The Grand COG Tradition Of Taking Scripture Out Of Context

It has been a while since I have checked out the posts on Concretized Christianity They had this excellent piece up recently about how the Church of God has been so good at taking scripture out of context. They start off with a zinger about the "cheerful giver", which has been twisted by the COG to justify tithing and giving generously to the church. They demonstrate that it means nothing of the sort. 

The other excellent point is the COG attitude that when everyone who is a true Christian becomes a king or priest in the kingdom they will be sitting around ruling over underlings doing all of the work as they revel in their new power and authority and do nothing to get their hands dirty.

I have long said that if the church really wanted to grow and practice what they claim about the kingdom then they would want to do all they can in this day and life to bring a foretaste of that to those around them by helping in disasters, the local food bank or kitchen, and doing good in their communities.

Lifting Scriptures Out of Context

The COG groups are infamous for lifting scriptures out of context and applying them to a different narrative. If we’re so busy reading a group’s literature and listening to their online content that we don’t have time to sit down and study the word of God (the Bread of Life), we will not be able to tell when they do this and why it is wrong.

One example of this is something we hear on almost every holy day.

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (II Corinthians 9:6-7) is often read before taking up an offering, as if it applies to giving money to a corporate organization. But, when you read the context in II Corinthians 8, it is really about collecting an offering for another congregation (in Jerusalem) in need.

So beyond the misuse of the scriptures for something it’s not talking about, let’s stop and consider whether we have ever had a request to help another congregation in need. Have you seen a collective effort for food, water, money, supplies, etc., for example, for a congregation in an area that has been devastated by a tornado, a wildfire, or a hurricane? Have volunteers from the COG congregations poured into those communities to help out?

The short answer is “No.” The corporate COG groups diss “so-call Christians” for many things, and yet these are the very people who respond in a tangible way after a disaster. Want to make disciples and preach the gospel? Live it by helping and serving others, especially when their worlds have been turned upside down.

In fact, is this any different than what we will be doing when Jesus establishes God’s kingdom on the earth? Humans who are still alive are going to be shell-shocked and they will need the most basic of their needs met. Food, water, shelter, clothing.

Someone thumping on a Bible and “preaching” at them won’t help them a bit. Someone helping provide those basic necessities will. In the process, they will see the fruit of God’s spirit on display: agape, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. That will make an impact, considering what they have just experienced, and that’s the first step.

One of the things that the COG groups imply is that we’ll have offices and ranks and we will sit on thrones and direct little underlings, but you and I won’t actually get in there and get our hands dirty laboring to help people. For me, that’s no better than the idea of going to heaven and playing a harp for eternity.

We’ll be a kingdom of priests to our God. What does that look like? We don’t have to look any further than our High Priest, Jesus. What did He do when He was on the earth? What does He do now?

He served and He serves. He didn’t go sit down and pontificate somewhere and ignore the needs of the people he encountered. He healed, he fed, he counseled. Most of his actual teaching was confined to his disciples (120 by the time we get to Acts 1). Now as our High Priest, He mediates, intercedes, and saves us. That’s work, my friends (at least in my case, it is!).

I recently heard a sermon about the life of Hezekiah. And I encountered another instance of lifting scripture out of context. The speaker actually said that the second part of II Kings 20 happened before the first part. I’ve never seen such an egregious act of completely twisting a narrative.

To summarize the story as the speaker told it, Hezekiah showed the Babylonian ambassadors everything in Jerusalem before he got sick, showing a lack of faith in God, but later down the road he got sick and humbled himself.

That’s not true. Period. The Babylonian ambassadors came to Hezekiah because they heard he had been sick!

Why did God give Hezekiah 15 more years of life when he was dying? I think II Chronicles 32:31 gives us an idea. It was a test and Hezekiah failed. Now, in II Chronicles 32, there is a second mention of Hezekiah humbling himself after he showed everything to the Babylonian ambassadors and God not letting the fall of Jerusalem happen during his lifetime.

But when you read the same account in II Kings 20, Hezekiah’s attitude seems less humble. He basically responds to God’s judgement with relief that it wouldn’t happen while he was alive and a total lack of concern that his children would experience it. Not exactly my idea of father of the year.

We cannot twist scripture and lift it out of context for our own meanings and interpretations. In a sense, this is no different from adding to scripture and taking away from scripture, against which God gives strict warnings twice.

We also need to know the word of God intimately so we know when other people are doing this. Otherwise, we’re ripe for deception, and there is more than enough of that already going around.

Let’s study the word of God instead of the words of man. One is absolute truth. The other is not. Concretized Christianity

“Dear Girls, Dressing immodestly is like rolling around in manure. Yes, you’ll get attention, but mostly from pigs!” Sincerely, Real Men

Link Updated at end of the article

A special hat tip to the NASA government employee who notified me about this...

Church of God men have to be the weakest sex-crazed men who have ever walked this earth and who cannot control their minds or keep their pants zipped. At least that is the impression a group of "older ladies in the Church of God" seem to claim in a recently released "open letter" to the Churches of God concerning all of the immodest women flaunting themselves at church, at weddings, and the beach at Feast time.

I am just going to post sections here. The link will be at the end for the entire article. (Photo's mine)

Why Immodesty is a Problem 

Written by older ladies in the Church of God

(Please do NOT give this to teenagers younger than 18. Parents should read this and reveal as much as they feel their teens need to know.)

In coed sports, when male players accuse female players of trying to distract them with their skimpy outfits, it’s not usually taken seriously. But did you know that the same sort of feminine distractions are the cause of thousands of car accidents every day?! A study done in August 2022 discovered that, in Britain alone, nearly a million accidents a year are caused by drivers—mostly men— being distracted by attractive pedestrians and billboards! [1]

Given the way most women dress today, it’s highly unlikely that many of the women the drivers said they ‘could not help but look at’ were dressed modestly. And you can be almost certain that the beautiful women on the billboards— which many of the men said they ‘couldn’t tear their eyes away from’—were scantily clothed and posing seductively.

We older women remember how fun it was to turn heads and feel attractive to the opposite sex. Like most other young women, we didn’t understand what turned a guy on and were often surprised that something as innocent as a strap of a sundress falling off our shoulder could do it, or the wind accidentally blowing our skirt up. We now have a far better understanding of how those strange creatures called men, work. Of course, we’ve also included many comments from men as we thought it best to ‘go to the horses’ mouth,’ so to speak!

Acting or dressing in a sexy manner creates lust in men. Modesty, femininity, and 

sweetness create a desire in men to care for and protect a woman.

The Western world’s morals are on a severe downward spiral with many music and movie stars taking provocative clothing and seductiveness to a whole new low. It likely makes most young women today feel quite modest in their strapless crop tops and mini-skirts, compared to the many outrageous outfits of so many idolized female pop stars.

But merely dressing less immodestly than pop stars is not what a godly woman should be striving for! As quoted by Tomorrow’s World magazine from an article in the magazine, Good Housekeeping, “Surviving Britney Spears”:

Parading through videos in cropped-tops and bikinis, she has incredible appeal to girls as young as eight or nine. Young teenagers are increasingly immersed in an erotic world. The results are quite evident…many, barely into their teens, look and act like prostitutes![11]

Do you really want your teen to be mistaken for a prostitute? But do you know what you are saying by the clothes you’re wearing!? Here is some wise advice that sums up the Biblical principle of modesty: ‘Wear clothes tight enough to show you’re a woman and loose enough to show you’re a lady.’

The same principle applies to any outfit that shows cleavage, is too short, or shows any part of your body that is meant to be kept private. A godly woman does not show off her body in any way. (If you’re not sure whether something is provocative, ask someone you trust—like your parents, a brother, or husband)

This excerpt from the same World Tomorrow magazine should help make it clear: 

Skirts that are too short and tight, plunging necklines, high slits and other similar styles are designed to send a sexually seductive message to men. While many young women would deny this is their intention and say that it is just the style, their parents need to help them grasp that, regardless of their motive for doing so, they are projecting an image that is seductive and sexually arousing to men.[11]

A little further down: 

Women must understand that most men will be attracted to and look at sexy women—even if they are happily married.

But, as strong as their sex drive is, the majority still value true love, a lasting relationship, and a family, above all else. And women who dress as sex objects are usually not taken seriously, whereas the modest, girl-next-door type are looked up to and valued. For a woman to mix sweet and innocent with sexy and alluring, confuses men, to say the least. Always dress for the type of woman you are!

One of the biggest mistakes women make with men is believing that when a man desires them sexually it means he likes and cares for them. The old saying is true: Women give sex to get love and men give ‘love’ to get sex. Of course, men are not giving love when they are ‘in lust’—they are only doing and saying whatever will get a woman to have sex with them!

Lust causes men to objectify and use women and even despise them because it is focused solely on satisfying the self. This is exactly what happened between Amnon and Tamar. (2 Sam 13) And it’s why ungodly men can have sex with any number of women with no feelings or concern for them whatsoever.

Job said, "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.” (Job 31:1 NIV) 

And Christ said, “Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt 5:28)

There is no such command for women! So don’t blame men because their thoughts can so often turn to sex, or because they are much more easily aroused—it’s the way God made them! And, whether a woman shows sexy body parts purposely or accidentally, makes no difference in how it can affect men. It is up to you to wear clothes that don’t even accidentally show off your body! As one long-time minister said,

“I really appreciate it when a woman keeps her top from gaping open as she bends over, to prevent me seeing something that might tempt me to sin.”

All women need to understand that, to a man, a woman acting or looking ‘sexy’ is offering herself to every man around.

So, he assumes it’s just a matter of which man she’ll choose to satisfy her—and him—sexually.

“Dear Girls, Dressing immodestly is like rolling around in manure. 

Yes, you’ll get attention, but mostly from pigs!” 

Sincerely, Real Men

 

Too many women know firsthand how aggressive and persistent men can be when they are crazy for sex. The severe emotional and bodily injury that can occur in rape are so disastrous that most women can never get past it. However, while a woman should never attempt to arouse sexual desire in a man other than her husband, she is never responsible for rape or abuse no matter how she acts or dresses! But if you aren’t offering sex, don’t send wrong messages by dressing or acting in a sexy manner!

And don’t think a man’s need for sexual release is somehow shameful—God made men that way! However, He does not condone men fulfilling their needs with any woman except his wife! The Bible addresses this need in marriage quite clearly:

“Do not deprive each other of sexual relations unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” (I Cor 7:5 NLT)

Most women can go weeks, months, and even years without the need for any kind of sex. Men aren’t made that way!

That’s why there are far more men indulging in pornography, strip shows, and sex for hire, than women. But it is not the desire that is evil, it is the way either men or women seek to fulfill that desire. It is meant to be shared in marriage only and wives who deprive their husbands of sex are causing their husbands to be tempted to find sex elsewhere and damaging their marriage big time. Just as food is not much of a temptation when your stomach is full, so a man who is satisfied sexually will be far less likely to be tempted than one who is deprived.

But Women Need to Control Their Wrong Desires too! 

If you protest that men should just control themselves, you’re absolutely right! But it isn’t just men that are guilty of lust!

While some few women may be sex-driven, most women just want attention, admiration and affection. This is why so many women ‘compete’ with other women, resorting to immodest clothing as a common strategy. And, even when they know they’re getting the wrong kind of attention, or are even happily married, it’s why many women still want to dress in a provocative manner!

Lust for attention can be as addictive as a drug—and yes, it is lust if a woman’s desire to be admired leads her in wrong ways—like showing off her body or behaving immorally! That is Satan’s way, it is sinful, and it does not lead to any kind of lasting happiness. God tells us plainly: “A person who commits sexual immorality sins against their own body.” (I Cor 6:18)

A great many women flaunt their bodies shamelessly and not only don’t care if men are affected but do it on purpose to tease, get attention, manipulate men, or feed their vanity. This must not be a godly woman’s attitude. Hopefully this article is helping you understand how a man’s mind works so you will make better choices in your clothes—all of them! 

Another single man put it this way: “The one place where I might think not to have to face temptation is at church. But this is not always the case! When ladies that I'm friends with dress immodestly, it definitely has a negative effect on our friendship. When she dresses immodestly, it doesn't make it easy to see her as a sister in Christ. There is a constant battle going on as I'm talking with her. Communication becomes more difficult because as I'm trying to listen to her, I am also trying to fight temptation. I also think some ladies just aren't aware.” [5]

Here is what one young man said: “…if I could say anything to the women in the church, it would be this: first, there is not a man I know that doesn't struggle in some way with lust. If they had any idea what went through guys' minds, it would probably vastly change the way they dress. Secondly, and I think most importantly, God has created his church to be a resting place for Christians, to be a place where people encounter God without all the distractions… It is disappointing when I walk into the church or an event with the church and have to deal with the same temptations that I face in the world, but I rejoice whenever I see a girl or woman that is attempting to serve the Lord (and guys) by dressing modestly.

You have no idea how sweet and challenging it is when I see a woman who has decided not to flaunt her body— like the culture shouts for her to do—but rather she has decided that serving the Lord and her brothers is more important.”

Further down:

From a minister in the United Church of God: “Virtually every man between the ages of 12 and 112 who has a normal set of male hormones responds to any female immodesty, overt sensuality or suggestiveness! The response may be lust and sexual arousal…But he may have another negative response, such as embarrassment, a compulsive curiosity to see more or annoyance at the distraction. If the man is trying to obey God, he may lament or resent the visual temptation that has provoked a mental battle within him. A man often has mixed feelings, being turned on and turned off at the same time.” [12]

Continuing:

This comment was from a college-age man: “The thing that women do not seem to fully grasp is that the temptation towards lust does not stop for us as men. It is continual. It is aggressive. It does all it can to lead men down to death. They [women] have a choice to help or deter its goal. Consider this message my appeal on behalf of the men for you to help us deter the goal of lust in our lives. To the girls who are ignorant, please serve your brother, and have your dad screen your wardrobe. Ask him how you can better choose holiness over worldliness. To the girls who don't follow the pattern of the world, thank you a million times over! You are following Scripture's commands and helping your brothers in the process.” [5]

Continuing further down:

One Church of God minister summed it up in a sermon: “The fellows who have a proper mind-set—who want to be Christians in every way—very much want to get to know the ladies around them. But if they are approached by a lady who is dressed so provocatively that every moment he’s with her he’s got to guard his thoughts about the obvious way she’s coming across—as a sexual object—he can’t think about her personality; he can’t think about a conversation he might have with her. He’s too busy—as a Christian—trying to block out all those things that are slapping him in the face wanting to get his attention in the wrong way.”

“One of our young men said in a sermonette that he had gone to a warm-weather Feast site and the ladies in the Church were wearing bikinis. Now I would submit to you—in a public setting—how would a bikini ever be proper?! A Church setting at the Feast of Tabernacles and OUR ladies in OUR Church are wearing bikinis!? How is that ever justifiable?! And the people this man was talking about were not teenagers. They were in their twenties and past, so this is not just for our teens.” [2]

Look at this excerpt from a church bulletin: “Dear sisters, On behalf of and for the benefit of men who are seeking to live in accordance with the will of God and to keep themselves pure and holy, to the end that you not encourage them to lust, and for your own eternal welfare, please do not call undue attention to yourself or expose yourself by wearing immodest apparel. Godly men do not want to see your thighs—or more—in clothing that is too short, your cleavage in tops that are too low, your navels in tops that are too short, your undergarments in clothing that is too thin, nor the curves and characteristics of your bodies in clothing that is too tight. Please look in the mirror at yourself—front and back—and ask yourself if your attire is becoming one professing godliness. You may need to make some changes. A brother in Christ” [2]

Further down the article, after telling women what they should wear, there is this:

Strive to look Sweet rather than Saucy; Feminine rather than Foxy; 

Classy rather than Sassy!

Having to fight ungodly impulses may cause many men to just stay away from women who dress or act in any manner that compromises their walk with God, including any such women in Church. And a man who is looking for a wife will likely feel some aversion to a woman who is willing to show off her body for all other men. Men are not as shallow as some women think, especially men who are striving to be godly! They greatly prize a woman who keeps her body hidden in respect for herself and others.

Some older men even feel obliged to turn down requests to speak to the teens in their congregation because the young girls dress so provocatively! Parents need to make sure their teenage daughters are taught how to dress and act modestly and—as long as they are living at home—that the parent’s rules are followed! A minister should never have to correct teenagers on this point. That is the parents’ job! (No one said raising children was easy!) Remember your children are also holy, so see that they dress as becomes holy people! (I Cor 7:14)

It is highly unlikely that any woman would become sexually aroused simply by how a man dresses! But, as the young men in the survey above confirmed, virtually every one of them said they would be tempted to lust if a woman is dressed immodestly!

And please remember that when you come before God in a worship service, your clothing should be especially modest and not distracting! If a woman is going to be on a stage—such as for special music—her skirt will appear several inches shorter because the audience is looking up at her. And do you really think a woman who is dressed immodestly should be teaching our children, playing for hymns, providing special music, signing for the deaf, or any other such service in church?

Another perspective is from a minister in Church of the Great God: “I cannot help wondering where the husbands in the church are when their wives come to Sabbath services with thin tops and bras, leaving nothing to the imagination of the other men in the congregation. Ladies, if you do not have a husband attending with you, or you are single, please check your clothing by looking in a mirror before you come. Is your blouse too tight and gaping open? When you sit down, are you well covered? Whatever you see in that mirror, we see! Do you fathers monitor your teenagers' clothing?” [14]

Besides sitting in front of a mirror, lean over to see what is revealed if your blouse gapes open. Look at yourself from the back and sides. Your bottom and thighs should not be visible through your clothing, nor should they be outlined by tight clothing. If they are, your clothes are immodest.

There is a lot more in the article. Find it here: Why Immodesty Is A Problem

COG Aggregator Sites Are Being Used By Satan To "Slither" Their Way Into The One True Church

 

Voldemort is not happy with all of the various aggregator websites that publish old Herbert Armstrong writings and sermons, Ambassador College booklets and films, and the original Worldwide Church of God materials.

Satan is angry, and I mean ANGRY that all of these sites have been exposed by Samuel Kitchen. These sites exist as a deliberate attempt to undermine Samuel's great work and to keep TRUE Christians from joining up with Samuel Kitchen and his one true, restored, holy, apostolic, Worldwide Church of God.

According to Samuel, these sites are slithering their way into getting next to the REAL true church, his church.

I'm working on getting things back on track after the latest attack from rivals and enemies.

There are many "libraries", museums, galleries, websites that showcase the publications of the Worldwide Church of God.

Some have attempted to slither their way right up next to this Church, because they found the people of God were happy givers, and they want to make merchandise of our membership.

So they have abounded online, in the case of search engines in trying to gain the edge on "the market".

While the Worldwide Church of God is currently being oppressed and facing suppression of the true Gospel message, these showcases are very helpful, because they are in the hands of those OUTSIDE of this Church.

So I may use their showcases, and exhibits, in order to provide the opportunity to warn against heresies, false teachings, and against false ministers.

If they want to light the Worldwide Church of God in flames, they should get used to the heat, because they wanted to be close enough to us to deceive people.

I just want to say to those.....thank you. This may be hell, but we call it home! And what belongs to God will not burn, for the spiritual is what endures all flames. But let's see if your rubble can withstand it!

How deluded and narcissistic can Samuel get? He stole material and a name that Grace Communion still owns and pretends it is his. He pretends he has thousands of in-the-closet followers in a church he does not own. He claims people are giving these aggregator sites money that really belongs to him and the one true Worldwide Church of God. 

The Church of God is not being oppressed in any way whatsoever. There is not one COG group today that has been oppressed. There is not one Church of God leader who can say they have been persecuted, except maybe Ron Weinland who actually went to prison for being a criminal, but his "work" never stopped as other people carried on that so-called  "work".

No COG group today is persecuted, not even Bob Thiel. They all park their narcissistic privileged white butts on their comfortable sofas in their comfortable homes after enjoying a nice meal. That is not being oppressed or persecuted.

The War Of The Worldwide Church of God's Heats Up!

 

The Worldwide Church of God battle heats up...

Sent this to Ron Stephens this morning.

Dear Mr. Ron Stephens,

Please cease and desist with any attempts on YouTube to report my channel @officialworldwidechurchofgod., and kindly withdrawal your report of me impersonating you. I am not impersonating you or your group. I have ample proof of usage prior to you filing for a new trademark. You not only committed crimes, but you have inflicted damage, and had a YouTube channel removed through a report. Please withdrawal it.

Your "Worldwide Church of God(WCG)" Trademark is not valid until the old usage is killed, and my family has been keeping the original usage alive, through Facebook, YouTube, long before you filed for registration of a new trademark. You had knowledge of this usage prior to filing, and therefore you committed a crime, and lied, and gave false witness. We have proof you had full knowledge, as you came into contact with my family years prior.

I demand you to cease and desist this persecution and suppressive actions you have taken against me and the Worldwide Church of God.

Text me, or email me is best.

In Christ's name,

Samuel W Kitchen

Kiriath-Jearim and the End of British Israelism

 

Fresco in the Dura-Europos Synagogue of the capture of the Ark by the Philistines.

The Philistines later returned the Ark to Kiriath-Jearim (Public Domain).

 

Kiriath-Jearim and the End of British Israelism

By Scout

The town of Kiriath-Jearim is mentioned a number of times in the Old Testament and rightly so. It may have been remote from Jerusalem but it seemed to have hosted some of the significant upheavals in the history of ancient Israel. It was originally Hivite town. The Hivites were a branch of the Canaanites and when they inhabited Kiriath-Jearim it was a place of Baal worship. Joshua conquered Kiriath-Jearim and may have changed its name from Kiriath-Baal to Kiriath-Jearim. Later when the Philistines returned the captured Ark to Israel, it first resided in Kiriath-Jearim where it stayed about twenty years. Urijah the son of Shemaiah, a prophet and contemporary of Jeremiah, operated from Kiriath-Jearim. Finally, Jews from Kiriath-Jearim were exiled to Babylon. And now it is the place of the very first excavation of the burial site of an ancient Israelite family where the ancient DNA has been analyzed.

This finding is a significant milestone in the invalidation of British-Israelism by the science of genetics. The study of ancient DNA is called archaeogenetics. This beginning point in the archaeogenetics of Palestine augurs a bleak future of declining credibility for those who make British-Israelism (BI) a part of their theology.

The Excavation in Brief

Tomb raiders hit a location in the village of Abu Ghosh which adjoins Kiriath-Jearim. And Kiriath-Jearim is about 15 kilometers west of Jerusalem. It is on the ancient border between Judah and Benjamin. Typically, archaeologists in Israel would avoid disturbing the remains of the dead but in this case their hand was forced. The tomb was damaged by both construction and looting so the archaeologists did a rapid salvage excavation. The tomb contained at least 10 people along with some ceramic grave goods. This included three adult men and three adult women and four children. It is probable that these people came from the Israelite elite. The contents of the tomb were dated to around 750-650 BCE. This places it in the latter part of the Iron Age or the late First Temple period. (See Reference 2.)

The Haplogroups

First, it is important to point out that the science of genetics is not waging war against BI. BI is a part of the Armstrongist legendarium and is so far outside the pale of scientific inquiry that it does not attract the attention of geneticists. It is up to those of us who have an interest to apply the findings that their research generates to BI.

This is the first recovery of DNA from ancient Israelites living around the First Temple period. Professor David Reich, a geneticist from Harvard University, worked on the genetic analysis. The recovery technique involved using the petrous bone, an area of the skull just behind the ear. This piece of the skull is rich in DNA. Extraction was done on two individuals, a male and a female, and haplogroups were identified. The Y chromosome haplogroup of the man was J2. Both the male and female had mtDNA and the haplogroups were T1a and H87. (Y chromosome haplogroups are inherited through the masculine line and mtDNA is inherited through the female line.) Haplogroup J is quite common in the Middle East and is carried by Jews, Arabs and others. Spencer Wells, in a National Geographic study, identified the ancient Canaanites as haplogroup J. And several ancient Assyrian burials yielded Y chromosome haplogroup J. (See Note below.) T1a is associated with Neolithic Anatolia and H87 is associated with the Arabian Peninsula. The people of Northwest Europe, on the other hand, are principally haplogroups R1a, R1b and I.

The sample data is small so that we cannot yet draw broad conclusions but more research is on the way. Professor David Reich stated:

This is only partial data with a more detailed paper coming in the future. Sampling DNA from ancient Israelites is exciting, as it should make it possible to test how they relate genetically to previous groups, to contemporary non-Israelite groups, and to people living today. (Reference 3.)

The Implications of the Genetics for British Israelism

None of this is good news for advocates of BI. The research is only at the beginning but the archaeology along with current anthropology of modern races indicate which trajectory this will follow in its implications for BI: the Israelites of the Iron Age are haplogroup J and are not identified with Northwest Europeans. The most effective counter-argument that proponents of BI can make at this time is that the sample is too small to really reveal anything. But this argument will continue to erode as more data comes in.

BI would predict that the burials in the area of the Northern Ten Tribes should be dense with the Northwest European Y chromosome haplogroups R1a and R1b. If these haplogroups are not found or found but not dense, then BI collapses for lack of evidence where evidence should be most easily collected.

There is some possibility that Kiriath-Jearim is a northern kingdom city – likely Benjamite. Archaeologist Israel Finkelstein’s excavations at the site revealed that there was a large artificial platform at the top of the settlement. This accords with the urban planning of the northern kingdom. Armstrongism asserts that it is probable that Benjamin is to be identified with the people of Norway. Yet the Norwegians are dominated by Y chromosome haplogroups I and R1a. If the site at Kiriath-Jearim can be shown to be northern kingdom definitively, this presents a small crisis for Armstrongism. But as more data comes in, the small crisis turns into a great thunderstorm. We are now on the cusp of a definitive archaeogenetic case against BI.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why BI is not tenable. Among these, archaeogenetics will provide an extremely tight case. For BI to be true, the burials of Iron Age Palestine and should be densely populated with Y chromosome R1b and R1a in the area of the northern kingdom. These are the haplogroups of Northwest Europeans. And without BI, the prophetic interpretations of Armstrongism collapse. If the Northwest Europeans are shown to be Goyim, then the Northwest Europeans have no significant role in prophecy. The jury is still out on the archaeogenetic case but we have a preview and the case will be soon resolved as more data accumulates.


Note: The fact that the Israelites, Canaanites, and Assyrians are all principally haplogroup J has implications for the interpretation of the so-called Table of Nations in Genesis 10. One can apply genetic principles to the Table of Nations. This is an approach that some reject because they regard the Table of Nations to be a fantasy. But let us assume that it is real. Genetics requires that the three sons of Noah will have the same Y chromosome haplogroup as Noah. It is highly probable that is haplogroup J. Any other conclusion would lack scientific traction and would require a novel, and likely dubious, solution. This means that Ham, Shem, and Japheth were all haplogroup J. Actually, all masculine lines in the Table of Nations are haplogroup J. The Table implies that everyone in the world should be the same haplogroup and, of course, this is not the case. A better fit to reality is that the Flood devastated a collection of villages belonging to a racially homogenous group of people descended from a man named Adam who was haplogroup J. And that the Table reflects Middle Eastern people who are all of the same race. In fact, the genetics of the Israelites (Shemitic) and the Canaanites (Hamitic) are so close, that some geneticists speculate that the Israelites are a sub-group of the Canaanites. While this contradicts the Biblical record, it indicates this closeness between the Israelites and Canaanites. The Biblical record would support the idea that they are “cousins.” Genetics has shown that the modern descendants of Canaan are the Lebanese.



References

1. Blenkinsopp, Joseph. “Kiriath-Jearim and the Ark.”

2. David, Ariel. “In First, Archaeologists Extract DNA of Ancient Israelites,” Haaretz online News.

3. Shous, Ari, et al. “Ancient Mitochondrial DNA Analysis of an Iron II Burial Cave on the Slope of Tel Kiriath-Yearim.”

Satan and His Demons Now Zipping Around The World In UFO's So They Can Deceive True COG Members

 

It's another fun day in COG La La Land. The sun is blazing hot on the central coast and the already fried brain of our resident crackpot prophet has been cooked a little more if that was possible. Since he has a direct line to the throne of God and speaks with AUTHORITY on every imaginable topic a human could dream up, the Great Bwana Bob Mzungu Thiel is also the official world authority on UFOs!

A while back, someone sent me an email that claimed:

Since May of 2020, UFO sightings have jumped 2,000% in the New Mexico desert.

He then goes on to quote one person who debunks them as extraterrestrial and then jumps to his favorite NewsMax conspiracy theorist, Mike Snyder:

Extremely strange aircraft are spotted flying through our skies every single day. This is happening in every part of the globe, and those that are having experiences with these aircraft come from a wide variety of different cultures. It has become exceedingly obvious that something is going on, but of course there is a tremendous amount of disagreement about what all of this means. Some argue that these aircraft have an extraterrestrial origin, others argue that they have a terrestrial origin, and yet others believe that most of these sightings can all be explained as “experimental military aircraft”, drones, weather balloons or other man-made anomalies. But at this point nobody can deny that there is lots of strange activity happening above our heads, and it appears to be accelerating.

Snyder's opinion plays really well into the lunacy of the Great Bwana. 

He writes:

A while back, I received an email as well as a letter (which also said it went to numerous COG leaders) from an ex-WCG member who wants the COGs to spend more time examining his views of aliens from outer space. I told him I had written on that topic.

 

That being said, many in the world are convinced that there are aliens from outer space...

Alien Beliefs and the Return of Jesus
Surveys show that the vast majority of Americans believe in UFOs and aliens from outer space. Could there be any truth to reports of paranormal visits? What about the work of SETI? Are there one or more beings watching the Earth? Are we part of a ‘galactic zoo’? What do Roman Catholics, Protestants, and others believe? Are there many ‘UFO religions’? Does the Bible teach anything about this? What about visits from angels and demons? What about various apparitions? What about signs and lying wonders? Has Satan inspired prophecies to get people to fight against Jesus? Might the returning Jesus be considered ‘the Antichrist’ or possibly an attacking alien? Will the nations fail to recognize the returning Jesus and fight against Him? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.

He then quotes this, as his eyes glaze over, as worldly proof, he will soon deliver to the church the ral truth about UFO's:

In the book “One Cosmos Under God” it is scientifically and mathematically proven in exacting detail that the odds of any form of life, much less intelligent life, existing out of chance are tantamount to winning the powerball lottery twenty times in a row. In other words, not possible, therefore a Creator must exist. Why is this not being reported academically when it has just been proven mathematically? Because the Powers-That-Be do not want you to believe in God, which is Truth, because it would lead to the discernment and exposition of their Lies, which they are using for world domination. … 

 

The top two “u.f.o.” researchers on the entire planet, who have spent decades and most of their lives tracking down thousands of leads on this subject, are now shunned by most in the “u.f.o. community”, who once highly respected them, because of their unified conclusions on the subject of “aliens” and “u.f.o.’s”. Both Jacques Vallee and J. Allen Hynek finally came to understand that “u.f.o.’s” are not from outer space, rather they are from here on earth! Both of these top researchers in the “u.f.o.” field now refer to “aliens” as demons instead! … 

 

As repeatedly reported by Jacques Vallee and J. Allen Hynek, numerous subjects undergoing an “abduction experience” invoked the name of Jesus and immediately the event was terminated. Of course you have to ask, if these creatures are merely humanoids from another planet, why then would the name “Jesus” mean anything more to them than “Bob” or “Cathy”? If, on the other hand, their origin is demonic, as both of these top “u.f.o.” researchers concluded after decades of study, then you can easily see the why these entities fled at the uttering of one Word. 10/28/13 http://www.thesleuthjournal.com/aliens-outer-space/ 

 

He continues:

We should expect to see increases in such demonic ‘paranormal’ activity. 

 

Why? 

 

Notice the following prophecy written by the Apostle Paul:

3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 

 

5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-7) 

 

So, the restrainer will be taken out of the way before the end. 

 

After the restrainer is out of the way, we will see more signs and lying wonders:

8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:8-12) 

 

Thus we see, that in the New Testament the Apostle Paul warned that towards the end almost all would be deceived by signs and lying wonders. 

 

Deception must be clever to work, and would need some type of ‘verification’ to be believed by the masses. 

 

Throughout history multitudes have already been deceived by signs and wonders coming from statues and alleged apparitions of Jesus and Mary, as well as other demonic manifestations. They have felt that this was ‘proof’ that some false religion was true. But Christians are supposed to walk by faith and not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Also notice something that the Apostle John was inspired to write:

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; (1 John 4:1)

One thing is for sure, never in the history of the COG have we had so many lying false prophets and self-appointed leaders who are out to deceive the brethren. All of the dreams, visions, and nightmares that the Great Bwana has had are prime examples of the deception at work in the world today.

Satan has a plan and deceit, signs, and lying wonders are part of it. 

 

Supposedly ‘verified’ paranormal activity, Marian-claimed apparitions, and modern entertainment to a degree, have conditioned people to accept as real, improper manifestations, and will in the future.

We are getting closer to the fulfillment of these verses in Revelation. Likely within the next decade or two. 

 

Expect to see more ‘verified’ ‘paranormal’ activity. 

 

This is part of Satan’s Plan. 

 

Don’t fall for it! 

 

 

Bible Talk: The Law of Moses: Cultic or Universal?

The Law of Moses: Cultic or Universal?

In a comment on my last post, the leader of the Church of God International stated: "My position...is that the Law of Moses contains both universal and cultic features, and that the cultic features are time-bound, covenant-specific, and served as types and shadows of a higher and infinitely greater reality. The universal features, on the other hand, are not covenant-dependent at all, but exist apart from the covenant and are, in some measure, 'written on the hearts' (Rom 1:15) of all human beings." He went on to characterize the Ten Commandments as: "The Law of God written on the heart (by the Holy Spirit--the 'finger of God') is the same Law that was written on tablets of stone. That IS the Moral Law." Is Pastor Stinson's position consistent with Scripture?

First, the Bible clearly looks at the Law of Moses as a comprehensive whole. The categories of "universal," "cultic," and "moral" do NOT appear in Scripture! In Torah, we read: "And now, Israel, listen carefully to these decrees and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you." (Deuteronomy 4:1-2, NLT) And: "Look, I now teach you these decrees and regulations just as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy. Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’ For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him? And what great nation has decrees and regulations as righteous and fair as this body of instructions that I am giving you today?" (Deuteronomy 4:5-8, NLT) And: "So Moses told the people, 'You must be careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God, following his instructions in every detail.'" (Deuteronomy 5:32, NLT) And: "These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, 2 and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life." (Deuteronomy 6:1-2, NLT) And: "So be careful to obey all the commands I give you. You must not add anything to them or subtract anything from them." (Deuteronomy 12:32, NLT) And: "The Lord your God will be merciful only if you listen to his voice and keep all his commands that I am giving you today, doing what pleases him." (Deuteronomy 13:18, NLT) And: "Today the Lord your God has commanded you to obey all these decrees and regulations. So be careful to obey them wholeheartedly. You have declared today that the Lord is your God. And you have promised to walk in his ways, and to obey his decrees, commands, and regulations, and to do everything he tells you. The Lord has declared today that you are his people, his own special treasure, just as he promised, and that you must obey all his commands." (Deuteronomy 26:16-18, NLT) And: "So you must obey the Lord your God by keeping all these commands and decrees that I am giving you today." (Deuteronomy 27:10, NLT) And: "If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world." (Deuteronomy 28:1, NLT)

Before leaving the Old Testament, I would also like to ask my readers a couple of questions for your consideration: If Mr. Stinson is correct in dividing the commandments of Torah into categories of "cultic" and "universal," which commandments belong in each category? Are clean and unclean meats cultic or universal? Are the festivals cultic or universal? Is the commandment to remember the Sabbath cultic or universal? If they are universal, then why were Gentile nations not permitted to join the Israelite's in their observance? Were both cultic and universal commandments part of God's covenant with Israel?

Like the Hebrew Scriptures, Jesus referred to the "Law of Moses" as a comprehensive whole. We read in the Gospel of Matthew: "Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose." (Matthew 5:17, NLT) And that Jesus said: "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40, NLT)

Likewise, Christ's apostles looked at the Law in the exact same way. In one of his epistles, Paul wrote: "For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Galatians 5:14, NLT) And, in his letter to the twelve tribes scattered abroad, James wrote: "Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, 'You must not commit adultery,' also said, 'You must not murder.' So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law." (James 2:8-11, NLT)

In other words, as we have said here many times, ALL of the different iterations of God's Law are based on the premise of love - not doing hurt or harm to anyone (Romans 13:8-10)! This (LOVE) is the foundation of God's Law in both the Hebrew Scriptures and the writings which we refer to as the New Testament!

Miller Jones/Lonnie C Hendrix

Crackpot Prophet Warns: The Guts Will Be Torn Out Of America When Yellowstone Super Volcano Blows! Oh Noes!!!!!!!!

A "localized hydrothermal explosion" near the Saphire Pool in the Biscuit Basin of Yellowstone National Park exploded today. These are relatively common occurrences in Yellowstone due to the thermal activity across the basin. The last time it exploded was in 1991.

Never fear though, our favorite Church of God self-appointed crackpot prophet popped his own geyser today and warned unless that the country repents it is going to be destroyed by Yellowstone exploding. These self-appointed crazy crackpots get overstimulated when world events fit the doom-and-gloom scenarios that they want to see happen in the world around them. Then, and only then would all of the lazy Laodicean and atheist reprobates realize they were actually God's messenger. Dream on, buttercup!

The Great Bwana Bob Mzungu Thiel quotes:

As Yellowstone Awakens, Dr. Michio Kaku Warns That It Could “Literally Tear The Guts Out Of The United States Of America” 

One day it will happen. Scientists assure us that one day the absolutely massive Yellowstone supervolcano will once again experience a Category 8 eruption, and if it happened today it would “literally tear the guts out of the United States of America”. That is why what has been happening at Yellowstone in recent months is so alarming. We know that the ground has been rising and that “a 465-mile-long piece of molten rock” is moving upwards directly under Yellowstone. And we also know that the major geysers at Yellowstone were more active last year than in any other year in any of our lifetimes. Are these signs that an eruption is coming? We better hope not, because as Dr. Michio Kaku recently told Fox News, there is “a sleeping Godzilla underneath Yellowstone”…

The Great Bwana's eyes probably glazed over at the mere thought of this happening!

He warns us... (It's another "could" moment since he is not a real propeht)

Things will not remain as they have. Yellowstone could erupt–BIG TIME! 

 

The Bible is clear that God controls the weather and various calamities, but wants people to heed His prophets:

6… If there is calamity in a city, will not the Lord have done it?

7 Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. (Amos 3:6-7)

He even went to New Zealand and stood on top of a super volcano and preached one of his mind-numbing sermons:

A supervolcanic eruption such as one at Yellowstone or elsewhere could cause major “troubles,” and truly impact the USA and Canada. An earthquake could trigger this. Volcanic eruptions spew out melted elements and can cause much destruction.

While in New Zealand last year, we made a video about this while I was standing on top of a supervolcano:

8:30 

Are supervolcanoes a real threat? 

Are supervolcanoes, such as Yellowstone in the USA or various ones in New Zealand a real threat? If so, what type of threat? Are supervolcano issues consistent with biblical prophecies? If so, which ones? Could the eruption of a supervolcano make the USA, New Zealand, or other lands vulnerable to takeover in the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21). Dr. Thiel answers these questions while standing atop a supervolcano in a geothermal area of Rotorua, New Zealand.

He just can't shut up...after all, it is ALWAYS about him, foremost.

For years I have warned that the USA could be hit with a ‘perfect storm’ of events and disaster that could weaken it during the ‘beginning of sorrows’ so that it would be easier for it to be taken over at the start of the Great Tribulation. We see that the space agency NASA sees Yellowstone as a serious risk. And while some will scoff and say that the probability is too low, less statistically ‘probable’ events have happened. Plus, because of the decline in morality in the USA, destructive events are going to hit it. 

 

A supervolcano eruption from Yellowstone could be enough to nearly topple the USA–and then allow it to be toppled by the coming European Beast power.

The only way you can save your pathetic Laodocean behind is to repent and join his little cult and be saved!

This is the time to get your spiritual life in order. 

 

Are you doing that? 

 

In order to “be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man,” you need to get your spiritual life in order. You not only need to watch, but also to pray and change.