Transformation Through Revelation: DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!

Saturday morning about 1am, I was perusing the internet looking up scripture when I came across the following website, www.the-end.com. I said to myself, “Hmmm, that looks interesting” so I decided to click on the link. The link led me to Ronald Weinland and his two books, 2008 God’s Final Witness and The Prophesied End-Time. End time prophesy has always intrigued me, and the book was free, so I decided to click on the first book and read. As I read the book I became terribly fearful. Weinland was speaking things that appeared to be true. He even professed himself to be one the two witnesses the bible speaks about that would be killed in Jerusalem during the 3 ½ years of tribulation. As I was reading his book, there wasn’t anything in the back on my mind telling me to close the book, don’t read any more, or anything that resounded out, “lie”; even though from the very beginning of the read, there were lies jumping off the pages. I was too blinded, too guilty or too sleepy to see the truth staring me right in the face. After reading five chapters of the book, I finally decided to succumb to an unrestful sleep and resume reading in the morning. Thank God for mercy!

How easily deceive one can become if he is not in right relationship with the Lord. A lie will sound like the truth and the truth will be thought of as a lie. Ronald Weinland’s book, 2008 God’s Final Witness, I have to admit led me to sorrowful repentance. I don’t have a problem admitting that my greatest fear is to be eternally separated from God. However, when I finally awoke from my sleep this morning, I begin to study more about Ronald Weinland and his book; and the Holy Spirit led me to the real truth about him and his religious beliefs. After reading the truth, I felt absolutely foolish because I thought of myself as one who could not be easily deceived because I thought I knew the word (pride), but how easily one can be deceived if he is not in right standings with God.

Proverbs 16:18

Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.

God is so merciful and I know with confidence He wants us to know the truth; which is why I believe He allowed me to review Ronald Weinland’s website, read his lies and then remind me of the REAL truth. Each time in Weinland’s book when he referenced, Church of God, I thought he was speaking of God’s church. After studying more, the Holy Spirit led me to Armstrongism. You ask what is Armstrongism?

Armstrongism refers to the teachings and doctrines of Herbert W. Armstrong while leader of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG),^[1][2] and is professed by him and his followers to be the restored true Gospel of the Bible. Armstrong said they were revealed to him by God during his study of the Bible.^[3] (Mystery of the Ages, pp. 7–30). The term "Armstrongite" is sometimes used to refer to those that follow Armstrong's teachings. "Armstrongism" and "Armstrongite" are generally considered derogatory by those to whom it is applied,^[4] who prefer to be known as members of the "Church of God". The doctrines discussed on this page can be found in several of Armstrong's writings, especially The Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course, The Incredible Human Potential, The Wonderful World Tomorrow and Mystery of the Ages.

Armstrong taught that most of the basic doctrines and teachings of Mainstream Christianity were based on traditions, including absorbed pagan concepts and rituals (i.e. religious syncretism), rather than the Judeo-Christian Bible. His teachings have consequently been the source of much controversy. Shortly after Armstrong's death in 1986, the Worldwide Church of God started revising its core beliefs towards the concepts, doctrines, and creeds of mainstream Christianity. This resulted in many ministers and members leaving the WCG to start or join other churches, many of which continue to believe and teach Armstrong's views to one degree or another. Eventually, the WCG changed its name in 2009 to Grace Communion International (GCI). Today, the official doctrinal position of GCI is mainstream evangelical, although there are still GCI ministers and members who do not fully embrace all of the changes(http://www.ask.com/wiki/Armstrongism)

Notice in the passage of description, the ‘Church of God’ phrase. Each time Weinland would indicate ‘Church of God’ in his book, I originally thought he was speaking God’s church. How foolish of me! He was speaking of his own denomination, his own religion. As I continue to study, his religion just reminded me of another cult. As I continue to read, I begin to see the holes in his claim. I begin to feel sadness for him. However, just as Weinland said in his book:

God is beginning to make a distinction between what is His

truth and all that is false in the world. When all of it is finished,
only the truth will prevail; and, all lies and liars will have been
exposed. – page 7 (2008 God's Final Witness)

Ironically, his statement is true.

Revelation 22:18-19 says:

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

The best offense to deception is to remain in right relationship with the Lord. If we disconnect from God, we will starve which ultimately will lead to death. We need the Truth daily (bread) which is the nourishment that feeds us and keeps us strong in the Lord. If we do not remain in the Truth, we cannot stand on it and eventually we will fall for the lie. I admit, I strayed away from Christ. However, through God’s mercy and love, he did not give up on me and used what was meant for bad, for my good.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. He also said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

There is NO question we are in the last days. There are too many signs pointing to that. The world an try to deny it, but it’s inevitable. It’s clear. The time has ceased from playing church. The times to come will be perilous ones, so we must be ready. We need to be in prayer and constant communication with the Lord. The stage is being set. We need to show the love of Christ to a dying world. We need to pray for those who falsely believe they are doing the will of God. God is merciful and it is not His desire to see anyone perish. Otherwise, He would not have sent his son Jesus Christ to die on our behalf for our sins.

My mantra is Psalm 51:10:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

I only want to please the Lord. No longer my will Lord, but yours be done.

I leave you with 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12:

Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

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