Question Log 1


                                   This is a log of questions incoming to the Web Site Office 1 June 2008 - 31 July 2008.   Most are being sent to a place on the web sites, given a scripture [s], or one of our form letters.

Reference Question


 
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  This is Log 1 and was begun on 1 June 2008 and closed on 31 July 2008 
  Thank you so much for answering.  I was reading John 4 and when Jesus met the woman at the well it was referred to as Jacob's well and the woman said Jacob was an ancestor of hers.  So Jesus was talking to someone from another tribe of Israel.  Right?
 
Duplexes2    
Note: Gave him a quick and simple answer.

 
  I said that I had likewise done a word or topical study of the word ANTICHRIST in the epistles of John. I had already done a 750 page typed study of Revelation in the year 1992.
I had also done a study of Philippians about the general time I had done that study of the word ANTICHRIST. And there is that passage there in Philippians about Jesus Christ and the INCARNATION. And I concluded JESUS CHRIST; FULLY GOD AND FULLY MAN! That Jesus Christ used to sweat and take a crap just like me-yet he is fully God!!! I found that $50.00 Theology word in my NELSON'S ILLUSTRATED BIBLE DICTIONARY. I used to derive some inspiration that your founder also named Armstrong was a Christian layman who wanted to research the Bible on his own. And I had had 12 years of Catholic religious education. And I left home for the Army at 17. And I took my new Bible with me and decided to rethink what being a Christian was according to what the Bible says being a Christian was. And like in I Corinthians, Paul had said DO NOT GO BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN! And there was alot of that. I am sure that my former high school St. Francis de Sales was antichristian in alot of ways. I had recently done TRE WRAP UP; 21 DAYS TO BIBLE PROPHECY and on my own I looked up the word BLASPHEMY in my BAKER ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE BIBLE. And I found it meant that to Blaspheme means to mock or ridicule God or the things of God. I especially remember freshman German where the students used to laugh and mock as Brother Eberle used to pray quietly at his desk before the class began. He finally got fed up and defended his right to pray to his God! They were blaspheming God by mocking his praying. And since 1986 when I returned to Christ and I was influenced by my mom and aunt's Pentecostal church, I used to pray out loud in the privacy of my home-and people would either mock my prayers or try to psychoanalyze them. This is blasphemy on their part. St. Francis de Sales was a Catholic college prep high school and people went there to become successful. But not evry Christian. I think that cruel Dr. Michael A. Healy, the angry neurosurgeon may have been a relative of my former high school principal Fr. Robert Healy. The devil incarnate!!!
The cyst must have been due to my heavy drinking father beating me about the head when I was a child-after all, he forbad me to play high school football!! Tome NOe of Coingate must have been one of my classmates from the class of 1977 there. he was my enemy and mocked me in arrogance. He's not doing so good now! Cast a glance at riches and soon they are gone! Pride cometh before a fall and a haughty spirit before destruction!

Tony B.        Note:  This is actually the second e-mail in about 2 days.  Did not respond to either.  First was much like this.
 
  Sir
I would like to know what the Bible says about women performing the duties as Pastors, Teachers or leaders of congregations? I have heard different opinions about this from different Pastors. I have always understood it to be not allowed, however I see it more and more from the so called Mega Church Pastors who allow women or their wives to be teachers over congregations.

ERIC JAMES F.     Note:  Gave him our form letter on women ministers.
 
 

Mr. Cumming:

 

I feel a need to write to you to get your opinion on something that happened yesterday.  My wife and I received word over the phone that a friend of ours had been tragically killed in a vehicle accident when the driver he was with fell asleep at the wheel and lost control causing my friends death and he being now critically injured.

 

Some of the rest of the days conversation revolved around the fact of his untimely death and I kept hearing statements from various people which included my wife of how “God called him home” or “his number was up”.  I finally became very perturbed with some of them and told them that God doesn’t call anybody home or draw his number.  This kind of scenario would have to involve God setting in motion the various events leading up to his death and then be directly responsible for their outcome and finally told them flat out, that they were basically accusing God of killing him.  Well I should have known better because that really got the kettle boiling then.  As a matter of fact I’m still not being spoken to as of this letter writing and my lovely wife is barely saying six words to me at all.

 

But seriously, I believe what I said to be true, however does God know in advance how long each of us has with our particular sojourn down here?  Does he know in advance how each of us are going to die?  I know he forecasted Peter’s death and how he would glorify God by it and that all things are possible with God as well.   But I have always felt there are the factors of time and chance, accidents don’t just happen because they want to happen there are reasons and God is basically keeping hands off of most things for now.  This isn’t the first time that the above has come about but never to the severity that it reached yesterday.

 

What is meant by the phrase “the power of the Holy people being scattered” ?   And I have often wondered as well about the fact that God in the end will have given the opportunity for salvation at some point in time to all who have ever lived, but what about the two individuals that are going to fulfill the role of the military beast power and the false prophet to arise yet in the future?   Would they have to know in their own minds the truth of God and consciously reject it?  Judas Iscariot in betraying Christ was with him for three and a half years and was a personal witness to virtually everything he said and done so I believe he made a conscious choice and that they would have to as well.

 

 

Gordon R.     Note: Shared with him what I wrote as tribute to my wife about God counting the days and all His ways being perfect.  On the "scattered" I asked for a scripture.  On the "opportunity", simply explained the return of Christ and the Second Resurrection periods as being when most would have the opportunity.

 
  I started a new job in sales. My supervisor and friends were on the way back from lunch, and the new lady asked the sup. if we had to work on Sat. She said no unless a client wanted to schedule on that day.  I told her that I could not profit on that day and would not go to the appointment.  She looked at me like I was crazy.

When you come to work here you are given a book of clients.  And any referrals or call ins go on your book.  I told my sup. that if one of mine were to make an appt. on a Sat. that she would have to go and do it, and then give the client to another person in our group.

Is this the way I should handle this?

Thank you, and have a great week.

Teresa         Note:  Asked for clarity on the situation.
 
 
Are Jews still Gods people, like is the Jewish religion still able to get them into heaven.

I think I read something about this before.. I am not sure but I figured I'd ask you.

S. H.   Note:  Gave a simple answer and mentioned that we do not go to heaven when we die.  Put him into our booklet on Heaven not be Promised.
 
  Was Jacob a Jew?

Duplexes2
      Note: gave him a simple answer, that he was not.  Told him he had a son named, Judah from which we get the Jews.
 
  Hi,
Does God consider you Married if you were married by a State Official or say in a Catholic Church. In other words if you weren't married by a true minister of Gods church does he even consider you married. If he doesn't consider you married then would he consider you divorced
Thanking you in advance
Ed                                                         Note:  Gave him a simple answer to the affirmative.
 
  Have some of the books of the bible been left out of it ,like Enoch?

Betty M.     Note:  Gave her the form letters on How we Know We Have the Whole Bible and the one on the Apocrypha--Why we do not use it.
 
  Where can me and my wife be baptized?
Charles C. in Mesquite, TX

Note:  Notified Tom Griffith to take this.
 
  I don't believe in the trinity. It's difficult to understand that God and Jesus is one and the same. Not to mention that I really believe the Holy Spirit is not one and the same as the Father and the Son. Could it be that Jesus was the first born over all creation. That he was with God after God created him over all creation (plants, animals, and man) from the beginning. Examples of why I don't believe that Jesus is God.#1. Jesus was standing on the right hand of God at Stephen's execution. #2.That several places in the Bible states that Jesus is sitting on the right of God. If we could see in heaven, Jesus would be at the right hand of God. 1 + 1 = 2 not one.#3 My Father and I are one as stated by Jesus could mean that they have the same attributes and are in agreement with the God's purpose. #4 If you have seen me you have seen the Father. No one has seen God according to scriptures. Jesus has proclaimed him to us. So Jesus couldn't be God if no one has seen God. #5. Maybe the Word that was with God was "a" God in heaven. That could be Jesus co-creator with God.

#6. He (Jesus) shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, etc. I've been called Elvis Presley because I do an Elvis impression. It doesn't mean I am Elvis.
Just because Jesus was called God doesn't mean He is God. Could you please answer as I need help with understanding this. Thanks.  John B.

Note:  Agreed with him on his feelings regarding trinity.  Put him over to Feature page on the trinity.  Put him over to our doctrines on God, Jesus and Holy Spirit and booklet on Jesus, the God of the Old Testament.  Put him over to The Real Jesus.
 
  hi Chris. i wanted to know what it means too fear god?

Note: Put him to my sermon on fear and trembling---only thing we have on the subject.
 
405 See 402, 403 and 404 below first in that order.

Note: This was the reply to my apology.  I do not believe she understands what has been destroyed.  I just told her that I would take her suggestions under advisement but that I was standing back from all this for a while [like three or four years].

Dear Chris,
 
You were forgiven long before your apology.  We hashed it over from every perspective we could think of and determined there was something going on in your life because all through this discussion it was like I was talking to a totally different person.  We know you live alone and your youngest child is on the far east coast and we know how much work you do that it is nonstop.  So all is well on that front.
 
We're very sorry to hear about your mother, it is a very stressful time to go through.  Has she been sick for some time and how old is she?  Let us know of any developments.
 
Just some final thoughts on Protestantism, not too long before GTA died during his sermon at the feast in Kimberling City, just as Christ said and GTA taught it he said, "get rid of all Protestantism, it is Satanic"!  I have never forgotten those words and I wish I had the sermon.  Then back in the worldwide days you may remember the story of HWA telling that there was one boy who was not singing and he asked him why.  The boy said I am not going to sing these songs I don't believe anymore and they made an entirely new hymnal the one we now use with all those songs Dwight A. wrote.  So thank you for being willing to change in spite of your circumstances.
 
However here are some replacement suggestions as the original concepts are good:
 
1.  The new title, where "Points To Ponder" once was in the Web Report, could be called,  "You're the Apple of My Eye" or "From the Good Shepherd" or you could ask the people to send in their thoughts on a new title and get them involved.  Anyway, you will see I have attached a document showing 2 suggestions for a possible replacement example.  
Also what about considering asking the people to send in their favorite Bible verse or group of verses to use here and go through each one and explain as in the example.  Again these are just suggestions. 
 
With the Feast nearly upon us which pictures a future time when we will be Kings and Priests, 2 Sam. 23:2-4 is describing what a just and righteous king should be as David was.  With the hope of course that when we see the light of day from the sun, it would trigger this verse on our hearts and minds by association. 
 
But like I say these are suggestions only.
 
Now concerning the "Encouragement Section", that is a really good concept and maybe that could be called "Daily Encouragement" with daily Bible verses that the people have sent in or it could be "Encouragement from the Law of God" where Biblical principles are discussed.  Or another suggestion is to replace the  "Encouragement Section" with "The Question of the Week" section where you list a question that you have received from a visitor or viewer of the GTA telecast and then we could read your response and increase our learning of God's word. 
 
Now you may need to ask for some help from the people, Moses couldn't do it all either. 
 
Thanks, Bonnie
 
404 Note: Continuation of references 402 and 403

Dear Chris,

My intent in writing you was not asking you to take them down but to encourage Points to Ponder to become something of spiritual benefit. I had a long time ago stopped reading them but someone else was stating pretty much my thoughts and so thought I needed to address it with you and our regional coordinator.

About the Baptists posting the Ten Commandments. Accurately one would say they post them correctly but change them like the the 1st, 2nd and 4th one as we all know. In answer to your question about where the Points to Ponder are Biblically wrong, Christ gives us an answer in Mark 7. Just as the religious leaders in His day, so in our time religious leaders change God's law causing confusion for many and Christ said in vs. 13, "Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition"...some truth with error, that is what makes "vomit" as God calls it in another place and that was one of the subject of my first e-mail. Vomit as you know, we are feeling fine and we put something into our stomach that makes everything else in there poison. That is what the world's religions (including the Baptists) do to God's word, they take the Ten Commandments and twist them to serve their doctrine; (at least the Catholics tell us they are down to 8 commandments now) and God tells us don't go there for it will be as a "snare" unto you and pull you in.

If one would like an example take a look at Jim Josephson's article, "Having a Form of Godliness" which is right on and excellent and then read Points to Ponder and one will soon see what is of God and what is not and that is the point I am trying to illustrate. In fact he describes the type of "religion" in Points to Ponder, in one paragraph he calls it "suttle" in another he uses the term "lazy religion". He says, "American Christianity needs to examine itself, to take a good hard look at its beliefs and its commitment to its faith, doctrines and tenets. The Pew Forum study is a wake up call, a necessary concern to anyone who puts his or her trust in Jesus Christ, who calls him or herself a Christian, especially if one lives in the United States". the entire article is my point, it couldn't be better said.

Do I love the people of the world's religions, yes, because I know the future of God's plan. Do I love you, yes, but I feel like this is becoming an argument and that is not the purpose of my e-mail. I take very seriously when red flags come up in God's church and at a time when I spend a great deal of time trying to keep many in God's church where the truth of God is preached so far, but one of the things I witness when visiting and pleading with them is they are still reading the "feel good" books, listening to the "feel good" lectures on T. V. and quips such as Points to Ponder. I try to stear them back to the Bible with verses and lessons on how God views whatever it is they are studying. So that is why I cringe when I see this among us. Remember I am from the "flock" part of the church and you are from the "shepherd" part of the Church of God; I may hear and see things differently than you. I am not trying to create a problem here but the Bible teaches all of us to bring it to the leaders and then it is on their shoulders.

Now what does Protestantism mean to me? Without going into Martin Luther, The Bible tells us it is " And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" Rev. 17:5. As you know this began many years ago and still goes on. Protestantism is a false religion against God, the one He called Abraham and us out of, a religion of of which they think they have the truth but it is unbelievable confusion and a distraction from the truth of God as my husband says. She says she is the bride of Christ but she is of Satan.

As far as Is. 30:10, I have not done a thorough Bible study on it specifically but it is basically saying tell me what I want to hear, and vs. 9 says, a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the word of God. People saying to the prophets don't tell us bad things or tell us what you see like the calamity that is to come for instance on our nation.

I am sorry we are in disagreement, I prefer harmony but as always, from my heart, Love, Bonnie

Note:  I told Bonnie that we are ending Points to Ponder for all-time.  Not worth the contention.  I totally disagree with her reasoning as terribly bad theology but I am not going to contend with her.
I also took out the entire Encouragement section of the Church site and discontinued Your Daily Start.  This should take care of all points of contention but I am not sure.

My first response to the above e-mail may have been a bit terse.  I apologized and informed her of my actions to discontinue the items I did.  This should end her concerns.

 
403 Reference item 402 below.

Dear Chris,

Oh thank you for such a heartfelt reply as usual. I hope to answer some of your questions.

Concerning your statement, "where did the Baptists get them?" The problem here at least how I understand what God is trying to teach us is found in Deut. 12:3-31, Gal 4:9 and many other places. We as God's people should not be going to the Baptist sight or any other church or read their lit. as God warned us against it to protect us. Now I know no one can tell another how to live their life BUT when it is put in God's Church web report is another matter because how I see it is that the church is saying it is approved and gives us the flock the right to "investigate". Whether the author is known or it is offensive to God to go to another source which has so much error in it along with some bits of truth.

Truth topic, I agree that anyone who lives the principles of Christ's teachings will be a compassionate, kind, forgiving person which will bring many blessings to them but it will not bring salvation as you know. I thought the mission of God's church to be about the mission of salvation or one of the missions and to feed the sheep and of course it should be truth. This points to ponder was full of Protestantism of which my young childhood was full of and I came out of. I don't want to see God's church blend with protestant thinking.

I liked the part where you took #7 which states "God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts" and gave all those wonderful, teaching verses from the mouth of God which BUILDS our spiritual foundation with deep roots that we can stand firmly on. How much better off we would be with what you wrote quoting from John 15:2-8 and also what you wrote on the "heretic/nuts" part, Titus 3:10, Mk. 7:9, I Thes. 5:14, Titus 1:10-11 all of which condemns their neat little quips which are sometimes sticky, smarmy, sentimental as GTA used to say. "From such with draw theyself" I Tim. 6:5.

Would you think it better to foster spiritual thoughts and spiritual to put in what you have written from the word of God? I got tons out of what you wrote and will keep them close at heart because they edify my and my family while the quips have no depth or spiritual help and actually lead to confusion of what God teaches they very reason God tells us don't go there.

Please know my intent is not to offend the senders or you or anyone, I just wish we could or would consider a change especially in a time when our flock needs spiritual knowledge more than ever, especially when we read the headlines posted, which is what will keep us on the "strait and narrow way".

My love and blessings for you and your continued hard work. Bonnie and Family

Note:  I am not going to get into this with her.  For now I am not even going to answer.

Note: She sent another e-mail pressing for a response.  I asked her if she has done a study of "smooth things" in Isaiah 30:10.  Asked her what Protestantism meant to her.  Told her that I could not discard a Point to Ponder just because  the Baptists posted the same one.  They were not the author of it and therefore it is not of them.  It is just something they posted.  They also post the 10 Commandments and we are not taking ours down.

 
 

402

Dear Chris, 
 
Were you aware that the points to ponder in this week's web report is directly from a Baptist church?  See below and then click on website
http://www.psci.net/bakerscreekbaptistchurch/consider/truthstoremember.html
http://www.northmorelandcbc.com/20things.html
 
Both of these links you will see are from Sunday churches.  Now there is probably some truth in the quips but rather the solution come from the Bible instead of a cliche from a Sunday-worshiping church. These are "smooth, pleasant things" as God said would happen more and more and I see more and more of this creeping into the church, thruth mixed with error and God calls it "vomit" in the Bible and for us to turn away or "come out of her my people".  I doubt any Sunday church would take any of the TRUTH from the GTAEA website or ICG in fact they would turn us in. 
 
Suggestion:  It would be a great spot in the web report to place verses from the Bible here and explain them for us as we face the days ahead.  Let me know the error of my thinking.  Thanks, Bonnie

Note: First stated that I agreed with her in principle.   Then asked if the Baptist church was the actual author or had just posted the same thing as we did.

Then mentioned that truth is truth and that truth is were you find it.  That is, just because the  Baptists posted the same as us does not make the words smooth or somehow heresy.

I then took an example from the points to ponder in this week's Web Report and showed her how both phrases in the statement were anchored in the Word of God.  Having said that I said that if she said the word that I would discontinue Points to Ponder in the Web Report for all time as I did not want even one person offended/concerned even once.

As to her suggestion I told her the Web Report was not the best venue for scripture explanation and gave her multiple links to places in our sites that deal in scripture explanation.

 
  Dear Chris,

It's been 9 months since the FOT but I'm still hearing comments about people drinking too much and actually becoming intoxicated. Also comments being made by people outside the church saying "that group is just a bunch of drunks."

My question is, what if anything should one do if they witness intoxicated church members at the FOT?

Thank you for all you do.

Jim P.
High Point Church

Note:  I simply asked questions for clarification and asked whether he has spoken to Robert Nunnery about this?

Note: He responded with info.  Not widespread.  Not many know about this.  Jim P was not a firsthand witness.  Told him primarily to contact Mr. Nunnery about this and that generally if he is the witness to this behavior/incident, they should invoke a proper Matthew 18 process.  Gave him the link to our study on the Matthew 18 process.

 
  Greetings,
We studied Romans 14 today at our Bible study in the Bettendorf fellowship. One of our guys had written to you and obtained a commentary on this chapter for study. Could you please email me one too? It is sometimes a hard chapter to understand.

Thank you
Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus
Vicki Long                                                 Note:  Sent her the commentary or actually the form letter on Romans 14.
 
  Chris:

re. Job 1:6 and 38:7

Who are the Sons of God mentioned in these verses?

Hebrews 1:4-5 leads me to think that God did not refer to the angels as "sons"

Thanks again,

Sue H.          Note:  Sent her our form letter on Job 1:6
 
 
Looking for info on the trinity. I was sure there was a booklet or brochure but, I can't find anything.

Thanks for your help. Frederick     Note:  Put him over to our Feature Page on the trinity  http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/Trinity_false_doctrine.shtml
 
  Does the church believe that wearing makeup is wrong?

Michelle G.             Note:  Gave a two sentence answer.
 
 
Chris,
Sorry to bother you with something so trivial but do you know if the knew  booklet: What does the Bible say about same sex unions is on the website yet???
Thanks so much,
Steve              
 
 
Dear Chris,
 
 It will take me a while to "knock out" all of the information you sent me. You were very in-depth with your response. I appreciate it. I am going to thoroughly go through it all and if I have any more questions that may come up after that then I'll let you know. Additionally, any comments that you made I will respond to them as well altogether. Meanwhile I am looking for the Bible in English (for better understanding) to go along with my New King James Bible. I went to Amazon.com yesterday and looked up the English Bible that Marilyn has which is called "The Way" (Living Bible Illustrated). However, she says it has mistakes in it. Is there an English speaking bible you would recommend that is as close to accurate as possible?
 
As always, thank you for your time,
 
Marc                             Note:  Gave him our form letter on the NKJV [how we do not recommend it].  Told him I refer to Living Bible but do not rely on anything but KJV for accuracy.
 
 
  I would like an explanation of the twenty four elders around God's throne

Alvis O.            Note:  Linked him to our Bible study on the subject
 
  We can see several differences and disagreements among the churches, and they all
respectively think they're right.

My initial question is, of course, there will be a hierarchical government in the Kingdom, and
it will be rigid, although one based on service. However, that will be an infallible government
run by infallible beings. So does God intend that fallible man run the same kind of government
here in this age? We see forms of such, all the way from authoritative heirarchies to a virtual
non-government in the Church.

Initially, it appears to me that both extremes are wrong, although at this point I do not know
what is right. That is my quest.

One of the issues, in my opinion, is the confusion among truth, doctrine, and policy. Too often,
it has seemed, policy has been represented as doctrine and doctrine as truth. It would seem a
demarcation must take place here.

* Truth is axiomatic: It must be obeyed. The Sabbath and the Holy Days are an example.

* Doctrine is theoretical: It is arrived at through prayerful, considerable research and is
probably the truth, but may still be debated--yet the church must be on the same page
regarding its implementation. Perhaps birthdays and makeup, and maybe even the calendar
and what day Pentecost should be observed, would fall under that?

* Policy, on the other hand, is implemented by administrative decision and has little biblical
backing, yet is necessary often for the smooth running of whatever government is necessary
and proper: how services will be organized; how long opening and closing prayer should be
and what should and should not be said in them; what are the duties of the pastor, elders,
deacons, etc.; how should members dress and how long their hair should be, etc. (A lot of
this is best left to "common sense," guided by the Spirit, in my opinion, whereas other items
must be decided and administered.) Governmental structure itself, in many respects, may
fall under "policy."

I believe disfellowshipment has been wrongfully imposed over policy, and members have
fractured the Church and created schisms over the same.

This obviously shapes up as a complex, ambitious undertaking, but it is an important one
because sin has been committed in the name of the Church over the abuse of government,
in my opinion.

This is just some stuff off the top of my head. Help me if you think I have strayed in my
opinions.

Meanwhile, I must get back to work. Enjoy your day.

Warm regards,

Larry B.                            Note:  Answered with simple statements.  Stated that I, personally, have not studied the subject of church government all that much.  I did link him to historical documents on church government primarily by HWA.
 
  Chris,
Do you support or believe what The Plain Truth magazine says???
I read on their site where, the late Herbert Armstrong had flaws in his teachings???
As always, thanks,
Steve                                         Note:  Told him no, I do not believe what they publish.
 
  Hello Chris,

This is Marc R.. You have not met me but you have answered a question for me via Marilyn Wagner. Just to introduce myself a bit I am from a suburb in Illinois called Harvey. I am a soldier in the US Army and have served for 10 years now. I am currently stationed in Germany and here in Missouri for school until mid-August. I just came into the knowledge of the Church of God via Marilyn. Before I met her I did not know the truth. I am glad God is teaching me the truth about Him that I've been searching for all of my life. Anyway, I have some questions:

(1) I believe there is a time gap between Genesis Chapter 1 verse 1 and 2. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. In between those two scriptures things happened like Lucifer getting kicked out of heaven because of his pride. During this time did Lucifer not create human-like life?; i.e. dinosaurs for example? I've done some reading on the subject and just want to make sure that I'm understanding it right. The way I understand it is that there is a spiritual battle going on between God and Lucifer since the beginning of time and when God destroyed the world Lucifer or Satan created. He re-created what he had already created in the beginning (Gen 1:1) only this time He put Adam in charge of it until he sinned. That is when Satan took back over as the Prince of this world, is that right?

(2) Lucifer is known as an angel of light- "a cherubim." What exactly is a cherubim and how does this differ from a seraphim?

(3)Samson and Jesus were called Nasserites, correct? Well, were there any other men or women in the bible that were Nasserites? What did they have to do to be a Nasserite?

(4) Samson and King Saul committed suicide. Were they the only two in the entire bible to commit suicide?

(5) Lastly, if I'm understanding things correctly if I want to be baptized into the Church of God I cannot be in the military, is this correct?

(6)If I want to meet some decent Christian woman, is there an on-line site via international Church of God where I can talk to other women my age that have the same beliefs and goals as I have. Sure there are plenty of Christian on-line dating services but what about via Church of God?

Note: Gave him our form letter on creation for #1.  Put him into doctrine on angels for #2.   Gave him answer from dictionary for #3 and #4.  Gave a simple answer to #5 and #6.  On latter, told him we did not have anything in place but linked him to Pen Pal section.
 
 
Note: Reference item 100 below in Reference column

2 Peter 3:9 does say that "God is not willing that any should  perish.".as you state.
 
But don't you agree that we , as humans are given a choice? "Not willing" does not mean "not allowing.." right?
 
Seems you also mentioned that those who go thru life "unsaved' and not yet called,
will be "called" during the millennium,,, 
 
But what of the wicked? Take the passage Luke 12:20:
 Jesus taught, the rich man who planned to build more silos to store his wealth, and God said, "thou fool, tonight thy soul shall be required of thee..."
God called him a fool!
Now, Why was this man a fool?  Is he not "called"? And if Not, won't he be given a chance when he is raised? 
 
..and putting it into modern terms, What of the typical wicked, "average Joe"..who scoffs at religion, and the Bible, and beats his wife and neglects his kids..lives  only for football and fishing, and then dies? Unrepentant< still wicked. Will he be "Called" in the next millennium?? Or was he "called" and he said "no"?
 
BTW: I've read many accounts of population growth..there is a "reverse birth count" that can count in reverse, the generations up to 5000 years ago..amazing..
Point being, there was no where near 100 billion people since Noah..
EX: there were maybe 2 million people on this continent circa 1776..
 
Your insight will be appreciated..
Joseph                                    Note:  Gave some simple explanations on the referenced scriptures.  Explained about the number which is arbitrary.
 
  I am so happy God led me to find GTA again!!  International COG led me to believe GTA was deceased!  Keep up God's good work!  The end IS near.

Sandi V.      Note:  Put her to http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/thisweek2.shtml the page with the article on GTA's death.  Told her that his work continues.
 
  I believe in keeping God's law, but another person asked me what is more important the law or Jesus. I said they are both the same. Am I wrong in this position?
Nick C.   Note:  Told him his position was correct.  Told him to: See our booklet: Are Christians "Under the Law"?   http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/pubs/UnderLaw.htm
 
  hi; The bible reference to a "place of safety"..to be protected for a time, fleeing by eagles wings, to a place, a flight!!!  to flee..is pretty obvious to me.  Why does the church say (ICG)..that the place of safety, is wherever the Christian is, to protect him or her anywhere?  If the USA and the entire world are to be made captive, and under control by slavery in the tribulation, it makes sense that there would be a "place of safety"..or a fleeing to some place , other than under control of the Holy roman Empire!  I know God can protect us wherever we are, but it makes more logic to have a place of safety, other than in the middle of the takeover of our country and slavery. I'm trying to understand.  Why would those words be used (PLACE of safety-Wilderness). suggesting a specific location, it's logical that that would be a remote area-AWAY from the captive-dominating roman empire!  I'm asking if that makes my point logical or why didn't the bible just say-"where-ever you are, you will be protected?) Those words are clear and suggest a "fleeing" away!  Please help me understand this!..... Thanks,  Gary G.   

Note:  Put him over to our booklet on the Place of Safety that begins with his quote.  Asked him a couple of questions, the answers to which will put the subject in perspective for him.  Also put him to here:
Also see Will You Be Taken to a "Place of Safety"?   http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/placeofsafety1.shtml  Written by GTA in year 2000.

Also put him to specific study on Godly Protection  http://www.intercontinentalcog.org/bibleclassspecificstudies24.shtml
 
  Garner Ted,

I have a problem with your teaching on what happens to our being when we die that I saw on a one of you recent TV programs on ION. It is true that the King James version says asleep but if you take the word back to the Greek it also means to be "dead", So if we are in unconscious state as you teach how do you reconcile:

Ecc 12:6  Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
Ecc 12:7  Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. And

2Co 5:6  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
2Co 5:7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
2Co 5:8  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2Co 5:9  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

I have followed you off and on for years and was baptized in the Worldwide Church of God in the 1980's but left shortly after your dad died and the new leadership took over. I'm now a Christian non demonitional and I'm lead by the spirit. I believe many of your teachings are true to GOD's Word but this one on the death of the body doesn't feel RIGHT!!
I look forward to your reply.
May our LORD open your eyes and ears to HIS wisdom and the TRUTH Shall Set You Free.

Always In Our Lord Jesus Christ.
John P                                                    Note: Gave him our form letter in Eccl 12 and 2 Cor 5 and put him over to:
Listen to the sermon, "Soul Sleeping" here: http://www.intercontinentalcog.org/sermonsgtaaudio.shtml  ...towards the bottom of the page.

He responded: 
I thank you very much for the information. It was kind of you to send it to me.  –Rob
 
  How do you respond to the Jewish claim about the OT scriptures regarding Jesus that Christians have perverted them to "prove" Jesus is the promised messiah?  The charges are that the scriptures have been mistranslated, taken out of context, partially quoted, and even invented in order to "fit" Jesus into the Jewish Tanakh. The Virgin Birth story is a classic example taken from Isaiah.

Steve      Note:  Essentially told him we do not respond to such things.  Put him over to:

See our booklet, "Christ in the Old Testament"  http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/pubs/Christ-OT.htm
See our booklet, "Who—What—was Jesus Before His Human Birth?"  http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/pubs/Who_What_Was_Jesus_Before_His_Human_Birth.shtml
See our book, "The Real Jesus" http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/Real_Jesus/The_Real_Jesus_homepage.shtml

 
  In the NT, we read the story that Jesus told about Lazarus and the Rich man. It seemed to say that there is life after death either in Heaven or Hell. And that man is not sleeping.

Please help me with that.

Rob                 Note: Put him to booklet on Lazarus and When I Die, What Happens Next?
 
  How does your tithing work?

Rob      Note:  Put him over to doctrine on Tithing.  Correspondence course too.
 
  Dear Chris,

Would you please help me pray that God will help me break the powerful hold that nicotine has on me? I'm waiting for my Doctor to schedule a lung biopsy, and there's a very good chance that I have stage 3 lung cancer.
And still I continue to smoke!!! I've tried dozens of times to quit, but all to no avail. I simply cannot understand the obvious power of this drug called nicotine. From what I'm reading, it IS classified as a drug. And experts are now saying that nicotine is harder to quit and STAY quit than meth or heroin or any other drug. What a pity that we are able to purchase something that will almost certainly end in death in the form of nicotine!
Thank you so much.
Linda                                  Note: Gave her our paper full of resources to help with beating the nicotine habit.
 
  Happy Sabbath Chris!

Hope this e-mail finds you well. It's been awhile but I have a question for you. Doesn't the Bible support the fact that heritage is carried thur the male and not the female. In other words, if I were Jewish and my wife were Spanish and we have children wouldn't our children be Jewish. Same if my wife were Jewish and I Spanish wouldn't our children be Spaniard. Doesn't the Bible use this as an example or am I off base. How else would we carry our heritage. Just answer when you get time. Have a great and beautiful Sabbath.

Your Friend

Steve    Note: Gave a simple response basically saying we have nothing definitive on this.
 
  Good Morning Chris;

You are probably not up yet, but I have a question that will take some time to answer anyway.

My roommate and I are studying Romans and we got to the 14th chapter and what a "can-o-worms" it opened.

On the surface it sounds like it doesn't matter what day one decides to worship on or whether or not one adheres to the dietary laws as long as it is done with thanks giving to the Eternal.

That isn't consistent with the rest of the Scriptures and I know that the Eternal is not the author of confusion and that the Scriptures are not open to any private interpretation. That leaves me with MY understanding of what I am reading. And since I know that my thinker is broke, I was hoping that you could help me understand this passage.

Thanks for any help you can give and love to all;

Tree (and my pal Al)  Note:  Gave them [members] the form letter on Romans 14

His Reply:

Chris;

Thank you so much for the info on Romans 14.
As always you came through with the right material.
As I had said, I knew that there was something I was missing. When the Scriptures don't make sense to me or I am confused, I just figure "my thinker is broke". And again it has proven to be correct. lol
Have a great week.
Love;
Tree (and my pal Al)

 
  Good morning, Chris.
May I have your other email address, for biblical questions, please?
Barb   Note:  Sent my e-mail address and location of the on-line form
 
  Hi, again, I have another question to ask you. First though I like to say again thanks for the great super explanations and help you have given to me in response to questions I have shared with you in the past.

My questions is when I explain to an employer how I need Friday night off and Saturday I feel little nervous explaining why I need that time off. I thought I would run this by you because even though I have a job where I have gotten the sabbath time off for almost two years there are times when we get new managers who will be making up our schedules and I then need to explain again my situation to them about how I need the sabbath off etc, or there are times they forget and I need to explain to them how I need this time off for religious reasons.

My question I feel a little nervous explaining to them that I need this time off because I feel a little uncomfortable or uncertain about how to explain it. Maybe you could give me some ideas as to what to say to them when trying to explain the time I need off. One of the hardest parts is not just explaining why I need Saturday off but explaining why I need Friday night off also. This is what is confusing to them. I am now in a situation now where I need to explain again to my manager that I cannot work Friday night because it is part of "what I call to my manager my religious day" instead of the holy sabbath. I try to just say that in my church Saturday is our "religious" day where we feel we should not work and then I try to explain how it is from Friday evening to Saturday evening, I feel a little unclear as to how to explain to them why it is from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

Is there any way you may help me touch up my explanation a little about this and help me give a good explanation. This will also help me in cases where other workers ask me why I cannot work Friday night or Saturday for religious reasons. They ask me why I need it off for religious reasons and they have found out from my supervisors that it is for religious reasons because they asked them why I need this time off and they told them it was for religious reasons, and I want to give them and my manager a good answer but I don't want to get to biblical or scriptural or complex. I hope you understand my situation.

Patrick W.   Note:  Gave him text of our form letter on excusal for Sabbath and Holy Days, Our doctrines on Sabbath and Holy Days and our Holy Day booklets and encouraged him to formulate his presentations from that text.

 
 
Hello Chris,  I wanted to tell you about the young man that is asking you and I questions.  He is an M. P. in the Army  and only here in the states for a few more weeks and then he will be returning to Germany.  I have told him that I am not a teacher that you are.  That I would give him your e-mail and then he could e-mail you questions as he has them.  He is here in the lab with me tonight working on homework for his classes he is taking and he has already told me he has a lot of questions to ask you.  Thank you for helping him. 

Marilyn   Note:  Responded that I was glad to help.
 

 
 
Hello Chris
    I know that what I am asking here is quite different and on VERY SHORT notice but I may need some help.
 
    As you know from past correspondence my wife and i are stuck clear out in the middle of nowhere with no church to attend.
 
    However, I have been talking to the Baptist preacher here in town and explaining How that Jesus observed the FOT Jn.7:1-10 & LGD vs.37,and that Eph.5:1 says we are to imitate God. Then I pointed him to Zec.14:16-19. Consequently he has said that he would help me set up a FOT for the people of Freer, most of whom have never heard of the FOT. Even though anybody from anywhere would be welcome, It would be mostly comprised of people from the 5 or 6 different churches of Freer.
 
     For anyone from out of town we have four motels within walking distance of the civic center. and a municipal airport about a mile away. Also a G/H bus stops a block from it all.
    We are half way between Corpus Christi and Laredo, each about 70 miles away.  Maybe a day long excursion to either one could be in order. And we are 100 miles south of San Antonio, Possibly another daylong excursion, any one of the three. I live on twenty three acres about 17 miles from town. maybe a BBQ and sing along could be in order.
 
    We would have access to the civic center which holds about 500 people with a kitchen and enough tables and chairs to hold up to 500. for special food events.
 
    Although I am not an ordained minister, I have been in the church since 1985,have given a couple of sermonettes, and led songs for the Church of God San Antonio for a year or two, along with doing special music at different Feast sights around the country. I feel that I could give a sermon or two if needed, But would prefer to have a COG minister to assist and give a couple or three sermons aimed at babies in the truth.
 
     I know that what I'm asking is a lot and needs a lot of prayer. It could be a total flop or it could be a great blessing from God.
 
     So what I am asking is, do you suppose there might be one or two ICG ministers that might be willing to make the trek into the wilderness? If so I would Truly appreciate any and all help I could get.
 
     Please inform me one way or the other so that I will know whether to Talk to Tim ( the Baptist preacher) and see if we should go ahead with plans.
 
    I thank you for help and may the good blessings of God be yours.....                     Al      

Note: Gave a short response and encouraged him to attend in Galveston, less than 300 miles away.  Informed him that all ministers are committed to established Feast areas.

 
 
Dear Chris:
 
            The reason I am so un-happy and sad is, my mother and father are both dead and are not coming back, my brother and both nephews will never speak to me again (because I invested what little money my father left me wisely and I did not take their advice and loose half of it), my one and only true friend from high school died of a heart attack three years ago, and I have three dogs and a cat buried in the back yard. So you see Chris, I really am alone.
 
            But what hurts me the most and is causing me to loose my faith, is when taking to God privately, be it be at home or the cemetery, He never answers me. Even the most sick and mangy dog will perk up his ears and bark when someone speaks to him. God on the other hand does nothing.
 
            Chris, I know from your past letters God will not intervene in world affairs. ( He is waiting for the second coming; over two thousands years and counting). With world affairs like they are one would think it would break his heart. But it doesn't. He seems to be immune to all despondency. If He would associate and commingle Himself with the needs of mankind and help the helpless this goldilocks planet of ours would be a lot better off. But for some unknown reason He wont.
 
            Therefore, in my opinion suicide is a viable solution in my case. In a moments time all my calamities and melancholy would be gone and He could not hurt me anymore. God the Father is clearly the boss, the blame lies squarely on His shoulders the responsibility at His doorstep.
 
            This is not blasphemy, I am not being impious or sacrilegious. This is the truth as I believe and know it and I am not afraid of Him and will never live in fear. If this constitutes a one way ticket to Hell and the fat lady sings no more, so be it. It is better than going on living a life of distress and misery.
 
            Chris, I fully realize there are many people worse of than I am. This is wrong to and I cannot do anything about it, but He can. So what else is there left. To practice the better part of valor and buy the farm. There is no other answer!
 
                            Sincerely Merlin E.   Note:  Gave him general encouragement and encouragement against suicide.   Directed him to the booklet on prayer and my three-part sermon on prayer.
 
  There is something that popped up in my mind and I wanted to share that thought with you so we can exchange comments back and forth.
Look up Mark 13:24-27.. and I kept on wondering what it will be like...

24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

From verse 24 thru 27, we see,
1. AFTER the tribulation, sun will be darkened and moon will not give its light and stars of heaven falls and powers in the heavens will be shaken. That is just before Christ return to Earth. Compare this with Mark 13:32 - no one knows the day nor the hour but the Father..

Picture yourself in this picture... You see sun darkened and moon darkened - it becomes night - pitch black. Then what happens next? Stars falling on us!!!! Picture yourself in a star wars spaceship going into warp speed you see stars zooming by. So you on earth see stars zooming by - what does that mean? Hold that thought. Next thing happened - powers in the heavens will be shaken. Picture that yourself in a star wars spaceship and you see the heavens going crazy and powers in the heavens being shaken - like shaking a toy ball and it snowed inside the ball. What does that mean? That means the earth is taken out of its orbit and goes at warp speed and you see the stars zooming by just like in a star wars movie. Ask yourself - where is the Earth going? Ah.. God is light and we do not need sun and moon to give us the time and light. Where is the sun and the moon? Probably at where they are now and the earth just "disappeared" and it went at warp speed to where? I think I know... God is going to set up His government on Earth and He wants it at the center of the entire Universe - not in Milky Way Galaxy orbiting around the center of the Universe. So the saints will rule the Kingdom forever and we will not be needing the Sun and the Moon - God is the light - so all the entire Universe is being subjected to the Kingdom of God - we the saints will be cleaning up the universe and making everything "anew" - yes lots lots of work to do, but we have the grains of the sand (representing each human being ever existed) to do all the work. So that "explains" why time is lost just before Christ returns - Sun and moon are gone - how do we measure time? not without sun and moon. So God decides the time when to send Christ to earth - that is at the end of 1260, 1290 and 1335 days all leading to time of return of Jesus Christ to Earth..

Richard       Note:  Gave a simple response.  Put Him over to 144,000 booklet and Good News section.  Also to the Two Key Prophecies section.

 
 
Dear Chris:         
 
            To be honest ,I never thought about donating my charitable items to a church. Thanks for the much needed information. Also, It makes a whole lot of since the Holy Bible is His Bible and it does not make any difference who wrote it. Also thanks for this valuable scripture information. Chris, like I said in the past /you know the Bible/.
 
            Chris, I am sort of a history buff and have read and re-read several books regarding the German-Russian war including all aspects of the European theater. God wrote the Bible. I agree whole heartedly. He is perfect as you say in your last e-mail. You also said," The book is absolutely necessary for one called to the Salvation Process".
 
            Then why Chris, is the Holy Bible-His Word filled with so much evil, and corrupt vicious doings? Like the philosopher said, "Devine intervention? You have more chance winning the lottery six times in a row, believe me".
 
            And another thing Chris, if the only way a Christian can receive the blessing of heaven is through the belief in Jesus Christ, /why did not God let Jesus in on when that second  coming may be/?
 
            Chris, once you said in one of your e-mails " there is no such thing as a dumb question". This is why I am asking these questions so you can reply and I can answer.
 
            I believe>I am not sure< but I believe I am losing my faith.
 
                                                                                                    Sincerely, Merlin          Note: Gave some simple answers to these simple questions.   Put him over to Two Key Prophecies.
 
  Re: abortion

Does the Bible teach when life begins?

Note: Responded with our form letter on abortion.  All e-mail signed "Letter Answering Department" now, unless I already have a long-term relationship with the person---those who send questions that begin, "Dear Chris."
 
 
Chris,
Is their a way to know when will Christ returns back to earth by counting the days if something big happens, like humm say WWIII breaks out or whatever and then start counting 1335 days that Christ will return?
I know that Jesus said he does not know when but his father does. But the way I read the Bible it looks like it is giving a hint by counting the numbers. I don't know
Richard   Note:  Gave simple explanation and put him over to Two Key Prophecies and booklet on the 144,000.
 
  Note:  I received one e-mail that contained 225 pages of text and 244,264 words.  Did not read nor respond.  Did read the first three paragraphs or so and the man is looking for some kind of help in overcoming a sin it would appear.
 
  I have seen and heard GTA for years, but I have heard some distressing things about him as of late and his lifestyle.
Can you shed any light on these stories?
Many thanks,                         Note: Did not respond.  I put all e-mail I do not respond to in a special file in case others wish to respond or in case I am directed to answer.
Rob
 
  Garner Ted Armstrong, in one of his other tapes, mentioned that he was doing research on the exact time when the Holy days were being kept by Christ to see/prove if we were keeping them correctly.  Was that ever released in a sermon or booklet?  If so, I would be interested in receiving that material.  Note:  Did not respond.    Philana McClendon 
 
 
Hi Chris, It's really hot in Missouri today hope it is cooler where you are.  I just read Rev. 7- 2 and it struck me that only the tribes of Israel will be receiving God's mark.  Is there a reason behind that? Wouldn't it be possible that someone other than an Israelite go to God.  Marilyn  Note:  put her unto the 144,000 booklet.
 
  The "Remnant Church, or Little Flock" Some say it is all about the Adventist, others say it is all about the Church of God. Myself, I say that the Remnant Church is made up of sheep in every fold. That when everything is said and done, and God has brought together all his faithful servants (the ones out of each religion) who has stood souley for the Word of God, Those chosen are the Remnant Church in the end. They make up the Little Flock. Can anyone come up with the right answer using only the KJV bible?

Leslie     Note: gave him a three brief paragraphs in response and put him on to a booklet [Best News].
 
100
I have always been taught that "FEW THERE ARE THAT FIND IT".and that heaven won't be crowded, except for angels..."the path to destruction is wide and broad'..
and..
"Satan will deceive MANY"..
hardly a reference to multitudes of saved//saints in scripture..?
(2) 1000 years..would you think that maybe the millennium, as we have modern day called it..can be really ONE DAY??
As a day is as 1000 years, and 1000 years as one day??
  It would make sense the Scripture reference that there will be NO ONE here on earth during the 1000 years..
Jer 4: 25.."I beheld and there was NO MAN.."
Jer  25:33 "The wicked shall be neither gathered nor buried...they are dung upon the earth.."
and :
Rev 22:11 makes it kinda clear that the case of every man is closed before Jesus returns.."he that is unjust, let him be unjust still,,"
 
Any thoughts??
Joseph------------------------Note:  simply set him straight on the meaning of the quoted scriptures.  Note that he has sent a series of e-mails on the same subject as you can see below.  His concern or question and/or contention is regarding how many are saved ultimately.
 
   I am sick and requires healing. Needs a miracle. Please tell me what to do???
Ruth    Note:: gave simple answer.  Referred he to Healing section.
 
 
What scriptures can one refer to re the UNSAVED..
 That is..all those dead who've never heard the gospel or been called of God?
 
..and what of innocent children of Muslim/Hindu parents who were raised and were never exposed to the Salvation Message/process?
 
Surely a just God gives everyone a chance to be saved..?
 
Seems the concept of "Accept Jesus NOW," as "today is the day of Salvation"..
is  commonly preached ..and it turns a lot of people off to the Christian Evangelical movement.
 
Appreciate your insight!                  Note: gave a simple answer.
Joseph
 
 
Chris:
 
Do you agree that Matt 5:5 "blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth"..
 
is a reference to the unsaved, those who have not heard the truth, the salvation message or even the name Jesus Christ?
 
Would these (those) who've died and been resurrected then have a chance at salvation during the 1,000 year reign of Christ on Earth?
 
Joseph    Note: gave a simple answer.
 
  Who is the king of the north and the south? 
Ellen  Note: Told her we do not know.
 
  I have two very deer friends who are Jehovah Witnesses and deeply religious. I am not one, I believe as you do. They gave me one of their Bibles> "New world Translation of the Holy Scriptures", revised 1984<. It is different from the king James version but I enjoy reading it anyhow. Chris, what is your opinion of this Bible?
 
My last question, and I heard this on the History Cannel when they had a documentary regarding /"who wrote the Bible"/. this was only mentioned is passing, by which I mean two or the sentences. I had never heard this before and it caught my attention. The four gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, John wear never actually signed by the authors the way Saint Paul signed his letters.
 
Chris, to me authorship is not so important as to what is meant and said and how we live by the words. But, my question is when Saint Paul signed his letters why would not the four gentlemen who are reputed writhing the four gospels /not sign their names/, and how do we today know for sure they were the true authors and not  one or more of the other disciples?
 
Your friend, Merlin                                  Note: gave him our form letter on Bible versions and told him that human authorship was not important
 
 
Dear Chris:
 
            Since both of my parents have pass away, I have quite a few of quality charitable  items I would like to donate to the needy and properly see they receive them. I need your help, please.
 
            Charities generally sell donated material rather than give them away. When anything of use is donated to non-profit organizations like the Salvation Army which operates a thrift store, the store sorts through the various items and selects the best to sell to the public /through-out their thrift stores/.
 
           Christine Bragale, spokesperson for Goodwill Industries International says, "When donors are given to us, we're doing everything we can to get value out of these donations, /whether that means selling to the public or to a third party/".
 
          Chris, do you have any helpful suggestions how I can proceed with giving charitable items and materials away and knowing they will help the helpless and the needy?
 
         Your Friend, Merlin     Note: asked him what he had
 
 
Subject: hate the sin, not the sinner!

In preparing for next weeks bible study of Malachi ch. 1 , the phrase in v.2 "Jacob I've loved, Esau I hated " has spurned the question: Does God hate?, and if so, does he 'hate the sin or the sinner" another non biblical quote. I know Proverbs 6:16-19 seven things God hates refers to actions (sins) committed not the person or perpetrator of the actions. and in the New Testament Christ tells us to love our enemies. The question I guess I'm proposing is;

"Is it alright for God to hate (a perfect Godly hate as some commentators propose) and not man? Because since man is imperfect, and a sinner himself, our type of hatred can lead to murder. As it says in 1 John to love your brother, But is a sinner in the world considered our brother, and if so, do we hate the sin but love the sinner?

Paul       Note: simply showed him the meaning of the word "hate"...to love less.
 

 
Chris,
I was looking for sermons to download. I see on the website alot of them are old, nothing wrong with that. Where do I go to download, say some of the most recent sermons or recordings??
As always thanks,
Steve                        Note: put him unto the http://www.intercontinentalcog.org/video-audio.shtml
 
  I was very disappointed in your letter sent with the unelectable offer:
God's first job to man was “And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to dress it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15).
to be a good steward of our planet and how do you refer to the "save the planet crowd" as self important anti-God, but you praise the oil drillers that want to put petroleum poisons into the air causing at the very least acid rain, and smog that destroys our atmosphere, and at worst causes "global warming".  You also promote nuclear power which has polluted the land around the area of the nuclear disasters at 3 mile island caused a complete change in the safety procedures (I have worked as an officer in the military, and a state investigator in my career and I can assure you if it was more serious than we were told you would never know, because our government only tells us what they want us to know, and of course there was Chernobyl which polluted the environment so bad they may never be able to use it. My major concern is the waste material which we still haven't been able to dispose of.
The price of oil has gone off the chart because that is what the oil producers want, when they locate new oil wells they cap them when new oil is located in the middle east we make agreements with them and among APEX to limit oil production, and here in the United States they have allowed their refineries to fall in disrepair at least the ones they don't want to use, and have not built new ones. I am concerned that you have allowed yourself to be so deceived. Research on alternative fuels is the secular answer, and probably being good stewards is the Biblical answer.
"Gay marriage" or better yet homosexuality of course is a sin, but like any sin God has allowed us the free will to commit
Once again it sounds like on Iraq you have been receiving all your information from main stream media propaganda, because things have not improved in Iraq except for American corporations who made money destroying it and now rebuilding it at last estimate some three (3) million refugees have fled, and the ones staying still after (5) yrs don't have full time water and power. I don't know how you judge improvement but this does not sound like improvement to me.  Let us not forget we invaded Iraq in violation of our own and international law so the estimated 100,000
dead innocent civilians are on our heads.  Our leaders should be tearing there clothes, putting ashes on their heads and praying for forgiveness, but what are they doing lying to us and trying to find the next way to make money off their evil deeds.  Sorry but I believe you have missed the mark on this one.  You have my permission to post on your site
Donald L.
Jacksonville, Alabama     Note:  Did not respond.
 
 
If we are to live our lives by example as to the way of God in the millennium, and even with the great HIGHWAY mention by God that will exist from Jerusalem to Europe, should we set the example by not having cars today as they will not be around. Everyone can not have a horse as the waste would be more polluting than cars.

In hang gliding you attain relaxing and exhilaration, having an angel to take you flying isn't the same as flying yourself; and making weapons into plowshares doesn't mean that rifles won't exist, it means that they will not be used for war, that we'll no longer need armies. Before The Colonies had armies, rifles were handcrafted and even today are masterful pieces of art work.

But since things will no longer exist in the coming world, we should the example by living it day. I can sell my car and live at home, ordering food to come in, and since I'm disabled my SUV is my legs, But I don't need wheels since I can wait for and emergency to go to a hospital; but then I don't plan to go to the hospital, I will survive a heart attack or I shall die; I really don't care. I have no family or friends, and I get no phone calls or letters so I feel what it might be like; locked away in a cell. I have needs to be free to explore, to share with others; and I love flying, but I couldn't afford the costs. Being a Spirit being will allow a lot; but as a human they must feel accomplishment, and Although I can not explain the need, that need can not be substituted with bass fishing. I know that I shall never have a mate in this life, so I have accepted being alone for all eternity, not that I can't work for or with someone,

Only married people in Christ shall have a special bond that they shall share for all eternity; since I shall die alone without anyone, I shall never have that bond and closeness, only that of a brother in Christ and never anything else. My stories gave me a special creativity and I am saddened that I have to destroy them; since the OUTLINE you linked me to shows no publishing with only local craftsmanship existing. No World trade for the farmer and his wheat, he'll have to trade with the apple grower next door. The angels supplying transportation, but is it for people only? Sons of God (Spirit beings) have no needs for transport or food, and work shall be on the 24x7 shift. Something like Superman, but personally I hate tights and blue and red really clashes.

yes I do recognize that after things have settled down under Christs Rule, that people shall be far beyond the technology of this age, it will seem alien to us today. But since we should live the example by setting the example, we should stop using a car, computer and the internet; ban kids from using games, cell phones are not a necessity,

You should see the city plan I made (In Architecture class in college) designed cities connected by underground rapid transit that connects the Center of town, a Two or three story domed structure that doubles as a church on the sabbath, a central shopping center for famers to bring their produce to trade and sell with local and other cities, and from then HUB CENTER the spokes were the roads that connect to the homes. 98% green of grass trees, forest and farmland. Populations never to exceed a set level. To sit down and think it up, you have to really think of the needs just as God did in creation of the earth.

I asked of God that if I wasn't married by 30 that I wouldn't be and that I have to remain a lone for all eternity. Being alone isn't so bad when you realize that no one cares.

My father and I had duties on the sabbath because we were the only ones that showed up early enough to sit up line up the seats, and later we remained late to take them down. We did what had to be done and that was it. No rewards, and we didn't expect any. What hurts me is that when my father became ill. no one called, or visited, not even a card. He died alone with me at his bedside. My mother died from a blood clot, it was instant; and it was the ONLY time I didn't go to the lab with her as my knees were very painful from tearing the knees out, I shall never forgive myself; I believe had I gone she would not have died, so I consider myself a murder and deserve death, and I can never forgive myself for not forcing myself to go pain or not. So Now you know why I can never have a mate (too old, too late) and I know that no one cares or can love me, there just in't anything in me for people to love. They like my work, they just don't like me. That's why I pray to God not to allow me to wake the next day and Why I shall never go to the emergency room.

I guess I'm in a moody mode, its Thursday; my mother died on a Thursday. Well, as I said, I have to erase all my files and get myself into a living style that best sits the right example of a world without creative stories, challenges self respect and I have lost of self respect for myself since I failed my parents.

Charles G.    Note:  Set him straight on a couple of things, gave him some encouragement and linked him to our doctrine on Repentance.
 
  When I refer to the Kingdom of God it is the same as saying the Family as when God's Kingdom is established on the earth it is After the White throne when the Father comes to his NEW EARTH (having to be spirit in essence and not a carbon material as it is today), that the Head Quarters for Christ's coming is at a physical HQ in Jerusalem (Which with Iran's missiles being tested and their bragging hatred seems very soon; and like the Japanese before WW2, we have been sending military weapons to Iran, along with bras (women warriors? HA).

In the articles you have me leads to, the internet-net may-or-may not exist; and that computers will not exist; so how can one exist without the other unless God is going to supply computers. and NO E-Mail? so no one will be allowed to communicate with others or be aware of what is occurring around the world? No Hang Gliding? No Archery. No Target shooting, Unless you have experienced these sports, many skills of self control and just plain fun with others.

Since no vehicles or transportation will be allowed, then no one can enjoy the wilderness unless they are supermen and can fly by themselves. Personally I want to explore other planets and solar systems, to create and watch the creation grown.

If God's family shall continue to grow after God the father settlers his HQ on the NEW EARTH, then his family expansion after the White Throne, then will they be would have to be physical beings on a physical planet; or is something different in the planning for an entirely spiritual base universe that is no longer a temporary base carbon universe.

And what about my books, I love writing and creating and there will be no publishing, no anything as a press or any form of communication; I can understand no Hollywood as that is such a waste of creativity that fill filled with ideas and so-called social guide lines that directs the lives of many people (Unlike the lie that Hollywood states that they are just making a film that reflects society; actually it is an evil agenda that effects the viewers that basically are moldable children.

It is finally beginning to cool here, the bay area screams global warming and climate change when it is just a hot summer. We do know that, and soon will witness, the 1/3 destruction of the forest by fire, the days becoming hotter as the moon reflects the light equivalent of daylight, and the day time becoming several times brighter and thereby even hotter.

Of course we have the Russians wanting to place mirrors in orbit to make night time day time; more of mans folly. Wait till God gives us his effects and they get their wish.

Here I go, I ramble more, must be I hate being alone without family.

Bye for now, thanks for the links. Of course, if there is no personal computers, there will be no internet or email for this type of communication; but then as Spirit beings they can POP in and teach on a moments notice.

Charles G.    Note:  Gave a brief response for sake of clarification on some of his points.
 
 
Dear Chris,

I still have young man with me and he is reading the churches booklets and he has this question.  his question is,  In between the 1290 and 1335 days what is the count down until Christ returns.?  After the 1335 days what comes next.  Is that when Christ returns.  Also, 

why are those that wait for the extra days blessed? 

Marilyn 

 
  Dear Chris,

Your kindness in offering me the privilege of questions, prompts  one about two paragraphs in your message below.

One paragraph begins with "We understand....,  and the other begins, "When we discuss.  Am I correct in assuming the two have a contrast in meaning?  If so, may I be favored with the explanation?

Another please, is do you discuss material, such as that on the  Williams video, with your cohorts, friends, etc?  Or does your definition of  your Christianity forbid any adverse voiced opinions?

Kindly,
Mrs. Libby M.     Note:  Simply told here the difference and stated that we do not debate, argue or deal in opinions.
 
  From known member:
 
Dear Chris,
 
My sister is on a sleep apnea machine at night and keeps pulling the mask off because of her claustrophobia.  Do you know of any Bible verses that she could dwell on to strengthen her mind against this fear?
 
Thank you,
 
Debbie Montgomery     Note:  gave her a list of scriptures on Godly protection.
 
  Mr. Cummings: As I write in my fictions stories I have yo CREAT new ideas or foresee into the future what event may occur, predicting on human nature and using Biblical Prophecies  as a basis for events: For Example: God has chosen to call a few with potentials that he sees in us all, he will give us knowledge; but our talents and challenges we face in this life and how we handle our human nature and how we apply the knowledge he allows us to perceive and how we grow will determine where our Father will place us in a duty that best fits our skills and love.

We all have differing likes and dislikes, interest and skills that are best in serving others; and it is these with Gods own knowledge that he will place us to serve best. Are we all Musicians? Teachers? Scientist? Mathematicians? Doctors, Fireman or Indian Chief. In the world tomorrow there will be no need for human policeman as Gods own spiritual sons will intervene.

Thoughts for the imagination:

Now for the FUN ONE:

We know that there is neither male nor female in the Kingdom. That in Marriage a husband grows more in his female aspects, and she of her masculinity. Both become one with characteristics of both.

Here's the QUESTION: Will we have dancing in the Kingdom during the Millennium and throughout time with the Father when he established his HQ here on the New Earth? and if so, who LEADS?

Charles G.     Note:  I set this person straight on the difference of the Kingdom and the Millennium.  Left it at that.  Gave noncommittal answer on the dancing.
 

  Dear Sir,
While I'm aware of your evangelistic interest, I also find you commenting on middle-Eastern countries which are now uppermost in the news.   I have received an email/video with very alarming content.  It presents a message on "The Energy Non-Crisis."   (Please note..."NON-CRISIS).  The messenger is Lindsey Williams, whose credentials seem to be unquestionable.  I would very much like to "forward" this to you for your consideration, and possible remarks after you listen to this SHOCKING message.

Sincerely,
Libby
                Note:  We told Libby that this item is on the Net:  http://www.reformation.org/energy-non-crisis.html
 
 
Chris,
Someone sent this to me, along with what the Muslims have done to our country over the years. I was just wondering if this is really what the Book of Revelations says??
Thanks,
Steve
 
According to The Book of Revelations:

The Anti-Christ
will be a man, in his 40s, of MUSLIM descent , who will deceive the nations with persuasive language, and have a MASSIVE Christ-like appeal....the prophecy says that people will flock to him and he will promise false hope and world peace, and when he is in power, he will destroy everything.
 
 
  Hi Chris, I have a young man with me tonight and he would like to ask you, "On judgment day are we going to have to relieve our mistakes in order to correct them or is the fact that we are saved good enough.  Thank you   Marilyn
 
  Mr. Werner, my name is Sammy. I know you don't know me but i would like to ask you a few questions. I have followed Mr. Armstrong (senior & junior) since i was a little boy and believe this is the true church. I am a police officer and try to lead a good & quiet life. I am 43 years old and single. I don't pray often enough as i should, like others i only pray when things go bad. I was married for about ten years and found my wife with another man. Soon after that ended i took her back for the sake of my daughters. This continued for a couple of times until 1998 i had enough and called it quits. Until about march i have been happily single. In march of this year i started seeing my ex-wife's sister ( i know it sounds crazy, but I've been divorced for a long time). We talked about it when we started seeing each other and agreed it was o.k. Long story short about a month ago she to left me for another man. I really enjoyed this girls company and was for the most part happy with her. My point is i am very lonely and depressed because i have no-one nor can i keep no-one. I  keep reading  Genesis  where god made eve so Adam would not be alone. I pray for companionship  and nothing never happens. I feel like a  i am being punished for something. I don't like being alone any more but God must want it that way. Do you have any scriptures i could read to help me. I believe God wants us to be happy, I am miserable. I am going to try to go to New Orleans soon to your church (I live in Biloxi Ms.)  Any suggestions you have will be helpful. I don't  feel like I'm alive anymore.
 
  In the booklet "The Abomination of Desolation" there is mention in "Acts 8 and other scriptures identify a man who may have risen to become the first major leader of this apostasy; a man who may well have masqueraded as the "Peter" of Rome, Simon the Magus, or Simon the Magician. His story would require book-length investigation. However, he passed into history, and is not relevant today, except as a forerunner of the final false prophet."

Even Herbert W. Armstrong mentioned him in several of his writings even so far as to indicate that Simon Magus' followers and successors laid the foundations for what would become the Roman Catholic Church of today.

I've been trying to research this topic and thus far have run into a kind of black hole regarding much about this person except in the writings of Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, and Hippolytus of Rome, with only vague reference to him and almost nothing with regards to his successors.

I would be interested in taking a look at your citations of authority other then those referred to in Scripture, so I could further pursue this issue.

Your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Wayne M
 
 
i am looking for the perpetual calendar ,had it once but changed computers and lost it
Gayle    Note:  Sent her to a site with a perpetual calendar.
 
 
Hi Chris.
        While  doing bible study this morning I came up- on this word BEATITUDE . My dictionary  doesn't have  the definition for this word.  Would you please help me out on this .
            Thanks  Chris...  Bob M     Note:  Gave him a definition.
 
 
Mr. Cumming:
Have been in a study of the Alexandrian text line for almost 8 months. Have learned much about the manipulation of biblical N.T. MSS. While a member of the WWCG, I never heard a sermon that dealt with the modern deceptive bibles. I even owned one ("Living Bible" series). The information is out there. It's has become apparent that the N.T. MSS of the Alexandrian text line has been tampered with. Just my opinion, and I want to emphasize that (my opinion), knowing which documents represent the true message of God and Christ is essential knowledge in our defense against apostasy. I have put all this information into one area, showing how it came about, the infiltration of Gnostics, how the early RCC Fathers had Gnostic beliefs, how these beliefs found there way into the Latin Vulgate to the Douay-Rheims (how the DR was enforced), all the way to the Revised Version of Westcott-Hort and that the New Age Modern Versions are all based upon the W-H Greek N.T. I have attached a jpg (not yet finished) showing the flow chart that will be a FIG in my research. Has over 300 refs., many MSS examples of the corruptions (Sinacitus and Vaticancus). Important that these MSS play down the deity of Christ (I Tim. 3:16), change up the "Lords Prayer" (NIV-Luke) and removes the long ending of Mark 16.10-20 (Commission of the Church and the signs) I don't want any one to pick up one of these corrupted Bibles by mistake, thinking they are going to read God's truth.
 
I will be finished in about 5 to 6 weeks. I would be happy to send you a CD with this series on it, if you would like one. I want nothing for it. I am not a writer in any sense, try to be and you will probably see many errors in witting skills; but it's the information that's important. Knowledge helps empower people.
 
Any ways, have a nice day.
 
Steve Ferris 

See diagram he sent:  here     Note:  not my field.

 
  Chris,
Thanks for all the info. you have given me and others!!
What do you think of, how shall I say, ghost hunters--people who go to homes looking for paranormal stuff etc.? What about people who are "mediums"? Do you think people actually see ghosts or figures or whatever??
Do you think this is satanic in nature??
As always, thanks!!
Steve
 
 
Hello Chris,
In the scripture where Jesus states, in my house are many mansions, I go to prepare a place for you, will you please expound on that for me?

Thank you for your time in advance.

Your brother in Christ,
Ken
 
  Hi Chris, would you please explain to me why France being {Reuben} is so against us?  Fact being that France is one of the ten tribes, will not the tribulation be brought down on them also?  Marilyn 
 
  Dear Chris:
Please bare with me while I tell you what my understanding of Christ being flesh or man and not God at the same time. I have understood and understand that a covenant or plan was made by God the Father and the Spokesman that in order for man to be saved from sin was for the Word to come in the flesh and lived a live of a human that could be tempted so He could also be a perfect Judge and Sacrifice for us. I know that He said on occasions that He could call and legions of angels would come to His aide but He never did do this for He said, My kingdom is not of this world. I know He remembered the Father at some point in life and the life with Him. I know He had power at His disposal but was He God and man or God who became flesh. Was He both God and man when He was flesh or had he as I have always believed emptied Himself of all His deity to become flesh and blood and walk among us sinless so that He could be sacrificed? Please help me here!!!
Love, Carolyn
 
 
Good Morning, Chris,
 
We are looking for the booklet by GTA called "The 70-Weeks Prophecy".  He wrote it I believe in the CGI.  I don't see it at the website.  What would you suggest?  Thanks, Bonnie
 
 
GTA stated in his sermon "The Coming Day of the Lord" (Pt. 1 of 2) that there are four main beliefs in Christendom about when the rapture occurs.  He said he espouses the "Pre-Wrath" view of the rapture of God's people, at a time when Satan is no longer in charge and Christ draws His people (those dead and alive) into the heavens where they and Him descend to the earth to begin the millennium.  You have gone out of your way to deny the rapture (true,the word is not in the Bible), but as it simply means "gathering" of God's people, Mr. Armstrong is correct as to when we can call it a rapture.  He also stated, again correctly, whatever we have come to believe concerning the rapture is not a guarantee of salvation. I am sending you Pt. 1 of that sermon. You seem to imply the rapture does not exist or cannot be proven, but what you are really saying is the Pre-Tribulation, Mid-Tribulation, and Post-Tribulation rapture views cannot be biblically proven. The Pre-Wrath view is another matter. I have listened (and watched) Herbert W. Armstrong and Garner Ted Armstrong all my life. The shake-up in the church saddened me, but of course that doesn't negate the truths drawn from the Bible. 
 
Rodger B.
 
   I have caught a bit of several of your TV shows because i am coming home from working midnights and watch whatever is on that station at night when i leave for work. it seems to me you spend more time talking about how wrong everyone else is (other religious etc) then how right you are. i wonder if Jesus would approve of your mockery of other sincere religious started in other countries who didn't have the benefit of Jesus' teachings? I'm guessing he would disapprove, but i realize, unlike you, that i don't really know.

 
    As Christians, how involved should we become in the goings on of our political system and should we be expected to vote, even though none of the candidates are worthy of the offices?

Shauna
 
  I noticed that the Garner Ted sermons are all in real player.  Is there a way to put these as an MP3 format that can be downloaded to my iPod?  If they are already in that format, then how can I save these files in iTunes?  I really enjoy listening to Mr. Armstrong and in the past I just ordered the sermons from you on CD and then I would download them myself to iTunes, but I thought if I could save straight from the website I might be able to save you a bit of money.

Thanks a bunch!

Zach
 
 
As you may be aware we have had a lot of strife with our Gold Coast group. Firstly the falling away two years ago leaving only four of us with Murray then placing me as host.
Since then we have been able to build it up to around twelve until one of the previous lady members came back and unfortunately somehow "got" to the others one by one until
most of them stopped attending for one reason or another. 

 
So a few weeks it came to a head when I heard gossip that I was being accused by three of our women members of indecent and improper conduct (as I was told by an elderly lady 
member that because there were three  accusers it had to be true). The fact that there was no evidence and that I had done nothing to this elderly lady except to go half an hour out of my way every Sabbath to pick her up she was adamant that I was guilty.

 
Murray has since spoken to this lady and one of the accusers and cross-examined them both and found huge holes in their stories. But why let the truth get in the way of gossip?
He is now also in the bad books with this elderly lady as well. (Because he is a man and she says in the Bible it reads "don't trust men" ????).

 
And needless to say the group has completely folded this time and we, the remaining three members have scattered back to our homes and have cancelled the hall where we used
to meet. I guess the lady coming back from the original group achieved what she was after that is, to destroy our group.

 
After discussing the situation with Murray he was reluctant to send them all a stern letter (as I would have hoped) but explained that the church policy is not to put people out but 
to let them fade away on their own. However that still bothers me a bit, because if we manage to start up again there is nothing to stop any of them to just wander in again and start
spreading dissent. Although I can see Murray's point.

 
By the way, I remember Garner Ted Armstrong saying when he went back to the States after his Australian trip that he normally does not baptize people anymore, but he made an exception that time and baptized a mother and daughter one day (they fell away from the first group) and then another lady the next day (she was the one who fell away the first time as well but came back and finish us off). Now I think I understand why he was reluctant to baptize.

 
There is a lot more detail but I won't bore you with the rest. I just don't understand how people can come to the truth, accept Christ and be baptized, then carry on this way. It seems they can't let go of their baggage. There are so many people outside of our Church in my circle of friends that are so sincere and wonderful who would never stoop to something like this.

 
As you can tell, I took this pretty hard as initially I thought I was failing our group as host. What on earth is wrong with our Australians, I hope in America you don't have this nonsense.

 
You're articles in the "Minister's Notebook" have been very helpful to me to get me through all this and also I found the following article quite comforting..    

 
Until next time, and I hope you didn't mind me writing to you with all this.

 
John                                                            
 
   Is faith imparted by God through his Holy Spirit or it of our own volition?

 
  Dear Chris, I just clicked on to Garner ted and he is saying that Matt: 24 v. 15 says that "Beginning of tribulation ---- army's surrounding Jerusalem ---  etc--- .  Is the sound track off?

Matt: 24 v. 15 talks about --- when ye therefore shall see the abomination -----
 

 
I was reading in the Halley's Handbook about the Messianic Nation and how it developed throughout the OT leading up to the birth of Christ.  It is very interesting.  I see how he believed we would go to heaven.  So people who believe in the rapture, believe they will be taken to heaven and then return to reign with Christ 1000 years?  Some of the analogies he uses, I have never read or heard before.  Do we have anything on the 400 years between the OT and NT?
 
 
Good Morning...
 
We are wondering, are Arabs considered gentiles or are they Arabs?   We were thinking about the armies that surround Israel would they be part of the 2 prophecies to watch?
 
We haven't tried the Passion Fruit Tea, might buy some today.  It is supposed to be 107, it is 87 right now.
 
What will happen to these people the MA talks about that under the pressure not to speak to their families by their religious leaders?  Why do they keep calling MA?  It is so sad.  Is this Pack and Flurrey, or others too?
--
ellen
 
   Can a person be converted to God and be baptized in the water right away no matter if he's living with a partner without been married, because the other party refuses to be married?
--Chu Quintana
 
  Was wondering if you believe Jesus was or was not the Great 'I AM' of Exodus chapter 3 along with what Jesus said in John 8:58, that he was 'I AM'?  I'm trying  to understand your God belief.   Thanks for your response-- Glen.
 
 
Hi Chris, Could you tell me if a person having OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) a form of superstition? Please let me know if you have any information or knowledge on the subject. Thanks in advance.
Mike
 
  Dear Chris,

I have another question concerning tithing. I want to give tithing but I don't have enough money in my monthly budget. I am already coming up short each month. I am living very frugally, and there is no place to cut. I feel guilt ridden and am worried God won't here me or help me because of this. I don't know what to do.

Thank you Zachary B.

 
 

Dear Chris, I have another question concerning tithing. I want to give tithing but I don't have enough money in my monthly budget. I am already coming up short each month. I am living very frugally, and there is no place to cut. I feel guilt ridden and am worried God won't here me or help me because of this. I don't know what to do. Thank you Zachary B.
 

 

The email above is my parents email as I don't currently have regular access to a computer.

 I have a seven year old son who is asking questions about evolution and creation. My mom suggested I send for a booklet to help explain it to him, the same booklet my mom used to teach me!!

 My mom and step-dad (Diane and Tom Partridge) have been very helpful and supportive, have given me tapes and literature, old bible lessons for my son, etc. They are members of ICG, and attend services in Morganton NC.

 Can you recommend other booklets or tapes, CD's, etc. that might benefit my studies?? I have a few but would like to expand that resource. Where do I start??

PS--I attended WCG as a child in the mid 80's, so am familiar with the basics such as unclean meats, not observing Christmas, the Trinity, etc.
 
 Thank you so much,
I will look forward to the booklet and CD I ordered above.
 
 Colleen M. T.
 

 

"And The Dead Know Nothing." Where can I find this quote in the Bible?

 

 

Hi Chris:

 

I was asked a question and I wasn't sure of the answer so I said I'd find out.

 

When a couple has been married for a number of years, had a family that is now grown and left home, and that couple has been unevenly yoked  for many years but stayed together for the sake of the children, when the one partner who has not been baptized leaves, is the partner left considered 'free' and able to search out another partner hopefully in the church?

 

Are members able to be divorced according to the 'worldly' laws and are they still bound by the adultery law?

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Jean

 

 

RE: Redefining Marriage – Really!
by Jim Josephsen

Dear Chris: Of course, I understand very clearly Gods instruction on homosexuality, but I don’t have a clear understanding of Isaiah 3:9, quoted by Mr. Josephsen.  Perhaps you could explain it.

1)  the look on their faces does witness against them; ?????

2) they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not;????  I know it’s now in the open, but “as Sodom” confuses me.

3) Woe unto their souls, for they have brought despair upon themselves” (Isaiah 3:9).

Thanks much Chris,

Barry

 

Chris,

What I know in the Bible (new testament) talking about Christ's return. He said he does not know when to return back to Earth, but the Father does, so When I read the Old Testament Daniel chapter 11 and 12 is like saying what day when he will return. I'm confuse about this, can you help me to understand this? For example Daniel 12: 12-13. A friend of mine told me he thinks it looks like this coming Jan 20th is beginning of 75 day period as mentioned in the Daniel 11 and 12. Do you know what does that mean?

Many thinks

 

Richared
 

 

Hello Chris

                 I like to thank you once again for all your help that you have been providing me with it has been great . It helps me to help others . I been following your short Bible Studies in your Daily e-mails that you have been sending out . The Solution for Guilt has been really good . I was wondering if you could do a 3 or 4 part series on Sinning Willfully . The reason I ask this is because I have been working with a person now for a couple of years and they have completely turned around and gone back into the world . I have been giving them scriptures trying to pull them back but it doesn't seem to work . This person was doing so well . Maybe you could do something that would hit a cord back into this person . This has happened with me before with this person but they always come back .

                     She has just started living with someone and living common law . But I don't give up on her , a matter of fact this has happened a couple of times . But I still keep incontact with her through e-mail and I keep sending her Scriptures to try and help her .

                     I know that you are busy and I know that you keep on top of your Your Daily Start e-mails . So if you are looking for something new for another mini series maybe this might be a good one .

                      Also , I was asked the question why is it that God the Father only calls certain people ? Why did He call a person like me when there are so many other people in the world who are a lot better than I am and they are not even Christians ? Now that I have turned my life completely around since I come into the truth of God Sacred Word . But He could have called a person who was a lot better than I was . Because I have to say and I am quite ashamed that I was an awful  sinner before I came to the truth .

                     So once again thanks for all your help . Ed

 

Chris, I was told that to pray, God will only listen who have been Baptist and will not listen who have not been Baptist! Is this right? To me God loves everyone and will listen to anyone who prays.

 

Richard

 

 

Dear Chris,

 

I need to ask a question and I would like an impartial answer since you don't know me.

 

Is it a sin to be blunt with people when speaking?  I never believed in beating around the bush when somebody asks what would I do about something, like misbehaving child, opinion on politics and such.  But is that bad to be like that because I'm sure that some people are probably hearing from me what they really don't want to hear.

 

I know the Bible says the meek will inherit the earth but I don't think God meant for me to just lay down and let people run over me with their opinions if the opinions are different from my own.  In other words, I don't feel very meek.

 

Also I have a second question.  I need to know if this is what you'd call "falling away"?  I don't want to fall away.  Tell me what to watch for so that I don't.  I ask this because I haven't been going to church for the last year and it's because it's over an hour from where I live.  I would travel with my parents and they would go early enough to have breakfast so by the time we'd get home again we would have been gone for at least 6 hours.My husband doesn't go to church, so when I was going it was time that we spent apart. The only time we get together is on the weekends.  I thought I had read somewhere that if it was a hardship to go and it took the joy out of your Sabbath, then you didn't have to attend church.  Is that true?

 

Please advise me with advice and scripture.  Thank you for your time.  This has been weighing on my mind for some time now.

 

Debbie M

 

Mr. Chris Cummings; Greetings on the eve of another Sabbath.

I've been giving some study as to the complexity of educating the Billions of people that will be resurrected in the White Throne Periods, everything from Primitive Tribes like Cave men, to Savage Mongolians, Vikings, The Tribes of N. America, and so on; the many babies sacrificed on alters, people that believed raping females was just finding a mate. Think God he will start them off with one language. And How advanced was the people before Noah's flood. Some evidence indicates that they may have been as advanced as we are today, after all they had two thousand years under one language and united in one effort; they may have gone to Mars and the Moon. Remember that when the flood occurred that any bases on the moon or mars would have died out, running out of food and water support. Perhaps this is why So-called Pyramids appears in fly-overs on mars? My belief is that if Pyramids exist on Mars and the Moon that they are the Ruins of Lucifer’s HQ in the work of Creation in preparing worlds for Man until Lucifer became Satan and the War destroyed everything. Many ideas and the answers are just a few years off.

Charles G.

 

What I know in the Bible (new testament) talking about Christ's return. He said he does not know when to return back to Earth, but the Father does, so When I read the Old Testament Daniel chapter 11 and 12 is like saying what day when he will return. I'm confuse about this, can you help me to understand this? For example Daniel 12: 12-13. A friend of mine told me he thinks it looks like this coming Jan 20th is beginning of 75 day period as mentioned in the Daniel 11 and 12. Do you know what does that mean?

Many thinks

 

Richared

 

I have been scared to death of this Obama train ride.  Is Obama the Anti Christ that the Bible speaks of. 

Also Mayan civilization predicted the end on 12-21-12. 

I have read and listened to many of Garner Ted's commentaries on the end time but frankly it is over my head. 

I always heard that the temple in Jerusalem had to be built first.  Will the Christians be here during this or will Christ have already came back for us and the temple will be built while we are caught up for the 1000 years.

Please help

Hello Chris! ;-) Hope you are doing alright.. Man I can see it everything is going crazy, like oil prices going sky rocket and everything seems to fall apart. Not good.. By the way I have a question, What does cross mean? I though that for Greek word it means post like wood. For example here in America for English word to build a backyard deck, first have to build a post  before add more woods to it to finish it, now for Greek word to build a backyard deck, first have to build a cross before add more woods to it to finish it. Know what I'm talking about? I have read and heard many many times that Jesus was nailed to the cross and they say its a shape like a + cross. I don't think that's the way it happen. I though he was nailed to a tree or something like stake. Is that right?

 

Richard

Hello Chris

               How are things going ? Fine I hope ! I have another
question for you . I see now that there are different churches of God's
talking about the return of Jesus Christ . Some claim that He is coming
back on Trumpets and other's are claiming that He is coming back on
Pentecost . My question to you is , is this thinking wrong when Christ
said , " No man knows the Day or the Hour only the Father " Of course
Christ knows now because He is with the Father . My thinking that when
you make such claims that now you have the Brethren in the churches of
God waiting for each Pentecost and Trumpets for the return of Christ !!!!!!

              Is my thinking wrong on this ? Or are we to be looking
towards Pentecost and Trumpets . Both can't be right and I think that
neither is right . Ed

--
Ed / Marlane P.

I have a question concerning Bible prophecy. Which of these events will take place first? Russia and its allies attempting to destroy Israel or the events dealing with the kings of the north and south? Is it becoming more clear who these kings are? At this point, I assume that the king of the north will be the E.U. and the king of the south will be Iran. Only time will tell who these true kings really are.

I appreciate your time regarding these two Biblical prophecies and if you have a response, I would like to hear from you.

May God bless you,

Stephanie W.

  Dear Chris,

I guess I should have asked more clearly.

I'm sorry for the guile but I get offended when someone claims to be

in the only 'true church'.

  Please if you will tell me; do you believe yourself to be called into the only true

church organization led by the spirit of The Father?

  Or is it that you believe the group your in is only a part of the big picture?

I do not speak of the local group but your whole organization.

  Are you the only one or are there others out here that also believe the same way you do,

but do not like the same old, same old in the churches.

I know there must be so many more than just ourselves out there that HE is working with.

I haven't fallen from the faith but I have left the organizations of men.

I don't see just some minor problems with the people, that goes without saying, I see major

doctrinal differences dividing the body. I also see minor things not worth fighting over,

dividing the congregations. I see leaders not willing to share their leadership roles and dividing the groups. I see leaders that only pride could be their motive.

Chris what do we do? How do we begin to come together?

Enlighten me if you will, show me the understanding that I seem to have

missed somewhere along the way.

Why would some say you must be rebaptized in 'our church'?

This is not scriptural. We are baptized into the body of Messiah.

Help me out here friend. Tell me what you think. 

    Dick C.

 

If you murder someone & you haven't been saved are you held accountable or are you given a second chance in resurrection    Note: gave a simple answer.

Mr. Chris Cumming,

 

I received your e-mail address from Mark Armstrong. I live in the Hillsdale section of SW Portland, Oregon. It has been quite some time since I last attended church because I didn't like what changes were occurring in the Worldwide Church of God after Mr. H.W. Armstrong passed away.

 

My phone number is 503-875-8450. I don't have computer access at home at this time. I would like to know where the services are held, the time, and a contact number for you if at all possible. I eagerly await your reply. Thank you.

 

Hosea P.

 

Do You Have Any Booklets About Marriage?    Note: put him unto our booklet on marriage.