"Some weeks ago, when explaining the year that the prophecy is fulfilled, I listed perhaps two dozen reasons for 2013. There are perhaps twice that many more reasons that have been listed by those of us inside the process of learning what God is doing. There is no point in ennumerating them all because they would merely be lampooned by scoffers and mockers who in many cases might not even respond to the prophecy when they SEE it!

For those who wish to be objective, but who take as a starting point that they do not believe the year of the prophecy’s fulfillment is 2013, ask why you disagree with the internal elements of the prophecy itself. I have put in a great many hours preparing what you read because there is value in getting people to think about what will happen BEFORE it happens. If you are among those who agree with the prophecy but have decided that some later year carries a better chance for fulfillment, then you are probably already at least a little bit “considering your ways” as God instructs twice in Haggai 1. This much is good. The job was never mine to convince you of the prophecy, but rather to inform you in the spirit of God’s promise in Amos 3:7, explained last Friday. It is God’s job to convince you of EVERYTHING He is going to do. His servants merely inform you, knowing they are powerless to convince. Grasp this difference.

Consider. God would first have to notify—inform!—His Church in advance of His plans, and for many reasons. Again, Amos 3:7. The biggest reason is that His Church could not be ready for what would absolutely blindside it with sudden enormous growth, and growth coming without explanation. Our questions would be what is God doing and why—and when will it end. What does all this mean? Wherever you think God’s Church is, you surely would agree with this much. God would have to inform His Church of what He intended to do. The only question remaining for His Church—and this IS the biggest one we had among many others that were big—was WHEN—what was the YEAR He would gather His people to one House. Consider again. We would also have to know the year of fulfillment EARLY ON or we would waste a tremendous amount of time researching, analyzing and preparing for a prophecy that lay far in the distance. There would have to be enough time to prepare. I can report on behalf of God’s Church that the amount of time given us has been perfect. The Church of God is READY for events now on the horizon.

It has been fascinating to see which ministers in the splinters will not even wait to see if they could be wrong in disagreeing with the explanation in these announcements. Rather they are speaking out against the meaning of the prophecy, thus choosing to end their ministry—choosing to give themselves no chance to continue serving God’s people. This is because they have gone on public recordagainst how Christ is regathering His flock (recall Matthew 12:30-32)—and because they do not want to give up their positions of power. Such men should have read and believed the “Attention Ministers” section at the end of each of these announcements. A little patience and humility would have served them well. But, we are all the “captains of our own ship.” This prophecy will soon prove this at a profound level.

We learned that God is bringing “desolation” on the splinters. I promised last week to present six biblical proofs that after the prophecy is fulfilled the splinter “houses” will be gone or well on their way out. All competition to God’s true Work will be eliminated.

(1) Haggai 1:11 reveals that God calls for a “drought,” more correctly translated “desolation,” involving a list of very distinct categories within the splinters. The categories that God lists are comprehensive—complete. One of my previous announcements explained them. “Desolation” means desolation, not something short of desolation. God’s plain meaning is that He plans to destroy these organizations. On what basis would you disagree with the meaning of desolation?

(2) Zechariah 11:3 describes “shepherds” (ministers) “howling” because their “glory is spoiled.” Reviewing last week: Glory means “something ample (as a large vine, a wide dress)…garment, glory, goodly, mantle, robe.” These are “respected” men in positions of authority. Spoiled includes the meaning “ravage: dead, destroy (-er), spoil (-er), (lay) waste.” We might ask: Does this imply anything less than complete desolation? Make yourself answer.

(3) Zechariah 11:9 describes three categories of people remaining after God removes the “poor of the flock” from their midst—a group now called “you.” These are those who will not return to God’s Church when given the final opportunity, and who are permanently severed from God. Read the passage and see the three categories, as we did last week. What do they say to you? Verse 9 is God interpreting verse 3. Possibly small pieces remain, and probably only temporarily. It is obvious they can accomplish nothing. With God’s Spirit gone, the collapse of corporate assets and income, and loss of many ministers and staff, a less than pretty picture remains.

(5) Notice the instruction to “this people”—many of whom soon form the remnant—in Haggai 1:8 to “bring wood” from their “mountain(s)” to “build God’s House.” Wood is used for offerings all through the Old Testament. Beginning Christians learn that mountains is a symbol for governments or nations—in this case, governments of the splinters. It is pretty obvious the kind of assets that become available to God’s Work. Related to this, God says in Haggai 2:8 that “the silver is Mine and the gold is Mine.” Ponder this a little in the context of a chapter covering the subjects you have seen. Why would God include such a blunt statement, and seemingly so out of context? It appears God is saying these things were always His, not anyone else’s. The massive thievery by false leaders is now over. In effect, God is saying what was Mine is now Mine again, as it always should have been. If you disagree with the meaning of #5 here, why?

James 5:1-6

The Message (MSG)

Destroying Your Life from Within

5 ^1-3 And a final word to you arrogant rich: Take some lessons in lament. You’ll need buckets for the tears when the crash comes upon you. Your money is corrupt and your fine clothes stink. Your greedy luxuries are a cancer in your gut, destroying your life from within. You thought you were piling up wealth. What you’ve piled up is judgment.

^4-6 All the workers you’ve exploited and cheated cry out for judgment. The groans of the workers you used and abused are a roar in the ears of the Master Avenger. You’ve looted the earth and lived it up. But all you’ll have to show for it is a fatter than usual corpse. In fact, what you’ve done is condemn and murder perfectly good persons, who stand there and take it.

(6) Supporting this is an extensive New Testament passage written by the apostle James. In a context easily seen to be a parallel of the prophecy—for many reasons!—James 5:1-6 describes the riches of false leaders being corrupted and destroyed. It is interesting that James 5 starts out with “rich men” who are told to “howl,” only one indicator (a strong one) this is a New Testament parallel of the Haggai/Zechariah prophecy.

Next consider that God has never dealt with people or done with leaders exactly as He plans with the three shepherds. In fact, there may be other miraculous events immediately surrounding this one. A number of verses suggest this. (The case is strong.) In part it will depend on the new greater profile which God wants to use as a starting point for His Work going forward within the “world skyline.” Although it is to be immensely powerful and big before complete, the final Work of God is also foretold to be very short—and Luke 14 shows the Work will be carried out in two stages after the Haggai/“Grace” prophecy is fulfilled. The question becomes how well-known does God want His new expanded Work to be in the immediate wake of His intervention to reunify His flock. Put another way, what does God want His Church and Work to look like on the world scene?

If I were trying to palm myself off as a prophet, I would just spout a personal opinion at this point without worrying about whether I was right or wrong, or what God says. But the above question is an example of something we must wait to see. The “size”—the MAGNITUDE—of the three shepherds’ removal on the world scene will speak volumes to God’s Church and the Government within it about how rapidly God is planning a Work of great impact. Emphatically ruling out emerging “small,” will events of August catapult God’s Work to something immediately the size of “medium,” “large” or “colossal”?While I have ideas, I do not have the answer. We will wait and see together.

Of course, many are eager to learn “Who are the three shepherds?” We will know soon enough. But we might ask: Which three leaders are the greatest obstructionists to God’s stated purpose in Haggai—returning HIS people to doing HIS Work? Yet again, we will watch and see.

Many Old Testament passages foretell a remnant of physical Israel returning from captivity. In the Zechariah prophecy, God is going to break His staff called “Grace.” How interesting that the apostle Paul was inspired to describe the New Testament “remnant” (of Romans 11:1-5) as a “remnant according to the election of GRACE.” In addition, verse 4 points to the Old Testament account in I Kings 19. The serious reader may wish to read all of I Kings 19 for parallels in search of why God inspired Paul to use THIS ACCOUNT as a reference regarding how we do or do not listen to God, among other purposes. Recall and reread I Corinthians 10:11 and Romans 15:4 from last week. Is Paul also telling us that 7,000 baptized members will be faithful, and added to His Church? If so, what about children in the count? Are these just the number who are “holdovers, the surviving portion” (the meaning of remnant in Haggai), from the Worldwide Church of God, with others converted later in the splinters on top of this? How do the thousands already in The Restored Church of God fit into this number—if it is to be taken as a literal number at all? I do not know the answers. I have ideas, but we will all wait to see the answers.

Regarding the “foolish shepherd” of Zechariah 11, this figure appears to already be on the scene. Remember, the devil counterfeits EVERYTHING of God—every doctrine, every tradition, and every prophecy, as well as of course Christianity itself. Now reflect briefly on the elements of Haggai and Zechariah. Next think of the new man living in Rome. As with God’s purpose in this prophecy, this man is also (1) addressing the rich, (2) reaching out to the poor, (3) already using miracles, (4) casting out demons, (5) seeking to unify his flock, (6) overtly seeking to preach his gospel worldwide, (7) spreading the “kingdom of God” worldwide (the true Church preaches it worldwide), (8) teaching that all with the Holy Spirit will come to unity and to the Roman Catholic Church, (9) teaching that all must come under one leader, (10) emphasizing faith and truth working together for Christians to survive the age, (11) teaching how love and truth must also work together, that neither can stand alone, (12) suggesting that Millennial peace, abundance and joy lies just ahead for all, (13) that Michael is the warrior archangel for the Roman Catholic Church, (14) that he must fight on behalf of it because the devil is resisting the Catholic church, (15) emphasizing mercy on all categories of people, and finally (16) exhorting all believers starting with priests to more openly practice the spirit of giving and serving. We would say some or many of these things were good if the context were different—if it were describing God’s Church. However, if you are not reading the headlines of today, then the tremendous BLAST of this ongoing and developing PARALLEL now at work across the world (since early March) is being lost to you. If YOU have not known what God is planning, you should ask why it seems the DEVIL does know—and why he is so obviously COUNTERFEITING the Haggai/Zechariah prophecy NOW!

Four days remain until Elul 1 (Tuesday evening), when the Great Shepherd, Christ, begins actively shepherding the remnant.

In the 1970’s we felt the power of the first horse and its rider [seal] as he began early on attacking the true Church of God through the Great Apostasy. We have been in the “great apostasy” since the death of the Latter-day Apostle. The white horse [first seal] and his rider ultimately represent the “false Christ” and false teachings….apostates!

COGSR Elder Paul has told me that he himself has “heard the hooves of the Four Horsemen getting even closer” and that he himself has seen their subtle attempt at destroying the true Church of God.

Then we as the Church of God felt the power of the second [red] horse. All the splinter and offshoot groups began to war with each other over “who” had the authority to continue leadership of God’s true Church. After Mr.H.W.Armstrong’s death in January of 1986 many began leaving the Worldwide Church of God because of the Great Apostasy which broke out.

Then, the “spiritual death toll” that all of the offshoot, splinter, and sliver groups left could hardly be counted. This was the wrath of the fourth horse.

 A great many people left during the year 1992 and continued through 1993 to 1995. As a result of this many splinter and offshoot groups began to take shape. Approximately 19 years latter starting with the first dispersion [1992] caused by the Great Apostasy comes the year 2011. The birth of the typical-Laodicean church era.

Now God is sealing his saints right before the miniature opening of the fifth seal. This “feeling of the fifth seal” is starting to happen in the true Church already. The splinter and offshoot groups have begun there persecution on the Church of God ~ Speaking to the Remnant. So like I said, the true Church has already been experiencing the opening of the seals on miniature and very personal level already, before they are finally poured out in great power upon the entire earth.

According to the early church apologists, Satan has been copying and anticipating God's every move in history and has the tendency to counterfeit God's moves before He makes them to confuse the faithful when the "Real Truth" comes along.  Thus the term "Diabolical Mimicry."  Diabolical mimicry is found even in science with Satan having buried the bones of "dinosaurs" to fool unbelievers  and giving earth the appearance of age older than the Bible might note to confuse the elect. 

“Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, “This do ye in remembrance of Me, this is My body;” and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, “This is My blood;” and gave it to them alone. Which the wicked devils have imitated in the mysteries of Mithras, commanding the same thing to be done. For, that bread and a cup of water are placed with certain incantations in the mystic rites of one who is being initiated, you either know or can learn.” Justin Martyr, First Apology

“He who will not eat of my body and drink of my blood, so that he will be made one with me and I with him, the same shall not know salvation.” An inscription to Mithras"

http://www.holyblasphemy.net/diabolical-mimicry/

"A Powerful Counterfeit

Regarding the “foolish shepherd” of Zechariah 11:15-17, this figure appears to already be on the scene. Remember, the devil counterfeits EVERYTHING of God—every doctrine, every tradition, and every prophecy, as well as of course Christianity itself. Now reflect briefly on the elements of Haggai and Zechariah. Next think of the new man living in Rome. 
As with God’s purpose in this prophecy, this man is also

(1) addressing the rich, (Dave talks to rich people.  He even takes their money)

(2) reaching out to the poor  (No similarity here)

(3) already using miracles, (Ditto...)

(4) “casting out” demons, (Ditto 2...)

(5) seeking to unify his flock, (Weird way to do it Dave...)

(6) overtly seeking to preach his gospel worldwide, (Ok, give you this one.  Dave is overt)

 (7) spreading the “kingdom of God” worldwide (the true Church preaches it worldwide),

(sigh...ok, will give you this one depending what true means..)

(8) teaching that all with the Holy Spirit will come to unity and to the Roman Catholic Church,

(and the Baptists, and the Presbyterians and the Episcopalians and the Pentecostals, and the Adventists and Methodists but not Joe Tkach)

(9) teaching that all must come under one leader,

(Mercy Dave...Hitler taught that as well as Mao, Stalin and Pol Pot)

(10) emphasizing faith and truth working together for Christians to survive the age,

(E-Food Direct does the same along with Alex Jones on Infowars)

 (11) teaching how love and truth must also work together, that neither can stand alone,

(Ummm...Dave,  you said "love"   Bzzzzzzzzzzzzz..thanks for playing)

 (12) suggesting that Millennial peace, abundance and joy lies just ahead for all,

(So do all other religions far as I can tell in one form or another...)

(13) that Michael is the warrior archangel for the Roman Catholic Church,

(Ever ask why all Bible Angels are male but all Gift Shop Angels are Female?  Sorry, off topic)

(14) that he must fight on behalf of Rome because the devil is resisting the Catholic church,

(And you must fight on behalf of Wadsworth why again?)

(15) emphasizing “mercy” on all categories of people, and finally

(Oh Dave...you can't use that word either.  We have never seen you emphasize this word.  Please reread your 35 ways to neuter a COG minister screed)

(16) exhorting all believers starting with priests to more openly practice the spirit of giving and serving.(Um Dave....you called a lot of sincere men a lot of names and imputed a lot of motives to them they simply don't have so you can drop that "giving" and "serving" none sense as your message to them.  You threaten people who compete with you like a Chicago thug.

We would say some or many of these things were good if the context were different—if it were describing GOD’S CHURCH. However, if you are not reading the headlines of today, then the tremendous BLAST of this ongoing and developing PARALLEL now at work across the world (since early March) is being lost to you. If YOU have not known what God is planning, you should ask why it seems the DEVIL does know—and why he is so obviously COUNTERFEITING the Haggai/Zechariah prophecy NOW!

(Dave seems to like the number 16 as that is the number of the Restored Kiss Up Council.  I would have thought 12 or 24 would have been more appropriate)

Sadly and of course, as Dr. Bob might say, Dave is making theological, religious and personal connections between himself and Pope Francis that don't actually exist in time and space.  No Satan has brought Pope Francis "for such a time as this" to deceive the very elect from following David C Pack.  How stupid is that?   That's like Matchbox Toys crying copyright infringement on Lambrogini for introducing their new 2013 model

This.....

Does not equal this.............

And this..........

Is not the false mimicry of this...

If anything, this....

Is the Diabolically Mimicked and not well done copy of...

This.. and this...

and this...and this....

and  much closer to this...

...if this  Joshua the High Priest spoken of by the Prophet Haggai non-sense and ego centric  theology doesn't stop soon.  Oh sorry, I forgot....it will in September.

Although the experience of physical pain in human life can be very unpleasant, the actual pain from suffering within the human mind can be much greater. Mental and emotional suffering come from a vast array of causes, all of which stem from sin and the curses that mankind has brought upon themselves. Many of these are simply passed down generation to generation or have even come as a result of what has been handed down from degenerating bodies (genes) as a result of curses and sin.

Although it is only very partial, the following list shows the kind of depth for causes and effects to human suffering and wrong experiences in life that cause such suffering (mental, emotional, and physical): betrayal, angry encounters, jealousy, envy, loss of the life of loved ones, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, arguments, false accusations, racism, robbery, countless diseases, cheating, adultery, fornication, HIV, rage, cancers, financial loss and struggle, obesity, depleted and contaminated foods, countless additives and chemicals in foods, indebtedness, divorce, unemployment, hostile work environment, oppression, murders, thefts, warfare, gossip, gambling addiction, oppressive government, corruption in government and business, false accusations, being maligned, daily pressures and stress of life, bloggers who lie, disloyalty, bad relationships, drug addiction, alcoholism, road rage, terrorism, pornography, greed, misuse of the Internet, malnutrition, deformities, bullying, controlling, fearfulness, phobias, evil, etc., etc. How many of these have been part or much of your experience in life? There seems to be no end to the means for human suffering that occupies so much of life. The real curses of life are overflowing, especially in this age of technology where sin is so easily multiplied.  

Something else to ponder along with this train of thought is that it has been long thought that The End had to come by 1996, this was based on the mindset that it would be 2,000 yrs since Christ's birth. You have 2k yrs from creation to the promise being made to Abraham. Now what was the next important event to unfold? Christ's birth? Personally I would say no. The next event that had to take place was Christ overcoming Satan and qualifying to take over the throne of the Earth. That would have to have happened sometime around 26 A.D. 2,000 yrs in the future will take you to 2026. 40 yrs after Mr Armstrong died will once again take you to 2026.

Are the scriptures about God’s holy days, especially the Feast, deeply etched into your heart? Does knowing God’s masterful holy day plan give you goosebumps? If so, it will not be hard for you to want to pass that same knowledge, emotions and feelings on to your child. Remember, children are great imitators. If you talk about what God has taught you with excitement and joy with your children, they will want to know and talk about it too.

However, you must teach your children what God says about the Feast from His Bible. How deeply you go into the scriptures will depend on the age of your child. Yet, every child should know well Leviticus 23—the premier holy day chapter in the Bible. Older children and teens should have its salient parts memorized. In fact, memorizing the scriptures related to the holy days is great preparation for the Feast.

Don’t skip over your little ones. Take your youngest children, even those who cannot yet read, into your lap and read Leviticus 23 to them. Point to verse 1 to show your child that God personally spoke these words to Moses, the first leader of ancient Israel. Point to verse 2 and show them that God told Moses to teach the children of Israel about the holy days. Then be sure to instruct them about what a privilege it is to know about and be able to keep God’s Feast.

Be sure to explain to your children that Jesus Christ is going to return to this Earth and build an entirely new world founded on God’s law of love, the Ten Commandments...

Even though the Feast is primarily for spiritual education (Isaiah 11:9), show your children that they can learn best about the millennium and the wonderful World Tomorrow by keeping the Feast. Explain to them that for eight days they will experience what it will be like to live during the millennium.

Obedience will be the order of the day during the millennium. Show them specifically that you and your family attend the Feast in order to obey God (Leviticus 23:2). Discuss that your family is able to attend the Feast because you obey God’s tithing laws (Deuteronomy 14:22). Then explain to them that when your family goes to the Feast you will obey all the instructions and rules made during announcements. Carefully explain that they should strive to be obedient to you always, but especially during the Feast—not only for their safety and well-being but also for the welfare of everyone else attending the Feast.