The Journal: News of the Churches of God Issue 195 Is Now Online

Issue 195

The latest issue of The Journal: News of the Churches of God is now online.

This issue continues to reminisce about the "glory days" of the church/college when everything was superfantabulous and everyone lived and loved in harmony, though the wall was starting to fall down at this point.  It starts off with an article that talks about the 1997 Graduation of the Ambassador University in Big Sandy, Texas, the last graduation the college would ever see.

There is an article discussing Rod Meredith and his "influence" upon the Church of God.  Of all "evangelists" the church has ever had, Meredith has left a trail of destruction, tears, and death in his wake.  It is disconcerting to many to see this man held up on a lofty pedestal as what a "true Christian" looks like.

There is also an article discussing Meredith's "Last Straw's" that caused him to apostatize and leave the WCG and start his own church--two of them in fact.  Meredith is portrayed as being justified, as usual, in forming his own personality cults.

There are several other tributes to Meredith by other people, including a whitewash story by Larry Salyer concerning the start of Global Church of God and how he and Meredith justified their actions.

Then there is this from Geoffery Neilson, God's OFFICIAL South African Prophet:

Remembering Dr. Meredith
Here is a poem in memory of Roderick C. Meredith (21 June 1930–18 May 2017): 

As in the days of David, Israel’s King, 

Who was greatly aided by Mighty Men 

When attacked by arrows and slings 

Springing from enemies the devil sent. 

So in this age men mighty in God’s Word 

Worldwide have used that sharp Sword. 

Taught what they from God’s Apostle heard: 

The end-time descendant of David, sent by the Lord. 

Of those men mighty in Bible truth, 

Roderick C. Meredith was notable, 

Irrevocable in zeal from his youth. 

His length of service unapproachable. 

The Golden Gloves champ stayed in the ring 

Until his fight against God’s adversary was won. 

Surely that’s what the angels in heaven sing. 

May we likewise hold fast, over-come, 

Reach the promised immortal rung 

And live forever with God and His
Eternal Son. 

Geoffrey R. Neilson First full-time employee in the Radio Church of God office 18 April 1963 in Johannesburg, South Africa 

So there you have it!  The official proof that Mr. Golden Gloves fought the good fight and defeated the adversary.  Woo Hoo!

There is the usual nonsense from Alton Billingsley. This time it is the death of America. Apparently, the only cure America has is to read Mystery of the Ages.  I am sure Gerald Flurry will appreciate that.  This will give  him the opportunity to mail out his edited version to gullible people that proves he is an end time prophet (HWA said in the MOA that there were no prophets alive in these "last" days.)  Oops, How could HWA have been SOOOOOOOOO wrong????

There is an ad by Ray Daly on why COG members should not be tithing to support ministers and that the ministers and church leaders should be getting their hands dirty by working in a real job.  Can you imagine delicate Thiel getting his hands dirty?

Of course, today’s ministers would say that they are not of the Pharisee pattern. If they’re right, then from whence do they come up with their having the right to receive a tithe from their assemblies?

They do not get it from Paul. Yet he was the “leading minister” in the pathway established by Jesus Christ. Paul clearly tells those elders who today’s ministers claim were the ministers of the true church that they, like the Pharisees, “ought to work with your own hands.” 

In other words, unless independently wealthy, they were to get their hands dirty. In reality, they were told to not expect the assemblies to support them. 

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