An Old Chestnut

The leader of the irrational cabal of scoffers that coalesce around AW blog regurgitated the following: "It gets tedious when the defenders of Herbert W. Armstrong demand proof for his incest." It may get tedious to those who make allegations without being able to provide irrefutable evidence in support their of charges, but those who believe that people are innocent until proven guilty, demand proof of guilt before conviction and execution.

The primary reason for Robinson's 1984 book was to discredit Mr. Armstrong. And any juicy rumour or whiff of slander he heard was immediately included in his diatribe against God's servant. Robinson is no different from Dennis, Douglas, Gavin, Stan, Corky, Richard , Charlie and the rest of the cabal, who left WCG screaming that HWA was a charlatan. They goal in life is to listen to or discover anything that would discredit God's servant.

Blindly, him who is pursuing, what is laughingly called, "A degree in theology" mindlessly wondered "What kind of proof would they like?" Ignoring the weakness of the question, they would like the same proof that you would want to see, if the same allegations were make against you or any of the cabal of irrational scoffers. You dumbo!

Intellectual Integrity

The following are my comments on extracts from a letter written by Keith Stump, the former WCG hireling and Plain Truth contributor. Stump wrote: "An intellectual is one who is willing to continually challenge and re-evaluate his own thoughts, theories and views." This really mean that an intellectual is not sure of what he believes or understands. For if he believes the truth, why does he need "to continually challenge and re-evaluate his own thoughts, theories and views?" This continual process would only be necessary if his "thoughts, theories and views "are based on supposition, speculation and conjecture. This endless process of re-evaluation does not apply to the truth, because the truth is eternal and immutable.

Referring to the doctrines of WCG, Stump wrote: "But there is hope. Case in point: I believe and taught that nonsense for years."

Why did Stump believe and teach these "false" doctrines for years? Did he suspend his intellectualism for the sake of money, or was he a victim of Saul Bellow's observation: "A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep?" Especially when the illusion is one of money, power and influence.

Sadly, Stump has no credibility. His intellectual stance is both illogical and untenable. On the one hand, he tells us that an intellectual is supposed to evaluate the truth. Yet he admits, that for years he failed to take his own advice.

On the other hand, he wants us to believe that he was fully aware of the "perversions" of HWA, but his intellectual rigour, honesty and love for the brethren suffocated his courage, and prevented him from speaking out against them. Or was his silence induced by other motives?

The First Resurrection is here and now.

The ministry in WCG never understood the timing of the first resurrection. But that is not surprising, as they were blinded by the Laodicean disease of materialism.

However, Jesus first announced the doctrine of the first resurrection to Nicodemus thus: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God"(Jn.3:3). Of course, Nicodemus didn't understand what Jesus was saying, and the WCG ministry never understood either.

Later in Christ ministry, he expanded on this doctrine. The narrative runs: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live"(Jn. 5:25). The dead referred to here are not those that are in the grave, but those that are spiritually dead.  Of course, the Chosen Vessel, was also inspired to speak on the first resurrection thus: "And you has he quicken," that is, caused to live, "who were dead in trespasses and sins." They were spiritually dead because they were taken captive by the devil, who made them salves of sin. But now they were risen to spiritual life by repentance, baptism and the receipt of the Holy Spirit of Truth. And notice that Jesus says, "they that here shall live." But when speaking of the second resurrection, he does not say all will live.

Note what he actually says: "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming," note he doesn't say, "and now is," because he is referring to the resurrection at the end of the world, "in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth: they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation"(Jn.5:28-29).

In verse 25, the dead referred to are not in the grave, but spiritually dead, and all of those who hear Christ's voice, that is, hear the preaching of the gospel, will rise to spiritual life, and will not come into judgment or condemnation. But in verse 28-29, the dead are in the graves, and all who hear his voice will not live, for those that have done evil will be condemned. So verse 25 refers to the first resurrection, and verses 28-29 refer to the second resurrection, which comes at the end of the world.

Therefore, "if you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God"(Col.3:1).  The phrase, "if you then be risen with Christ," is not prepositional.  The correct Greek translation should read, "in view of the fact you are risen with Christ, seek those things, where Christ sits on the right hand of God."

Of course, those that are not risen with Christ, affections are naturally on the earth, for they have no idea of the joys of heaven.
.

Happy New Year or Misery?

Well, another pagan New Year has been ushered in by expensive firework displays around the world, the death of revellers, drunkenness, debauchery and a raft of resolutions that will be broken before the end of January.

On the other hand, God sacred New Year, which begins on 26th of March this year, ushers in a period of fasting and pray for God's elect, in preparation for the Passover and days of unleavened bread.

Of course, God's elect don't have to make any New Year's resolutions, for when they were baptised they said: "All that the Lord has said, we will do." And though Satan has sought to undermine the courage and determination given to them by the grace of God, they have continued on the path of sanctity of life and obedience to the doctrines of Christ.

Sadly, I am also well aware that others, who used to attend with God's faithful flock also said: "All that the Lord has said, we will do," but proceeded to do as they please, including betraying God's children for a financial package! But they have some very shocking surprises coming, especially those who were ordained ministers, but were actually hirelings.

January has always been a significant month in WCG, under Mr. Armstrong's ministry. And it would be tedious, and perhaps pointless, to rehearse the many significant events that occurred in the month of January. Suffice to say, that it was on the 7th January 1995, that Tkach senior gave his infamous sermon in Atlanta, announcing that the Ten Commandment had been done away, because they were part of the old covenant. Well, by September that year he was dead!

So don't be surprised if this January ushers in some very momentous events! Whatever January and the coming year bring, God's elect will have nothing to fear, for they have the assurance of God's protection and the hope of eternal life.