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.
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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.

Abraham's Bosom or the Grave

The death Dr Samuele Bacchiocchi will no doubt solicit glowing tributes from the misguided. But those who recognised his writings as heretical, will not lament his passing.

The doctor burst on to the scene in 1995, with the sole purpose of selling his baneful books to misguided and vulnerable people, seeking to escape the spiritual poison Tkach was feeding them. In fact, the doctor was like a vulture, hovering to pick at the dead carcasses of the wicked! And there were and are plenty to pick at!

Will the doctor be taken by the angels into Abraham's bosom, or will he be berried like the rich man? A question that should send chills down the spines of the hirelings in cog-land!

However, the question now is: who is next?

Richard, if you are still alive, I am at Mizpah until desolation overspreads the land!

A Sudden Volt-Face or the Status Quo?

Under the Latin phrase ad hominem, the following appears on the sidebar of AW blog: "While there is wide latitude on what appears under comments, abusive posts and name calling aimed at other posters will mean a quick trip to the trash folder." One wonders what has brought about this sudden volt-face by him who is without an original idea in his head, but delights in abusing and pouring scorn on anyone who doesn't share his irrational opinion that WCG under Mr. Armstrong was a dangerous cult.

Of course, the cabal of scoffers who coalesced around the AW blog, especially the foul mouthed Douglas and the depressed Dennis, will find this pretended road to Damascus experience quite chilling. As they love to wallow in and relish the opportunity to draw out of their reservoir of abuse, the vilest of expletives to hurl at anyone who doesn't agree with their insane opinions!

But as repentence cannot be contrived, this pretended road to Damascus experience must be seen for the sham it is.

Still, I will remain at Mizpah until desolation overspreads the land.

The Lamentations of The Wicked

After treating the bible with contempt, and stupidly expressing doubt about Jesus' birth and the purity of his mother, Mary, the former hireling and now insane scoffer penned the following lamentation: "864 905 5804 still works really well after 7PM EST if you friendly types ever wish to chat. Since the ideal Xmas season is rather lonely in fact for me personally and circumstances less than Norman Rockwellish, it might be nice to talk and put a voice behind the names." Clear signs that he is running when no one is chasing him. But I can assure him and Douglas that they have not seen anything yet!

I can also assure him that although Gavin, in his folly, has supported his diatribe against Mr. Armstrong, and has condoned his abuse of Jesus by remaining silent, he will neither be calling the above number nor attending his funeral, when that dreaded day comes! Which will not be long in coming!!

As for the foul mouth Douglas, he will not be far behind. And Gavin will find it very uncomfortable to survive between a rock and a hard place.

Still, I will remain as Mizpah until desolation overspreads the land!

The dogs and their vomit

The silly season of Christmas is here again, and the dogs that have returned to their own vomit are about to further disgrace themselves, if that is possible! 

The leading dog, who is afflicted with severe distemper and madness, recently vomited the following: "No critically thinking theologian or layman would ever be tempted to take the contradictory accounts of Jesus birth in Matthew and Luke literally true." Wow! How would a brute beast know what humans are capable of understanding?

Of course, the leader of the the canine pact is not alone in returning to his own vomit, for he was joined by Charlie and others to eat their own vomit. How disgusting can one get!

Still, I shall remain at Mizpah until the pit be dug for the wicked.

Modern Religious Sentimentality

Modern religious sentimentality has been heavily influenced by the resurgence of social and psychological theories, which became very fashionable in the 1950s. Simply put, these theories state that we must focus on the good in human nature, and that people's deviant behaviour derives from their social and psychological background. Therefore, people are not solely responsible for their roguery.

As a consequence, punishment for criminal behaviour should either be suspended or be used in conjunction with methods of rehabilitation. So, when dealing with criminal behaviour, the emphasis should be on forgiveness, compassion and mercy. At the same time, helping the guilty to understand and come to terms with the social and psychological factors that caused them to be any thing from petty criminals to malevolent psychopaths. And, of course, in this process very little thought is given to the feelings or sufferings of the victims.

This irrational mindset is very evident amongst the so-called churches of God, but it is not to be found in the pages of the bible. Most in the churches of God continue to make excuses for the behaviour of those who have sought to divide God's church, or fed themselves instead of the flock. The flock is supposed to understand the social and psychological conditions and factors that caused the ministers to betray God's people. The flock is expected to forgive, show compassion and extend mercy to those evil men who lied to them. At the same time, the pain and suffering of the flock are to be seen by them as God's way of testing their faith. Well, this mindset is pure religious sentimentality, and is a product of "the spirit of the world"(1 Cor. 2:12).

On the other hand, the mindset of the bible is that people are responsible for their actions, whether they are good or bad. And although God is love, he is also a God of justice. And he does not give any consideration to the social or psychological factors that influence those who break his laws. On the contrary, the history of Israel is replete with examples of God's attitude towards those who broke his laws. Those who repeatedly ignored his warnings to repent and turn from their godless ways, suffered the most dreadful of calamities.

So for hireling "ministers" to emphasise God's mercy to the exclusion of his justice is to lull people into a false sense of security.


To be continued....