April 26, 2009

Where Is the True Church Today?

Jesus Christ said, “I will build My Church.” He did not say “Churches” denominations, “sects.” He said the gates of hell would not prevail against that Church. Somewhere that original true Church exists today. But WHERE? WHICH? . . .” Booklet, WHERE Is the True Church, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong

Dear Brethren,

For the comments this time, I am using an article I wrote for the Journal (The Big Sandy, Texas News Paper in which are writings regarding the scattered corporate Churches of God), for your reading as well. This article is now appearing in the current publication of their News Paper.

Though this article is intended for the Church members in many of these corporate Churches of God, and the scattered members as well, it should prove to be helpful for you as well. At the same time it is hoped that all of you will praying that it will be read by many of our brothers and sisters and be helpful to them.

Contrary to what Cain said to God about his brother, Abel, We are our brother’s keeper (Genesis 4:9). As such, we need to be doing all that Christ enables us to do in reaching out with a helping hand to them.

We should well realize that time is running out and the curtain is rapidly dropping on this world’s stage; and we need to be there for them as much as God makes possible.

Your brother and servant in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Don Billingsley

Passover 2009

Passover 2009! – How many more will there be before the last one can be observed where you and I now live?

Will the elect of the true and faithful Church of God still be here for the Passover in 2011? Passover 2012 appears to be out of the question altogether! At the time of departure— will the Passover prove to be as significant as it was in 70 A.D.?

History has a way of repeating itself: Consider the historical fact that God’s Church fled Jerusalem for the place of safety shortly before the Passover in 70 A.D. This was just before Titus and his enormous Roman armies began their siege against Jerusalem at the Passover season, the 14^th of Nisan, 70. A. D. (A Handbook of Ancient History in Bible Light, Page 260, by Dorothy Ruth Miller).

Time is of the essence! Prophecy makes known there is not much of it left before the house of Joseph and the other tribes of Israel will cease to exist as nations. Before this tragic time takes place the elect will have fled to their place of protection as did the Church in 70 A. D.

The Signs of the End-Time

How close are we to the end of this age? This was also the question that was asked of Jesus Christ by His disciples after hearing Him say the days would come when the Temple of God would be completely demolished: “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the SIGN of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3.)

After speaking to them of the major disastrous problems that would in its generation begin bringing this age to its destructive end, Jesus Christ then told them how His people can know when it will end: “And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world AS A WITNESS to all the nations, AND THEN THE END WILL COME” (Matthew 24:14).

Jesus Christ then made known how His disciples could discern through a parable WHEN that SIGN would have its imminent fulfillment: Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you likewise, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near” (Luke 21:29-31).

The SIGN Reaching Its Fulfillment

How close are we to the SIGN having reached its fulfillment? Very close! As all members should remember the Gospel went forth into all of the nations of this world, primarily through their leadership, during the lifetime ministry of God’s late apostle and His promised Elijah to come, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, from January 7, 1934 to January 16, 1986 (Malachi 4:4-6; Matthew 17:10-11).

And though the preaching of the gospel of the lifetime work of Mr. Armstrong ended for all practical purposes with his death, miracles began taking place with this little flock during and about the Passover season of 2006 that clearly made known Jesus Christ intended His gospel to go forth once again as a last-ditch witness and warning to His Church and Israel while using this little flock as His instrument to do it.

How can we know this to be true? First, Jesus Christ miraculously made possible all of those Recorded Works to be legally added to our website! Next, Christ miraculously brought to us 13 additional websites that were voluntarily and freely given! It was through these series of miracles that Jesus Christ opened up the way for those Recorded Works of Mr. Armstrong to go forth once again into all the world as a witness on our 14 websites, very possibly intended for only three and one/half years, while using this remnant of the Philadelphia era as an conduit or instrument to make this possible.

And by basing this projected period of time on similar prophetic Scriptures that have to do with three and one/half conclusive years, such as Daniel 12:7; James 5:17; Revelation 11:3; 12:14, could very well indicate a final three and one/half year period of time for this Work to be completed. If this is accurate, it would reach its conclusion by the Feast of Tabernacles 2009, or by January 7, 2010; Christ would then close the door to His Work (Revelation 3:7-8).

Why January 7, 2010? By use of the 19-year time cycles that figure prominently with the Gospel going to the world, beginning with the ministry of Christ, and each cycle thereafter a very significant event taking place in conjunction with it, as did the Work in January, 1934, another one will take place in January, 2010. (For further details see March/April 2008 publication of the Philadelphia Remnant magazine). The door closing to this Work in 2010 could very well be the significant event to take place in that 19-year time cycle! Then would begin the Famine of the Word (Amos 8:11-12). Shortly thereafter will be the Great Tribulation!

Please know this end-time Work was prophesied to take place at this time by the LORD God and is made known in one of the smallest Books of the Bible; and it would be going out to the Church of God and Israel shortly before the Revival of the Holy Roman Empire comes into existence while using the Chaldeans as a type of it (Habakkuk 1:6):

“Look among the nations and watch—be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you” (Habakkuk 1:5).

Who would ever believe Christ would work His Work by using such a tiny little flock as we are at this end-time? Hardly anyone! Even so, the Gospel and the Ezekiel warning message now have the potential of reaching both the leadership and their peoples of all nations through the use of these 14 websites much more thoroughly than during Mr. Armstrong’s life time ministry via Radio, Television, and Personal Appearances. And he is the one that Jesus Christ is using once again to accomplish this task by way of his Recorded Works, and no one else!

After the demise of the nations of Israel, the two witnesses will then begin their mission and will completely finalize the fulfillment of the SIGN during their three and one/half years mission to the Gentile nations (Revelation 11:3-19). At its conclusion the end of this age will have been reached (Matthew 24:14). Jesus Christ will then descend to this earth and take over the leadership and rule of this world (Revelation 19:11-16).

Are we prepared for the inevitable? It must be realized that only the elect of God’s true and faithful Church will be counted worthy to escape the horrors of the Great Tribulation that is now extremely close to us (Revelation 3:7-13). Very soon, Christ will begin bringing the few thousand faithful members together via internet, regular mail, or by phone into one flock (Romans 11:1-7; Ezekiel 34:7-13).

How can a person know whether he or she is numbered among the elect? The answer can be found in the letter addressed to the Philadelphia Era of the Church of God by Jesus Christ:

“. . . I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, HAVE KEPT MY WORD, AND HAVE NOT DENIED MY NAME . . . BECAUSE YOU HAVE KEPT MY COMMAND TO PERSEVERE, I ALSO WILL KEEP YOU FROM THE HOUR OF TRIAL WHICH SHALL COME UPON THE WHOLE WORLD, to TEST those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I come quickly! HOLD FAST what you have, that NO ONE may take your crown . . .” (Revelation 3:7-13).

Each year members have been admonished to do a self-test before the Passover to EXAMINE ourselves whether we are really in the faith or not (II Corinthians 13:5). Though each year is important this one is more important than ever for we are on the final countdown.

Not only should we be observing the Passover with the correct understanding of what the bread symbolizes, the broken body of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of physical sin (Isaiah 53:4-5; Psalm 103:1-5; Matthew 8:16-17), and the wine that symbolizes His life-blood shed for the forgiveness of our spiritual sins (Isaiah 53:12; I John 1:7; I Corinthians 11:23-31); but we are also to be living by every word of God (Matthew 4:4).

In view of where we are in time it is vitally urgent that we ask ourselves whether we are truly keeping God’s word as fully restored and made known by Christ through His late apostle. There can be no excuse for one can know by seriously studying the last book he wrote in the final year of his life; the original unedited MYSTERY OF THE AGES.

Do you know where we are right now, IN PROPHECY? We are in the very time of Daniel's prophecy: ". . . the time of the end, many shall be purified, made white, and refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand" (Daniel 12:9-10). God's people are in the time of final trying and testing -- like taking final exams to determine whether we graduate.

By observing the news it becomes easy to see the days of America and Britain have been numbered and the end is in sight! Major problems are confronting each nation and there is no way the leadership of either will be able to resolve them for God has a curse on both because of their horrendous sinful ways (Leviticus 26:14-39).

There will be no letup—the curse is ongoing! It will become so great as to demoralize the people to the point they will feel abandoned; and very probably, this will lead them into anarchy before the prophesied fall of both nations takes place! And that time is a lot closer than most realize!

To survive the deadly end of this age we must know, love, and live, the true teachings of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior (Matthew 4:4; 23:37). Failing this, we will perish (II Thessalonians 1:7-8).

At the same time we must remain vigilant to the continued breaking news in this world in view of Bible Prophecy while praying always that we might be counted worthy to escape the coming horrors of the Great Tribulation and to be able to stand before our glorified Jesus Christ as He returns to this earth and establishes His government and rule over all nations (Luke 21:36).

You and I should want with all of our hearts to be counted worthy to ascend into the earth’s atmosphere to meet Jesus Christ in the clouds as He descends once again to this earth (Acts 1:9-11). And we can—IF we develop a close, abiding, and caring relationship with our Father and Jesus Christ while trying hard to live fully Their way of life.

Please know, God loves each of His people dearly and His desire is that we meet Jesus Christ in the air at His coming to this earth. And Christ will be there to help us to that end if we do our part. And our part will only be enough if God’s Holy Spirit will have been stirred up within us to love, follow, obey, and trust God fully (II Timothy 1:6-7).

Your caring friend and servant in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior,

Don Billingsley

P. O Box 8819, Modesto, California 95357 – Phone (209) 772-0737

http://bodyofchristonline.us/     http://cog-ff.com     http://www.ezekielwatchman.org/   http://worldnewsbulletin.com

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