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Recent debates among the Anglican block once again threathen the union and community of the Episcopal Church. Commonly termed as the ECUSA or Episcopal Church in the USA, the Episcopalian community again renews its debates whether to admit or discontinue acceptance of gay bishops. The Episcopal General Convention, due to start on Tuesday, thereby carries with it the burden and the decision that could unite or disband the Episcopalian community.

The Episcopal Church, once again is under pressure after Gene Robinson, an openly gay candidate with a male lover, was elevated as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003. This move delighted gender liberation groups worldwide but caused tension among the members of the Church. Pro-gay members insisted that the move serves as an equalizing factor among people while conservatives declared the move as un-Biblical since the Bible specifically states that gay sexual relations is forbidden. David Steinmetz, an expert Christian historiographer from Duke University, says that there is a possibility of two camps under the same faith, or the camps might decide to separate. Strong pressure is particularly felt from the Anglican community though the ECUSA strives mightily to lay it off.

In particular, it is the predominantly conservative opinion and beliefs that cause the rift inside Anglicanism. The Episcopal Church conservatives refuse to open their minds and widen their views to accommodate the rapidly changing world views about gender, sex, and sexual identity. Homosexuality has outgrown the stigma it once carried, it is no longer a reason to be ashamed or ostracized. There is a large number of successful gay professionals that span many trades and industries. Though some still experience hostility, these are usually from seedier communities which lack proper education and instruction and are relatively rare and isolated cases. It is therefore ironic that the educated Church members that preach equality, freedom, love, and sharing remain deaf to the call of the times, and refuse to acknowledge people of different sexual orientation.

Shouldn’t the Episcopal Church and Anglicanism be at the forefront of acceptance and love since the Bible specifically portrays Jesus, and God as forgiving and accepting entities? Or do they merely accept and welcome people who are strictly men and women? If this is the case, then, they are not truly accepting and loving. They do not welcome everybody but only those that they want. They even go as far as to refuse others entrance to the proverbial kingdom. This should frighten Anglicans more than the acceptance and elevation of gay members to the Bishops’ College because this kind of action signifies a false love for community. A faith based on falsity and shallow, literal interpretations of the Scriptures is bound to crumble without genuine love, and eagerness to instruct and accept.

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Prayer is very important. There are medical studies linking both
prayer and meditation with better health. People who pray on a
daily basis have been found to experience lower blood pressure,
less stress, stronger immune systems, less depression, to live
longer and happier lives, etc… These are great benefits and
should not be overlooked, but the reason for prayer is to
communicate with, ask for help and forgiveness, and please God.

To pray correctly we must be sincere and pray from the heart.
Jesus Christ was angered by the falseness of the local religious
leaders and likened them to hypocrites - “And when you pray, do
not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in
the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I
tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But
when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to
your father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is
done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep
on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard
because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your
Father knows what you need before you ask him (Mathew 6:5-8).
Here Jesus Christ specifically states to pray in quiet, not to
rant and babble like many priests and evangelists do. This is
not sincere, as they are trying to impress their followers and
stroke their egos with their impressive vocabulary. God is
infinitely smarter than that and will not be impressed by
incantations, repetition, and insincerity. He wants us to pray
in private, not for show. God would much rather hear a prayer
from someone meek and sincere.

We can pray about anything and there is nothing saying you can’t
repeat requests. We should pray not only about what troubles us,
but also for forgiveness and what we are thankful for - our
families, good times, God’s help, etc… In Matthew 6:9-15 Jesus
Christ gives us a great example of how to pray - The Lord’s
Prayer - “This then is how you should pray:” ‘Our Father in
heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be
done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we have forgotten our debtors. And lead
us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For
if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly
Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men
their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Jesus
Christ implies in the Lord’s Prayer that we need to forgive
everyone. We have all sinned and all need forgiveness. We also
need to be thankful for what God has given us. We may be poor,
we may have a terrible boss or financial hardships, but we need
to look through this and find the good. There is always some
good we can reflect upon.

Prayer can be very benefitial when done correctly as God will
actually hear and answer prayers and requests that are sincere,
truthful, forgiving, and not full of earthly desires - this is
coveting and is one of the ten commandments - “Thou shalt not
covet.” When our prayers aren’t answered, maybe its because we
weren’t praying for the right reasons or for what we really
need. Remember, God knows and sees everything and loves all of
us so much that he sent his only son Jesus Christ to die for us
and our sins. Let us honor him by praying correctly and for the
right reasons.

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When the time had come for Jews to return to Zion, God stirred up the spirit of Cyrus and the Jews (Ezra 1:1,5). Not everyone was willing to leave Babylon, having settled in, but others inspired with a pioneer spirit were willing to go back home and clear the way for those who would eventually follow (Jer. 29: 4-7).

Those Jews who stayed behind in Babylon were encouraged to assist those who were headed for the front line. Their consequent generosity went down on record, and revealed how eager and willing they were to be involved in such a historic project and holy mission. This partnership, based on a mutual respect, in GOD’S WORK OF RESTORATION, revealed they understood how some are COMMISSIONED to build with the materials others are contracted to provide. It’s most encouraging to know others are
behind you and that God blesses everyone’s genuine efforts (2 Cor. 9:10).

Now God’s time has come to RESTORE THE TRUE GOSPEL TO JERUSALEM! The Church began in Jerusalem and was prophesied to return just before the close of this dark age and the dawn of the Wonderful World Tomorrow (Matt. 24:16). The Jews were the first to be offered salvation and now they’ll be the last to receive it - but they will receive it (Zech. 12:10). Everything has come full circle (Matt. 23:39).

Read here what Mr. Armstrong taught:

“How are we preparing the way for Christ’s Messianic coming? In three ways:

1) by proclaiming and publishing worldwide the gospel of the Kingdom of
God…

2) by making ready a people for His coming… And

3) something that even I did not realize until recently we were also COMMISSIONED to do - clean up the filth and rubble in that area that was the original Jerusalem and City of David… Why is that important? Because Christ has said He will yet choose Jerusalem… His throne will be there.
Do you not suppose it will be in the very spot He chose for David’s throne? Where was David’s throne? It was on this very spot where we are
now cleaning up and hauling off the rubble of century after century of accumulation… That is the spot we are cleaning up!

So there is a physical preparing, as well as a spiritual, in preparing the way for Messiah’s Coming! Further, God says we are to SHOUT [not shut up], with amplified power, to the CITIES OF JUDAH the glad message that the Messiah is soon coming” - Autobiography of Herbert W Armstrong, Volume II, pages 469-470 (emphasis mine).

Isaiah 40:9

9 O Zion,
You who bring good tidings,
Get up into the high mountain;
O Jerusalem,
You who bring good tidings,
Lift up your voice with strength,
Lift it up, be not afraid;
Say to the CITIES OF JUDAH, “Behold your God!”

And during my Bible reading last night, this stood out:

2 Samuel 10:12

12 Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our People and for the
CITIES OF OUR GOD. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

God says, and His apostle taught, we are to share the GOOD NEWS WITH JUDAH. None of the Church of God congregations have done this! What are we waiting for?

We must sound the alarm from Zion (Joel 2:1). What’s spoken in Jerusalem is heard around the world (Joel 3:16). We have the UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY - and responsibility - to warn Judah that a German-led Europe is about to make their move into the Middle East! We could do this through full page newspaper ads!

Europe’s Crusader spirit grows restless. Soon “Roman troops” will again occupy the Holy Land (Isaiah 40:9)! Who else can warn them? Who else can help restore Israel’s identity (Isa. 49:5), and say to Judah, “I am Joseph your brother”?

And doesn’t God’s Word imply an APOSTLE will be sent to the MIDDLE EAST (Isa. 41:27). Couldn’t such an apostle to Jerusalem and the Jews - getting God’s Word out to the cities of JUDAH - something Mr. Armstrong wanted to be and do but wasn’t empowered - be the chief spokesman (in the spirit of Elijah to the NATION) between the Two Witnesses and, as an envoy from the House of David, an anointed DAVIDIC MESSENGER, be
like GOD before the Jews in Jerusalem (Zech. 12:8)? Hasn’t God now shared the
possibility of such a revelation with us? (Isa. 48:6). Will we prepare the way?

Meanwhile, though, shouldn’t we do all that we can and WORK TOGETHER WITH JEWISH FRIENDS in Israel, whether sponsoring Israeli author Yair Davidiy’s translation of Israelite identity knowledge into Hebrew (www.britam.org), encouraging the Temple Mount Faithful in every way possible (www.templemountfaithful.org), plant a forest or create a garden in honor and memory of Herbert W. Armstrong, and help those faithful Jews living in pioneering communities (”settlements”) with whatever they need? Who else has any game plan? Let’s at least DO SOMETHING!

May God’s Church be open for suggestions and seriously consider our options. Time is running out!

About the Author

David Ben-Ariel, an American author who has travelled widely and who has lived throughout Israel, shares a special focus on the Middle East and great interest in Jerusalem, reflected in hard-hitting articles that help others improve their understanding of that troubled region. Check out www.benariel.com

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This article, on the mark of the beast, will be short, sweet and straight to the point. This will be an extension off of the articles that I just did on all of the events that will be occurring leading up to the return of Jesus back to our earth to set up His Millennium Kingdom.

In the first article I did titled “Basic Overview of Main End Time Events”, I gave you the verse on how the False Prophet will set up a system on how he and the Antichrist will try to get everyone to receive the mark of the beast on either their foreheads or their right hands. The verse goes on to say how no one will be able to buy or sell anything without this mark. The verse also says that anyone who will not worship the Beast will be killed.

Due to the importance on this one issue, I’m going to go ahead and restate this verse. I will then give you the verse on God’s warning regarding this event. This verse is talking about the False Prophet and what he is going to do.

“He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.” (Revelations 13:15-18)

Now here is the real scary part. God Himself says in Revelations that none of His people are to receive this mark of the beast. If they do, they will end up coming under His wrath that will be released upon the earth during the latter part of the Tribulation.

God then pronounces what is the most dire warning imaginable if any of His people receive this mark. He flat out says that in addition to suffering His wrath that will be poured out during these last days - that they will also end up in the Lake of Fire and Brimstone where the Antichrist, the False Prophet and Satan will eventually go.

In other words, you will go straight to hell when you die - no if, ands or buts about it!!

Let these words sink in to your memory banks and don’t ever forget them in the event that there is no Rapture and the Tribulation takes place in our lifetime. Here is the verse giving all of us this dire warning:

Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” (Revelations 14:9-11)

Notice the very graphic warning that God gives in reference to ending up in the Lake of Fire and Brimstone. You will end up in this place and the smoke of your torment will ascend forever and ever with no relief ever. This horrible torment will last day and night forever and ever!
Bottom line, all Christians who get caught up in this predicament will have to be willing to lay down their lives for God and Jesus. In other words, you will be martyred for your faith. This will be the ultimate test for any Christian to pass. I really believe that God put this warning in writing in His Word because he knows a lot of His people may get weak and scared if they are approached with this choice by the Antichrist.

But each Christian will simply have to override any fears or doubts that they may have, believe what the Word of God has to say about the matter, and be willing to die for their faith in Jesus. If they do not, their eventual end will be too horrible for any human words to describe. I have already done an article on the possibility of a Rapture. Hopefully, there is going to be a Rapture of God’s saints before the Tribulation starts, and we will not have to go through any of these horrible events. If there is a Rapture, then the saints that the Bible mentions that will be persecuted will be the people that get saved after the Rapture occurs.

It’s almost as if God may be saying to the ones that get saved after the Rapture - “You all had your chance to accept My salvation before the Rapture and turned it down. Now that the Rapture has taken place, you now know that My people were telling you the truth about My message of salvation. Now I will accept any and all who willing to come to Me, but you will have to prove yourself to Me by being willing to die for your faith in Me by refusing to worship or receive the mark of the beast.”

If all of these events occur in our lifetime, I believe God will use all of us to get the message out to as many people as possible in order to save as many people as He possibly can from all of these horrible events. If their is going to be a Rapture, then it obviously is going to be the “first train out,” and God will try and get as many people warned, saved and on that first train as He possibly can.
But the sad reality is that there are a lot of stubborn people out there who will not accept God’s free gift of salvation the first time around, and they are going to have to suffer the consequences for not doing so.

Hopefully, they will accept God’s gift of salvation through His Son the “second time around” after all of the saints have been Raptured - but then it will cost them their physical lives by being martyred for refusing to accept the mark of the Antichrist.Pray that none of your loved ones miss the “first train out,” if there is going to be a Rapture.

If by chance they miss the rapture, let them know they are NOT to take the mark of the beast if they are faced with this choice.

Article written by Michael Bradley of Bible Knowledge Ministries. Their website is a resource of Bible articles, commentary and teaching. They currently have over 100 Bible articles - all free of charge.

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