Germany Upholds Sunday Closing Laws · December 09, 2009
On December 1, 2009, the same day that the Lisbon Treaty/EU Constitution went into force, the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe, the highest court in Germany “ruled that Sunday should be kept as a day of rest and has overturned a 2006 Berlin law easing restrictions on Sunday shopping.” Hailed as a victory for the Catholic and Lutheran Churches, the ruling takes effect January 1, 2010. Berlin must align its Sunday laws with the constitutional law institutionalizing Sunday as a day of rest and religious improvement.
Since 1919 Germany has had Sunday rest enshrined in its basic law as a day of rest and “spiritual elevation.” “Yet many of Germany’s 16 states have already made some exceptions, allowing stores to open a few Sundays a year…” But “in 2006 the German capital gave the green light for retailers to open on 10 Sundays a year, including the four Advent Sundays preceding Christmas.
“However, Germany’s Constitutional Court has now upheld a complaint made by the country’s Catholic and Protestant [or Lutheran] churches,” wrote SpiegelOnline, “based on a clause in the German constitution that Sunday should be a day of rest and ‘spiritual elevation.’
“The court on Tuesday decided in favor of the churches, saying that Sunday opening should not take place four weeks in a row. The ruling will not affect shopping this December, but would come into force next year. However, the ruling did not overturn completely the principle of limited Sunday store opening.
“The Protestant Bishop of Berlin, Markus Droege, characterized the weekly day of rest as a ‘cultural and social achievement,’” said The Christian Telegraph. ‘Katrin Goering-Eckardt, President of the Protestant Church’s General Synod, also welcomed the court decision. She described the day of rest as a ‘Christian gift to society as a whole.’’ Alois Glueck, President of the Central Committee of German Catholics, welcomed the fact that the Constitutional Court has called a halt to a ‘total commercialization of life as a whole.’ Great cultures have days of rest, stated the veteran politician of the Bavarian Christian Social Union.”
“The labor unions had joined the churches in their campaign to ring-fence Sunday as a day off for the nation. However, their focus was not on protecting the right to practice religion, but rather on protecting workers in the retail sector from having to work on Sundays, sometimes the only day they might get to spend with other members of their family.”
Please note that Sunday closing laws are the issue, though they overlap with Sunday Rest laws, and eventually with Sunday worship laws. Nevertheless, the court ruled against the liberalized law in Berlin because of spiritual reasons and sided with the churches. “‘Legal protection measures must recognize Sundays and public holidays as days of rest from work,’ said Hans-Juergen Papier, president of the Constitutional Court. “
Furthermore, the recent papal encyclical on the economy specifically called upon the trade unions to help society respect workers rights. Now the trade unions join the church once again, as they did in the papal attempt to include Sunday rest laws in the EU’s working time directive last year, to push worker’s rights as a reason to enforce Sunday closing laws.
“The trades unions will be one of the agencies that will bring upon this earth a time of trouble such as has not been since the world began.—Letter 200, 1903.” Country Living, page 10.
Many arguments were given in support of the courts decision in the newspapers. The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung wrote:
“The great diversity of working lives brings with it the fact that members of a single family are forced into different and sometimes incompatible working hours. If the state does not use some of its regulatory power to give a dependable rhythm to at least one free day — and that is still Sunday — then the family faces the threat of being pulled further apart. If they have no time with each other and for each other, then the formal notion of belonging together loses value… The fact that in the face of growing commercialization and fewer jobs hardly any employee ever dares to ask for a free Saturday, led the labor unions to join the churches in their campaign — with noticeable success.”
Die Welt wrote:
“The churches have argued correctly that employees in the retail sector are not given the possibility of organizing their Advent Sundays according to Christian principles: going to church, being involved in the community, singing and reading aloud. It is part of religious freedom to be able to do these things.”
“The judges did not just endorse the division of time marked by Christianity, but also the necessity for this division. There is no ambiguity about this weekly rhythm… It is good to have free time together, it helps us to live as the social beings that we are.”
Notice that this argument is a religious argument in favor of Sunday closing laws. Note also that Die Welt acknowledges that the churches are right in their argument and that before the court they argued the time established by the Roman Catholic Church, and followed by most other churches as the religious day of rest.
Süddeutsche Zeitung wrote:
“…The ruling is humane. It is an act in favor of the public spirit. … Those who regularly go shopping on Sundays today will have to work regularly on Sundays tomorrow. It may sound old fashioned but it is still correct: Sunday is Sunday because it is unlike other days… Sunday is more than just a day off for individuals. It that were so, then it wouldn’t matter if someone took a day off on Tuesday or Thursday. It is a day to synchronize society, that is what makes it so important. Without Sunday, every day would be a working day and a fixed point in the week would disappear. Of course there can be exceptions, there have always been particular professions who work on Sundays. But when the exception becomes the rule, then the commercialization of Sundays will not end at the department stores.”
“The court has given everyone the right to a day off on Sundays. You don’t have to take it. Everyone can do what they like with it. But it is good to have it.”
Actually, you can’t do whatever you like to do in Germany. For instance, you can’t go shopping. Note the argument that Sunday synchronizes society. That is actually a very good argument, but not for Sunday. That is exactly what the Sabbath of the Lord is supposed to do. But by transferring the day to Sunday since the 2nd and 3rd centuries, the Roman Catholic Church as changed the law of God and put a human law in its place. No matter how venerated, no matter how noble the arguments may sound, no matter how hoary with age, Rome’s Sunday rest is still a human replacement for the law of God. Most arguments in favor of Sunday closing, or Sunday rest, and probably Sunday worship, when they are promoted, are arguments that should be used to support the Sabbath, except for those that would enforce a day of rest and worship. After all, God does allow each individual freedom of choice. But Rome tries to force her will on societies and individual’s regardless of their free choice.
The Financial Times Deutschland wrote:
“The ruling by the Constitutional Court has revived the emotional debate about opening hours of shops on Sundays. That alone is annoying. But even more annoying is that with its strong emphasis on the religiously based day of rest on Sunday, it is in interfering in individual and economic freedom.”
The Financial Times Deutschland has it right on this point, particularly when you consider what Rome ultimately wants to accomplish. She can never enforce a Sunday worship law, unless she first enforces a Sunday closing law, and a Sunday rest law, all of which abrogate religious liberty.
“Without a doubt the freedom to practise religion is of great value,” continued the Financial Times, “However, in an increasingly secular society with more and more individualized rhythms of living, it seems an anachronism for the country’s highest court to use retail of all things to save the day of rest.”
Die Tageszeitung, a Berlin paper, wrote:
“Sunday as a day off is a great gift. The treadmill is closed for 24 hours. The court has given relaxation, rest and ‘spiritual elevation’ precedence over the thirst for profit and the right to a consumer fix.
Note that the court gave precedence to the religious element in its ruling over the freedom to do other non-religious things. This is an argument that will arise again.
Please keep in mind that it is the churches in Germany, both Catholic and Protestant that complained in court that constitutional and specifically religious Sunday laws were being violated. It should not go unnoticed by students of prophecy what Rome’s real agenda is in any country where she gains power. In countries that already have Sunday closing laws, Rome presses to enforce them. In countries where there are no constitutional Sunday laws, like in the United States, she will have more work to do. But her agenda is clear. Germany does not have separation of church and state. In other words, there is only a certain level of toleration for those that do not agree with those laws. One day that toleration could become less so.
Germany is the largest and most populous state of the EU and has a lot of influence on the direction that the EU travels. It could be said that “as Germany goes, so goes the EU.” Rome’s agenda is to resurrect the old Holy Roman Empire. This includes her religion. This step by the German high court should be seen as one step further toward meeting that goal. Now that the EU superstate is in place, and now that it has its constitution, we will see more of Rome, the protestant churches and the trade unions working together to press to increase the Sunday laws in the European Union. December 1, 2009 was a very important day for the Roman Catholic Church and for students of Bible prophecy. The deadly wound is almost healed. See Revelation 13:3, 8, 15-17.
SpiegelOnline Article
Christian Telegraph Article
DW World Article
Shopping Hours
History of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany
History of the Weimar Constitution
English Text of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany
English Text of Article 139 of the Extracts appended to the “Basic Law” from the Weimar Constitution
Vatican Caritas in Veritate Encyclical
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Herbert W. Armstrong warned for years that a German-dominated Europe would be a tool for Rome and enforce their doctrines.
Germany makes pagan Sunday official
Friday, December 11, 2009
Shameful Noahides
Josias commented on Noahide nonsense -
Noahides do not only live moral lives, but also keep kosher and do what they are told in the Bible, unlike Christians who pray to a man who told them that "laws are for the lawless" which is first of all a logical loop, and secondly if people were to lead immoral Christian lives as long as they pray to be saved, I do not think the Creator would like that very much.
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Noahides are in no man's land, fail to keep the biblical Sabbath and festivals in spirit and in truth (and some religious Jews speak against any "Gentile" keeping them), and feel smug about it - some even going all the way to Jerusalem to get some mortal men's approval!
Christians don't pray to a man, and no wonder you fail to recognize Yahshua as the Son of Man if you're as careless with the Word as you are with what Shaul/Paul said:
1 Timothy 1
8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.
Yahshua upheld the Law and the Prophets and made them even more binding, magnifying their meaning as prophesied, including the spirit or intent as well as the letter of the law:
Matthew 5:
17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Those traditional "Christians" who lie and hypocritically say the law is done away, or any other such nonsense, are rebuked by the plain truth of the Bible:
1 John 2:4
4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
"The law is done away" - don't you believe it!
We're to love and obey God, enabling the Holy Spirit to write the law upon the tablets of our hearts and minds, while trusting in the Passover Lamb's blood to keep us covered, the Suffering Servant who offered atonement on our behalf, since no man can save himself by his "good works." Our righteousness is of Him, as Isaiah foretold:
Isaiah 45:24-30
24 He shall say,
‘ Surely in the LORD I have righteousness and strength.
To Him [Yahshua] men shall come,
And all shall be ashamed
Who are incensed against Him [Yahshua].
25 In the LORD all the descendants of Israel
Shall be justified [covered by the Blood], and shall glory [in His righteousness, not self-righteousness].’
May God grant you repentance that you may be ashamed that you were misled to oppose Yahshua and go and sin no more, receiving the pardon and the power to overcome daily.
Noahides do not only live moral lives, but also keep kosher and do what they are told in the Bible, unlike Christians who pray to a man who told them that "laws are for the lawless" which is first of all a logical loop, and secondly if people were to lead immoral Christian lives as long as they pray to be saved, I do not think the Creator would like that very much.
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Noahides are in no man's land, fail to keep the biblical Sabbath and festivals in spirit and in truth (and some religious Jews speak against any "Gentile" keeping them), and feel smug about it - some even going all the way to Jerusalem to get some mortal men's approval!
Christians don't pray to a man, and no wonder you fail to recognize Yahshua as the Son of Man if you're as careless with the Word as you are with what Shaul/Paul said:
1 Timothy 1
8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.
Yahshua upheld the Law and the Prophets and made them even more binding, magnifying their meaning as prophesied, including the spirit or intent as well as the letter of the law:
Matthew 5:
17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Those traditional "Christians" who lie and hypocritically say the law is done away, or any other such nonsense, are rebuked by the plain truth of the Bible:
1 John 2:4
4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
"The law is done away" - don't you believe it!
We're to love and obey God, enabling the Holy Spirit to write the law upon the tablets of our hearts and minds, while trusting in the Passover Lamb's blood to keep us covered, the Suffering Servant who offered atonement on our behalf, since no man can save himself by his "good works." Our righteousness is of Him, as Isaiah foretold:
Isaiah 45:24-30
24 He shall say,
‘ Surely in the LORD I have righteousness and strength.
To Him [Yahshua] men shall come,
And all shall be ashamed
Who are incensed against Him [Yahshua].
25 In the LORD all the descendants of Israel
Shall be justified [covered by the Blood], and shall glory [in His righteousness, not self-righteousness].’
May God grant you repentance that you may be ashamed that you were misled to oppose Yahshua and go and sin no more, receiving the pardon and the power to overcome daily.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Precious symbol of Hanukkah
Latkes and Lights
They'd left everything behind escaping the Nazis, including their precious symbol of Hanukkah.
By Gina Klonoff, Las Vegas, Nevada
read more
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The Menorah represents the Third Temple that Jews should be motivated, energized, to build. Thankfully, the Temple Mount Faithful and the Temple Institute work toward this holy goal and project - they don't just eat latkes, they serve as lights.
They'd left everything behind escaping the Nazis, including their precious symbol of Hanukkah.
By Gina Klonoff, Las Vegas, Nevada
read more
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The Menorah represents the Third Temple that Jews should be motivated, energized, to build. Thankfully, the Temple Mount Faithful and the Temple Institute work toward this holy goal and project - they don't just eat latkes, they serve as lights.
Quirky Jews?
Re: I'm not a terrorist
David, are the Temple Mount Faithful the same group Armstrong described as quirky Jews who wanted to rebuild the temple, or was he talking about some other group?
RayMerk1
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I do remember something about some group of Jews who allegedly came to Mr. Armstrong by night for support and he felt it was political and didn't help. It's sad how some are so far removed from the Promised Land of Israel and fail to remember the Law of Moses - which includes God's command for Israel to build the Temple.
God commands Israel to build Temple
The Temple Mount Faithful is not a terrorist organization! (Although Gerald Flurry and Stephen Flurry strongly insinuate it is, to their shame)
Gerald Flurry has gone mad over his music hall!
How should Christians view efforts to build the Temple?
David, are the Temple Mount Faithful the same group Armstrong described as quirky Jews who wanted to rebuild the temple, or was he talking about some other group?
RayMerk1
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I do remember something about some group of Jews who allegedly came to Mr. Armstrong by night for support and he felt it was political and didn't help. It's sad how some are so far removed from the Promised Land of Israel and fail to remember the Law of Moses - which includes God's command for Israel to build the Temple.
God commands Israel to build Temple
The Temple Mount Faithful is not a terrorist organization! (Although Gerald Flurry and Stephen Flurry strongly insinuate it is, to their shame)
Gerald Flurry has gone mad over his music hall!
How should Christians view efforts to build the Temple?
Gerald Flurry has gone mad over his music hall!
Gerald Flurry, cultic pastor general of the Philadelphia Church of God, is exposed in this disturbing excerpt from his sermon transcript of November 3, 2007 (that he complained to have removed from this site) where he vainly attempts to justify his massive spending in Edmond, Oklahoma - squandering millions in his own backyard - by pretending his music hall is God's House, the temple of God!
You don't need any "special revelation" to read and believe the Bible that clearly shows God's House on Earth has always been in Jerusalem - not elsewhere like Mormons and others mislead.
Gerald Flurry foolishly attempts to spiritualize everything away when it comes to the holy temple of God that will be built in Jerusalem. The least he could do is encourage the Jews to fulfill their responsibility to build God's House - the Embassy of the Eternal - in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount and stop equating Edmond with Jerusalem! What chutzpah! What madness!
Third Temple
Where's the Temple On the Temple Mount?
Third Temple Coming Soon to Jerusalem!
The Temple of God in Holy Jerusalem
It’s all about family and looking to the Father and the Son and having them right in your front yard (chuckle) and your backyard right there where you do your work from headquarters and it-He’s right there in spirit. That’s something to get excited about. How much is that house going to impact you brethren and me? It’s gonna to build our faith and I tell you I believe we could see already I didn’t get to talk with Mr. Locher about this but I think I can already see a growth in websites, income after that fabulous Feast of Tabernacles and all the wonderful offerings we got there.(emphasis mine)
And, if you see, we have a challenge like that and we have our minds on God’s house where He’s gonna live right here with us, it surely has to help our faith to grow. It means we’re going to have more growth, more healings, more blessings, there just gonna to be everywhere, for us to see and hopefully a lot of people in the world. And that building will be like the crown...of all of our buildings. But think about this brethren: God, the God from that third heaven is gonna come down here and He’s gonna live here in spirit. And He’s gonna get our minds focused more on Him and what is coming, and I mean coming oh so fast...
It-ooooooh we could think about human beings to come here and live, but what about have God the Father and Jesus Christ here. How much does that physical-is that physical house going to affect our spiritual house?
...God gives us NEW REVELATION ALL THE TIME!!! HE’S SPEAKING TO HIS CHURCH!! THAT’S GOD DOING THAT. GOD IS SPEAKING TO US GIVING US HIS MESSAGE AND NOW WE’RE GONNA HAVE THE HONOR TO BUILD A HOUSE for God to dwell in on this campus. And I tell ya brethren, that certainly bodes well for the future of this great work of God and let’s all realize and thank God for the honor of being a part of it.
You don't need any "special revelation" to read and believe the Bible that clearly shows God's House on Earth has always been in Jerusalem - not elsewhere like Mormons and others mislead.
Gerald Flurry foolishly attempts to spiritualize everything away when it comes to the holy temple of God that will be built in Jerusalem. The least he could do is encourage the Jews to fulfill their responsibility to build God's House - the Embassy of the Eternal - in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount and stop equating Edmond with Jerusalem! What chutzpah! What madness!
Third Temple
Where's the Temple On the Temple Mount?
Third Temple Coming Soon to Jerusalem!
The Temple of God in Holy Jerusalem
The PCG and Fox 25
Reporter Nick Winkler, of Fox 25 in Oklahoma City, presented a special report on the Philadelphia Church of God that aired Nov. 24 and Nov. 25.
I found the special report on the PCG, all things considered, unusually fair and balanced and commend Nick Winkler and Fox News for it, since the Sabbath-keeping Church of God members have always been highly skeptical of such reporters and cynical about such programs.
You can watch the Fox News' videos for yourself and see what you think:
Philadelphia Church of God: Part One
Philadelphia Church of God: Part Two
I'm pleased Fox News made mention of my book and name and showed them on my Philadelphia Church of God blog, having interviewed me as a former PCG member who was disfellowshipped for writing Beyond Babylon and who strongly disagrees with how Pastor General Gerald Flurry is squandering tithe money in Edmond, Oklahoma instead of going all out to share the plain truth of the Bible, our warning message, with the world in a powerful way that such money makes possible.
Fox 25, Oklahoma City, Special Report:
Philadelphia Church of God: Part One
David Ben-Ariel: I was basically put out..
Reporter Nick Winkler: Former PCG member David Ben-Ariel says he was kicked out of the Church for writing a book [Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall] without the Church's approval and says all that money [15 million Art Center on their Edmond, Oklahoma site] could be better spent spreading God's Word differently...
David Ben-Ariel: Hopefully, they'll stop spending their money in Edmond, Oklahoma and use it to become a household word with our teachings and let that become known.
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Fox 25, Oklahoma City, Special Report:
Philadelphia Church of God: Part Two
Nick Winkler: Before Jesus Christ returns...
David Ben-Ariel: Violence, WWIII...yes, there will be lots of violence.
Nick Winkler: Former PCG member David Ben-Ariel says he was kicked out of the Church but still defends its tithing practices...
David Ben-Ariel: Again, it's voluntary but it's understood if you're a Church of God member you will tithe and you'll want to.
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PCG: Carrying on "Business as Usual"
If you truly saw what is coming on this Earth, and had a vision of tomorrow, you would know that the Gathering Storm darkens as you sip champagne and boast that you're rich and in need of nothing, woefully ignorant that the Two Witnesses will soon be wearing sackcloth and fasting, not wining and dining at black tie dinners!
Here's an excerpt from Philadelphia Church of God Leads Laodicean Era (Conclusion) that reveals the PCG ministers' initial response to Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall, and how Gerald Flurry's fomer right-hand man, PCG minister Dennis Leap, shamefully insisted on playing politics:
What's BEWILDERING to me is the different responses I've received from several of God's ministers who have read Beyond Babylon -- towards it and me -- before and after Dennis Leap's PARTIAL review! (Malachi 2:9).
When I faithfully sent a computer disk with my book on it to minister Wayne Turgeon, he graciously read all of it and responded:
"Oh, how I admire those with both the ability to write as well as the courage to put down their ideas on paper! I felt that you have a very gripping style of writing that uses twists and slants of words or phrases to make your point. I looked up every scripture you referenced and it became clear that you have really spent a lot of time in your Bible. Being Jewish, I think, gives you an added perspective that I could never have... Much of what you have written is not 'new revelation' as I'm sure that you'd readily agree... It's certainly not my place to determine if what you believe God has shown you is true or not, but would you mind presenting Mr. Flurry with an abbreviated version of what you feel is inspired... as I highly doubt that he would have time to read your whole book."
What does he mean it's not his place to determine if what I wrote is true or not? God holds every INDIVIDUAL responsible to prayerfully determine whether something is of God or not! How did we prove Malachi's Message was biblical? Did we rely solely on our minister's evaluation? Worldwide all over again?
Mind you, unlike Mr. Armstrong's lengthy manuscript of close to 300 typed pages, Beyond Babylon is only 1/2 that size, literally! I suggested Gerald Flurry read the first and last chapters. Mr. Turgeon told me Flurry returned it to him, saying something like, "He's always sending us stuff."
I have written short letters to the point, like correcting him about Mount Hermon and Mount Carmel after he continued to confuse the two in several articles. I'm familiar with them because I've been blessed to have lived next to both of them. Mr. Turgeon also wrote that I was a little "too radical" for Mr. Flurry and wondered what I'd said or done that had given him that impression. I explained it's because I took exception to his careless condemnation of those religious Jews who want the Temple built as "extremists." I wrote that it's extremist for secular, humanist Jews to oppose converting the Promised Land into a Holy Land!
Flurry was surprised and had also written against the STRONG EMOTIONS some feel over Jerusalem and Israel. How could God use someone so distant over there?! Some of us have a GOD-GIVEN LOVE for Jerusalem and a genuine passion for Judah that's most personal; we're not a stranger in OUR Homeland! (Psalms 102:14; Ps. 137; Isaiah 62). That's not "radical," it's BIBLICAL!
Minister Carl Craven also read Beyond Babylon and acknowledged it as biblical. He said he hadn't looked up every Scripture, but was sure if he had they'd also be used correctly. I commented that I know it's biblical, but that I was just waiting for headquarters to prove that to themselves as well. He expressed an understanding of how it's difficult to be patient meanwhile.
When Dennis Leap did call, it was to instruct me to STAY HOME FROM SABBATH SERVICES while he looked at the book! I didn't recall such an unusual request being made of Mr. Armstrong, and recognized it went against "innocent until proven guilty," but obliged with the hope of returning soon (John 7:51).
"Prophesy Not!"
After some time, I called Mr. Leap. He said he'd read PARTS of the book, and that it wasn't important whether Mr. Flurry had read it or not (even though I'd been led to believe he'd pass it on to him). He stated, "You use some pretty strong language in there," to which I replied, "But it's biblical, isn't it?" "Well, yes, but...". He also noted, like Mr. Turgeon, that most of it is what we already teach. I agreed and said that that should serve as a GOOD SIGN, but that the NEW REVELATION about the Two Witnesses and Europe is firmly built upon that foundation.
Dennis Leap found it difficult to accept that a LAY MEMBER would write such a book. He admitted Flurry had received bits of revelation from lay members, but NEVER a whole book! I didn't want to be judged by precedent, but by whether or not what I'd written is biblical. If I was in error, then it was his duty to clearly show me where FROM THE BIBLE, like Aquilla and Priscilla helped improve Apollos' understanding (Acts 18:26).
I was informed if I wanted to return to services, I would have to forget Beyond Babylon, act like a "regular lay member," and basically deny that it was from God! Like Mr. Armstrong, I had PROVEN what I'd written to be TRUE. Actually, Leap didn't say that it wasn't or attempt to refute it!
I told Mr. Leap I didn't want to play politics. By his insistence that I must be a MINISTER to write such a book, he was still looking to MEN OF STATURE! And since I'm not one, he was demanding that I "PROPHESY NOT!" (Amos 2:12).
He got very angry when I mentioned this and said he was severing all ties between the PCG and myself, and that I wasn't to claim any association with the PCG. He said I was now free to go and do whatever I felt God would have me to do with BB and not worry whether or not he or Mr. Flurry had read it! When I expressed the hope of reconciliation, he retorted we could when I repented. Of what? OBEYING GOD RATHER THAN MAN? Is that "rebellion?"
Mr. Armstrong WASN'T an ordained minister either when he wrote what he felt GOD would have him to share! The Identity Doctrine also wasn't so much new truth, as a new way of presenting it. I'm sure glad he didn't let those two points stop him! Aren't you? So I was UNJUSTLY DISFELLOWSHIPPED for believing God used me to write a book, and MARKED for exposing the facts about Mr. Leap's folly!
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Read Beyond Babylon for yourself. You can read Beyond Babylon for FREE on my Beyond Babylon blog!
Beyond Babylon
CONTENTS
Introduction
Survival Guaranteed
Why National Defeat?
Truth or Consequences
Victims of Tradition
Europe's Fate
Jesus and the Jews
Elijah's Key Role
I found the special report on the PCG, all things considered, unusually fair and balanced and commend Nick Winkler and Fox News for it, since the Sabbath-keeping Church of God members have always been highly skeptical of such reporters and cynical about such programs.
You can watch the Fox News' videos for yourself and see what you think:
Philadelphia Church of God: Part One
Philadelphia Church of God: Part Two
I'm pleased Fox News made mention of my book and name and showed them on my Philadelphia Church of God blog, having interviewed me as a former PCG member who was disfellowshipped for writing Beyond Babylon and who strongly disagrees with how Pastor General Gerald Flurry is squandering tithe money in Edmond, Oklahoma instead of going all out to share the plain truth of the Bible, our warning message, with the world in a powerful way that such money makes possible.
Fox 25, Oklahoma City, Special Report:
Philadelphia Church of God: Part One
David Ben-Ariel: I was basically put out..
Reporter Nick Winkler: Former PCG member David Ben-Ariel says he was kicked out of the Church for writing a book [Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall] without the Church's approval and says all that money [15 million Art Center on their Edmond, Oklahoma site] could be better spent spreading God's Word differently...
David Ben-Ariel: Hopefully, they'll stop spending their money in Edmond, Oklahoma and use it to become a household word with our teachings and let that become known.
*****************
Fox 25, Oklahoma City, Special Report:
Philadelphia Church of God: Part Two
Nick Winkler: Before Jesus Christ returns...
David Ben-Ariel: Violence, WWIII...yes, there will be lots of violence.
Nick Winkler: Former PCG member David Ben-Ariel says he was kicked out of the Church but still defends its tithing practices...
David Ben-Ariel: Again, it's voluntary but it's understood if you're a Church of God member you will tithe and you'll want to.
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PCG: Carrying on "Business as Usual"
If you truly saw what is coming on this Earth, and had a vision of tomorrow, you would know that the Gathering Storm darkens as you sip champagne and boast that you're rich and in need of nothing, woefully ignorant that the Two Witnesses will soon be wearing sackcloth and fasting, not wining and dining at black tie dinners!
Here's an excerpt from Philadelphia Church of God Leads Laodicean Era (Conclusion) that reveals the PCG ministers' initial response to Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall, and how Gerald Flurry's fomer right-hand man, PCG minister Dennis Leap, shamefully insisted on playing politics:
What's BEWILDERING to me is the different responses I've received from several of God's ministers who have read Beyond Babylon -- towards it and me -- before and after Dennis Leap's PARTIAL review! (Malachi 2:9).
When I faithfully sent a computer disk with my book on it to minister Wayne Turgeon, he graciously read all of it and responded:
"Oh, how I admire those with both the ability to write as well as the courage to put down their ideas on paper! I felt that you have a very gripping style of writing that uses twists and slants of words or phrases to make your point. I looked up every scripture you referenced and it became clear that you have really spent a lot of time in your Bible. Being Jewish, I think, gives you an added perspective that I could never have... Much of what you have written is not 'new revelation' as I'm sure that you'd readily agree... It's certainly not my place to determine if what you believe God has shown you is true or not, but would you mind presenting Mr. Flurry with an abbreviated version of what you feel is inspired... as I highly doubt that he would have time to read your whole book."
What does he mean it's not his place to determine if what I wrote is true or not? God holds every INDIVIDUAL responsible to prayerfully determine whether something is of God or not! How did we prove Malachi's Message was biblical? Did we rely solely on our minister's evaluation? Worldwide all over again?
Mind you, unlike Mr. Armstrong's lengthy manuscript of close to 300 typed pages, Beyond Babylon is only 1/2 that size, literally! I suggested Gerald Flurry read the first and last chapters. Mr. Turgeon told me Flurry returned it to him, saying something like, "He's always sending us stuff."
I have written short letters to the point, like correcting him about Mount Hermon and Mount Carmel after he continued to confuse the two in several articles. I'm familiar with them because I've been blessed to have lived next to both of them. Mr. Turgeon also wrote that I was a little "too radical" for Mr. Flurry and wondered what I'd said or done that had given him that impression. I explained it's because I took exception to his careless condemnation of those religious Jews who want the Temple built as "extremists." I wrote that it's extremist for secular, humanist Jews to oppose converting the Promised Land into a Holy Land!
Flurry was surprised and had also written against the STRONG EMOTIONS some feel over Jerusalem and Israel. How could God use someone so distant over there?! Some of us have a GOD-GIVEN LOVE for Jerusalem and a genuine passion for Judah that's most personal; we're not a stranger in OUR Homeland! (Psalms 102:14; Ps. 137; Isaiah 62). That's not "radical," it's BIBLICAL!
Minister Carl Craven also read Beyond Babylon and acknowledged it as biblical. He said he hadn't looked up every Scripture, but was sure if he had they'd also be used correctly. I commented that I know it's biblical, but that I was just waiting for headquarters to prove that to themselves as well. He expressed an understanding of how it's difficult to be patient meanwhile.
When Dennis Leap did call, it was to instruct me to STAY HOME FROM SABBATH SERVICES while he looked at the book! I didn't recall such an unusual request being made of Mr. Armstrong, and recognized it went against "innocent until proven guilty," but obliged with the hope of returning soon (John 7:51).
"Prophesy Not!"
After some time, I called Mr. Leap. He said he'd read PARTS of the book, and that it wasn't important whether Mr. Flurry had read it or not (even though I'd been led to believe he'd pass it on to him). He stated, "You use some pretty strong language in there," to which I replied, "But it's biblical, isn't it?" "Well, yes, but...". He also noted, like Mr. Turgeon, that most of it is what we already teach. I agreed and said that that should serve as a GOOD SIGN, but that the NEW REVELATION about the Two Witnesses and Europe is firmly built upon that foundation.
Dennis Leap found it difficult to accept that a LAY MEMBER would write such a book. He admitted Flurry had received bits of revelation from lay members, but NEVER a whole book! I didn't want to be judged by precedent, but by whether or not what I'd written is biblical. If I was in error, then it was his duty to clearly show me where FROM THE BIBLE, like Aquilla and Priscilla helped improve Apollos' understanding (Acts 18:26).
I was informed if I wanted to return to services, I would have to forget Beyond Babylon, act like a "regular lay member," and basically deny that it was from God! Like Mr. Armstrong, I had PROVEN what I'd written to be TRUE. Actually, Leap didn't say that it wasn't or attempt to refute it!
I told Mr. Leap I didn't want to play politics. By his insistence that I must be a MINISTER to write such a book, he was still looking to MEN OF STATURE! And since I'm not one, he was demanding that I "PROPHESY NOT!" (Amos 2:12).
He got very angry when I mentioned this and said he was severing all ties between the PCG and myself, and that I wasn't to claim any association with the PCG. He said I was now free to go and do whatever I felt God would have me to do with BB and not worry whether or not he or Mr. Flurry had read it! When I expressed the hope of reconciliation, he retorted we could when I repented. Of what? OBEYING GOD RATHER THAN MAN? Is that "rebellion?"
Mr. Armstrong WASN'T an ordained minister either when he wrote what he felt GOD would have him to share! The Identity Doctrine also wasn't so much new truth, as a new way of presenting it. I'm sure glad he didn't let those two points stop him! Aren't you? So I was UNJUSTLY DISFELLOWSHIPPED for believing God used me to write a book, and MARKED for exposing the facts about Mr. Leap's folly!
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Read Beyond Babylon for yourself. You can read Beyond Babylon for FREE on my Beyond Babylon blog!
Beyond Babylon
CONTENTS
Introduction
Survival Guaranteed
Why National Defeat?
Truth or Consequences
Victims of Tradition
Europe's Fate
Jesus and the Jews
Elijah's Key Role
Rome to return Jewish Temple treasures?
Israel won't surrender Christian sites to Vatican
Foreign Ministry delegation departs for Vatican, says won't let Catholics take control of Last Supper, other holy sites more»
************
Don't believe a word of it!
Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.
-Otto von Bismarck
Warning Jews about the pope's plans for Jerusalem: Rome's dream will become Jerusalem's NIGHTMARE!
Articles and video warning Jews about the pope:
Pope's Evil Eye on Jerusalem! (You Tube video)
The Vatican plot against Jerusalem exposed!
Israel must reject Vatican overtures for peace or lose Jerusalem!
Christian-Zionist Response to Shimon Peres' AIPAC speech
The Vatican Must Return the Temple Treasures
Will the pope act like Belshazzar or Cyrus?
Will Rome learn from history and receive instruction from the Bible or harden their hearts and be destroyed like pharaoh and Babylon?
Foreign Ministry delegation departs for Vatican, says won't let Catholics take control of Last Supper, other holy sites more»
************
Don't believe a word of it!
Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.
-Otto von Bismarck
Warning Jews about the pope's plans for Jerusalem: Rome's dream will become Jerusalem's NIGHTMARE!
Articles and video warning Jews about the pope:
Pope's Evil Eye on Jerusalem! (You Tube video)
The Vatican plot against Jerusalem exposed!
Israel must reject Vatican overtures for peace or lose Jerusalem!
Christian-Zionist Response to Shimon Peres' AIPAC speech
The Vatican Must Return the Temple Treasures
Will the pope act like Belshazzar or Cyrus?
Will Rome learn from history and receive instruction from the Bible or harden their hearts and be destroyed like pharaoh and Babylon?
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