What No One Would Have Believed in 1960 - But THIS is the Plain Truth

• Ambassador College would not make it past the 20th Century
• Ambassador College would be sold off into many small pieces
• Ambassador Auditorium would be sold to a Pentecostal, Charismatic church
• Ambassador Big Sandy would be sold off
• Ambassador Bricket Wood would be sold off
• The Hall of Administration in Pasadena would be demolished
• The Fine Arts Hall and the Science Hall would be demolished
• Condominiums would sit on the same spots Ambassador College once sat on
• The Worldwide Church of God would become Grace Communion International 
• The Worldwide Church of God would shrink to insignificance by the early 21st Century
• Herbert Armstrong would die in 1986
• The World Tomorrow would NOT arrive in the 20th Century
• The Millennium would NOT start in the 20th Century
• There would be no World War III in the 20th Century
• The End would not happen in 3 to 5 years, 10 years, 20, 30, 40, or even 50 years. 
• Petra is not the Place of Safety.
• Non-ordained ministers would try to start their own churches
• Ordained pastors would try to become apostles and evangelists
• None of Herbert Armstrong's Prophecies would come true
• Rod Meredith would not take over the Church
• Rod Meredith would start his own Church Group. (Well, maybe they'd believe this.)
• There would be competing Churches of God in 50 years

What would have happened to anyone if they traveled back in time and told anyone back in those days the real truth? 

What would they have thought of the actual truth? Would they have believed it? 

Or would they have kicked that person to the curb, saying he was a liar, a deceiver, possessed, and of the devil? 

What does this say for the current state of affairs for those claiming to be God's Servants and the keeper of all truth today?

submitted by SHT

Adult Sabbath School: Never Before Understood and Unveiled At Last!: Preterism Matters

The entire experience of the Worldwide Church of God and all it's Shisms, Splits, Splinters and Slivers is based on the BOOK OF REVELATION UNVEILED AT LAST!.  Without the Book of Revelation and assorted sordid prophecies linked to our times by magical thinking, the Churches of God and many Fundamentalist Churches would not have much to motivate the faithful to join them.

 Fear does motivate. Fear causes one to join. Fear keeps one in place.  But, perfect love is said to cast out fear, so let's take a stab at putting the Book of Revelation in its proper place in history and reality and let the chips fall where they may.

"The Truth never changes; but we are not always as well informed as we would like to believe. We Christians must be flexible enough to change our positions when we discover we have made mistakes. We may not be comfortable with Truth which is different from what we were taught as children; but then we have no promise that the Truth is something which we will always be comfortable with. In any case, when differences come to light, we, not the Truth, must change."

 Don Stoner

 Consider Preterism

 Preterism is the belief that all Bible prophecies, including those concerned with the return of Christ, resurrection of the dead, rapture, judgment, and arrival of the kingdom of God, came to complete fulfillment in A.D. 70 upon the destruction of Herod’s temple in Jerusalem as predicted by Jesus.

 "The problem is not in what the Bible teaches. The problem is the assumptions and expectations modern Christians bring to the Bible. Everyone has opinions about what biblical prophecy should be about, and those opinions have a lot to do with what Christians “see” in prophecy. We recognize the critical role these assumptions play in our understanding of various portions of the Bible. But prophecy, understood on its own terms, is often surprisingly direct and simple." - Tim Martin

 When will Jesus return?

This question is often asked today. It was also asked by the disciples. Jesus answered His disciples and His words are straight and true:

When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (Matthew 10:23)

For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” (Matthew 16:27-28)

 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.....Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.(Matthew 24:30-34)

https://preterismmatters.webs.com/

Revelation

 1. The Date of Revelation                                                                                                      

 2. Timing and Theme                                                                                                            

 3. The Beast                                                                                                                          

 4. The Millennium 

When was Revelation written?

AVOID THE QUICK FIX OF 96

 When confronted with the Preterist view of Eschatology people often say, "Wasn't the Book of Revelation written after 70 A.D.?" They point out (incorrectly) that Revelation was written in 95 or 96 A.D. This is known as the "quick fix of 96" for if Revelation was written under Domitian's reign then the Preterist view has a problem. The fact is the Book of Revelation was written before Before Jerusalem Fell as hyper creedalist Ken Gentry shows in his book. There are two kinds of evidence regarding the composition of the Apocopypse, internal evidence and external evidence. Internal comes from within Revelation itself and is therefore the most important kind of evidence. External evidence is evidence from outside Revelation such as writings of the early church fathers. External evidence does not hold as much weight as internal evidence. Below is the tip of the ice berg for internal evidence to prove Revelation was written under the reign of Nero Caesar before 70 A.D. For more in-depth study read the book Before Jerusalem Fell.

 1. Revelation was written at a time when Christianity and Judism were operating in the same circles. This was not the case after the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D.

 2. Revelation chapter 11 tells us that the temple was still standing. We know the temple was destroyed in 70 A.D.

 3. Nero Caesar was the reigning emperor at the composition of Revelation as chapter 17 indicates. Nero was the sixth emperor.

 4. If Revelation was written in 95 or 96 A.D. there surely would have been mention of Herod's Temple having been destroyed 25 years earlier, but there is silence on this issue.

 See the article Date of Revelation by Timothy King.

The Time and Theme of Revelation

At the very beginning of the Book of Revelation we are told explicitly when the prophesies contained in the book were to be fulfilled! The timing of the prophecies is the key to understanding Revelation.

 ¹ The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, ² who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. ³ Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. (Revelation 1:1-3)

 John was not writing to Christians living in America in the 21^st century. He was writing to seven churches in Asia which have long since disappeared. Revelation cannot be understood apart from this fact.

(The Seven Letters to the Seven Churches in Asia Minor are NOT types of Church Eras. That is just made up to give Revelation modern a significance it does not deserve in actual history.

Dennis Diehl)

 ⁴ John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, (Revelation 1:4)

 The theme to the Book of Revelation was the Second Coming of Jesus against the apostate Jews in A.D. 70. This was prophesied by Jesus in Matt. 10:23, 16:27-28, Ch 24, etc. The phrases “they who pierced Him” and “all the tribes of the land” are two familiar designations for Old Covenant Israel.

⁷Lo, he doth come with the clouds, and see him shall every eye, even those who did pierce him, and wail because of him shall all the tribes of the land. Yes! Amen! (Revelation 1:7 YLT)

 John clearly identified himself and the seven churches in Asia Minor as living in the tribulation!!!

 ⁹ I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. ( Rev 1:9 NKJV)

Jesus said to the church in Thyatira:

²⁵ But hold fast what you have till I come. (Revelation 2:25)

 Question: Is the church at Thyatira still holding on to what they have? Are they still waiting for Jesus to return? Obviously not. The church at Thyatira is long gone now. So did Jesus fail? Did He deceive that church? Or did He come back in their lifetime as He promised?

 Jesus said to the church in Sardis:
"Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown." (Revelation 3:11)

Question: Is the church at Sardis still holding on to what they have? Are they still waiting for Jesus to return? Obviously not. The church at Sardis is long gone now. So did Jesus fail? Did He deceive that church? Or did He come back in their lifetime as He promised?

 The Lord told the seven churches in Asia in the first century He was coming quickly in their time.

 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” (Revelation 22:7)

¹⁰ And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. (Revelation 22:10)

 Contrast with Daniel 8:26 which reads:

²⁶ “ And the vision of the evenings and mornings  Which was told is true;  Therefore seal up the vision,  For it refers to many days in the future.”

There was only about 500 years between Daniel and Revelation.

 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
(Revelation 22:12)

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20)

The Beast of Revelation was Nero Caesar......

Revelation 17:9-10

9 Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.

 FULFILLED IN NERO

The first seven Kings of the Roman Empire were:

1. Julius Caesar

2. Augustus Caesar

3. Tiberious Caesar     

4. Gaius Caesar

5. Claudius Caesar    "Five have fallen"

6. Nero Caesar          "one is"

7. Galba             "must remain for a little while"

 Galba was the King for only seven months.

......con't

https://preterismmatters.webs.com/thebookofrevelation.htm

Children of the Great Tribulations

Children born into or who started attending church at a young age had no hope. From infancy to adulthood, we were threatened with death and torture. We were born in the end times. Children of the Great Tribulation. A whole generations hope was stolen from them. We had no future.

Our only possibility we had given to us was strict obedience to our parents and the church. Then we might be worthy to board a plane for the middle-east. If we were disobedient or had the wrong attitude we would get left behind and die some horrible death during the Tribulations or in the death camps.

From my childhood, I was told the world would soon end. We were told we'd never finish high school or in some cases grade school. We would never marry, have children, go to college or work normal jobs. Marriage would happen on the other side of Petra.

I remember my mom bursting out in tears over something I had done. She said; "Michael, you must learn to obey. It breaks my heart to think of you getting left behind." Time was always short. We don't have much time left and etc.

I was so far behind in life than the "worldly" kids. Had no destiny except to go to Petra. Most of them were planning to go to college and had parents who planned it. At our house, we planned for a once in a lifetime trip to visit God's HQ in Pasadena. I'm so happy to be free.

Used by permission from Facebook, MB

The One Thing All Church of God Ministers Fear

This pretty much sums up how all of the splinter groups formed and still are forming.  The thought of losing a paycheck scares all of these men.  God forbid if any of them ever had to actually work!

Rod Meredith, like Vik Kubik, Jim Franks, Clyde Kilough and many, many others, all waited in the Worldwide Church of God while they schemed in the background how they would form their new organizations in order to have the perpetual paycheck waiting for them.  In the meantime, they disfellowshipped people left and right for not agreeing with the changes.  Rod Meredith hung around as long as the Worldwide Church of God was paying his attorney fees and then slammed the screen door behind him as he left. Most of the COG ministry was like Pavlov's dog, flash the dollar sign and they will come, salivating!

From a previous thread on Herbert Armstrong:

HWA admits that his great fear was the fear of losing his job. 

That's the WCG/splinter experience in a nutshell. Men claimed to fear God, but when put into a crisis they feared for the loss of a visible paycheck, rather than the loss of relationship with an invisible God.   

Even Rod Meredith stayed on with the Tkaches for three years after he knew they were apostates... because he needed WCG's protection in the Leona McNair lawsuit. Within a month of the lawsuit being settled (and RCM didn't have to pay a dime of the hundreds of thousands of dollars that went to Leona McNair and hw lawyers in the settlement), he formed the Global Church of God. The men who formed UCG were even worse, disfellowshipping brethren in March 1995 for holding the same beliefs these ministers would claim to uphold in July 1995.   

Yes, the vast majority of men in the ACOG ministry followed HWA's example, living in fear of losing their jobs, and putting those jobs ahead of the brethren they were supposed to serve.

Richard Plaché Death

Richard Plaché has been mentioned several times here recently.  He died on May 7th.

Richard Freeman PlachéAge 83 

Richard was living at Fredricka Manor Retirement Community in Chula Vista.He had a fall on April 29th that lead to unexpected complications. 

Surrounded by family holding his hands in person, via phone and on Skype, he passed peacefully on May 7th. 

His transition was filled with love as we sang some of his favorite songs. 

As many of you know Richard loved to be close to his family and friends always. 

He was expressing love and gratitude for his life and relationships up until the very end. 

He is survived by his wife - Ruth E. Hanson PlachéOldest son and family in England - Jonathan Plaché, wife Roanne, grandson Nicolas Plaché in Shanghai (wife Tiffany), granddaughter Sasha Plaché Devilliers in England (husband Leroux).Daughter in San Diego, CA - Sharon Plaché, husband David Drexler.Son and family in Manhattan Beach, CA - Stephen Plaché, wife Cindi, 2 grand daughters Estelle and Ellis Plaché.Son in San Diego, CA - Benjamin Plaché.

When Herbert W Armstrong Leveled a Revolver at a Black Person's Head for Work Insubordination

1st Edtion HWA Autobiography, 

page 30

People still love to cover up the inherent racism that Herbert Armstrong used against African Americans.  Some thought it is quaint, and others say it is just the thinking of his time and to let it go. 

submitted by SHT

Reg Borrow: CAN A PERSON LOSE THEIR SALVATION?

One of the biggest weapons the church leadership used against members was to threaten them with the thought of losing their salvation because they disagreed with something the church said. Church members were cosntanly worrying about whether they were "going to make it."  Modern day Pharisees bang away on computer keyboards in their kitchens laying down the law and threatening anyone who does not follow THEIR demands, clamining they are at risk of losing their salvation and the ability to become "God."

          

 CAN A PERSON LOSE THEIR SALVATION?

By Reg Borrow 

No! If he could, then he only had "PROBATION" and not "SALVATION"

The very meaning of "SALVATION" is being saved from the penalty of my sins (which is death in hell) and instead, possessing eternal life.

                               If I'm Saved From Hell,

                               Then I Will Never Be In Hell!

                               If I have Eternal Life,

                               Then I Will never Suffer The

                               Second Death - The Lake Of Fire!

The assurance of our salvation is not left up to reasoning, thank the Lord. God has promised us salvation upon faith in His Son and He keeps His promise all of the way. The guarantee is given in Ephesians 1:13,14 where it is not only written down for us but we have already been given a security deposit -

"IN WHOM (CHRIST) YE ALSO TRUSTED, AFTER THAT YE HEARD THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION; IN WHOM ALSO AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, WE WERE SEALED WITH HOLY SPIRIT  OF PROMISE, WHICH IS THE EARNEST (DOWN PAYMENT) OF OUR INHERITANCE UNTIL THE REDEMPTION OF THE PURCHASED POSSESSION UNTO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY."

This security deposit lasts until Jesus Christ comes and takes possession of (us) His purchase. By the Holy Spirit, therefore, we are:  (Ephesians 4:30)

                "...SEALED UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION."

After teaching the doctrine of our salvation in the first eight chapters of the Book of Romans, Paul asks four questions and gives four answers which guarantee that our salvation cannot be lost.

    1) Romans 8:31 "IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?"

Paul argues that God has not held anything back from us. He has already given the dearest thing to Him--His Son--for our salvation. Therefore, if he has already given His Son for us, He is not going to lose us now!

    2) Romans 8:33 "WHO SHALL LAY ANYTHING TO THE CHARGE OF GOD'S ELECT?"

Here Paul argues that if it is God who has declared the believer righteous, then no one can say otherwise!

    3) Romans 8:34 - "WHO IS HE THAT CONDEMNETH?"

Now Paul argues that if Jesus Christ died to save us, and He is risen, making intercession for us, then no one is capable of lodging a complaint against us.

    4) Romans 8:35 - "WHO SHALL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST?"

Finally Paul argues that nothing can separate us from Christ's love. Remember, death is separation from God. The very meaning of not being separated from Christ's love implies not being separated from Him!

The reason given for the impossibility of being separated from Jesus Christ is because we are...

         "MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH  HIM THAT LOVED US"

In Roman 8:38 Paul says he has a settled conviction about Eternal Security. No person, (not an angel nor yourself) will get between Jesus Christ and His love for you. Not even time ("THINGS PRESENT, NOR THINGS TO COME") will change anything. That's security!

                                                            * * * * *

Concerning verses that seem to teach a person can lose his salvation, let me say this. there are verses in Matthew, Mark, and Luke that indicate a person must "ENDURE TO THE END" to receive life. The book of Hebrews also warns against "FALLING AWAY." Here again, "RIGHTLY DIVIDING " the Scriptures is a must. 

The "enduring to the end" is a reference to the future tribulation that will come upon the earth as a means of judgement upon Israel for rejecting her Messiah. It is also a means whereby God will weed out and destroy the unbelievers from the earth to purify Israel and to set up the promised Kingdom on earth. We who live in this present age of grace will not even be on earth during this time because God has promised that we will "OBTAIN SALVATION" before this time begins - see  I Thessalonians 5:9 and II Thessalonians 2:13, 14. So again, God has completely provided for our security.

Concerning the warning of "falling away" in the book of Hebrews, first know that the Book of Hebrews is written to the Hebrews – Israel. Secondly, the Book of Hebrews follows the Books of Romans through Philemon which are the revelation of the interruption in God's dealings with Israel. When the age of grace is over God will continue where He left off dealing with the nation of Israel. Therefore the Book of Hebrews is a warning to the Nation of Israel not to "fall away" from following Jesus Christ during the tribulation.

According to II Corinthians 6:2, today is not a day of God's wrath (the tribulation); but instead:

                            "...NOW (TODAY) IS THE DAY OF SALVATION."

                                            ----------------------------------

WHAT IF A PERSON SINS AGAIN AFTER BEING SAVED ? 

There really is no question about it, you will sin again after being saved. I was saved at about age 23. Therefore, the majority of sins I've committed have been since I've been saved. I am now 65.

The very basic understanding of the gospel answers this question. The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ died for my sins. Jesus Christ paid for all of my sins - past, present, and future. He left no sin unpaid. This is the very meaning of "REDEMPTION" - I'm free from hell because Jesus Christ paid the price for my salvation. "PROPITIATION" tells me that I am accepted in to the family of God because God the Father was satisfied with the payment Jesus Christ made for me on the cross. Therefore I can enjoy total and complete forgiveness from the moment I trusted in Jesus Christ as Saviour. This is what the term "REMISSION" has taught us.

The Scriptures teach me that if (or when) I sin, I ought to recognize it to be contrary to  what God would have me to do. Thank Him for the forgiveness in Christ. Correct the wrong, and go on living for the Lord.

                                                   -----------------------------------

From a Radio Bible Class booklet entitled, "Safe and Secure, the Permanence of Salvation."

"What did Paul mean when he referred to falling from grace?  (GAL 5:4)  This is threatening but it doesn't refer to a loss of salvation already received. There are at least two possibilities. It could refer to the Judaizers, who believed that salvation came ultimately through keeping the law.  If such persons turned away from Christ, whom they had never really learned to depend on, they would be turning away from their only hope of salvation."  

"Another possibility takes into account what Paul described in Galatians  3.  There the apostle talked about Jewish Christians who accepted Christ in order to be saved, but made the mistake of thinking they could go on to maturity by keeping the law.  Paul made it clear that they needed to trust the same Spirit of Christ for perfection and maturity as they did for salvation.  If they didn't, they would fall from the principle of grace.  They would not lose their salvation, but they would lose the undeserved power and enablement of God, which first leads to salvation, then to true Christian experience."

(Comment: I am convinced of the truth of eternal security--salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn or lose based on our works.)

Observation: The second paragraph quoted seems to describe me.  I received/ recognized/ accepted Jesus as my savior but then sought to "go on to maturity by keeping the law."  The result was losing the "power and enablement of God" and missing out on "true Christian experience."  Thank God my salvation was secure, despite my wrong beliefs!  Praise God that I'm beginning to truly experience the Christian life!

Question: Do you think the second paragraph describes the general state of "old" WCG?   "nominal" Christians in/out of WCG yet today?

Here are some more scriptures about Eternal Security.

1Jo 5:9  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater. For this is the witness of God which He has testified about His Son. 

10 ¶ He who believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself. He who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he does not believe the record that God gave of His Son. 

11  And this is the record, that God has given to us everlasting life, and this life is in His Son. 

12  He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 

13  I have written these things to you who believe on the name of the Son of God, **that you may know that you have everlasting life**, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God. (MKJV)
Joh 3:15  so that whosoever *believes* in Him *should not perish*, but have everlasting life. 

16  For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:36  He who *believes* on the Son *has everlasting life*, and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides upon him. (MKJV) 

Joh 5:24  Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes on Him who sent Me has everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death to life. (MKJV) 

Joh 6:47  Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes on Me *HAS everlasting life* .          

Has now! Present tense.

Joh 6:54  Whoever partakes of My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. (MKJV)

Joh 10:27  My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me (MKJV)

28  And I give to them eternal life, and *they shall never ever perish*, and not anyone shall pluck them out of My hand.

29  My Father who gave them to me is greater than all, and *no one* is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand.

The no one can also include ourselves.

Joh 17:2  even as You have given Him authority over all flesh so that He should give eternal life to all

You have given Him. (MKJV)

And remember.

Php 2:13  For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of [His] good pleasure. (MKJV)

Php 1:6  being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ, (MKJV)

And this is an  assurance by God that He will not take our names out of the Book of Life.

Re 3:5  The one who overcomes, that one will be clothed in white clothing. And *I will not* blot out his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. (MKJV)