Lord Jesus Christ. "1 Corinthians 5:5 says" this will be handed over to Satan ... "and Jesus said in Matthew 18:17 if you do not hear the church" ... let him be ethnic and collector ... (as a sinner)." So with the League covenant is added or attached to the church and someone with the board or church meeting in compliance (two or three shall agree) will be detached from the church or be dropped from membership and will be like before member as ethnic and publican or sinner.
Jeremiah 31:31-33 Exodus 19:5
“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people." Jeremiah 31:31-33.
Exodus 19:5 "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:"
What does Covenant means?
According to the English-speaking encyclopedic dictionary says: Covenant, an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do something specified.
There is no doubt that when we talk about this issue, we realize that God has always liked to get along with humans through covenants (agreements). In a pact or agreement should be two or more parties. In this case there are two entities: God and man.
In a pact or agreement there are duties or obligations on one hand and on the other hand if it complies with the duties and obligations there is profit, result, for having fulfilled the duties and obligations. So for a covenant to be effective, must comply with the clauses that are in the contract (the duties and obligations) and the clauses that are in our favor will be fulfilled to the letter. Adam in their covenant had the obligation not to take the tree of good and evil and then receive the benefit of living in the most beautiful garden known as the paradise of God. The covenant with Abraham was to follow the Lord out of their land and leaving his family and then receive the blessing of God. Abraham complied with this covenant and God blessed him.
One thing that is difficult to understand is that when man makes a pact or covenant with God is linked or attached to God through the covenant. For this reason the apostle Paul makes the comparison of the Marriage Covenant (union of Man and Woman) with respect to Christ and the church in Ephesians 5:28-32. This was a prophetic fulfillment of Isaiah 62: 1-5; V. 1"For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." This was true when it came salvation in Jesus Christ. After the Lord Jesus Christ, the prophets stopped there were no more prophets of rank or appointment as the Lord Jesus says in Matthew 11:11-13. Matthew v.11 " that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist "V.13"For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John" Obviously the law was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24 and Romans 10:4). Isaiah 62: 2 says, "The nations will see your righteousness, and all thy kings your glory ... "If we go back to Isaiah 62:1. we see that the prophet spoke to Zion (the prophetic name of his people) but in this verse 2 says "thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name." The mouth of the Lord on earth was the Lord Jesus Juan 1:1 says "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." No doubt that Christ was the mouth of God here on earth, John 12:49 and 50 says: “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak" In Matthew 16:18 is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 62:2 "... thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name." In Matthew 16:18 is putting his name when he said "My Church."
In these same verses from Matthew 16: 18 and 19, there are three things that the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 62:1-5
1. Would build "His Church." He bought it so it is of Him (1 Peter 1:18 and 19 and 1 Corinthians 6:20)
2. We put a new name.
3. Peter receive the keys of the kingdom and would link (join) that enter into the kingdom. To enter the kingdom is entered through the New Birth and is to be added through the Covenant.
Let me explain a bit more than this because the prophecy of Isaiah 62:1-5 speaks:
1. The end of no more prophets to Christ (Matthew 11:13). No more Law and Prophets as being and the Lord Jesus Christ came the grace, Isaiah 62:1
2. People would look at the Lord's righteousness and salvation at the same time, Isaiah 62:2.
3. I would put a new name that the mouth of the Lord would appoint, Isaiah 62:2B.
4. That Zion (the church) would never be helpless but to be called Hephzibah (my delight is in it) and Beulah (married).
5. That their land would be "Married" Isaiah 62:4 B. No doubt the symbolism of land is the people. In this verse refers literally to the ground. Marriage is the joining between 2 people as Paul said in Ephesians 5:22-32. We can talk literally of the marriage covenant between men and women to explain the union between Christ and the church.
6. Isaiah 62:5 tells us what kind of joint or ligament would Zion (the Church). How serious the union or ligament "As a young man marries a virgin (Union) to marry your children (those born again John 3:3). According to the fulfillment of this prophecy born (children) would have to be "united, married, linked, added" (Isaiah 62:5 and Ephesians 5:30-32).
7. In Matthew 16:19 the Lord Jesus Christ says "And you give the keys of the kingdom of heaven (new birth) and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven (the Covenant).
What we see here? It is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 62:1-5, the Lord Jesus not only organized his church (Mark 3:13, 14), but gave Peter the keys of the kingdom, salvation, new birth (Matthew 16: 16-19). In addition we are talking about linking them, add them, join them as Isaiah 62:5 said "For as a young man marrieth (Covenant) a virgin, so shall thy sons marry (Unite, Add, Linked) thee (Zion): and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride (with the Covenant, together, we’re the wife of the Lord), so shall thy God rejoice over thee” (Isaiah 62:5). "
In the days of Pentecost Peter used the keys of the kingdom with the power of the Holy Spirit. Three thousand were saved, but read as a historian Luke says in Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ (New Birth) for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:41 says, "Then those who gladly received his word (saved), they were baptized (born again children;) and were added to them that day about three thousand souls." Here are 2 things I want to note. A historian or writer writes what he sees so Lucas was looking at something, remember that God liked ceremonies. Lucas saw that they were baptized and were added in response to what the Lord Jesus Christ said to Peter, using the keys of the kingdom and put them into the kingdom (baptism) but also add them according to the text of Matthew 16:19 and said the Lord Jesus Christ in response to what the prophet Isaiah said in chapter 62:5. Now Lucas as a writer, historian, tells what he sees. Obviously, a writer, historian writes what he sees and he is seeing that those who were saved were baptized and were also added (to them) as three thousand people. In support of this assertion see in 2 Corintios11: 2 Paul says the church "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you (together, married, added) to one husband (Christ), that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ”
When someone is saved it needs to be added to the Body of Christ (the Church) as the word of God says. The Kingdom (salvation) is entered through the New Birth and the Church (The Body of Christ) is coming through the Covenant.
As for discipline in the Church and its members (which were added through the covenant).
Matthew 18:15-18 confirms that an additive is a member of the church because here in these verses concerning discipline in the church body if the member fails to be disciplined and if not then it will be up in isolation from the body as required Matthew 18:15-18"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee (the body), go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. V.16. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. V.17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican (a sinner). V.18. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth (covenant), shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Delink of membership)." In Matthew 18:19 and 20 says the Lord Jesus,"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven" If we follow a sequence of Matthew 18:18 which speaks of releasing the member, no connection to the idea because the Lord says, "Again" means they have already talked about this meeting but in Matthew 18:20 says that "... where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name ... "When we go to the counsel of the apostle Paul to the Church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 5:1-4 where the Apostle exhorts the church to decouple a member who is in fornication . Paul advised in 1 Corinthians 5:4 "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (as advised Christ in Matthew 18:20),Gather yourselves together, you and my spirit, with the power (authority) of our Lord Jesus Christ. "1 Corinthians 5:5 says" this will be handed over to Satan ... "and Jesus said in Matthew 18:17 if you do not hear the church" ... let him be ethnic and collector ... (as a sinner)." So with the League covenant is added or attached to the church and someone with the board or church meeting in compliance (two or three shall agree) will be detached from the church or be dropped from membership and will be like before member as ethnic and publican or sinner.
"The Church of God" The Name a Biblical Reality (TCOG)
"Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory ..." Isaiah 43:7
"Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice"Psalm 50:5
If we go back to Genesis 4:26 we see that the descendants of Seth, Abel’s substitute says: "...then began men to call upon the name of the LORD."
The name! How important is the name. At least I do not liked to be called another name other than my name no matter how nice that name is. That name would not be official recorded name in a government document.
The prophets by the Holy Spirit called her Zion, Hephzibah (my delight is in it), Beulah (married) (Read Jeremiah 8:19, Isaiah 62:4). Isaiah prophesied that the mouth of the Lord appointed (the mouth of the Lord was the Lord Jesus Christ.) John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The meaning of the verb is a word, so God's word (verb) here on earth was the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:10-11). Isaiah 62:2 says, "And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name." No doubt that these first five verses speak of Zion the name Prophetic the people of God, but said it would put a new name that the mouth of the Lord would appoint. No doubt in Matthew 16:16-19 are the fulfillment of Isaiah 62:1-5 when he tells Zion his children (born) would marry (unite) and I would put a new name that the mouth of the Lord would appoint.
When Jesus says to Peter "Upon this rock I will build my church", the word "my" grammatically speaking it is a possessive pronoun. How do you define a possessive pronoun? Grammatically is a possessive pronoun instead of the name, when I say "this object is mine" when people see that object and know it’s mine they will say that object is my property. So when the Lord express "MY CHURCH" means that The Church of God (Christ Jesus was the name). The church is from God, He purchased with His own blood (1 Peter 1:18-19 and 1 Corinthians 6:20). So if God incarnate was delivered and bought his church would be a monumental injustice to name the church of another name and not the name of the owner who bought it.
The church came out of the darkness according to Isaiah 60:1 in this side of the dark ages and a strong signs: the plane Isaiah 60:8 and the fields of the woods in Psalm 132:6. On the morning of June 13, 1903 in fulfillment of these prophecies, the brother Tomlinson after having a time of prayer on the mountain went down the mountain having the understanding that the group who called the Sanctified of river was The Church of God. He entered the house where they met to study the scriptures and said, "If you take the Bible rightly divided as their only rule of faith and practice this means that you are The Church of God. According to writings of the historian C. T. Davidson in his volume # 1 of the work entitled Upon This Rock. Later they named the brother A.J. Tomlinson as their pastor. He took the name the "Church of God" and so was for 19 years.
In the assemblies of 1922, introduced the appointed of 70 elders are 12 that typified the 70 that God told Moses to appoint (Numbers 11:16 and 17) and the 70 and 12 that the Lord command to preach (Luke 10: 1), only these 70 appointed by Moses did not commanded him. Neither the 70 that the Lord commanded to preach. These 70 and 12 appointed at this 1922 assembly wanted to take authority decision-making on all matters of the church and also over the General Overseer which this was not Theocracy. When the brother A.J. Tomlinson returned to the previous system these brothers did not like that decision so they got divided. The People that divided accused brother A.J. Tomlinson of bad diversion of money for more than $10,000.00 dollars. For this situation they went to court where brother A.J. Tomlinson was exempt from this false accusation. For the year 1923, that group led by the people who falsely accused brother A.J. Tomlinson divided. Since then, the group that stayed with brother A.J. Tomlinson could not continue with the name "Church of God." The Church of God led by brother A.J. Tomlinson used a surname of "Prophecy" and the ones that were divided modify their name called only "Church of God” in secret. (Upon This Rock by C. T. Davidson)
In 1990 and previous years, rose a policy against brother M.A. Tomlinson second General Overseer. These people said that the General Overseer M.A. Tomlinson was very old and cannot see and even dared to say that his mind and reason was not right to continue as leader of the Church of God of Prophecy. In 1990 the brother M.A. Tomlinson tired of the Overseers’ pressures, having the Biblical view told them to name the new overseer as God did with Moses and Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:14 and Deuteronomy 34:9). But all the bishops (State and National Overseers) said that first let the position vacancy and then they will choose the new General Overseer. This was not the right way. These bishops wanted to do what the church did when they chose a successor to Judas, but in this case was different due to the General Supervisor was still alive and he needed to deliver the position to the new General Overseer as Moses did with Joshua. Perhaps you might say So What? Well, simply that these brothers diverted from the theocracy. The brother M.A. Tomlinson did as they wanted and pronounce the position vacant. Then each State / National Overseers (Bishops) gave their vote and those who disagreed had to undergo. They forgot the prayer and fasting to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and what they did was vote democratically. This is not Theocracy.
A small group waited three years to see if God will do a change (I waited 20 years to see if they returned to Theocracy). In 1993 this group that was fasting and praying seeking God's direction was rejected by the Church of God of Prophecy. Obviously this small group could not continue to preach the truth under the name of the Church of God of Prophecy and curiously could register with the name "The Church of God." In 1923 the church was unable to register with that name before the government, and now in 1993 this group was accepted under the name "The Church of God" 70 years later as the 70 years God's people was in Babylon (Babylon means confusion). Thus the name and the Church were held captive until now in the year 1993 came to light and is now able to register under the Biblical name.
Is it a coincidence? Or is one of many types and shadows that THE TRUE CHURCH has?
The etymological meaning of Babylon is Babel means confusion. So the name of "The Church of God" was in turmoil, caught (as God's people Israel) 70 years.
"Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice"Psalm 50:5
If we go back to Genesis 4:26 we see that the descendants of Seth, Abel’s substitute says: "...then began men to call upon the name of the LORD."
The name! How important is the name. At least I do not liked to be called another name other than my name no matter how nice that name is. That name would not be official recorded name in a government document.
The prophets by the Holy Spirit called her Zion, Hephzibah (my delight is in it), Beulah (married) (Read Jeremiah 8:19, Isaiah 62:4). Isaiah prophesied that the mouth of the Lord appointed (the mouth of the Lord was the Lord Jesus Christ.) John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The meaning of the verb is a word, so God's word (verb) here on earth was the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:10-11). Isaiah 62:2 says, "And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name." No doubt that these first five verses speak of Zion the name Prophetic the people of God, but said it would put a new name that the mouth of the Lord would appoint. No doubt in Matthew 16:16-19 are the fulfillment of Isaiah 62:1-5 when he tells Zion his children (born) would marry (unite) and I would put a new name that the mouth of the Lord would appoint.
When Jesus says to Peter "Upon this rock I will build my church", the word "my" grammatically speaking it is a possessive pronoun. How do you define a possessive pronoun? Grammatically is a possessive pronoun instead of the name, when I say "this object is mine" when people see that object and know it’s mine they will say that object is my property. So when the Lord express "MY CHURCH" means that The Church of God (Christ Jesus was the name). The church is from God, He purchased with His own blood (1 Peter 1:18-19 and 1 Corinthians 6:20). So if God incarnate was delivered and bought his church would be a monumental injustice to name the church of another name and not the name of the owner who bought it.
The church came out of the darkness according to Isaiah 60:1 in this side of the dark ages and a strong signs: the plane Isaiah 60:8 and the fields of the woods in Psalm 132:6. On the morning of June 13, 1903 in fulfillment of these prophecies, the brother Tomlinson after having a time of prayer on the mountain went down the mountain having the understanding that the group who called the Sanctified of river was The Church of God. He entered the house where they met to study the scriptures and said, "If you take the Bible rightly divided as their only rule of faith and practice this means that you are The Church of God. According to writings of the historian C. T. Davidson in his volume # 1 of the work entitled Upon This Rock. Later they named the brother A.J. Tomlinson as their pastor. He took the name the "Church of God" and so was for 19 years.
In the assemblies of 1922, introduced the appointed of 70 elders are 12 that typified the 70 that God told Moses to appoint (Numbers 11:16 and 17) and the 70 and 12 that the Lord command to preach (Luke 10: 1), only these 70 appointed by Moses did not commanded him. Neither the 70 that the Lord commanded to preach. These 70 and 12 appointed at this 1922 assembly wanted to take authority decision-making on all matters of the church and also over the General Overseer which this was not Theocracy. When the brother A.J. Tomlinson returned to the previous system these brothers did not like that decision so they got divided. The People that divided accused brother A.J. Tomlinson of bad diversion of money for more than $10,000.00 dollars. For this situation they went to court where brother A.J. Tomlinson was exempt from this false accusation. For the year 1923, that group led by the people who falsely accused brother A.J. Tomlinson divided. Since then, the group that stayed with brother A.J. Tomlinson could not continue with the name "Church of God." The Church of God led by brother A.J. Tomlinson used a surname of "Prophecy" and the ones that were divided modify their name called only "Church of God” in secret. (Upon This Rock by C. T. Davidson)
In 1990 and previous years, rose a policy against brother M.A. Tomlinson second General Overseer. These people said that the General Overseer M.A. Tomlinson was very old and cannot see and even dared to say that his mind and reason was not right to continue as leader of the Church of God of Prophecy. In 1990 the brother M.A. Tomlinson tired of the Overseers’ pressures, having the Biblical view told them to name the new overseer as God did with Moses and Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:14 and Deuteronomy 34:9). But all the bishops (State and National Overseers) said that first let the position vacancy and then they will choose the new General Overseer. This was not the right way. These bishops wanted to do what the church did when they chose a successor to Judas, but in this case was different due to the General Supervisor was still alive and he needed to deliver the position to the new General Overseer as Moses did with Joshua. Perhaps you might say So What? Well, simply that these brothers diverted from the theocracy. The brother M.A. Tomlinson did as they wanted and pronounce the position vacant. Then each State / National Overseers (Bishops) gave their vote and those who disagreed had to undergo. They forgot the prayer and fasting to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and what they did was vote democratically. This is not Theocracy.
A small group waited three years to see if God will do a change (I waited 20 years to see if they returned to Theocracy). In 1993 this group that was fasting and praying seeking God's direction was rejected by the Church of God of Prophecy. Obviously this small group could not continue to preach the truth under the name of the Church of God of Prophecy and curiously could register with the name "The Church of God." In 1923 the church was unable to register with that name before the government, and now in 1993 this group was accepted under the name "The Church of God" 70 years later as the 70 years God's people was in Babylon (Babylon means confusion). Thus the name and the Church were held captive until now in the year 1993 came to light and is now able to register under the Biblical name.
Is it a coincidence? Or is one of many types and shadows that THE TRUE CHURCH has?
The etymological meaning of Babylon is Babel means confusion. So the name of "The Church of God" was in turmoil, caught (as God's people Israel) 70 years.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)