Latest Audio - 2025-11-22
Twelver radicals… Roman Catholics… Church of England… Islam… Shia Ismaili Muslims… German evangelicals… Christian Nationalism… All in the News!
Are we witnessing a
Revival Of Religion?
The King Builds A Bridge Over A 500-Year Divide In Christian Faith
“It was the moment that made ecclesiastical history. The King and the Pope joined together in prayer, marking the public end to a 500-year-old divide and made ecclesiastical history. It was quiet, simple and understated: blink, in fact, and you might have missed it. The two heads of state, standing before a congregation in the Sistine Chapel, did not put their hands together, kneel or bow their heads conspicuously. Instead, the Pope and the Archbishop of York, representing the Church of England, spoke words of prayer in unison. ‘Amen,’ replied the King.
For the King, who has made it his mission to bridge the gap between faiths and now within the Christian faith, it was an immeasurably important gesture. Cardinal James Harvey, Archpriest of St Paul’s Basilica, told a small congregation that the ‘significance of this visit today cannot be overestimated’, explaining that the churches of England and Rome had moved from ‘mutual incomprehension and suspicion’ to a relationship which has grown ‘deeper and warmer’.
“It was in 1534 that Henry VIII broke from the Roman Catholic Church to form the Church of England, with the monarch as its supreme head.”
(mirror.co.uk)
Speaking directly to the King, who sat in a throne-like chair built for him which will remain in the basilica in perpetuity, he added: ‘Your presence is historic by any measure or calculation.’ It marked, he said, the start of a ‘soul-stirring new chapter’. The ecumenical service was created to mark the metaphorical joining of hands between the Catholic Church and Church of England.” (telegraph.co.uk)
The significance of this event will probably be lost on most in the world, but for those who have prophetic understanding, this is ‘big news’! Both the King and the Pope are Heads of State. Both the King and the Pope are the religious leaders of their states. They stood - side by side!
Mr Armstrong explains the ‘mystery of iniquity’ in II Thessalonians 2:7:
“The ‘mystery of iniquity’ was the religion called the Babylonian Mystery Religion. And it was a religion of lawlessness. That was the mystery – THE BABYLONIAN MYSTERY RELIGION. You’ll find it in the 17th chapter of Revelation, (v5) where the name is given, as a mother church. She’s the mother of daughters that have come out of her IN PROTEST, calling themselves Protestants.” (Sermon – Bricket Wood UK - May 1974)
Pope Leo Puts The Catholic Church Back On Track
“Pope Leo XIV issued a call for renewed reverence for the liturgy of the Mass, saying it should ‘comply with established norms’ that reflect the unity of the whole church — a message traditional Catholics have hungered to hear from the pontiff since his installation earlier this year. Given how much liberalism and modernism have infected the church in recent years, his message couldn’t have come at a better time.
‘What the Catholic Church needs now is for Pope Leo to issue a definitive ruling on the liturgy to stop liberal bishops from trashing tradition and embracing compromise. The last thing Catholicism needs is for modernism to open the door for the LGBTQ agenda — which the God of the universe calls an abomination — to receive acceptance during Mass. Some parishes have already done this, and it’s utter blasphemy.’” (pjmedia.com)
Pope Leo XIV Says:
“Religious freedom is not merely a legal right or a privilege granted to us by governments; it is a foundational condition that makes authentic reconciliation possible. When this freedom is denied, the human person is deprived of the capacity to respond freely to the call of truth. What follows is a slow disintegration of the ethical and spiritual bonds that sustain communities; trust gives way to fear, suspicion replaces dialogue, and oppression breeds violence. Indeed, as my venerable predecessor observed, ‘there can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others’ (Francis, Urbi Et Orbi, 20 April 2025). For this reason, the Catholic Church HAS ALWAYS DEFENDED RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR ALL PEOPLE.” (catholicnewsworld.com)
Those Who Forget The Lessons Of History…
“The Catholic Church has always defended religious freedom for all people.” This is a classic example of a Pope being more than a little “economical” with the truth. During the Middle Ages, tens of millions of people were tortured and murdered because they were denied the right to religious freedom. As one website put it: “What a leviathan of a lie!”
The Roman Catholic Goal
In 1978, Mr Armstrong wrote:
“Pope John… sought to strengthen the Roman Catholic Church by launching the Ecumenical Movement – hoping to bring back to the ‘Mother Church’ her daughters that had gone out of her in PROTEST – calling themselves Protestant.
At the same time Pope Paul had to contend with another power group among the priesthood, who stood sternly for the traditional conservatism. This Pope walked a tightrope, and did manage to hold the church together – though in a time of great and mounting stress.
It had seemed that the resurrection of the Catholic-ruled Europe was considerably past due. But in Revelation 7, when the time had come for the trumpet plagues to be poured out, you will read how God held up events until the sealing of the 144,000 and other great innumerable multitude. So, it has seemed God has deliberately HELD UP the resurrection of the ‘Holy Roman Empire’ UNTIL God’s GREAT COMMISSION is completed.
When this European combine – politically, militarily, religiously, with a common currency – occurs, our work will be just about over – and it will be well for us to HEED that warning!” (Pastor’s Report – August 7, 1978)
Church Of England Breaks In Two
40 million members want to ‘get back on track!’
King Charles, the supreme head of the Church of England, has always seen himself as a ‘defender OF faiths’ - rather than a defender of ‘THE faith’. Meanwhile, the Church of England has been accused of ‘theological treason’, as the following article points out.
“The unity of the Church of England has been dealt a major blow to the denomination in a punishing reminder that theological treason has consequences, after a group representing nearly 40 million members — ten times the number of Anglicans in the UK — announced they are the real Anglican Communion and will no longer be in communion with their progressive counterpart, dividing the denomination in two while declaring ‘We cannot continue to have communion with those who advocate the revisionist agenda, which has abandoned the inerrant word of God as the final authority.’
Over the past two decades, the denomination has been liberalizing at a rapid rate, recently appointing Sarah Mullally, a pro-choice feminist as the new Archbishop of Canterbury and allowing the church to bless same-sex couples, with a major contingent pushing the church to deem homosexuality no longer sinful.” (protestia.com)
The Rise Of Christian Nationalism In Britain
“A new type of Christianity - more militant, more political - is on the rise. But some in the Church of England claim this is a ‘corruption’ of their faith. Bishop Ceirion Dewar rejects the Church of England as heretics. Critics call Dewar ‘the far-right bishop’ - a label he rejects. But he does represent a new type of Christianity - more militant, more political - and one that is on the rise. This is something new and growing - a movement that has long marched against immigration, against Islam, is now marching behind the cross.
‘We are a Christian culture, a Christian nation. And I do feel like we have lost a lot of that.’ This nation of ours is under attack! We are at war!” (news.sky.com)
German Protestant Federation Abandons Long-Time Peace Stance
“The Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) has renounced its long-held pacifist stance in its latest peace memorandum, stating that violence is sometimes necessary to counter violence. The remarkable announcement by the federation, which represents some 17 million members, comes as the German government pushes to beef up the country’s military in the face of a perceived ‘Russian threat.’ The ‘Peace Memorandum 2025,’ which was presented at the church’s synod on Monday, marked a ‘clear reorientation of Protestant peace ethics,’ the EKD stated.” (rt.com)
Random Savagery Is Part Of European Life Now
“This morning a man shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ drove a car into a crowd on the French holiday island of Île d’Oléron, leaving at least 10 people injured. It was the latest example of something that has become commonplace across Europe, something that our leaders refuse to deal with.
Nowhere is that more visible than in Germany, where the tradition of the Christmas market is being quietly dismantled. In several towns and cities they will not go ahead as normal this year. These cancellations are not simply administrative matters. They are the visible consequences of a society that refuses to speak plainly about what threatens it. Islamist terror – or even the fear of it – now impacts the architecture of public life. The markets that survive do so behind ‘controlled zones’: fenced pockets of reassurance in cities that pretend the danger does not exist.
This is how cultures fade – not through sudden collapse, but through small, well-meaning surrenders. Each cancelled market, each renamed festival, each silence accepted for the sake of ‘safety’ is another retreat from the public square. They need not strike again; the mere possibility has achieved their purpose. The attack in France on Sunday showed how fragile the ordinary has become. Germany’s response shows how easily fear can be mistaken for compassion.” (telegraph.co.uk)
Germany To Begin Deportations To Syria
“Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared Germany will restart deporting migrants back to Syria. ‘The civil war in Syria is over. There are now absolutely no grounds for asylum in Germany, and therefore we can begin deportations,’ Chancellor Merz said on Monday evening, according to Die Welt. The longstanding open borders policy pushed by the Berlin establishment which opened the gates of Europe to mass migration in 2015, has incentivised nearly a million Syrians to migrate to Germany. Their presence in the country has become increasingly controversial in the wake of terror attacks…” (breitbart.com)
A New Nazi Germany!
“So long as present German prosperity continues… the Nazi takeover will not be possible! But — should any severe THREAT to that hard-won prosperity come — the picture will change — and change VIOLENTLY, in Germany! Remember! It was the afterwash of the disastrous stock market crashes of 1924 and 1929 that fanned the flames of violence in Germany to pave the way for Hitler!” (The Plain Truth, December 1963)
Whilst this refers to a financial disaster, it could equally apply to the present migrant situation. Germany has a problem, a serious problem, and the only party offering any solutions is the AfD!
Germans are seeking a strong government. For many Germans, the ‘pacifist stance’ is a thing of the past! In the new Germany, ‘violence is necessary to counter violence’.
As the Plain Truth article warned:
“You need to be WATCHING — and keeping your eyes on developments in EUROPE — as never before! You, at least, have been WARNED!” (The Plain Truth, December 1963)
Trump’s Middle East Blind Spots
“Washington continues to believe that prosperity can moderate jihadist ideology. This is wishful thinking.
The jihadists do not prioritize prosperity.
They want victory.
They want the destruction of Israel and the submission of the West.
A recent Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR) poll of Gazans showed that an overwhelming majority do not want Hamas to lay down its weapons to end the war, even after months of suffering, displacement, and hardship. Western observers find this incomprehensible. If Hamas disarmed, Gaza could finally rebuild, attract foreign investment, and realize the prosperity promised in every Western peace plan. Still, Gazans overwhelmingly choose continued conflict over economic revival, because for them, jihadist ideology trumps (no pun intended) economic wellbeing.
The notion that jihadists can be bribed into moderation is a dangerous fantasy. THEIR IDEOLOGY IS NOT NEGOTIABLE, AND THEIR AMBITIONS ARE NOT ECONOMIC. Until the West accepts this truth, it will continue to enable the perpetuation of ideologically jihadist regimes.” (jpost.com)
Islamic Center Opens In Houston
“Dubbed a ‘milestone for the global Shia Ismaili Muslim community.’ The grand opening ceremony of a sprawling 150,000-square-foot ‘milestone for the global Shia Ismaili Muslim community and a transformative addition to the city’s cultural landscape’ has opened in Houston.
Where does the Ismaili Center stand with regard to Sharia law and texts in the Qur’an that are diametrically opposed to Western law?
Sharia law is divine in Islam and adherent Islamic institutes hail the Sharia above American and all other laws. Islam is expansionary today, as it has been for 1400 years.” (frontpagemag.com)
Islam is not like Christianity.
“This is not a religion as the West understands religion. It is a comprehensive theocratic legal system, one that seeks total submission. Islam is not like Christianity. It does not draw clean lines between worship and law or between private belief and public life.
In Islam, the personal is political.
The religious is legal.
The mosque is a courtroom, a legislature, and a military command center.
Sharia is the spine of Islamic thought — codified, enforced, and upheld across centuries.”
(theblaze.com)
Sharia Law Violates Everything The Founding Fathers Built
“In countries where it is enforced, [sharia law] often dictates punishments, civil law, and social norms based on religious authority rather than individual liberty. Punishments include public lashings, stonings, and even amputations for certain crimes. LGBTQ individuals face particularly harsh treatment, including imprisonment, corporal punishment, or death. Women’s rights and freedom of expression are often restricted as well.” (theblaze.com)
Muslim Candidates Have Seized Control
“In the span of one election, CAIR’s decades-long blueprint for political domination has come to life — forty-two Muslim candidates, backed by a Hamas-linked network, have seized key offices across America, proving that the Muslim Brotherhood’s plan to infiltrate from mosque to city hall is no longer a warning, but a reality. They told us the plan. Now we’re watching it unfold — in real time.
CAIR founder Nihad Awad preaching from a California mosque, unveiled a decades-long blueprint to embed Islamic influence inside America’s core institutions. ‘We have 4,000 mosques in the country… If each mosque funds five students in journalism, filmmaking, political science, and law… by 2050, we will have 100,000 of each — and we will run for office at all levels of government.’
That was not a sermon. THAT WAS A MOBILIZATION ORDER. Awad instructed American Muslims to stop donating to overseas relief and instead fund political power inside the United States.” (rairfoundation.com)
Twelver Shiite Ideology
“‘Zohran Mamdani could be the most dangerous mayor in American history,’ Lopez warned. ‘Not just because of policy, but because of what his beliefs will allow — and even compel — him to support.’
THE GOAL OF TWELVER RADICALS, LOPEZ NOTED, IS TO IMPOSE ISLAMIC RULE, NOT MERELY TO GOVERN ALONGSIDE OTHER WORLDVIEWS.
RAIR asked Lopez to contrast Islamic End Times theology with Christian eschatology. Her response was chilling: ‘In Christianity, human beings cannot hasten the return of Jesus. In Shiite Islam, particularly among the Twelvers, it is believed that by creating enough war, destruction, and suffering, THEY CAN FORCE THE MAHDI TO RETURN.’
That’s not faith, that’s revolutionary warfare cloaked in religion. And it’s exactly what Zohran Mamdani appears to represent.” (rairfoundation.com)
The King Of The South Attacks The King Of The North.
The king of the North is the German led Europe - but who is the king of the South?
“Islam waits to be united. The role of Mahdi – the Great Unifier of Islam – awaits a player… There is no reason to believe the days of Mahdism are past. Indeed, circumstances in the Moslem world appear riper than ever for a Mahdist flare up. Even now, a Mahdi may be waiting in the wings for the opportune moment.” (Plain Truth, December 1979)
An Arab-Moslem Confederation
“Bible prophecy reveals the coming emergence of an Arab-Moslem confederation in the Middle East. It is referred to in prophecy as ‘the king of the South’ (Daniel 11:40). This confederation will play a crucial role in end-time events.” (Plain Truth, December 1980)
The goal of Islam was clearly laid out by the king of Saudi Arabia, King Khalid, when he addressed pilgrims to Mecca in 1979. He said:
“We Muslims, the more we hold fast to these eminent ideals, the better are our prospects to get up and bring the world under our control.” (Plain Truth, December 1980)
Muslim Unity
Within the Muslim religion there are many different groups. The one event that would pull them together is a common enemy. We are told that the King of the South attacks the King of the North. Europe is the common enemy. The question is - why?
It could be the fact that Europe is deporting the Muslim ‘asylum seekers’, almost one million Syrians - plus some say up to another two million from other nations. These are mostly young men, 18-24 years old, men of fighting age! We will have to watch and see what happens. But remember, if the Muslim nations pooled their military resources, they would be a formidable enemy.
The King of the South is defeated, and the King of the North’s army goes on down and takes over most of the Middle East.
“AND AT THE TIME OF THE END shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon [Turkey and Jordan].” (Daniel 11:40)
The word “push” in Hebrew means to “butt with horns” - figuratively “to war against”.
We have an approximate timing for this event - because the King of the North’s army then surrounds Jerusalem and stops the morning and evening sacrifices.
The 1290 day mark: “And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.” (Daniel 12:11)
The Abomination That Maketh Desolate:
“…Speaks of the same thing as ‘Jerusalem compassed with armies.’ This is the correct meaning of this ‘abomination.’ It is the armies - not a statue - that make Jerusalem desolate.” (Pastor General’s Report – November 20, 1979)
Religion Is Involved In Most End Time Events
- The King and the Church of England in a deeper and warmer relationship with the Roman Church.
- The Roman Catholic Church and the Ecumenical Movement, hoping to bring back to the ‘Mother Church’ her Protestant daughters.
- German Protestant Federation abandons long-time peace stance.
- Islam wants the destruction of Israel and the submission of the West.
- Islamic institutes hail the Sharia above American and all other laws.
- Islam is not a religion as the West understands religion.
- The goal of Twelver radicals is to impose Islamic rule.
- Islamic Twelvers believe that by creating enough war, destruction, and suffering, they can force the Mahdi to return.
- The Muslim King of the South attacks the Christian King of the North.
- The daily sacrifices stopped!
- The Roman Church sets up its headquarters in Jerusalem…
Mr Armstrong Left Us This Warning:
“But for us?
Can we discern the sign of the times?
END-TIME EVENTS are going to happen FAST from here on!
…WAKE UP!”
The Gospel in the Sample Prayer
"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven ..." (Matthew 6:9)
Along with "God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son..." (John 3:16) this section of scripture in Matthew 6 and Luke 11 – commonly known as "the Lord's Prayer" – is without a doubt one of the most well known in the traditional Christian world today. It is even repeated word for word – as a kind of chant – in many of their "worship services" each week, in spite of the previous two verses discouraging such "vain repetition". We must conclude therefore that Christ gives it more as an outline, a framework on which to base our daily prayers,
But the question then has to be, "why this framework?" And why does Christ point out, in this context, "for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him", (Matthew 6:7) – If He knows already what we need, why pray about such things? And the answer is given at the end of the chapter, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33) Considering that "the Good news of the Kingdom of God" was Christ's overarching message when He was on earth, and that God Himself has His mind very much on it also, it stands to reason that within the sample prayer, that Good News, i.e. the Plan of God, would also be prominent. There is much, much more to this sample prayer than immediately meets the eye. It behoves us therefore, as sons of God, to think deeply within this outline as we pray, as it is has been given to help us focus on the true depth of our calling, and what God has in mind for ALL mankind.
Our Father
- For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
- Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, (Ephesians 3:14,15)
Applying that concept to the first two words allows us to grasp a transcendental aspect of the gospel Christ brought to the world, and sums up in effect the whole Plan of God. First of all, it is "OUR" – and not just "MY". God regards ALL humanity as His potential children (Isaiah 1:2, Jeremiah 3:14), whether He is working with them now, or at a later date. So we can elaborate on this framework, because it certainly does not preclude praying for others, as we know God's overall intention is for ALL mankind – Jew and Gentile – to become part of His family, as outlined in the Holy Days and the two harvest periods.
In his sermon "Another Civilization, given October 2nd, 1982, Mr. Armstrong makes it very plain:
”GOD” is THE FAMILY NAME! We come into that Family. We are begotten into the Family. “As many of you as are LED by the Spirit of God, you ARE the children of God;” and we are named after our Father. The Church; and it is not the church of Luther. It is not the church of Calvin or Wesley. This is the Church OF GOD! God is a Family name, and we are going to be begotten into that Family; and God is reproducing Himself. NO CHURCH ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH BELIEVES THAT! NO CHURCH BELIEVES THAT. DO YOU BELIEVE IT?
Brethren, I didn’t believe it until two or three years after Ambassador College was established here in Pasadena; and it was established 35 years ago. I had seen it in the Bible. I had seen it here and there all through the New Testament. I had seen it in the Old Testament. But I said, “Well, it can’t be true. I … I … I … Apparently it can’t mean that. It would be blasphemy to believe that we’re going to become God – that He’s going to reproduce Himself and we’d be born as His own children. We’d be like Him. We’ll be God – in the God Family.” Finally, I saw it so many places in the Bible; and it is consistent all the way through the Bible in the whole purpose of God. That is the purpose of God! (Sermon - Another Civilisation)
- Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
- And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (II Corinthians 6:17,18)
Which art in Heaven
- Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
-
It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
- That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. (Isaiah 40:21-23)
The word translated as "heaven" also carries the meaning of on high, and comes from a root meaning lofty, "He who commands the highest position in the universe", "Lord of heaven and earth" (Matthew 11:25, Luke 10:21, Acts 17:24) indicating the position of power this Almighty God holds. But even so, we have been given the incredible privilege of being able to contact Him – as our Father – any time day or night, because of the Passover sacrifice of Christ, the very first stage of God's Plan.
- Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the [breath].
- And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
- And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. (Revelation 8:4)
Hallowed be thy name
- Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the LORD which hallow you,
- That brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD. (Leviticus 22:32,33)
And having addressed God as our Father initially, we are denoting that we're of the same family, having the same spiritual DNA – something which brings with it a heavy weight of responsibility! Just as Christ hallowed the name of His father by His perfect lifestyle and actions, then so must we.
- Be obedient children, instead of moulding yourselves to passions that once ruled the days of your ignorance,
- as He who called you is holy, so you must be holy too, in all your conduct –
- For it is written, You shall be holy because I am holy. (I Peter 1:14-16 Moffat)
As brought out in the scripture in Leviticus, we too have been brought out of the "land of Egypt" and through the Plan of God revealed in the spring holy days, we realise we have to leave sin far behind in our lives, and with the help of God, become part of His kingdom of priests, a holy nation. Part of the God Family, and as such:
- Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
- I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever. (Psalm 45:16,17)
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven
- I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
- And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13,14)
Just a matter of a few weeks ago we kept the Feast of Trumpets and were reminded of this phenomenal event that will take place in the near future. So after getting our minds focused on the central role of this Almighty being – who identifies Himself as our Father – the very next thing we're to concentrate our thoughts on is what IS God's will for humanity, (including ourselves as the firstfruits) and indeed for the whole of creation, which is pictured by "the feasts of the Eternal" (Leviticus 23).
Thankfully we know Satan's vile influence will be nullified, pictured by the events on the Day of Atonement. We are assured that ... " They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9) during the millennial reign, pictured by the Feast of Tabernacles. And additionally, that:
- The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us–ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9)
- That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. (John 1:9)
And the only way that is going to happen is by the incredible miracle of the second resurrection, pictured by the Last Great Day ... "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." (John 7:38)
- Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
- And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,
- And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD. (Ezekiel 37:12-14)
Give us this day our daily bread
-
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. (John 6:32,33)
Throughout the scriptures God encourages us to ask for what we need, and we should indeed take our requests to God, as Paul encourages us in Philippians 4:6, but keep uppermost in our minds that the most vital need we have each and every day is NOT physical, but rather the indwelling and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Even Christ acknowledged that on His own He could do nothing (John 15:19) and yet so many times we attempt to battle our way through each day, to a great deal depending on our own human strength. Christ warns us that we can't "come as you are"! Immense change has to take place, and can only be achieved through the power of God's Holy Spirit, granted to His church on the Day of Pentecost:
- And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3)
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors
- For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
-
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14,15)
And without the forgiveness of OUR sins, we have no future whatsoever! Since this is the only section of the sample prayer that was then elaborated on in the very next verse, we would do well to think deeply about what Christ is pointing out here. It is certainly painful when others sin against us in some way, and it can turn to bitterness if we are not very careful, and that would disqualify us from being a son of God!
- Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
- And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31,32)
As the apostle James points out when discussing the problem of the human tongue ... "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able to bridle the whole body" (James 3:2) I don't think any of us can claim to be perfect, so the chances are we have sinned against others in some way, and would be thankful to have their forgiveness. In the whole scheme of things, it is far more important to recognise that all and any sin is against God, the Lawgiver, as king David – guilty of adultery and murder – recognised:
- Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalm 51:4)
First of all, we have to recognise who is the author of sin, and who stirs us up to sin against God and each other, and then realise we don't have to go down Satan's route of bitterness and resentment, because we understand that it is not just for us individually, but that ALL of us can have our sins covered by Christ's perfect sacrifice.
- And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
- And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Revelation 12:10,11)
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
- There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (I Corinthians 10:13)
Because of the understanding we've been given concerning the Plan of God, we realise that it's not a case of "accepting Christ" and being whisked off to heaven, because our calling as Firstfruits involves training, which therefore tends to involve trials – sometimes with a capital "T", because – as in the case of Abraham – God needs to know us inside out before we can be given the kind of power that goes along with being a son of God. But we can pray for God to be merciful when it comes to the trials. As Mr. Armstrong pointed out in the GN article of June/July 1985 "Why Trials and Troubles?"
David suffered constant criticism and false accusation, his enemies continually tried to unseat him and his trials were so great sometimes it seemed God would never come to his rescue – yet God always did!
Truly these trials teach us to be patient – for it often seems an eternity before God finally delivers us. How often I have experienced this personally. Yet, always God has intervened before it was too late! ...
... Perhaps a chosen servant of God may be called upon to endure more trials and tests than other Christians but every Christian shall suffer persecution and meet fiery trials, sorrow, troubles, tests of faith. All our readers who are Christians will understand. Let us not grumble. Let us have FAITH, and endure in our faith patiently.
All these problems, troubles and trials are allowed to test us, strengthen us in faith and character and prepare us for joy eternally in God’s Kingdom. Paul wrote, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the GLORY which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). (Why Trials and Troubles – GN June/July 1985)
- The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
- He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
- The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. (Psalm 145:18-20)
For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory for ever, Amen
- I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
- And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13,14)
Notice ... for THINE is the kingdom! Satan may be the ruler of this earth right now, but his reign is temporary and the resurrected saints will be co-rulers in this eternal, universe-ruling kingdom:
- And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. (Daniel 7:27)
Just sixty-six words – a prayer that could be rattled off in under a minute, yet loaded with meaning for those with ears to hear. Summing up the awesome plan God has for His creation, the ending paragraphs from the last sermon given by Mr. Armstrong on the Feast of Trumpets 1985:
And according to the second chapter of Hebrews and the eighth chapter of Romans, the whole universe is in decay–waiting for the appearance of the sons of God, resurrected; and finally God’s purpose in humanity completed. And then we are going to restore all of these planets from decay, like this earth. And this earth is just a place of starting. This life, brethren, is one of qualifying. This life is one of qualifying to reign and rule with Christ. Not just to get saved, not just to get into the Kingdom; but to qualify for a big position. And this earth then will be made as it should be and as all planets should be.
And this is where we are, practising so that we can then begin to go throughout ALL ETERNITY into ALL THE UNIVERSE. And the Second Corning of Christ is that event which will start everything in the government of God to doing that for the first time. It will be the greatest event that has ever happened in the history of THE UNIVERSE. Not just the history of man, not just the history of this earth; but the greatest event that has ever happened in the history of the universe–when Christ comes to take over the government of God and to rule the earth. And the earth will be the headquarters of God. He didn’t create all these planets and all this great universe in vain. It’s in decay now, and it is in vain. Of course, a thousand years are like a day and a day is like a thousand years to God. And there is a lot of time. Eternity is a long time ahead. And ultimately God is going to make something beautiful out of this entire vast universe.
Jesus said, if we overcome, we will sit with Him on that throne. We will be given power over the nations. Are you overcoming, brethren? Examine your own self. That’s something I can’t do for you. I can teach you. Did you listen, and did it sink in? Well, keep it there; and meditate on it, and be sure and make your calling and election sure. Thank you, brethren. (Sermon - Feast of Trumpets 1985)
- Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
- To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen (Jude 1:24, 25).
“Just what is an APOSTLE?”
Today we find the Church of God in a “wilderness of religious confusion!”
The confusion is not merely around the Church – within the religions of the world outside – but WITHIN the very heart of The True Church itself!
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