COGA continues to carry on the grand tradition of Armstrongism with its doom-and-gloom scenarios. The world around them is corrupt and full of evil, pretty much like their own church organization, but that's another topic. Impending doom and annihilation await the United States, England, Canada, and other so-called Borsitih Israelite nations. Like all the other COG's, they can't look at or embrace peace in Christ, but teach their members to live in a constant state of fear.
The opposite of being complacent is being watchful and alert.
The prophet Ezekiel saw a glimpse of the spirit world just before sudden destruction came upon Jerusalem. As the glory of God was leaving the temple, Ezekiel saw six angelic beings with lethal weapons and one among them with an inkhorn (Ezekiel 9:1-3).
God told the angel with the inkhorn to go and mark those who “sigh and cry over all the abominations” that were being done around them. Then those with the deadly weapons were to slay the rest who didn’t receive this mark, who essentially were complacent about their sins and the sins of the people around them (verses 4-5, 9).
We must go to God in prayer, sighing and crying over all the abominations around us. We are to watch world conditions and our attitudes as we diligently strive to make our spiritual “call and election” sure (2 Peter 1:10).
With these things in mind, we should be praying that we will be “counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).
God has a wonderful future in store beyond the troubles of this age. Learn more about Jesus Christ’s return and how to prepare for it in our online article “You Need Some Good News.”
17 comments:
Does the article's graphic imply an endorsement of tattoos? Looks like Sheldon may be going liberal to get more tithe-slaves in his camp!
Sheldon Monson? Maybe a little more context and explanation?
I think most people understand that things are CRAPPY , and that there are a lot of problems. To trumpet the news that things are going to hell, is not news or shocking to anyone in the potential marketplace.
What has been disappointing to me in the COG universe is the lack of revolutionary changes and success stories of the members , if effect, here is what we got that is a solution to these problems of the world, and here are the testimonials of those whose lives have miraculous turn arounds and how the spirit of God achieved that in their life!
Seldom though have I ever seen such testimonials in any COG literature or social interaction.
Sheldon Monson? Maybe a little more context and explanation?
Sheldon Manson is the poobah of COGA (Church of God Assembly). There's a typo in the first sentence of the article. It's about COGWA, not COGA. So the author isn't one of Sheldon's people after all.
I believe that what we see around us (our world view) is largely a reflection of ourselves. The ACOG members are indoctrinated to see corruption, evil, sins, lies, greed, and so on, which causes them to miss all of the good things which coexist in parallel mode with the evil. There just is no joy in life for such people, thus their spiritual guides lead them to miss out on life!
Do you really want to be just like your leaders? Especially you RCG and PCG members?
Man was made in God's image in that man has the capacity to mold and change his environment, that is to say man has been given dominion. None of the other animals have that capability to the extent that we do. Use it! Love it! Share it! Enjoy it!
If each and every one of us would focus on our own behavior and readiness, we would have no need of a "watchman" or obsessing over news headlines. As Christians, we should be focused on Jesus Christ, his teachings, and what he has done/can do in and through us. If we truly have the love, faith, hope and peace that can be found in Jesus, the fearfulness and worry are unnecessary - a waste of energy and time!
Who's the journalist in charge of this post ? Fire them !! Since when has Sheldon been in COGWA ??
I read this post and can't find anything that relates to COGWA or reality. Mocking and scorning, being in ignorance of Scripture is the only obvious truths here. Pretty sad isn't it?
Ha! Same enclosed attitude I've seen before. Who's obsessing over the news ? Cocoon attitude is not healthy. That type of attitude is anti time. Do you want nothing to change ever and time to stand still ?
Anonymous of March 3 at 5:05 PM: you gave a highly insightful comment on the psychology of the COG mind; it's very helpful to me in trying to understand these people!
I wonder if the individual Armstrongist brain is wired to just be more prone to see the bad and overlook the good – or – are they hard-wired to being duped by “leaders” who lead them in the direction of what they should “see” and what they cannot see?
Your last paragraph is also huge; the Armstrongist doesn’t believe this world can be changed, short of the Kingdom coming.
Thereby, they miss out on love, pure religion, and the joy of changing the world, one act of kindness at a time, as they are entombed in their cocoon of fear.
The one verse sermon I’d like to preach to the Armstrongists, and my prayer for them to counteract the doom and gloom of their teachers is:
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
5.05 and 7.09
Many ACOG members are under great pressure from the world for being different, plus many are spiritually struggling. Criticizing them for being unbalanced is unfair. It's like criticizing front line soldiers for having dirty uniforms or being terrified.
It's easy to criticize while safely sipping one's cup of tea and eating one's teacake.
Hello Anonymous of March 5 at 7:12: sorry that you were offended by my comment.
I did not think it was criticism to try to understand the COG mind.
I think trying to make sense out of their situation is helpful to all, even if it exposes some defects.
For example, if you learn that you are predisposed to have high blood pressure, you can decide to make lifestyle choices to counteract it.
I did offer John 14:27, as a prayer for the people of the COGs; at least that was intended to be helpful to them.
I do believe that this verse is the opposite of what the COG leaders instill in the people and if this verse is believed, prayed, and practiced, the members will experience freedom.
1.43 pm, Christ prayed in anguish before His trial and crucification. So John 14:27 is not a magic wand that wipes away reality. Any Christian who has been persecuted would understand this. Your initial "I'm sorry you feel this way" (an abuser favorite) is cheap since it shifts the blame on to the victim.
I dont think many of us eat teacake...
OK, OK. For the poms, it's a cup of tea and teacake, and for the yanks it's a beer and hotdogs. Satisfied?
Today’s prayer for the suffering people of the COGs:
"I PRAY THAT OUT OF HIS GLORIOUS RICHES HE MAY
STRENGTHEN YOU WITH POWER THROUGH HIS SPIRIT
IN YOUR INNER BEING, SO THAT CHRIST MAY DWELL IN
YOUR HEARTS THROUGH FAITH. AND I PRAY THAT YOU,
BEING ROOTED AND ESTABLISHED IN LOVE, MAY HAVE
POWER, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE LORD'S HOLY PEOPLE,
TO GRASP HOW WIDE AND LONG AND HIGH AND DEEP IS
THE LOVE OF CHRIST."
( EPHESIANS 3:16-18 *NIV )
Today’s prayer for the suffering people of the COGs:
2 Corinthians 9:13-15
We praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
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